Joseph (JoJo) Pecora

JoJo Pecora was a pivotal figure in the Pittsburgh Mafia , starting as a numbers runner in East Liberty before rising to underboss of the LaRocca Family . With a keen eye for business and an unshakable loyalty to his boss, Mike Genovese , Pecora managed everything from gambling dens to Las Vegas-style casinos.

Joseph (JoJo) Pecora - aka Joseph Nicholas Pecora (TN) -- was born in Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, on December 12, 1919. He was raised at 164 Carver Street and resided there in his parent's home until 1955.

From 1958 forward, after marrying his wife Concetta (née Scaringi), they made their home at 7041 Campania Street and raised four daughters: Annabella, twins Sharon and Charlene, and Joyce.

By the mid-1960s, he would relocate to West Virginia, buying a home on Old German Road and Route #2 - Box 250 in the Tionesta section of Chester. He named his large home “Charlie's Roost,” which he renovated in 1962.

JoJo Pecora

Side Note: Authorities reported that Pecora had relocated to West Virginia to better oversee racket operations in the northern panhandle area there for the borgata at the behest of boss John LaRocca, who had given JoJo that lucrative opportunity.

Pecora stood 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighed a solid-bulky 185 pounds. He had a medium complexion, dark brown hair, eyes, and a chubby round face.

JoJo was one of four Pecora brothers. The others were Vincent (Jimmy)-FBI #5016202, Charles-FBI #256193A, PPD #4343, and Richard. Several of his brothers were also affiliated with the mob, had arrest records, and operated in the numbers racket.

It was reported that JoJo had a bad sciatica back problem, requiring him to go for daily therapy. He had a standing 2 p.m. appointment for a therapeutic massage at the YMCA in East Liberty. Additionally, he was a regular member of the Beau Brummell Men’s Club on Liberty Avenue.

AllegPD # A-15728, PghPD # 57347

Getting His Start

By the late 1950s, Pecora was listed by the FBI as a soldier in the Cosa Nostra Family headed by John LaRocca. It was said JoJo served directly under Mike Genovese and was his closest aide and disciple. Because of this close relationship, Pecora’s star would rise in the organization as Genovese ascended into the hierarchy, first as LaRocca’s underboss until Mike eventually became the boss himself. Mike elevated JoJo to capo and ultimately as his underboss.

The Pennsylvania Crime Commission had listed Pecora as “underboss” or second in command to Genovese since 1980.

Side Note: The Crime Commission reported that Pecora was nearly named to head the Pittsburgh Family after LaRocca’s death in 1984. However, other members argued against him because Pecora’s parole from a 1981 racketeering conviction barred him from leaving Hancock County, West Virginia, where he resided.

His known hangouts included the Genovese Cocktail Lounge at 412 Larimer Avenue, Pittsburgh; the Four Seasons West Cocktail Lounge in the Shadyside section; the Phoenix Motel Lounge in Monroeville, operated by Mike Genovese and Archie Nelson; Milfon’s Jewelers on Penn Avenue in East Liberty; The Holiday House in Monroeville; The Red Eagle Lounge in Liberty; Club 30 located in downtown Pittsburgh and owned by soldier Frank Valenti; and The Carlton House in downtown Pittsburgh.

As a front for the taxman, Pecora listed his vocation as employment at Mikfon’s Jewelry Shop. He probably had an interest in this business because he later utilized the location as his main meeting place and base for his numbers business.

Some years later, Pecora became a business agent for Local # 178 of the Wreckers and Scrap Iron Workers Union. He also has held interests in a West Virginia vending machine firm and a lucrative Las Vegas gambling junket business in partnership with soldier Anthony (Wango) Capizzi.

Mike Genovese

Initially, Pecora got his start working for underboss Michael Genovese, who tapped Pecora to oversee numbers operations in the East Liberty section of Pittsburgh for the Family. He was considered a trusted subordinate of Genovese for years.

The Pittsburgh crew operated and was heavily engaged over the years in many small card and crap games by its members and associates, which operated out of bars and backrooms throughout the city.

Some of these were a lively dice game run only on weekends below Fiore (Fio) Genovese’s bar on Larimer Avenue in East Liberty, and another game was run on weeknights above Anthony’s Restaurant. Commonly known as Chubby’s game, it was operated by Anthony (Chubby) Chiswalik. Fiore Genovese and John Antonucci were also said to have held an interest in the game. There were many others as well.

In addition to these makeshift, backdoor, and surreptitious “Guys & Dolls” type crap and poker games, the LaRocca Family also specialized in elaborate casino-type gambling operations run so openly that you’d think they had a state license to do so...in a sense they did!

Side Note: With the pervasive official corruption running rampant during that time era that “was” Pittsburgh, the LaRocca mob successfully bribed and bought off many in the local police department and city politicians at the highest levels. It enabled them to pretty much operate out in the open with near-total immunity from arrest and prosecution.

John LaRocca

Pecora was appointed to oversee one of these fancy Las Vegas-type casinos, one of its most successful as well. He was connected to The Jockey Club, which was located on Route 30 in Chester, W. Virginia., an elaborately decorated gambling casino operated by partners Charles (Chuck) Teemer, who acted as the general manager, the Mannarino brothers and boss John LaRocca .

By 1961, Pecora was installed there by John LaRocca to act as assistant manager on salary to watch the Pittsburgh mob’s interests. He was also said to have been given a small percentage of any profits generated from the club. Also known as the Red Dog Casino, the club offered as games: four crap tables, a roulette wheel, two blackjack tables, and a chuck-a-luck table.

Side Note: Although they had immunity from local police, by mid-1964, the FBI conducted a raid at the Jockey Club, arresting employees and operators and confiscating all gaming tables and gambling equipment. The crew kept the club closed thereafter rather than risk further federal intervention.

Pecora was also identified as overseer of the annual “football pool” lottery ticket operation, watching over Anthony (Wango) Capizzi, who actually ran the ticket pool. It was operated out of Frenchies Restaurant, which was used as a headquarters of sorts.

They utilized four different types of tickets played in Pittsburgh to keep popularity: The Winner, Tech, Even Pro, and North. Pecora was known to distribute and book football pool sheets throughout the East Liberty section, where he had dominion.

Backing Up a Bit

Over the years, as Pecora steadily rose up the ranks of the borgata, he met and associated with nearly all the top members of this Family. These included:

Sebastian (Big John) LaRocca (boss)

Mike Genovese (underboss)

Philip Genovese (soldier)

Gabriel (Kelly) Mannarino (capo)

Samuel (Sam) Mannarino (soldier)

Antonio (Tony) Ripepi (capo)

Archie Nelson (associate)

Hymie Martin (associate)

Luigi (Lou) Volpe (capo)

Joseph (Joe) Sica (capo)

John Fontana (soldier)

Frank Amato Sr. (former boss/capo)

John Bazzano Jr. (soldier)

Joseph (Little Joe) Rosa (soldier)

Abraham (Al) Zeid (associate)

JoJo was also reported to be a close associate of soldier Frank Valenti , who, with the approval and support of the Pittsburgh Family and the Magaddino Mob from Buffalo, established his own Family in Rochester, NY, in the early 1950s.

His police record, which included seven arrests, began in the mid-1940s with charges such as:

1946 - lottery

1946 - operating a lottery (2 months in the workhouse)

1949 - felonious assault and battery, possession of a firearm

1950 - adultery

1957 - operating a gaming table in West Virginia ($50 fine)

1963 - arrested by the FBI for federal gambling violations

1979 - racketeering, conspiracy, bribery, and official corruption (3 years in federal prison)

Upon his release from the federal penitentiary in the mid-80s, JoJo backed up a bit. The 1980s were proving to be a dangerous decade for the Pittsburgh mob. Several federal probes were afoot, and Pecora was out on parole.

He started spending most of his time down in the Sunshine State with his wife Connie at the home they’d bought in 1984 and just took it easy.

JoJo Pecora

In 1986, at 8 a.m., his wife Concetta found her husband dead in their comfortable Boca Raton home in South Florida. It is believed he died during the early morning hours while he was in bed sleeping. The cause of death was listed as a heart attack from hypertension.

Side Note: It is a credit to him (and any mafioso for that matter) to be able to boast that he died free and with his shoes off -- a loyal mob “soldato” to the end.

His body was flown back to Pittsburgh for the wake and a proper Christian burial by his large extended loving family (his loving wife of over 35 years, four daughters, three brothers, fourteen grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren), lifelong borgata associates, and personal friends.

Joseph (JoJo) Pecora was just 67 years old.

Until next time..."The Other Guy"

Joseph (JoJo) Pecora

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