Robert "Irish Bobby" Kallaur - Former professional boxer and enforcer for Roy Stocker. The Sheriff read Cirillo's injunction to the pickets, giving them 15 minutes to leave, but they refused to depart. Roofers local 30. Mr. Traitz was born in Philadelphia and saw early success as an amateur boxer. I think it will eventually lead to legislation which cuts down some of their power.". Click for research & education opportunities. multigenerational organized-crime group based in Northeast Philadelphia and called the K&A Gang (originally based in Kensington and now known as the Northeast Philly . James "Lefty" Shannon - Member of the Stocker gang. Box 32800 . Phone Email . Members Only 2. Owner of Northeast Philadelphia's Sherwood Club. Anyone can read what you share. Theory of Revenge Slaying. In March 1980, Bruno was assassinated, and his ally, Roofers Union boss John McCullough, was ordered by the new boss, Philip "Chicken Man" Testa, to get out of Atlantic City. Regions Packed inside were more than five hundred men armed with broom handles, baseball bats, canisters of explosives, and bottles of gasoline. They also traded the clich burglary attire for professional suits, while on the job, in case they were stopped. As the talks dragged on, Altemose used the time gained to set up fences and guards on the Valley Forge site. Edward E. Pilch, Philadelphia representative for Senator Hugh Scott (R-Penn. Email. William "Chucky" McIlvain - Member of Carl Jackson's crew. Finally, at the end of May, in response to what he termed "continued union threats" if any nonunion laborers were used, he informed the Building Trades Council that the hotel would be built entirely by nonunion labor. He was allegedly assumed to be an informant on the meth operation that the Traitz brother ran in tandem with members of the K&A gang. McCullough was murdered in 1980 in what was believed to be a mob-sanctioned slaying. ''I just don't believe this is the end,'' said another investigator who has long been familiar with inquiries into Pennslyvania's crime families. Still another reason, investigators say, is the lack of a surviving leader powerful enough to take undisputed command of the Philadelphia crime family. Ste. Documentary Alper said that two weeks before the fire, John McCullough, president of the roofing union, approached him and asked, "What does it look likeyou being across the street from our Hall and not belonging to our union?" Please enable scripts and reload this page. Young later told authorities he turned over the van and guns to someone else and had no idea how they would be used. PHILADELPHIA (AP) _ The state Supreme Court has permanently removed six judges and barred two others from completing their elected terms because they took cash gifts ranging from $200 to $500 from a union leader. Angi Certified. Samuel Staten Sr., 80, longtime leader of Local 332 of the Laborers International Union of North America, died Tuesday. The ABC has also lent support to investigations by private detectives into the June 5 affair, and sponsored an ad offering $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved in the Sheraton firebombing. Birthdate: November 14, 1832. Two months after slaying of leader John J McCullough. Wallace was found dead by another union member at 6:40 a.m., police said. But at that time, in contrast to the previous morning when only a few dozen police showed up, over 100 state and local police were waiting. [5], By the late 1970s, with the advent of modern home-security technologies, the burglary racket was no longer viable as a main source of income. Far from being "exploited", ABC notes, the nonunion workers frequently earn more than their union counterparts because they are not subject to seasonal unemployment or the capricious job assignment characterizing union halls. As time progressed the group expanded and grew more organized. The website is updated daily, frequently with exonerations that occurred in the past. In January, scores of fights and incidents of arson erupted at non-union sites in Maryland, a merit shop stronghold. Resides in Franklinville, NJ. Tell Reluctance to Traffic in Narcotics. The Northeast Philly Mob also known as The K&A Gang is a multi-generational organized crime group made up of predominately Irish and Irish-American gangsters. In the meantime, the young president races his cars, reads the hundreds of congratulatory letters he has receivedand mulls over plans for a new and bigger project, a $25 million condominium. So the Government Sold Their Homesand Kept the Profits. Arson, beatings, and bombings climbed to new heights in pace with ABC successes. 1.18.2023 12:30 AM, Jacob Sullum Plot Location: Section 149, Lot 1. | Case Files The rented buses returned, the union men boarded without interference from police, and above the fires, a grim man in a helicopter watched the attackers drive off. Church, 196 N. Trooper Rd., Trooper, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Entombment will be at St. Patrick's Cemetery, East Norriton. 1981. It was founded in 2012 in conjunction with the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University School of Law. But Bingaman thinks the unions may win regardless of court decisions. (19821987) - Frank "The Beard" Zappacosta and Carl Jackson - Leaders of the gang. Lillian "Tiger Lil" Reis and Her good friend Vickie were well-known nightclub entrepreneurs and former showgirls who had ties to the gangsters. 1/3/2019 Entered And Copies E-mailed. Herbert K. Fisher, Philadelphia, Pa., for Stephen O'Malley and David McCullough. However, when labor union members or officers attempted to impose unwanted or unneeded union services, then extortion was made out. Mr. Traitz was born in Philadelphia and saw early success as an amateur boxer. Newspapers.com makes these newspapers available for the purpose of historical research, and is not responsible for the content of any newspapers archived at our site. Dougherty said Mr. Traitz was always ready to volunteer himself and recruit others to volunteer, particularly for projects at the Variety Club Camp in Worcester Township for children with physical and developmental disabilities. I can teach guys to box. Berkery admitted to engaging in a large scale meth deal with Chelsais Bouras, leader of the Philadelphia Greek Mob. Interview Jackson and Zappacosta went on to lead the group until their convictions in late 1987, just a week after their former boss faced trial and was also found guilty. They are known to have amicable ties to the La Cosa Nostra, namely the Scarfo crime family, but also the South Jersey faction of the New York City-based Genovese crime family,[3] the local Greek mob, local Jewish-American gangsters, and various independent drug and hijacking gangs of various European ethnicities in the Greater Philadelphia area. Elsewhere, however, new union coercion shook merit shop builders: vehicles belonging to Joseph B. Rogers, Inc., disintegrated in fire on April 5, arson struck offices of Main Roofing, Inc. on April 3, and two Mennonite craftsmen who refused to join a plumbers union for religious reasons were beaten severely on April 10. Police also found Young had purchased a .22-caliber gun and semiautomatic rifle. "I'm losing my friends," Gillespie said. us about an exoneration that we may have missed, Correct an error or add information about an exoneration Investigators have theorized that a reason for Mr. Testa's murder may have been his resistance to New York criminal elements who were seeking shares in the profits from loan sharking and the casinoservice industry in Atlantic City, which agents say has customarily been the Philadelphia family's turf. By relying heavily on non union labor, these ABC members have escaped union strictures requiring that only operating engineers press elevator buttons on work sites, painters limit themselves to brushes less than 4 wide, and electricians stand guard over temporary lighting systems whenever the switches are on. [13], Along with Carl Jackson and Frank "The Beard" Zappacosta, 22 affiliates of the K&A meth ring were indicted under federal drug manufacturing charges related to an operation that authorities believe produced roughly ten million dollars worth of speed in hidden labs across the Pennsylvania area. He's built probably the greatest construction firm in the Philadelphia area.". 1.17.2023 4:00 PM, 2022 Reason Foundation | State police and private investigators are reportedly working on several leads from the ads, with arrests expected soon. A man accused of having killed a Philadelphia union leader with organized crime ties last week faces a hearing on his refusal to be extradited to Pennsylvania. McCullough, powerful leader of Local 30 of the Roofers Union, was shot to death Dec. 16, 1980 in the kitchen of his home by a man posing as a flower deliveryman. Kenneth Miller - Cook for Carl Jackson's operation. [citation needed], History of the Irish Americans in Philadelphia, "Pole-Vaulting - Another group of Eastern-European gunsels makes its mark", "Tale of the notorious Phila. Find John Mccullough's phone number, address, and email on Spokeo, the leading people search directory for contact information and public records. . [16], In the early 2000s, the Traitz brothers, who were connected to the K&A Gang through the Roofers' Union - Local 30 were indicted for the murder of Robert Hammond. Early this week the director of New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement, G. Michael Brown, citing ''well-informed state political intelligence,'' said that Mr. Testa's murder and those Mr. Bruno and of a local union leader had stemmed from maneuvers by organized criminal elements to infiltrate Atlantic City's casino industry. The Philadelphia Irish Mob is made up of many members of local 30 Roofers union (which has been under federal juristiction since they days of John McCullough), Kensington Thugs and High rankin powerful figures consist of owners of vending companies and several Resturant/Taverns. Contact. On December 16, 1980, 60-year-old John McCullough, head of the Philadelphia Roofers Union, was fatally shot on the front steps of his home in the Bustleton neighborhood in northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. But court documents filed by the Justice Department's task force in one of its cases indicated that the law enforcement unit already knew that all was not so peaceful as it seemed. The location of each office and the counties covered by each region are as follows: Southeastern Region, St. Davids: Philadelphia, Bucks, Berks, Montgom ery, Delaware and Chester. From the October 1972 issue. But, at the same time, Altemose believes that the unions are becoming their own worst enemies. The gunman then fled with an accomplice in a rented van, which was found near the union leader's home hours after the shooting. From 1966 to 1969, Pennsylvania State Police reported numerous instances of arson and reported threats of violence against merit shop contractors. George D. McDowell Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Photographs "John J. McCullough, union leader" Save. Martorano served more than 17 years in prison on drug-trafficking and murder charges before his release in November 1999. Source: LM forms filed with the Office of Labor-Management Standards. Have you got any more info on MacManus? The group was mainly a burglary ring for much of its early history, but shifted into loansharking . ), telephoned Altemose an hour after the arrests to request that charges against Cohen be dropped. Mr. McCullough, president of the Roofers Union Local 30 and a longtime friend of Angelo Bruno, a Philadelphia gang leader, was shot to death last Dec. 16 in the kitchen of his Philadelphia home by a gunman posing as a flower deliveryman. "If they do anything else, looking at past experience, they'll blow up the Sheraton complex once it nears completion," he says. ", "Feds Hit 'One Of The Largest' Meth Rings", "Drug Ring Had Scarfo Link, Leonetti Says", "Witness Says Joseph Traitz Implicated Himself A Brother Of A Codefendant In The Traitz Brothers' Drug And Murder Trial Testified As Part Of A Plea Agreement", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=K%26A_Gang&oldid=1134178622. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. Usergen Search the Largest Online Newspaper Archive. ranging from $300 to $500 from Roofers Local 30 . ", "Long John Lead - Was Ray Martorano's shooting a message? PHILADELPHIA ROOFERS RENOVATE VILLANOVA ROOF . [9] It is widely held that this was made possible due to the K&A Gang, and the Junior Black Mafia, among others.[10]. William Stearn - Former Roofers' Union Local 30 president & member of the Stocker meth ring. Three weeks later, Building Trades Council leader Magrann announced that the BTC would send 50,000 men to work for Cirillo's defeat in county elections next year. Historical Person Search Search Search Results Results JOHN McCULLOUGH (1907 - 1980) Try FREE for 14 days Try FREE for 14 days. Tom Magrann, a leader of the Building Trades Council, is reported to expect that the unions will easily amass a $200,000 warchest for political and media campaigns. The crew was adamant about not carrying weapons with them while they burglarized. Leo Gillis - Member of the K&A burglary ring. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. "He's the greatest man I ever knew," Mr. Traitz said. Colleen Trout is 64 years old today because Colleen's birthday is on 08/23/1956. The president of Merz Bus Lines, Inc., told REASON in July that the bus rental had been arranged by John McCullough, head of Roofers Local 30, several days before the firebombing. The group was mainly a burglary ring for much of its early history, but shifted into loansharking, illegal gambling, racketeering, and ultimately drug trafficking in its later existence. In addition to ripping open beds, smashing furniture, breaking mirrors and windows, tearing carpets, and cementing bathroom drains, the men involved in the last incident left spray-painted wall messages bearing the union cry, "Remember Altemose.". A man police believed implicated in the firebombings was murdered shortly afterwards, amid reports that he had talked too freely in a local bar. [4], Their reach even extended outside the boundaries of Philadelphia as they targeted other ventures. ABC officials believe the fund may go double Magrann's estimate. "I've laid everything on the lineeverything." Box 116 Howell, MI 48844 (517) 548-6554 Mark K. Peterson, Secretary Local Union #149 P.O. In transcripts of tape recordings made secretly at the haunts of members of the crime family and filed in another case, one member was heard to tell Mr. Testa that he should take over. He estimates that they have already bled $1 million from his company in direct costs and in business frightened away. 230, we have the right to delete without warning any comments we believe are obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, excessively violent, harassing, or otherwise objectionable, whether or not such material is constitutionally protected. Robert F. Simone, Philadelphia, Pa., for John McCullough. By Jane M. Von Bergen and Robert Moran, STAFF WRITERS, California residents do not sell my data request. The release came after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling overturning his 1984 conviction in the murder of Philadelphia Roofers Union boss John McCullough. A favored target was the wealthy residential Jewish suburbs, which would be the livelihood of the group for many years. [8] It was through these influential connections that the K&A Gang would expand into other rackets establishing its foothold in the Northeast. Dean Heiser - Member of the burglary ring. In that time he has held full-time positions in some of Philadelphia's finest . Decades later, he was remembered fondly by top union officials in Philadelphia. The names, logos, and other source identifying features of newspapers depicted in our database are the trademarks of their respective owners, and our use of newspaper content in the public domain or by private agreement does not imply any affiliation with, or endorsement from, the publishers of the newspaper titles that appear on our site. in St. Davids (suburban Philadelphia) in which administration, intelligence, liaison, public information and legal work are done. East Coast Another factor, the investigators say, is the variety of organized crime forces contending for control of terrain reaching from here through southern New Jersey to Trenton and Atlantic City for the booty from operations including drug traffic, illegal gambling and loan sharking. '', See the article in its original context from. They began with the shotgun slaying of Angelo Bruno, 69 years old, who was Mr. Testa's predecessor as the reputed overlord of Philadelphia's crime family, and they reached a climax early Sunday morning when a bomb killed the 56-yearold Mr. Testa as he fumbled with his keys at the door of his South Philadelphia home. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. John Edward McCullough was born in Coleraine, Ireland. In response to the Valley Forge attack, County Judge Vincent A. Cirillo ordered on the afternoon of June 5 a ban on all union picketing against Altemose projects within one mile of the sites. John J. McCullough Date of Birth: 01/05/1951 Neighborhood: North Philadelphia High School: Overbrook High School Street: Stewart Street Branch of Service: Army Rank: PFC Date of Casualty: 06/23/1970 . Michael Caputo - Member of the Stocker drug ring. [6] With the rise of the drug culture of the 1980s, the group began to focus less on their signature brand of thievery and more towards traditional criminal schemes and the booming methamphetamine trade. The other picketers were clamped with $100 fines for violation of the injunction. Mafia Insider Electricians Local 98 president John "Johnny Doc" Dougherty described Mr. Traitz as "straight, honest, and you knew where he was coming from.". Martorano had returned to South Philadelphia in November 1999 after his murder conviction for ordering the assassination of Philadelphia Roofers Union boss John McCullough in 1980 was overturned. Law enforcement officials said Willard E. Moran, Jr., 31, was arrested at a home in Clementon by six Philadelphia homicide detectives and New Jersey state police. Some $30,000 has already been collected. 11/19/2022 7:07 AM. This page was last edited on 17 January 2023, at 10:42. John J. McCullough, 60, the business agent for what authorities describe as the 'violence prone' Roofers Local 30, was . See the article in its original context from 1980 ) Try FREE for 14.. 4 ], their reach even extended outside the boundaries of Philadelphia & x27! Dead by another union Member at 6:40 a.m., police said Reis and Her friend. And reported threats of violence against merit shop stronghold, leader of Local of... Knew, '' mr. Traitz was born in Philadelphia ties to the gangsters 'm my. 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