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Post by rickolney on Sept 14, 2008 17:07:35 GMT -5
I'm just curious. I have and have known several younger Italian lads that seemed to live their life (speech wise) like they just finished watching an entire Godfather movie marathon. Oh, and I've got a side bet that this discussion dies from inactivity.  It sort of ties in with this matter of Domenic Nappi (convicted of killing Dawn Grillo) being paroled this past week. The Grillo girl actually worked for MetLife at the time of her abduction and subsequent death. Things have changed in Utica during the past 25 years, have they not? |
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Post by Clipper on Sept 14, 2008 19:01:37 GMT -5
I don't think there is any real mafia in Utica. There may be some small time gangsters, and some drug rings and gangs, but there is no reason for the mafia to be involved in Utica any more. They were in gambling, loansharking, prostitution and such.
If one goes to bigger cities, the mafia is alive and well, and there are several gangs, chinese, Russian, Hispanic, etc, etc, etc. Utica isn't big enough, or prosperous enough to rate a second glance anymore.
Most of the thugs in Utica are small time wannabe's, or drug punks, peddling smack and meth for bigger fish from other cities.
The sad part is that some of the youngsters that are killing people are playing a role, and when the deed is done, they aren't such bad asses as they think they are, when the reality sets in and they are sentenced to long term prison sentences. Such a waste. In the old days, the mafiosos were smart enough to evade prosecution, and powerful enough to intimidate anyone from testifying against them.
Utica is small time, and the days of the organized italian crime family in our city is behind us. The Fischer investigation cleaned up Utica for the most part. There used to be higher classed hookers, and backroom gambling for big bucks, now there is only crack whores, and small time hoods plying their trade.
Nappi was a small time sucker for the bigger fish. He did the crime and did the time but he was not a big time gangster. Just another wannabe. He was married to a girl that I went to school with. I wonder if she "waited for him" and remained chaste while he was away, haha. He sacrificed a good life with a nice girl to play the role. Hopefully he has learned that lesson and will start a life over with no future criminal activity. He was sucked in by those smarter than him, that took advantage of his desire to be a tough guy.
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Post by wilum47 on Sept 14, 2008 20:31:32 GMT -5
Oh yes there was a strong family in the East Utica area of name I will not repeat. And he was no small time thug.
He came to Grand Union every Friday for his special cuts that my father and only my father prepared for him.
A "bodyguard would show up Tuesday with a list and the man himself would show up personally to pick it up from Dad. Dad said he'd get nervous everytime he showed up.
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Post by rickolney on Sept 14, 2008 20:49:12 GMT -5
Well that is good to read, Clipper. I know that this guy that killed the Grillo girl was connected somehow, but maybe he was just small time too.
Hey! Don't make me drag out my Uncle Henry's Pancake House tales, Wilum. ;D
Wow... try researching and reading back about this part of Upstate back in the teens and 1920s on up. Geez...
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Post by wilum47 on Sept 14, 2008 20:52:41 GMT -5
You just described three quarters of my class at Proctor High school (class of 66)!
But didn't Bud catch the typical bar anyplace east of Genesee ST?
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Post by rickolney on Sept 14, 2008 20:58:32 GMT -5
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Post by Ralph on Sept 15, 2008 0:22:41 GMT -5
I would trade the punks we have on the street corners in for a nice "Family" in town any day of the week.
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Post by wilum47 on Sept 15, 2008 12:27:36 GMT -5
I would trade the punks we have on the street corners in for a nice "Family" in town any day of the week. Ya know Ralph, I've heard allot of people say that the demise of Utica started with the Fisher Commission. |
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Post by stoney on Sept 15, 2008 15:18:17 GMT -5
I was just talking about Nappi on the UAD board yesterday, & today the board is down. Hmmm...  |
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Post by rickolney on Sept 15, 2008 15:41:34 GMT -5
Yeah, I mentioned him here somewhere too. He's already been released, I think. I mentioned that Dawn Grillo was working for MetLife at the time of her abduction and murder. She was a Clerical employee at Oriskany.
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Post by frankcor on Sept 25, 2008 14:38:35 GMT -5
"Mafia: Does it exist?"
I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you, wouldn't I?
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