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Adolfo Bruno

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Adolfo Bruno
Adolfo Bruno
Born1945
DiedNovember 23, 2003
Springfield, Massachusetts
Cause of deathkilled by multiple gunshot
Other namesBig Al

Adolfo Bruno (1945 – November 23, 2003), also known as "Big Al", was a Massachusetts mobster with the Genovese crime family who ran an organized crime operation in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Criminal career

In 1984 Bruno was one of several individuals arrested in a multi-state gambling ring along with Anthony Liquori and Amadeo Santinelo. In 1987, Bruno was sentenced to five years in federal prison by Judge Frank Freedman for gaming offenses in Albany, New York. Bruno's codefendants included Mario Fiore, Anthony "Turk" Scibelli, Ricky S. Songini, Felix Tranghese, Albert "Baba" Scibelli, and Donald Pepe.

In 1990, Bruno was at the center of a controversy that many believe cut short the career of longtime Hampden County District Attorney Matthew Ryan Jr. when a top Ryan aide accused the DA of being soft on mobsters like Bruno. Ryan, a frequent racquetball partner [1] of Bruno's, denied the allegations but retired that year.

In 1991, Bruno was acquitted of attempted murder in a gang-related shooting in Agawam, Massachusetts. Prosecutors claimed that Bruno and co-defendant John J."Jake" Nettis shot convicted bookmaker Joseph Maruca in a barn owned by Bruno's brother Frank. State prosecutors used reformed Philadelphia crime family hitman Phil Leonetti as a government witness. Nettis was convicted and received a nine to ten year state prison sentence.

In 1993, Vito Ricciardi, a Springfield barber, shot at Bruno twice outside the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Society social club in Springfield. However Bruno was supposedly wearing a bulletproof vest and survived the shooting. Ricciardi later said that he shot Bruno because he had been assaulted over an unpaid debt.

In 1996, Bruno and Francesco J."Skyball" Scibelli were sentenced to 15 months in prison for illegal gambling.

Bruno murder

On November 23, 2003, Bruno and Frank Depergola were approached by a man as they entered their vehicle outside Our Lady of Mount Carmel club. The man called Bruno by name and when Bruno turned to address him, the man shot Bruno six times in the head and groin. Bruno was later pronounced dead at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.

On November 17, 2008, Frank Roche pleaded guilty to the Bruno murder in federal court. Roche testified to a federal grand jury that Bruno's crew had paid him $10,000 to murder their boss. According to Roche, Genovese leaders and Bruno's crew wanted to eliminate him because he was not earning enough money for the family. Several high-ranking mobsters in New York were also misled to believe that Bruno was a government informant. Roche also informed law enforcement of plots to kill rival crime figures Joe "Big Joe" Manzi and convicted bookmaker Louie "the Shoe" Santos.

As of February 23, 2010, several small-time criminals Fotios A. "Freddy" Geas, Anthony J. Arillotta, and Brandon D. Croteau have been charged with first degree murder in Bruno's death. Arillotta received permission from high-ranking organized crime figures within the Genovese crime family to have Bruno killed. The investigation is ongoing. Charges were eventually dismissed against Croteau.

As of January 2014, several high-profile trials have been held in the state of New York with acting Genovese crime boss Arthur "Artie" Nigro, low level wannabe's Ty and Fotios Geas being found guilty and being sentenced to life in prison without parole. Emilio Fusco was given twenty five years in federal prison as well. Anthony J. Arillotta turned government witness and testified against his co-defendants, he is set to be sentenced in March 2014. Felix Tranghese was also a made member of the Genovese crime family who became a cooperating witness. Tranghese was given a four-year prison sentence. Gunman and turncoat Frankie Roche was also given a fourteen-year prison sentence. New York gangster turned rat John Bolgna received an eight-year prison term. Arillotta was eventually sentenced to eight years in federal prison.

References

  1. ^ http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/anatomy_of_a_mob_murder_the_li.html
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