Dear brother of Peter Kathryn Jane Katie (Hall) Mueller passed away peacefully at home on February 1, 2023. In 2019, Robert Iannelli, a longtime Pittsburgh area sports gambling and bookmaker, was arrested along with his son and others. [24], In 2008, Thomas "Sonny" Ciancutti became boss of the Pittsburgh family. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio A former mob boss who helped Youngstown earn the name "Crimetown U.S.A" has died at age 90. [12] During Monastero's reign he was suspected of ordering the bombings of rival bootleggers facilities and for ordering the murder of his competitor Luigi "Big Gorilla" Lamendola in May 1927. Living next door to has many great memories for me. Thank God that his organization has been completely abandoned, said Mahoning County Prosecutor Paul Gains, who was on a receiving end of one of the mobsters more famous attempted hits. He became boss in Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley in August 1991 after a sniper killed boss Joey Naples. After high school, Barb met Michael R. Fedor age 89 passed away peacefully on January 22 nd, 2023. Strollo, 67 at the time, pleaded guilty to charges of racketeering and filing a false 1992 federal income tax return. Months later Congress passed the Volstead Act declaring that liquor, wine and beer all qualified as intoxicating liquors and were therefore prohibited. [1] Territory within the city was also divided as the Sicilian's controlled the North and South sides, while the Neapolitan's controlled the East End. Strollo was a former Pittsburgh mobster "who ran the Youngstown rackets," according to Cleveland Scene. BOARDMAN One-time Valley mob boss Lenine "Lenny" Strollo, 90, the former organized crime boss who cooperated with the FBI and provided testimony on several Youngstown-area killings and . Federal investigations revealed that Gains assassination attempt was ordered by Strollo because Gains would not cooperate with the local mob. Following Strollo's release from prison, de Souza sought him out, offering a private video interview about his life, to be released after Strollo's death. On August 19, 1991, mob figure Joey Naples was killed in a mob hit in Youngstown so Strollo then became the boss of the Mahoning Valley operation: bookmaking, poker machines, narcotics trafficking and vending machines aided by his brother Dante. Nothing gave him greater joy than to cook for his family, especially grilling and using herbs from his garden. 

He is survived by his wife, Antoinette Strollo, his daughters, Janice (Ron) King, Sharon (Gary) Luc, Lisa Licata, his son Raymond Hertz; his two sisters, Jennie Dundee and Vilma Cramer; his grandchildren Angela, Pamela, Jamie, Jodi, Michelle, Anthony, Nicholas, Corey, Shannon, Kristy, Alexis, Raeanna, Raymond Jr., Braden, eighteen great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Besides his parents, Lenny was preceded in death by his daughter Gale Rudolphi, two sisters Alvina Palermo and Edina Strollo, and his two brothers Dante and Dominic. 

Private services were held for family at Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4221 Market St., Boardman. If a death has occurred, please call us on the number below: Helen Holmgren age 99 of Glen Ellyn, IL passed away February 19, 2023. I think that was truly an indication that organized crime had finally been broken in the Valley.. All Rights Reserved. He had just celebrated his 90 birthday with family and friends a few weeks before. Loving fianc of Lisa Sobala. There was Strollo, up there testifying for the prosecution, something you never would have seen before, Abraham said. (20072010) lacndb.com, La Cosa Nostra: John Bazzano Jr. (20072010) lacndb.com, La Cosa Nostra: Antonio Ripepi. [12] The drug trafficking activities led to increased law enforcement surveillance and investigations. Lenny was blessed with a very large and loving family. Besides his parents, Lenny was preceded in death by his daughter, Gale Rudolphi; two sisters, Alvina Palermo and Edina Strollo and his two brothers, Dante and Dominic. When Gains was first elected, Gains was shot several times but survived. When Milano cross-examined him, he asked Strollo where he had buried his money. With the death of Lenine Strollo, brings the an end of the era when the mafia controlled the the region. Then on the eve of the trial, Mr. Strollo entered a plea.. In August 1991, mob figure Joey Naples was killed in a mob hit in Youngstown. Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, he was a varsity track athlete at Lower Marion High School and at his alma James R. Davy passed away peacefully on February 14, 2023 at home in Glen Ellyn with his family by his side. (20072010) lacndb.com, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "The American Mafia.com "Pittsburgh crime family", Chapter 5 "Mafia Families Poison the Northeast", "Rick Porrello's AmericanMafia.com - 26 Mafia Families and Their Cities", "Pittsburgh Mafia Leader "Sonny" Ciancutti Dead At 91, LaRocca Crime Family Officially Closed For Business", "From Monastero to Genovese, Five Pittsburgh Mob Bosses Who Made the News", "As Mafia ranks dwindle nationwide, one of Pittsburgh's last living mobsters dies", "Operation Pork Chop mastermind Melocchi sentenced to probation", "Mon Valley gambling arrests reflect old mob connections", "Thomas "Sonny" Ciancutti Arnold, Pennsylvania August 3, 1929 - July 8, 2021", "AmericanMafia.com 26 Mafia Cities - Pittsburgh, PA", Laborers local 1058 (Pittsburgh) order and Memorandum imposing supervision in lieu of trusteesh, "Ohio Mob Briefs: Youngstown & Cleveland", "Organized Crime in Pennsylvania a Decade of Change: 1990 Report", "Who Is Bobby Iannelli? [20] Genovese's former underboss Charles Porter was released from prison in 2000 after his 28 year sentence was halved for helping the FBI investigate mob operations from New York, New Jersey, Florida and California, including narcotics operations in Pittsburgh. Private services were held for family at Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4221 Market St., Boardman. Your in my prayers. The fact that people like Strollo agreed to be government witnesses "really spoke to the fact that organized crime families and associates knew they were in trouble," Lawson said, to such an extent that, in providing testimony, Tobin wrote Strollo "drew the final curtain on the fabled northern Ohio mob. At the time, the city was big enough that betting rackets were lucrative, but small enough that they could be kept safe from law enforcement, prosecutors said. Lenny was born April 21, 1931 in Youngstown, the son of the late. Ill never understand that, said Mahoning County Prosecutor Paul Gains. Recommend Lenine's obituary to your friends. Loving mother of Mark (Bonnie Klemm), Randy(Donna), April (Paul) Meyers &Robin (James) 2023 Leonard Memorial Funeral Home & Cremations. Father of Pamela Fedor (Cary Broniszewski). ", "4 men sentenced for roles in gambling ring prosecutors say spanned Western Pa", "Shapiro charges 13 in alleged Allegheny-Westmoreland gambling ring", "9 suspects in southwestern Pa. gambling ring waive hearings, head to trial", "AG Targets Illegal Mon Valley Gambling Ring 16 People Charged", "Recorded calls link alleged gambling boos to PA. lawmaker", "Melocchi pleads guilty to leading McKeesport gambling ring", "Leader of gambling ring sentenced to probation", "5 Operation Pork Chop defendants sentenced to 5 years probation | TribLIVE.com", "Four enter guilty pleas in gambling case | TribLIVE.com", "W.Va. mobster's son charged in gambling ring", "Duffy Conley behind Internet Penny Auction Site Bid66.com", Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator: Mauro P. Matone, "Fourteen people face charges in gambling machine probe", https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/6d947f61-a75c-4b56-a3d6-c0250e46969c/downloads/77%20Bid%20Rigging%20Pittsburgh%20foia.pdf?ver=1657500031598, "The tale of the mobster and the Allegheny County Sheriff's Deputy", "South Hills man sentenced for threatening federal agent | TribLIVE.com", https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/6d947f61-a75c-4b56-a3d6-c0250e46969c/downloads/77%20Bid%20Rigging%20Pittsburgh%20foia.pdf?ver=1654582487179, "Man guilty in FLorida-Pittsburgh drug running", "Drug dealer's family fights property confiscation | TribLIVE.com", "United States of America v. John Edward Scalzitti, Louis J. Maricondi, Thomas J. Fanell,william L. Berns, Robert H. Cameron.appeal of John Scalzitti in No. New York Investigative Journalist. Her Carol Ruth Petersen nee: Wille. At the time, Strollo's fellow Pittsburgh soldier, Joseph "Little Joey" Naples, had command of the Valley rackets. your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. can stop at any time. During the zenith of mob activity, the furthest reaches of Pittsburgh and Cleveland outfits bristled in the Mahoning Valley. Katie was born in Racine, WI on Mary Anderson, 77, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2023, at Atria Park of Glen Ellyn where she had been in residence for four years. Funeral Home website by. Uncle of Mark Carol Ruth Petersen nee: Wille. "It had a real negative effect on all of us," Lawson said. On Dec. 23, 1996, Gains, having defeated Philomena the month prior to become prosecutor-elect, was ambushed by a gunman in the kitchen of his Boardman home. Antoinette, I spoke with Len on the phone about 10 days before he passed. His cooperation in public corruption investigations brought down two Mahoning County judges, as well as former sheriff Phil Chance, former prosecutor James Philomena who admitted to taking mob bribes to fix criminal cases and even the Valley's former congressman, James Traficant. Authorities accused Strollo of running a criminal enterprise that involved gambling, drugs and murder. Debbie Vargo. Strollo came up through the ranks of the Pittsburgh family and in 1990 was convicted on gambling charges and sentenced to 14 months in prison. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Forever will be considered Uncle Lenny. His passing is an end of an era. to the family or plant a tree YOUNGSTOWN Lenine "Lenny" Strollo, 90, was called home Wednesday, May 19, 2021. There's no real family. BOARDMAN One-time Valley mob boss Lenine "Lenny" Strollo, 90, the former organized crime boss who cooperated with the FBI and provided testimony on several Youngstown-area . [12] LaRocca later gained control of multiple illegal rackets and was convicted on several occasions for larceny, receiving stolen property and operating an illegal lottery. Dear brother of Peter Hovde & Jonathan Hovde. Conflict between the organizations in nearby cities resulted in local violence from shootings to bombings and earned it the moniker "Crimetown, U.S.A.". [11], By 1925, Stefano Monastero, became the new boss of the Pittsburgh Mafia family, as Salvatore Calderone stepped down and retired. Bentley and Son- Lincoln Ave, 1273 North Clark, Evanston. Dear nephew of Lindsey (Ric Probst) Nix, Amy (James) Williams, Jim (Becky) Hovde, Clint (Cindy) Hovde. Share a memory of Lenine "Lenny" Strollo. Celebrating the life of Lenine "Lenny" Strollo Be the first to share your favorite memory, photo or story of Lenine. [12] He became known as the "Yeast Baron", after becoming one of the largest supplier of yeast to illegal beermakers in the area. Besides his parents, Lenny was preceded in death by his daughter Gale Rudolphi, two sisters Alvina Palermo and Edina Strollo, and his two brothers Dante and Dominic. Brother of Ronald Fedor. BOARDMAN One-time Valley mob boss Lenine Lenny Strollo, 90, the former organized crime boss who cooperated with the FBI and provided testimony on several Youngstown-area killings and other violent crimes, has died. taly russell : hamza seferovic : Lenny strollo funeral: 1xbet malaysia : charlie blackmon without beard. Turnage and Riddle were convicted of carrying out the acts of violence to further mob operations. "This is no man's land in terms of organized crime," Lawson said of Youngstown. A wide-ranging FBI investigation in the 1990s led to the prosecution of dozens of Strollo associates, attorneys and public officials. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) - Notorious Youngstown mob boss Lenny Strollo has died.. Strollo spent 13 years behind bars. [7][25] Ciancutti himself was one of the few remaining made members operating in Pittsburgh, after the late 1990s, when many members were imprisoned and many over the years many of the older members passed away. [6] In 2021, the boss Thomas "Sonny" Ciancutti died, he was also the last known made . [12] In 1996, former capo Louis Raucci, Sr. died in prison. His passing is an end of an era, Gains told The Tribune-Chronicle. Strollo pleaded guilty to racketeering and tax charges in 2004 and was sentenced to nearly 13 years in prison. [12][13] The new boss Bazzano had immigrated to the United States from Calabria in the 1890s and built a bootlegging empire selling yeast and sugar to home breweries and thereby allowing them to manufacture illegal beer. God bless you all.Vinnie Mantegna. I recall each member of the conspiracy, the people indicted, turned on each other all the way up through where Mr. Strollos brother became a states witness. She was aresident of Glen Ellyn, Illinois for sixty years. [14] Bazzano formed an alliance with the eight Volpe brothers, the leaders of the "Neapolitan faction" who controlled illegal rackets throughout the Turtle Creek Valley and Wilmerding. [17] Through bribery LaRocca became a powerful Mafia boss by controlling politicians, police officers and other officials in the Pittsburgh area. In 1919, the United States government passed the Eighteenth Amendment declaring the production, transportation and sale of intoxicating liquors illegal. Organized crime was a lifestyle Strollo started in his early teens, as a bag runner, according to de Souza. All Obituaries - Leonard Memorial Funeral Home & Cremations offers a variety of funeral services, from traditional funerals to competitively priced cremations, serving Glen Ellyn, IL and the surrounding communities. As a result, the arrests accumulated at that time, and "Strollo got caught up on that net," said Lawson. [9] As the new boss Gregorio Conti wagged a war against the Neapolitan Camorra factions and by 1917, he won as the Neapolitan Camorra factions surrender and disbanded joining the Sicilian Mafia network.[9]. Strollo said he grew in power until he was made head of the Youngstown family after the death of boss Naples. [12] On March 3, 1987 longtime Underboss and West Virginia gambling leader Joseph N. "Jo Jo" Pecora died. Gains, who was on the receiving end of one of the mobsters more famous attempted hits. Lenny Strollo Obituary - Has Died: Lenny Strollo Death | Passed Away, Funeral, Cause Of Death, Is Dead: May 20, 2021, InsideEko Media. Enter In addition to her husband, she is survived Mary Anderson, 77, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2023, at Atria Park of Glen Ellyn where she had been in residence for four years. Steel towns had well-paid mill workers who, after the shift bell, were eager to drink and play the tables. 77-1863, 578 F.2d 507 (3d Cir. Messages run for up to one year and you [8] In 1914, Catanzaro was stabbed and stepped down as boss, he later died on February 17, 1916. Good luck in all you do. [7], On September 5, 2013 "Operation Pork Chop" concluded charging associate Ronald Porky Melocchi and others with bookmaking and illegal gambling. That included illegal betting, poker machines and drug trafficking, The Vindicator reported Wednesday. God bless you both. [7], The last known made member was boss Thomas "Sonny" Ciancutti who died on July 8, 2021. Robert Kopf, Sr. age 87 of Glen Ellyn, IL passed away February 14, 2023. "It's basically the end of an era," he said. Nothing gave him greater joy than to cook for his family, especially grilling and using herbs from his garden. Bartlett and CO- 251 North Clark. [12][13] Pittsburgh Police suspected that Joe "the Ghost" Pangallo, was responsible for ordering Monastero's murder, but were unable to prove it. ", But when it comes to mapping the so-called "end" of organized crime syndicates in the Mahoning Valley, Lawson said, "there really is no 'end.'". 2017-2023 Tribute Archive. Bernard Altshuler, 68 at the time; Lavance Turnage, then-26; and Jeffrey Riddle, then-38, were convicted in an investigation that also brought a deal with Strollo and indictments against public officials. [14] He owned a coffee shop in the Middle Hill and a mansion in Mt. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. [7], The Pittsburgh family used associates to control the illegal gambling and loansharking operations in Youngstown, Ohio and throughout the Mahoning Valley. [11] It was recorded that between 1926 to 1933, there were over 200 murders in Allegheny County. Son of the late Michael & late Gladys nee: Kirchoff. The Pittsburgh crime family, [3] also known as the LaRocca crime family [4] or Pittsburgh Mafia, is an Italian American Mafia crime family based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. "Lenny Strollo is the last of the main characters in the long, sordid history of crime in the Valley. In 1990, Strollo pleaded guilty to running the largest illegal casino in the country the city of Campbell's All-American Club according to the FBI. The funeral home handling arrangements on Thursday confirmed Lenine Lenny Strollo's death. He was 91 years old. Lenny was born April 21, 1931, in Youngstown, the son of the late Dominic and Antoinette Cavallo Strollo and . Beloved son of Jeffrey Hovde & Shelley Hovde. [11], Bazzano became aggravated when the Volpe brothers began expanding into East Liberty and the North Side. The business later expanded to include vending machines and gambling. Family and friends may visit www.rossisantuccifh.com to sign the guest book and send condolences to Lennys family. The funeral home handling. [12] He started a business selling beer equipment and concrete blocks in Oakland. Genovese pursued members of the Pittsburgh family to create a large illegal drug trafficking network. [20] On October 31, 2006, boss Michael Genovese died after of years of fighting with bladder cancer and heart disease. She taught kindergarten in Minneapolis and in Chicago where she once had sixty-four students in her classroom. A wide-ranging FBI investigation in the 1990s led to the prosecution of dozens of Strollo associates, attorneys and public officials. Barnes Undertaking CO -293 South Lincoln. Authorities accused Strollo of running a criminal enterprise that involved gambling, drugs and murder. Strollo spent 13 years behind bars, convicted of bribes, money laundering and. Lenine "Lenny" Strollo, 90, of Youngstown, was called home on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. [12] Monastero, controlled a large organization of bootlegging supplies throughout several warehouses on the North side of Pittsburgh. Strollo began his criminal career with the Pittsburgh crime family. Please join us to mourn the passing of Lenny Strollo. We will offer prayers and light a candle. [5][11][17] In 1959, Fidel Castro took control of Cuba and forced out all the mobsters in the country. [12] The Pittsburgh family's main source of income was illegal sports and numbers gambling. From that perspective, it felt very historic, very end of an era,' she said. He is survived by his brother and sister Paul Peter Kopf (Jr.) and Dorothy Agnes Kopf Munns; by his 3 Robert Kopf, Sr. age 87 of Glen Ellyn, IL passed away February 14, 2023. Backer Bros - 562 West Madison. [6] In 2021, the boss Thomas "Sonny" Ciancutti died, he was also the last known made member of the family. [19] LaRocca died on December 3, 1984. Youngstown and those who called it home struggled under the weight of the town's reputation for crime and corruption. At the time, Greenman said several factors went into Strollos decision to plead, but his family was his chief concern. Lots of fun memories that will last us forever. Once people knew they could buy their way out of a murder indictment, "they freely opened fire," Gains said. In 1999, Strollo, at 68 years old, pleaded guilty to leading the Mahoning Valley's organized crime operations, to ordering hits on a rival mobster as well as Mahoning County Prosecutor Paul Gains and to bribing numerous local officials. In the suburbs of Pittsburgh, the Mafia factions fought for control of New Kensington, Arnold, Wilkinsburg, McKees Rocks, Wilmerding and Braddock. God bless, Carol Palumbo Shulack, So sorry for your loss. Coffee and food was always on the the table as well as conversation. Remains of the Day: Why the sudden renewed interest in Hoffa's body? Brother of Ronald Fedor. Uncle of Mark (Susan) Fedor. Special uncle and godfather of Jordan & Aaron Hovde; and niece Michael Aaron (Mike) Hovde age 39 passed unexpectedly at home on February 4th , 2023. Copyright The Vindicator | https://www.vindy.com | 240 Franklin Street SE, Warren, OH 44482 | 330-841-1600 | Terms of Service. Video produced by Bertram de Souza, Cindi Rickard and Robert McFerren. As bootlegging operations expanded throughout America violence erupted as criminals fought for dominance. [7], In the city of Pittsburgh the Italian Mafia was divided into two ethnic factions the "Sicilian's" and the "Neapolitan's". His passing is an end of an era. Strollos story as played out in court testimony told of justice for sale in the past in Mahoning County. Within the city of Pittsburgh, the Italian neighborhoods of Larimer, Homewood, the Hill District and Downtown became battle grounds as Mafia factions fought for territorial control of bootlegging rackets. He was kind before being kind was a thing. I think that was pretty well proven to be true.". YOUNGSTOWN One-time Valley mob boss Lenine Lenny Strollo, 90, the former organized crime boss who cooperated with the FBI and provided testimony on several Youngstown area killings and other violent crimes, has died. to view this obituary, sign the guest book and send condolences to Lennys family. We will forever carry your memory in our hearts. Riddle and Altschuler never cooperated and both died behind . So sad to hear of his passing but glad I was able to call him a friend and share so many special memories. Thank God that his organization has been completely abandoned., Lori Lightfoot becomes the first Chicago mayor in 40 years to lose re-election, Fiery Greece train collision kills 32, injures at least 85, A condition called POTS rose after covid, but patients can't find care, Drones fly deep inside Russia; Putin orders border tightened, Rep. Lauren Boebert Gets Absolutely Schooled By Jamie Raskin Using Trump's Own Words, SoCal storm timeline: More snow, heavier rain expected Wednesday, St. Vincent-St. Mary girls basketball just misses first trip to regional final since 2019. May 19, 2021 2:55 PM YOUNGSTOWN Lenine "Lenny" Strollo, the former organized crime boss indicted in the 1990s on federal and state racketeering charges, has died at age 90. Maple magic: 18 places to try pure maple syrup, sugar, candy, coffee and more around Erie. 77-1861.appeal of Thomas Fanell in No. The men Strollo testified against received life in prison without parole. [1], The earliest known Pittsburgh Sicilian Mafia boss was Salvatore "Banana King" Catanzaro, who during the early 1900s, operated wholesale produce firm in downtown Pittsburgh. Prosecutors agreed to drop 11 other charges against him. Strollo, 68, at the time, pleaded guilty to running the operation in eastern Ohio, plotting to kill a rival gang leader, running a numbers game and bribing officials. He testified in 1999 against three men accused of killing Strollo rival Ernie Biondillo and botching the Christmas Eve assassination of Mahoning County Prosecutor-elect Paul Gains in 1996.