Anthony Loria, Sr.

Anthony Loria, Sr. aka Tony Aboudamita (1921-1989) was a New York mobster who played a major role in the famous French Connection heroin scandal. He was cited as a major heroin dealer during the late 1960s and 1970s.

Early life

Born in the East Harlem section of New York, Loria later moved to the Bronx. Loria soon became associated with the Colombo family and soon acquired a reputation within the family was as a loyal and reliable man. In 1961, Loria was the defendant in New York v. Loria, a landmark case involving Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution rights regarding illegal "search and seizure" procedures.

Involvement in the French Connection

In the early 1970's, Loria moved to North Babylon, New York. During this period, Loria went to prison for his role as head of Long Island's heroin traffic operations. Loria was also implicated in the New York Police Department scandal which over $70 million narcotics seized during the French Connection operation were stolen from the police property room. These drugs eventually ended back on the streets, with Loria allegedly one of the sellers. Loria's partner, Vincent Papa was also arrested in the same Drug Enforcement Administration case and was sent to prison.

Later years

In later years, Loria moved to the Stuyvesant Heights section of Brooklyn, New York. In 1989, after years of failing health, Anthony Loria Sr. died at Stony Brook University Hospital hospital in Stony Brook, New York.

Loria was survived by his wife Mildred and seven children. Loria was the father of entertainer Art Loria and grandfather of entertainer, athlete, and movie actor Daniel Loria.

References

*"The Heroin Trail" - Newsday of Long Island Pulitzer Prize Winning Series. 1974.
*Wallance, Gregory. "Papa's Game", Rawson, Wade Publishers 1981 ISBN 0-892-56155 6