Big Leo Carlino: Joe Profaci’s Secret “Consigliere”

Known to the New York Police Department as just plain Leo Carlino, alias “Big Leo,” he was long considered a mob elder statesman by both federal and local authorities.

Big Leo Carlino

Leonardo (Big Leo) Carlino was born back on August 10, 1897, in the little town of Burgio, at Agrigento Province in Sicily, Italy.

After entering the United States at Ellis Island on September 25, 1913, the then sixteen-year-old young Sicilian immigrant and future mafioso settled in the County of Brooklyn.

He was naturalized on May 20, 1930, in the Eastern District of New York.

After moving to several locations within Kings County, some years later he eventually purchased a private home at 1819 83rd Street, where he would reside for decades to come.

It was noted that by the early 1950s, Leo also maintained a winter retreat in South Florida at the Brittany Apartments, Unit #7, 4015 Royal Palm Avenue, Miami Beach.

NYCPD #B-117290

Just Plain Leo

Known to the New York Police Department as just plain Leo Carlino, alias “Big Leo,” he was long considered a mob elder statesman by both federal and local authorities.

Carlino operated for years as a shadowy member of the old Joseph Profaci crime family. In fact, he was one of the least known members of the family.

Yet, he was believed to have risen to serve in a caporegime post by at least the early 1950s and quietly maintained a crew of soldiers for the borgata.

Carlino was reportedly so well regarded by Profaci that he was often chosen to represent the boss in dealing with other elements of the underworld, particularly in settling internal disputes among Profaci members. It seems that in that regard, Leo served as a sort of “consigliere” or family counselor among the troops.

Racketeer and Shylock

It is said that “Big Leo,” as he was known on the streets, was primarily active as a garment center racketeer and an important shylock.

Over the years, law enforcement noted his ownership interests in several lucrative dress manufacturing firms,

One of his longtime partners in two particular garment companies was Profaci soldier and gunman Vincenzo (Jimmy) Sabella, who was himself a very shadowy character about whom authorities knew very little.

Another was Profaci family consigliere Giuseppe (Joe) Buffa. He was but yet another virtual “unknown” to law enforcement.

A third close ally was said to be family soldier James (Jimmy Brown ) Clemenza with whom he was also involved in the garment industry.

Clemenza was a longtime “official” of the Greater Blouse, Skirt, and Neckwear Contractors Association, an industry trade group that represented 300 garment manufacturers in their dealing with the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (AFL-CIO).

Clemenza also held sway through his hidden control of ILGWU Union Local #25, which represented over 6500 garment workers such as blouse craftsmen and waist makers.

A Key Garment Firm

One key garment firm Carlino was registered as a partner was Miss Smart Frocks, located at 501 Seventh Avenue, Manhattan, situated smack dab in the heart of the “Garment District.”

First incorporated back in 1955, its principals were listed as Herman Klein serving as President, Max Roseman as Treasurer, Leo Carlino as Vice President, and Joseph Buffa as Secretary.

Miss Smart Frocks also operated the C. & S. Dress Company, 1742 86th Street, Brooklyn. Originally registered in 1947, C. & S. was first established by Carlino and Sabella to serve as the primary “sub-contractor” for Miss Smart Frocks.

This contracting factory operated upwards of 60 to 70 sewing machines and garment “operators” that worked daily stitching together most of the “piece work” provided by their Manhattan alter ego.

By the 1950s, each of the above-listed mafiosi had decades of business experience in the garment manufacturing industry under their belts.

Separately, and together, these men operated various garment firms on behalf of their own interests, as well as those of the Profaci family at large, helping to maintain the borgata’s garment racket interests for Profaci.

A Limited "Yellow Jacket"

Leo had a very limited arrest record, with only two known arrests on his “yellow jacket.”

There was an old 1930s arrest for extortion, and a second arrest in the early 1960s brought by IRS Agents on an indictment for income-tax evasion charges. The case was connected to Carlino’s garment center interests.

His partner Herman Klein was a codefendant in this case. The criminal case was repeatedly delayed because of Leo’s health issues. No exact disposition could be determined, but I don’t believe the wily old mafioso ever served jail time.

In his later years, Leo relocated permanently down to the Miami area, where he continued to keep a low profile.

By the 1960s, local police (who occasionally still kept an eye on him) viewed him as semi-retired and inactive. But “Big Leo” was still considered to be a highly respected mafioso “original.”

Big Leo Carlino: Joe Profaci’s Secret “Consigliere”

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Big Leo Carlino: Joe Profaci’s Secret “Consigliere”

Unlock This Door to the Underworld

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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

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