Joseph Magliocco | |
|---|---|
 Magliocco in the 1950s | |
| Born | Giuseppe Magliocco (1898-06-29)June 29, 1898 |
| Died | December 28, 1963(1963-12-28) (aged 65) West Islip, New York, U.S. |
| Resting place | Saint Charles Cemetery,Farmingdale, New York |
| Other names | "Joe Malayak" "Joe Evil Eye" |
| Occupation | Crime boss |
| Predecessor | Joseph Profaci |
| Successor | Joseph Colombo |
| Relatives | Joseph Profaci (brother-in-law) |
| Allegiance | Profaci crime family |
Joseph Magliocco (bornGiuseppe Magliocco;Italian pronunciation:[dʒuˈzɛppemaʎˈʎɔkko]; June 29, 1898 – December 28, 1963), also known as "Joe Malayak" and "Joe Evil Eye", was a Sicilian-born New Yorkmobster and the boss of the Profaci crime family (later to become theColombo crime family) from 1962 to 1963. In 1963, Magliocco participated in an audacious attempt withJoseph Bonnano to kill other family bosses and take over theMafia Commission. The attempt failed, and while his life was spared, he was forced into retirement. Soon after, he died of a heart attack on December 28, 1963.
Magliocco was born in Portella di Mare, afrazione in the comune ofMisilmeri, in theprovince of Palermo, inSicily. Magliocco's nickname, "Joe Malayak," came from the wordMaluk, which meant "ruler". Despite weighing over 300 pounds, Magliocco was described as being very energetic and decisive in his work and physical gestures, someone who exuded danger and confidence.
Magliocco lived on a six-acre waterfront estate inEast Islip, New York. He was the silent partner in a liquor company, Alpine Wine and Liquor, and a linen company, Arrow Linen Supply. In 1963, it was suspected that Magliocco was using his clout to force bars and restaurants to buy from both companies.[1][2] According toJoseph Bonanno, Magliocco was an excellent Italian chef and loved to eat.
Magliocco's son, Ambrose Magliocco, was acapo. Magliocco's second cousin and brother-in-law was mob bossJoseph Profaci, founder of the Profaci crime family.[3] Magliocco was anin-law ofconsigliere andunderboss Salvatore Mussachio, related by marriage toBuffalo crime family bossStefano Magaddino, and uncle to the wife ofBonanno crime family founder Joseph Bonanno.
As a young man, Magliocco became involved inillegal gambling and unionracketeering.
On December 5, 1928, Magliocco and Profaci attended a meeting of New York mobsters at theStatler Hotel inCleveland, Ohio. The main topic was dividing the Brooklyn territory of the recently murdered bossSalvatore D'Aquila without causing a gang war. By the end of the meeting, Profaci had received a share of the open territory, and named Magliocco as his second-in-command—a post he would hold for the next 34 years. When the Cleveland Police raided the meeting, Magliocco was briefly detained on an illegal weapons charge.
In 1931, theCastellammarese War began in New York between two powerful Italian-American gangs. Both Profaci and Magliocco attempted to stay neutral during this conflict. By the end of 1931, the war was over and the New York gangs were divided into five crime families supervised by aMafia Commission. Profaci and Magliocco were confirmed as boss and underboss, respectively, of what was now known as the Profaci crime family.
In 1957, Magliocco was arrested with 60 other mobsters who were attending theApalachin Conference, a national mob meeting inApalachin, New York. On January 13, 1960, Magliocco and 21 others were convicted of conspiracy and he was sentenced to five years in prison. However, on November 28, 1960, a United StatesCourt of Appeals overturned the verdicts.[4]
On February 27, 1961 the Gallos led byJoe Gallo, kidnapped four of Profaci's top men: underboss Magliocco, Frank Profaci (Joe Profaci's brother), capo Salvatore Musacchia and soldier John Scimone.[5] Profaci eluded capture and flew to sanctuary in Florida.[5] While holding the hostages, Larry and Albert Gallo sent Joe Gallo toCalifornia. The Gallos demanded a more favorable financial scheme for the hostages' release. Gallo wanted to kill one hostage and demand $100,000 before negotiations, but his brother Larry overruled him. After a few weeks of negotiation, Profaci made a deal with the Gallos.[6] Profaci's consigliere Charles "the Sidge" LoCicero negotiated with the Gallos and all the hostages were released peacefully.[7] However, Profaci had no intention of honoring this peace agreement. On August 20, 1961 Joseph Profaci ordered the murder of Gallo members Joseph "Joe Jelly" Gioielli and Larry Gallo. Gunmen allegedly murdered Gioilli after inviting him to go fishing.[5] Larry Gallo survived a strangulation attempt in the Sahara club ofEast Flatbush byCarmine Persico and Salvatore "Sally" D'Ambrosio after a police officer intervened.[5][8] The Gallo brothers had been previously aligned with Persico against Profaci and his loyalists;[5][8] The Gallos then began calling Persico"The Snake" after he had betrayed them.[8] The war continued on, resulting in nine murders and three disappearances.[8] With the start of the gang war, the Gallo crew retreated to the Dormitory.[9]
On June 6, 1962, Profaci died ofliver cancer and Magliocco became the family boss.[10] However, the Mafia Commission did not endorse him as the new family leader.[11]
Afraid that the other New York families viewed him as weak, Magliocco increased the tempo of violence against the Gallo faction.[12] In turn, car bombs, drive-by shootings, and other murder attempts were made against Magliocco men such asCarmine Persico and his enforcer, Hugh McIntosh. In 1963, with the jailing of Gallo and several associates, the hostilities temporarily ended.[13]
In 1963,Joseph Bonanno, the head of the Bonanno crime family, made plans to assassinate several rivals on theMafia Commission—bossesTommy Lucchese,Carlo Gambino, andStefano Magaddino, as well asFrank DeSimone.[14] Bonanno sought Magliocco's support, and Magliocco readily agreed. Not only was he bitter from being denied a seat on the Commission, but Bonanno and Profaci had been close allies for over 30 years. Bonanno's audacious goal was to take over the Commission and make Magliocco his right hand man.[13]
Magliocco was assigned the task of killing Lucchese and Gambino, and gave the contract to one of his top hit men,Joseph Colombo. However, the opportunistic Colombo revealed the plot to its targets. The other bosses quickly realized that Magliocco could not have planned this himself. Remembering how close Bonanno was with Magliocco (and before him, Profaci), as well as their close ties through marriages, the other bosses concluded Bonanno was the real mastermind.[13]
The Commission summoned Bonanno and Magliocco to explain themselves. Fearing for his life, Bonanno went into hiding inMontreal, leaving Magliocco to deal with the Commission. Badly shaken and in failing health, Magliocco confessed his role in the plot. The Commission spared Magliocco's life, but forced him to retire as Profaci family boss and pay a $50,000 fine. As a reward for turning on his boss, Colombo was awarded the Profaci family, which became the Colombo crime family.[13]
On December 28, 1963, Joseph Magliocco died of aheart attack atGood Samaritan Hospital Medical Center inWest Islip, New York.[15] Magliocco is buried inSaint Charles Cemetery inFarmingdale, New York.[2]
In 1969, the authoritiesexhumed Magliocco's body to determine if he had beenpoisoned. This action was taken based on FBI phone tapings in whichDeCavalcante crime family bossSam DeCavalcante suggested thatJoseph Bonanno poisoned Magliocco. However, no traces of poison were found in the body and it was re-interred at Saint Charles.[15]
Magliocco was portrayed byMichael Rispoli in the second season of the 2019 TV seriesGodfather of Harlem. The show, which blends facts with fiction, depicts him getting killed byVincent Gigante.[16]
| American Mafia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Colombo crime family Boss 1962-1963 | Succeeded by |
