Lorenzo (Chappie) Brescio: The Lucky Bodyguard

Lorenzo (Chappie) Brescio was a "piece of work" with hands like ham hocks. The solidly built Brescio had the reputation as a serious, no-nonsense mafioso not to be trifled with.

Lorenzo (Chappie) Brescio - aka Larry, "Brescio, and Chappie the Dude - was born on May 17, 1902, in Bari, Italy, and naturalized in 1929. He resided on the Lower East Side before moving into the Waldorf Astoria in midtown Manhattan.

By the early 1950s, he had migrated from Long Island to East Atlantic Beach at 91 Bay Street on the ocean. He also maintained a winter retreat down in South Florida at 1545 Madison Street in the Hollywood section.

Lorenzo (Chappie) Brescio

At 5-foot 8-inches tall and a rock-solid 190 pounds with brown eyes and hair, Chappie was a "piece of work" with hands like ham hocks. The solidly built Brescio had the reputation as a serious, no-nonsense mafioso not to be trifled with.

Chappie's favorite haunts were the Alto Knights Social Club at the corner of Kenmare and Mulberry Streets in New York's Little Italy, The La Cava Italian Restaurant on 1st Avenue in upper Manhattan, and the Villa D'Este in midtown Manhattan.

FBI #3445472, NYCPD #B-80823

He was one of the “original” founding members of the old Luciano Family, later renamed the Genovese Family. Brescio was a highly respected “soldier” and elder statesman of the Family.

He had the distinction of being the personal “bodyguard” of Charles (Lucky) Luciano for many years, one of the architects of the modern Cosa Nostra and first boss of the Family after Giuseppe Masseria. Brescio actually lived in a suite at the Waldorf Astoria with Luciano.

Brescio's associates included Lucky Luciano, Vito Genovese, Frank Costello, Michele Miranda, Joseph Doto, Willy Moretti, Frank Tieri, Carmine Lombardozzi, Anthony Carillo, Joseph Lanza, and most of the top members in all NYC Families of his era.

On the Lam

His activities included labor racketeering, extortion, shylocking, and strong-arm.

In the 1930s, he was indicted and convicted for the $60,000 extortion “labor shakedowns” (a huge amount for that era) of taxi drivers in the taxicab industry in New York City.

He was “on the lam” until 1945 when he turned himself in. By that time, he was able to plead out and only got a one-year sentence. His partner and alleged head of the racket was Joseph (Joe Bandy) Biondo, a top Anastasia leader.

Over the years, he was reported by authorities for holding hidden interests in the famed Saratoga Turf Mineral Waters at 117 Chrystie Street in downtown NYC and National Waterproofers Co., located at 89-30 161st Street in Jamaica, Queens.

In 1947, he was shot and wounded, allegedly by fellow soldier Joseph (Joe Stutz) Tortorici, in an unknown dispute.

Lorenzo Brescio

Chappie Brescio was a longtime “power” in the meat industry. He listed his occupation as a meat salesman and specialized in the Kosher meat rackets.

His brother, Frank Brescio, was the “business agent” of Local #174 - Butchers Union of Greater New York and New Jersey (AFL-CIO) - which came under investigation by famed Manhattan D.A. Frank Hogan for labor rackets and extortion.

His arrest record dates to the 1930s for homicide, extortion, perjury, and contempt of court. He was convicted of contempt (30 days) and extortion (jailed for an undetermined period.)

Brescio was listed in law enforcement files as a professional mafia strong-arm man and killer. In 1957, he was questioned about the murder of Family Boss Albert Anastasia.

By the late 1950s through the 1960s, he was repeatedly harassed and subpoenaed by the Nassau County D.A.s, first by Frank Gulotta then his successor William Cahn, pulling Brescio in at all hours of the night for questioning about mob operations and the mob infiltration of Long Island.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Brescio was believed to have served under capo Peter DeFeo in his downtown “Little Italy” crew.

By 1980, he was said to have stepped back, semi-retiring, until he died on August 9, 1985.

Until next time..."The Other Guy"

Lorenzo (Chappie) Brescio: The Lucky Bodyguard

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Lorenzo (Chappie) Brescio: The Lucky Bodyguard

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