Giovanni (The Ambassador) Petrone – “International Shadow”

Giovanni (The Ambassador) Petrone seems to have mostly operated under the radar although when indicted on one occasion, authorities described Petrone as “one of the most important criminals in both the US and Canada.”

Giovanni (The Ambassador) Petrone - aka "Johnny Bennett" and "John Michael" - was born in 1896. He resided at 1500 Rowland Street in the Bronx for many years.

Giovanni (The Ambassador) Petrone

Petrone stood 5-foot 8-inches and weighed a solid 175-pounds with blue eyes and grey hair. His left index finger had been amputated years before.

FBI #1474964, NYCPD #B-408659

A shadowy Bonanno figure alleged to have been made in his 20s, he was named by Valachi and several subsequent government records as a member.

His capo was alleged to be Michael Angelina whom he was said to be in business with owning a jewelry store in the 47th Street Diamond Exchange. He was suspected of being a diamond and gold smuggler and a fence.

47th Street Diamond Exchange

Petrone was a unique figure in that he operated somewhat unconventional operations including international smuggling of both narcotics and jewels, bankruptcy frauds (for which he had an arrest,) counterfeiting U.S. currency, etc. He was not your typical street hood.

He seems to have mostly operated under the radar although when indicted on one occasion, authorities described Petrone as “one of the most important criminals in both the US and Canada.”

His primary stomping grounds were both the Little Italy downtown sections of Manhattan where he frequented a pastry shop at the corner of Elizabeth and Prince Streets, the midtown Manhattan westside diamond district where he owned Michealangelo Jewelry Shop at 37 W. 47th Street, and the Gondolfo Motors Auto Sales up in the Bronx.

He was indicted in a fraudulent bankruptcy conspiracy in 1938 for which he served a year and a day.

During a raid on his home, agents discovered $5,000 in $100 bills in counterfeit notes. He received a 15-year sentence and a $5,000 fine. The spurious money was discovered to be part of a load printed by Buffalo Family members. Sam Salli, a notorious Magaddino soldier, was connected to this activity.

After his release from prison, he relocated for a time to Long Island where he lived at 8 N. Park Drive in Massapequa, an enclave where several other key Bonanno operatives also lived including Mike Adamo and Mike Casale, among others.

Petrone had a limited arrest record starting 1938 including concealing assets in bankruptcy (bankruptcy fraud), currency counterfeiting, contempt of court, interstate transportation of stolen property, and disorderly conduct (twice.)

Eventually, he relocated back to the Bronx/Yonkers area.

His associates included Carmine Galante, Joseph (Little Joe) Notaro - both of whom may have been his Capo at some point - Michael Consolo, Salvatore (Sally Shields) Shillitani, Anthony D'Agostino, Charles (Charlie Brody), and Joseph (Joe Beck) Di Palermo, and Paul Gambino.

By the early 1970s, he seemed to have faded from active racket involvement. Petrone died in 1974.

Until next time..."The Other Guy!"

Giovanni (The Ambassador) Petrone – “International Shadow”

You May Also Enjoy

Racketeer Snapshot: Connecticut’s Frank (The Cigar) Piccolo

The Anthony Strollo Regime of NY/NJ

The Day Charlie (the Bug) Workman Saved a Horse

Welcome Back!

Create New Account!

Retrieve your password

Are you sure want to unlock this post?

Are you sure want to cancel subscription?

Giovanni (The Ambassador) Petrone – “International Shadow”

Unlock This Door to the Underworld

Take the Journey!

You May Also Enjoy

Racketeer Snapshot: Connecticut’s Frank (The Cigar) Piccolo

The Anthony Strollo Regime of NY/NJ

The Day Charlie (the Bug) Workman Saved a Horse

Welcome Back!

Create New Account!

Retrieve your password

Are you sure want to unlock this post?

Are you sure want to cancel subscription?