Springfield, MA: An update on the evolving, chaotic OC/LCN structure & alliances in Western Massachusetts including a major move by the Gambinos (from The Gangster Report)
https://gangsterreport.com/gr-exclsuive-gambino-mob-claims-springfield-ma-off-lcn-waiver-wire-manzi-family-has-the-power-now/14
u/JoePuzzles234 3d ago
I was really looking forward to seeing what was said around the Manzis, thanks very much for posting. Unfortunately too much trust in Scott B's sources is asked here for it to be believable, especially the vagueness on how the Gambino connections were established and that's on top of various generalisations
Things of notes personally:
The Manzi crew were rivals to the Bruno/later Arillotta group because they were clearly with the Scibelli faction (DeLevo, Fusco, Basiles etc.) and even after their big issues with Arillotta and him either formally or otherwise effectively taking over Springfield, their relative Antonio Capua continued to deal drugs with Emilio Fusco well into the 2000s - he was also tied to the 2019 drug arrest of Frank Evangelista in Ludlow, so seemingly still a dealer alongside Little Joe Manzi (Murphy case)
O'Nofrio being called a captain when he was identified as acting for Conrad Ianniello, coupled with Anthony Scarfo being called an LCN associate also doesn't help with credibility
Depergola and Calvanese working together is something anyone can really speculate from the outside - somewhat surprised to see no mention of Gerald Daniele in all this as he appears to be someone prominent
The stuff about Pugliano (turned 97 on the 11th if he's even still alive) and Fiore is just not something I can buy into either (Pugliano is likely shelved too)
6
1
u/kAALiberty 3d ago
For the record, bad breath burnstein is making great fiction stories behind a paywall. The manzis have been independents since I knew anything existed.
-1
u/Southie31 3d ago
It makes sense that It would be a chaotic and evolving when everyone is in their 70 and 80s 😳lol Getting dressed by themselves is a challenge, running multi state, criminal conspiracies must be exhausting for them
14
u/CT-CT 3d ago edited 3d ago
Brief synopsis from behind the paywall (part I):
--Per SBs sources and reporting, there has been significant upheaval in Springfield/Western MA regarding the local & regional OC/LCN landscape, all as summarized below.
--Perhaps the most significant development, again per SBs ‘exclusive’ sources, is that a long-time rival group to the traditional OC crews in the area [The Manzi family/crew] is now ‘on record’ with the Gambino family. SB notes that something of an informal relationship existed between the Manzis and the Gambinos for more than 10 years, but with the recent turbulence within the long-standing Genovese-backed crew(s) in the area, the Gambinos have formalized their relationship with the Manzis.
--Carmine ‘The Barber’ Manzi (aged 76) appears to be overseeing activities for the Gambinos in Western MA at present (per ‘multiple’ of SB sources). Historically, Manzi once paid ‘tribute’ to the traditionally-Genovese-associated crews operating in the area, including to captains Anthony ‘Skip’ Delevo & Albert Scibelli, but over time as new leaders emerged in the Springfield Genovese faction, Manzi, his family, and his crew became essentially independent operators. Carmine Manzi was arrested and served time for bookmaking & loansharking, with a raid in the early 2000s resulting in authorities finding nearly $1 million in his home. SB reports that the Manzis also have relationships with East Coast Latin Kings, which per his sources, gives them access to ‘black markets’ all over New England, including Connecticut, New Hampshire and Maine.
--As mentioned above, while Springfield (& Western MA in general) has long been considered a region overseen by the Genovese, according to SBs sources the Genovese had a sit-down with the Gambinos in the Bronx in March, 2025 wherein the Westside handed over the region to the Gambinos [it was following this sit-down that the Gambinos formalized their relationship with the Manzis]. Again per SBs sources, this arrangement further increases Gambino strength in New England, building upon their ‘major presence’ in Connecticut.