The Pittston-Scranton Family of LCN, based in Northeastern Pennsylvania, was, for many years, a little-known but influential entity of the American Mafia.
Better known as the Bufalino Family, they were originally formulated from newly arrived immigrants from the town of Montedoro in Sicily. This group operated primarily in the coal mines section of Pennsylvania.
These early mafiosi were known as Black Hand extortionists who preyed on the community at large, slowly but surely infiltrating and later coming to control much of the coal industry around their territory.
As Prohibition came into existence in 1920, this group was well poised to capitalize on the Volstead Act, building and operating alcohol stills, while knocking out the competition by either violence or domination by extortion until they alone were the top bootleggers in their area…..they made millions!
The first leaders were arguably Stefano (Steve) LaTorre, who immigrated to America in early 1880 and was joined shortly thereafter by his brother-in-law Santo (King of the Night) Volpe, who took over as Capo of their fledgling Borgata.
These two bosses, augmented by such close amici as Giovanni (John) Sciandra and Calogero (Charlie) Bufalino, became the original top hierarchy of this group. Collectively, they would rule for the first 50 years of the Family’s existence.
Although coming from a small town in Pennsylvania, Volpe was a powerhouse in the Mafia, as he had been back in Sicily. His reputation was nationwide within The Brotherhood.
Volpe spearheaded the infiltration and extortion of many coal mining companies, eventually gaining ownership interests in several of the larger, more important companies.
