The Gaggi Crew or Castellano Crew was a crew within the Gambino Crime Family. The crew was famously lead by Gambino capo Nino Gaggi and before him, Paul Castellano. It is said that famous mobster Roy DeMeo, who led the DeMeo Crew, was a member of this crew.
History[]
The crew was possibly founded in the 1920s by former Gambino capo Salvatore Masotto and when he died in 1934, Frank Castellano, cousin to Paul Castellano got promoted to capo of the crew. Later Paul Castellano was promoted to caporegime in the 1950s during Albert Anastasia's reign as boss. In 1976 Castellano became the new boss of the family after Carlo Gambino's death and therefore promoted Nino Gaggi to the new capo of the crew.
During Gaggi's reign he supervised and overseed the DeMeo Crew led by mobster Roy DeMeo, who was a part of Gaggi's Crew. But already since 1970 it is said that DeMeo was working for Gaggi and paying him weekly tributes.
In 1988 Gaggi died of a heart attack while awaiting his second trial. This led to the desolation of the Gaggi Crew. The remaining crew members were redistributed among the other capos.
Known Leaders and Members[]
Capos[]
- 1920s-1934 - Salvatore Masotto - possible founder of the crew. Died in 1934.
- 1934-1950s- Frank Castellano - cousin og Paul.
- 1950s-1976 - Paul Castellano - became official boss in 1976 after Gambino's death.
- Acting 1960s - Thomas Masotto - allegedly acting capo while Castellano became acting boss in the 1960s.
- 1976-1988 - Nino Gaggi - sentenced to five years in prison in 1986.
- Acting 1979-1981 - Roy DeMeo - was allegedly acting capo while Gaggi was in prison.
Soldiers[]
- 1977-1983 - Roy DeMeo - led the famous DeMeo Crew. Murdered in 1983.
- 1960-1976 - Nino Gaggi - promoted to capo of the Gaggi Crew.
- c. 1958-1980s - Frank Bonino - became a made man in around 1958 after his release from prison and put in Castellano's crew (later called Gaggi Crew).
- 1977-1980s? - Greg DePalma - transfered to rhe Ricco Crew in the 1980s.
- 1950s/60s-1980 - Thomas Masotto - died in 1980.
- 1950s/60s-1980s - Victor Masotto - died in 1989.
- 1950s-1979 - James "Jimmy The Clam" Eppolito sr. - shot and killed in 1979 in a car by Gaggi and DeMeo.
- 1970s-1979 - James "Jim Jim" Eppolito jr. - shot and killed in 1979 in a car by Gaggi and DeMeo. Not fully confirmed that he was a made man.
- 1970's-1983/88 - Carlo Profeta - Bodyguard for DeMeo. Switched to Lucchese Family in 1989.
- 1970s-1980s - Peter ""petey 17" Piacenti - transfered to the Ciccone crew. Later promoted to acting capo.
- 1970s-19?? - Frank "Frankie Butch" Guglielmini - not much known about him.
- 1950s-1970s - John "Johnny Pesche" Chiarello - transfered to Jimmy Faila's crew.
- 1950s-1970s/80s - Accursio "Swifty" Marinello
- 1970s? - Joseph “Brewster” Delmonico - later switched to Michael Dileonardo's crew.
Associates[]
- 1966-1979 - Chris Rosenberg - First member of the DeMeo Crew.
- 1978-1982 - Vito Arena - Became a government witness in 1980 and began testifying in 1982. DeMeo Crew.
- 1970's-1983 - Anthony Senter - Moved to the Lucchese Family after the death of Roy DeMeo. Sentenced to life imprisonment. DeMeo Crew.
- 1970's-1983 - Joseph Testa - Moved to the Lucchese Family after the death of Roy DeMeo. Sentenced to life imprisonment. DeMeo Crew.
- 1970's-1980's - Henry Borelli - Currently serving a 100 year sentence. DeMeo Crew.
- 1970's-1983 - Dominick Montiglio - Cooperated with the FBI. DeMeo Crew.
- 1970's-1983 - Richard DiNome - Shot and killed in 1984. DeMeo Crew.
- 1970's-1983 - Frederick DiNome - Became a government witness. DeMeo Crew.
- 1976-1978 - Edward Grillo - Murdered by DeMeo crew. DeMeo Crew.
- 1970's-1983 - Patrick Testa - Moved to the Lucchese Family after the death of Roy DeMeo. DeMeo Crew.
- 1970's-1983 - Joseph Guglielmo - Disappeared. DeMeo Crew.
- 19?-19? - Peter “The Pick” LaFroscia - Still alive. DeMeo Crew.