Paul Cantarella

Paul Cantarella is a New York City mobster associated with the Bonanno crime family who became involved in murder, arson, kidnapping, loansharking, extortion, gambling and money laundering.

Biography

Born in New York, Cantarella is the son of mobster Richard Cantarella and Lauretta Castelli. He is also related to Bonanno soldiers Alfred Embarrato, Frank Cantarella, Anthony Mirra, Joseph D'Amico, and Joseph Padovano. Cantarella was hired by the New York Post Superintendent of Deliveries Robert Perrino on behalf of his uncle Alfred, but was fired shortly after starting his position as a delivery truck driver. Cantarella then pursued a life of crime with his family members. In 1994, Paul and several Bonanno associates were accused of kidnapping of a wealthy businessman at his office. The mobsters drove the businessman home, forced him to deactivate his burglar alarm system, and robbed him of cash, jewelry, and other valuables. They finally sent the businessman to Paul's father to be extorted for "protection money". In 1996, Paul became a made man, or full member, of the Bonanno family at his father's Staten Island home.

Father becomes government witness

In 2004, Cantarella's father became a government witness against Bonanno family boss Joseph Massino. However, Richard could not bring himself to testify about his son's criminal activities. He told the court that he denied knowing what Paul was even charged with, although they were indicted in the same racketeering case in October 2002. Richard claimed that he hadn't spoken to his son in eighteen months or with any other Bonanno informants since he became an informant himself. Paul's mother was indicted along with Paul and Richard for racketeering and has also become an informant.

References

*"Unusual Mob Hit Solved Twenty Years Later" GangLand News Online Column June 17, 2004 by Jerry Capeci