Bufalino crime family: Difference between revisions
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The '''Bufalino Crime Family''' is a [[organized crime|criminal organization]] based in [[Scranton, Pennsylvania|Scranton]], [[Pittston, Pennsylvania|Pittson]] and [[Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania|Wilkes-Barre]] in [[Pennsylvania]] [[United States of America|USA]] within the nationwide criminal phenomenon known familiarly as the [[Mafia]] (also known as [[La Cosa Nostra]]). The Bufalino Crime Family exercises influence in Northeastern [[Pennsylvania]], Northwestern [[New Jersey]], Southern and Western [[New York]] while maintaining strong contacts with mafia counterparts in [[New York City]], [[Philadelphia]] and [[New England]]. |
The '''Bufalino Crime Family''' is a [[organized crime|criminal organization]] based in [[Scranton, Pennsylvania|Scranton]], [[Pittston, Pennsylvania|Pittson]] and [[Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania|Wilkes-Barre]] in [[Pennsylvania]] [[United States of America|USA]] within the nationwide criminal phenomenon known familiarly as the [[Mafia]] (also known as [[La Cosa Nostra]]). The Bufalino Crime Family exercises influence in Northeastern [[Pennsylvania]], Northwestern [[New Jersey]], Southern and Western [[New York]] while maintaining strong contacts with mafia counterparts in [[New York City]], [[Philadelphia]], [[Pittsburgh]] and [[New England]]. |
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==History of the Bufalino Crime Family== |
==History of the Bufalino Crime Family== |
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===Early History=== |
===Early History=== |
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===Appalachin=== |
===The Barbara Era to Appalachin=== |
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===The Bufalino Era=== |
===The Bufalino Era=== |
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During Barbara�s reign he made one brilliant move by naming Russell Bufalino as his underboss. Bufalino took over the family after Barbara�s death in 1959 and ran it until a conviction in the 1980s, after which the aging boss retired. |
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When Bufalino was imprisoned, Edward Sciandra, the family�s consigliere, became the acting boss. |
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===Recent Years=== |
===Recent Years=== |
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[Image:Bufalino_billydelia.jpg|thumb| |
[[Image:Bufalino_billydelia.jpg|thumb|200px|William "Big Billy" D'Elia, boss of the Bufalino crime family since 1994]] |
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| ⚫ | Since Russell Bufalino's death in 1994, and Edward Sciandra's "retirement" to Florida, William D'Elia became the new boss of the crime family in Northeastern Pennsylvania. D'Elia, born in [[1946]], started his career in the Bufalino family in the late [[1960s]] and [[1970s]] as Russell Bufalino's driver. |
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D'Elia's background in solid waste brokering, and keen business sense made him a valueable asset and aided in developing close connections with counterparts in [[New York City]], [[Philadelphia]] and [[Pittsburgh]]. Regarded as a peacemaker, he has helped resolve disputes over territory and business interests that could have erupted into bloodshed. |
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Over the last decade, William D'Elia has attempted to better him image and avoid prosecution by engaging in more legitimate enterprises. |
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In addition to the solid waste business, D'Elia maintains an active presence in the management of Spaniel Transportation, a trucking concern, and an equity share in the Newcastle Group, possibly from money laundering. However, he continues to earn income from traditional criminal activities: drug trafficking, loansharking, illegal gambling and bookmaking, securities fraud, and cartage theft. |
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In the 1990s D'Elia's name was linked to a money laundering scheme that involved a weekly newspaper in Exeter, Pennsylvania called ''The Metro''. [[Internal Revenue Service]] investigators from [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania]] claim that $3.0 million, the proceeds of a drug and prostitution ring, were laundered through the newspaper. The Wilkes-Barre ''Citizen's Voice'' reported, "The money is believed to have purchased bogus advertisements and subscribers that never existed. The publication ceased operation in 1998." Reputed to be linked to the laundering scheme is embattled Lackawanna County Court Judge Michael Barrasse (formerly a county prosecutor), who is currently under investigation for running protection prostitution and drug rackets. |
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However, many mafia observers have pointed out that D'Elia's days as a free man may be numbered. D'Elia was at one time involved in gambling junkets to [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], recording almost six million dollars in losses in a three year period where he reported $8000 per year in income to the [[Internal Revenue Service|IRS]]. On May 31, 2001 agents from the Criminal Investigation Division of the [[Internal Revenue Service|IRS]], [[US Postal Inspectors]] and [[Pennsylvania State Police]] executed search warrants at the homes of D'Elia, his mistress, and three others, seizing records in an ongoing investigation. On February 26, 2003, D'Elia was banned for life from stepping foot in casinos in [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]] by New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement based on information shared by the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] and the now defunct [[Pennsylvania Crime Commission]]. |
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* 1908–1933 — Santo Volpe ( –1933) |
* 1908–1933 — Santo Volpe ( –1933) |
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* 1933–1940 — John Sciandra ( –1940) |
* 1933–1940 — John Sciandra ( –1940) |
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* 1940–1959 — Joseph M. Barbara, Sr. ( –1959) |
* 1940–1959 — Joseph M. Barbara, Sr. ( –1959) |
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* 1959–1975 — Rosario Alberto "Russell" Bufalino (1903–1994) |
* 1959–1975 — Rosario Alberto "Russell" Bufalino (1903–1994) |
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* 1975–1994 — Edward "Eddie the Conductor" Sciandra ( –present) |
* 1975–1994 — Edward "Eddie the Conductor" Sciandra ( –present) (''acting boss'') |
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* 1994–present — William "Big Billy" D'Elia (1946–present) |
* 1994–present — William "Big Billy" D'Elia (1946–present) |
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Revision as of 01:37, 12 December 2004
The Bufalino Crime Family is a criminal organization based in Scranton, Pittson and Wilkes-Barre in Pennsylvania USA within the nationwide criminal phenomenon known familiarly as the Mafia (also known as La Cosa Nostra). The Bufalino Crime Family exercises influence in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Northwestern New Jersey, Southern and Western New York while maintaining strong contacts with mafia counterparts in New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and New England.
History of the Bufalino Crime Family
Early History
The Barbara Era to Appalachin
The Bufalino Era
During Barbara�s reign he made one brilliant move by naming Russell Bufalino as his underboss. Bufalino took over the family after Barbara�s death in 1959 and ran it until a conviction in the 1980s, after which the aging boss retired.
When Bufalino was imprisoned, Edward Sciandra, the family�s consigliere, became the acting boss.
Recent Years
Since Russell Bufalino's death in 1994, and Edward Sciandra's "retirement" to Florida, William D'Elia became the new boss of the crime family in Northeastern Pennsylvania. D'Elia, born in 1946, started his career in the Bufalino family in the late 1960s and 1970s as Russell Bufalino's driver.
D'Elia's background in solid waste brokering, and keen business sense made him a valueable asset and aided in developing close connections with counterparts in New York City, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Regarded as a peacemaker, he has helped resolve disputes over territory and business interests that could have erupted into bloodshed.
Over the last decade, William D'Elia has attempted to better him image and avoid prosecution by engaging in more legitimate enterprises. In addition to the solid waste business, D'Elia maintains an active presence in the management of Spaniel Transportation, a trucking concern, and an equity share in the Newcastle Group, possibly from money laundering. However, he continues to earn income from traditional criminal activities: drug trafficking, loansharking, illegal gambling and bookmaking, securities fraud, and cartage theft.
In the 1990s D'Elia's name was linked to a money laundering scheme that involved a weekly newspaper in Exeter, Pennsylvania called The Metro. Internal Revenue Service investigators from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania claim that $3.0 million, the proceeds of a drug and prostitution ring, were laundered through the newspaper. The Wilkes-Barre Citizen's Voice reported, "The money is believed to have purchased bogus advertisements and subscribers that never existed. The publication ceased operation in 1998." Reputed to be linked to the laundering scheme is embattled Lackawanna County Court Judge Michael Barrasse (formerly a county prosecutor), who is currently under investigation for running protection prostitution and drug rackets.
However, many mafia observers have pointed out that D'Elia's days as a free man may be numbered. D'Elia was at one time involved in gambling junkets to Atlantic City, New Jersey, recording almost six million dollars in losses in a three year period where he reported $8000 per year in income to the IRS. On May 31, 2001 agents from the Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS, US Postal Inspectors and Pennsylvania State Police executed search warrants at the homes of D'Elia, his mistress, and three others, seizing records in an ongoing investigation. On February 26, 2003, D'Elia was banned for life from stepping foot in casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey by New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement based on information shared by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the now defunct Pennsylvania Crime Commission.
Bosses of the Bufalino Crime Family
- 1908–1933 — Santo Volpe ( –1933)
- 1933–1940 — John Sciandra ( –1940)
- 1940–1959 — Joseph M. Barbara, Sr. ( –1959)
- 1959–1975 — Rosario Alberto "Russell" Bufalino (1903–1994)
- 1975–1994 — Edward "Eddie the Conductor" Sciandra ( –present) (acting boss)
- 1994–present — William "Big Billy" D'Elia (1946–present)
External Links
- The Pittston Family
- Northeastern Pennsylvania from Rick Porrello's AmericanMafia.com