- 1991 in organized crime
"See also:"
1990 in organized crime ,
other events of 1991,1992 in organized crime and the
list of 'years in Organized Crime'.Events
*
Colombo crime family boss Victor "Little Vic" Orena is almost killed by Colombo gunmen but alludes his attackers. The reason is thought to be that Oreno had refused to give up his position as boss which was gained with the incarceration ofCarmine Persico . [http://www.americanmafia.com/Mob_Hits/1991_04_update.html]
*January 9 - During a meeting in aBrooklyn bar,Alphonse D'Arco is appointed acting boss of theLucchese crime family by bossVic Amuso and underbossAnthony Casso .
*February 1 –Claudio Martelli becomes minister of Justice.Giovanni Falcone becomes one of his chief aides, preparing Antimafia legislation and institutions.
*February 26 –Michele Greco and 41 other convicted defendants of theMaxi Trial are released by Italy’s Supreme Court. They are re-arrested by a special decree issued by minister of JusticeClaudio Martelli in consultation withGiovanni Falcone .
*April 12 - TheU.S. Department of Justice barredHotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union PresidentEdward T. Hanley from direct involvement inLocal 54 , of Atlantic City, after former Philadelphia LCN underbossPhilip Leonetti testified as to Hanley’s alliances with formerChicago Outfit top boss Joseph "Joey Doves" Aiuppa, who had sponsored the founding of the union, and former Philadelphia bossNicodemo Scarfo .
*April 13 -Gambino crime family soldierBartholomew "Bobby" Boriello was gunned down outside his Bensonhurst, Brooklyn home. Boriello had been a close associate of family bossJohn Gotti and served as his driver and bodyguard. Boriello was killed on orders from Lucchese family underbossAnthony "Gaspipe" Casso .
*June 24 - Imprisoned Bonanno BossPhillip Rastelli dies of natural causes. Joseph Massino is chosen to replace him as head of the Family.
*August 9 –Antonio Scopelliti , the prosecutor scheduled to argue the government’s case in the final appeal of theMaxi Trial before the Italian Supreme Court, is assassinated while on vacation inCalabria .
*August 21 - Alphonse D'Arco steps down as boss and goes into hiding.
*August 29 –Libero Grassi , a Palermo business man who publicly defied theMafia ’s extortion racket is murdered inPalermo .
*September 18 - A meeting is called by theLucchese crime family ; and after noting the sullen atmosphere, the presence of known Lucchesehitmen and several times before being told of a betrayal, Alphonse D'Arco becomes sure of a plot to overthrow him as boss and quickly leaves the venue.
*September 20 -Gambino crime family captainRalph Mosca , his son Peter, and Joseph Passanante, both soldiers, were indicted for operating a citywide gambling operation.
*September 21 - Alphonse D'Arco, in fear of mob retribution, becomes a government witness.
*November -Gambino crime family underbossSalvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano decided to cooperate with federal prosecutors and break his oath of omertà. After 11 months of being held without bail facing murder charges with Gotti, Gravano admitted his role in 19 slayings, including that of former bossPaul Castellano .Arts and literature
*"Billy Bathgate" (film) [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101453/] starring
Dustin Hoffman ,Loren Dean ,Bruce Willis ,Steven Hill ,Steve Buscemi andStanley Tucci .
*"Boyz n the Hood " (film) [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101507/] starringLaurence Fishburne ,Cuba Gooding Jr. andIce Cube .
*"Mobsters" (film) [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102460/] starringChristian Slater ,Patrick Dempsey ,Richard Grieco ,Costas Mandylor ,F. Murray Abraham ,Chris Penn andAnthony Quinn .
*"Oscar" (film) [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102603/] starringPeter Riegert ,Chazz Palminteri ,Joey Travolta andSylvester Stallone Births
Deaths
*
Phillip Rastelli , former Boss of the Bonanno Family
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