Here is the sixth installment in our ongoing series about ‘key’ members and associates of Utica’s mob faction. These next two fellows, brothers no less, served the regime faithfully over the decades as integral parts of Cosa Nostra’s machinations behind the scenes of big business and politics to further the mob’s goals and objectives.
Although not street ‘hoodlum’ types per se, in some ways the Battaglia brothers were among the most important of the mafia’s ‘soldati’ and affiliates. This is the very first time to my knowledge that their full underworld involvement has ever been exposed to the public. I hope you enjoy what I’ve found.
Originally emanating from the little town of Troy, New York, multimillionaire brothers Sylvester (Syl) Battaglia and Augustus J. (Smiling Gus) Battaglia were long acknowledged as well respected businessmen as well as political powerhouses who had originally hailed from the Capitol District in New York State.