Tommy (Tommy Brown) Lucchese – Family Boss
Tommy Lucchese was beloved by the rank and file of the Lucchese Family but had a reputation as a master corrupter and political “fixer.”
From its origins in Italian East Harlem, with many of its founding members having emigrated from Palermo and Corleone, Sicily, and later expanding out into the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, New Jersey, South Florida, and elsewhere, the Lucchese Crime Family has always been considered a major force within the greater New York City metropolitan area.
And although, traditionally, the smallest of the infamous Five Families, with an estimated formal membership of 130 members and over 500 associates, from its first leader Gaetano Reina to Gaetano Gagliano to Family namesake Gaetano Lucchese himself, on down through Carmine Tramunti and including Anthony Corallo, this borgata has always enjoyed the benefit of having a capable, intelligent leadership who directed their membership into the pivotal control of many of New York’s most important industries and rackets.
The Lucchese borgata had the envied reputation of always being one of the most internally peaceful, well-run, and wealthiest of the Five Families. They boasted a powerhouse lineup of such mob legends as the infamous John (Johnny Dio) Dioguardi, Vincent Rao, Paul Vario, Sr., John (Big John) Ormento, Vincent (Jimmy Doyle) Plumeri, and Joseph (Joe Beck) Di Palermo, to name but a few.
Through their successful infiltration, domination, and ironclad control of many key labor unions in varied industries such as major Teamsters Locals, the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU), and the Laborers Union of North America, among many other industry unions, the Lucchese’s have leveraged this control to dictate to entire segments of the business world. The garment district on an unprecedented scale, the nationwide air-freight industry at JFK Airport, and building construction are but a few of the industries held captive by the Lucchese Family for decades.
Below is a listing of bios and snapshots on Lucchese Family members and associates. They are generally listed in alphabetical order. New and updated bios will be highlighted under the Lucchese Family Spotlight tab in the sidebar column.
Tommy Lucchese was beloved by the rank and file of the Lucchese Family but had a reputation as a master corrupter and political “fixer.”
Carmine (Mr. Gribbs) Tramunti was an interim boss who ruled the Lucchese Crime Family until it all came crashing down in the 1970s.
Anthony Corallo was the head of the Lucchese Family who was a powerful labor racketeer in league with Johnny Dio and Tommy Lucchese.
Steve LaSalle was one of the bosses in the Lucchese Family who shared in the monopolistic lathing and construction rackets.
Vincenzo Rao was a Lucchese Family consigliere who could have been the Family boss at one time but chose to fade into the background.
Jack Reina was a “sleeper” to the general public and to many in organized crime, even though his dad was the boss.
Nunzio (Frank) Arra was a Lucchese Family soldier active in gambling, policy rackets, and bookmaking throughout the years.
Joseph Bendenelli was active in gambling and narcotics who got his nickname from an unfortunate incident with a baby.
Joe Bikini Brocchini was one of the largest and most important of porno racketeers in the New York City area.
Frank Campanello was a member of the Lucchese Family who was a key operative and overseer for Lucchese gambling interests in Queens.
Daniel Capra was a relatively unknown member of the Lucchese Family who was active in the policy and counterfeiting rackets.
Tony Higgins was well known and well-liked in East Harlem. He operated as an important member of Tommy Lucchese’s crew for years.
Joe D D'Auria led a wild life and was once listed by the Queens DA as one of 32 top hoodlums and racketeers.
Savino Debendictus was a low-key Lucchese associate who was active in vending machine rackets, hijacking, and bookmaking for the Family.
From city to city and state to state, Button Guys of The New York Mafia breaks down the history of organized crime in America. Through deep-dive biographies and snapshots of mobsters to in-depth stories about mafia regimes and crews, you’ll uncover an underworld you might never have known existed – maybe even in your own hometown!
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Copyright © 2019-2023. Button Guys of The New York Mafia. All Rights Reserved.