Who was Carmine Agnello?
Carmine Agnello was an Italian-American mobster who was a high-ranking member of the Gambino crime family in New York City.
Agnello was born in Palermo, Sicily, in 1912. He immigrated to the United States with his family when he was a young child. He grew up in the Ozone Park neighborhood of Queens, New York City, and became involved in organized crime at a young age. In the 1950s, Agnello became a close associate of Gambino crime family boss Albert Anastasia.
After Anastasia was murdered in 1957, Agnello became a top lieutenant in the Gambino family under boss Carlo Gambino. Agnello was involved in a wide range of criminal activities, including racketeering, extortion, and murder. He was also a major figure in the garment industry, and he owned several garment factories and retail stores in New York City.
Agnello was arrested several times throughout his life, but he was never convicted of a serious crime. He died of natural causes in 1995.
Carmine Agnello
Carmine Agnello was a powerful and influential figure in the Gambino crime family. He was involved in a wide range of criminal activities, including racketeering, extortion, and murder. Agnello was also a major figure in the garment industry, and he owned several garment factories and retail stores in New York City.
- Associate: Albert Anastasia
- Boss: Carlo Gambino
- Crime Family: Gambino
- Industry: Garment
- Born: 1912
- Died: 1995
Agnello's criminal career spanned several decades. He was arrested several times, but he was never convicted of a serious crime. He died of natural causes in 1995.
Agnello was a close associate of Gambino crime family boss Albert Anastasia. After Anastasia was murdered in 1957, Agnello became a top lieutenant in the Gambino family under boss Carlo Gambino. Agnello was involved in a wide range of criminal activities, including racketeering, extortion, and murder. He was also a major figure in the garment industry, and he owned several garment factories and retail stores in New York City.
Agnello was arrested several times throughout his life, but he was never convicted of a serious crime. He died of natural causes in 1995.
Associate
Albert Anastasia was a powerful and influential figure in the Gambino crime family. He was the boss of the family from 1951 to 1957, and he was one of the most feared gangsters in New York City. Carmine Agnello was a close associate of Anastasia, and he played a key role in the family's operations.
- Murder Incorporated
Anastasia was the head of Murder Incorporated, a group of contract killers that was responsible for hundreds of murders. Agnello was a member of Murder Incorporated, and he participated in several murders, including the murder of Gambino crime family boss Albert Anastasia in 1957.
- The Apalachin Meeting
In 1957, Anastasia attended a meeting of top Mafia bosses in Apalachin, New York. Agnello was also at the meeting, and he was arrested along with Anastasia and several other mobsters. The Apalachin Meeting was a major blow to the Mafia, and it led to a crackdown on organized crime.
- The Castellammarese War
Anastasia was a key figure in the Castellammarese War, a Mafia power struggle that took place in the 1930s. Agnello also fought in the war, and he helped Anastasia to defeat his rivals.
- The Garment Industry
Anastasia and Agnello were both involved in the garment industry. Anastasia owned several garment factories, and Agnello was a union official. The two men worked together to control the garment industry in New York City.
Anastasia was a powerful and influential figure in the Gambino crime family, and Agnello was a close associate of Anastasia. The two men worked together on a wide range of criminal activities, including murder, racketeering, and extortion. Anastasia was murdered in 1957, and Agnello continued to be a key figure in the Gambino family until his death in 1995.
Boss
Carlo Gambino was a powerful and influential figure in the Gambino crime family. He was the boss of the family from 1951 to 1976, and he was one of the most powerful Mafia bosses in the United States. Carmine Agnello was a close associate of Gambino, and he played a key role in the family's operations.
- Gambino's Rise to Power
Gambino rose to power through a combination of violence and political connections. He was a ruthless and ambitious man, and he was not afraid to use violence to achieve his goals. He also had close ties to politicians and law enforcement officials, which helped him to avoid prosecution.
- Gambino's Criminal Activities
Gambino was involved in a wide range of criminal activities, including racketeering, extortion, and murder. He controlled several labor unions, and he also had a significant stake in the garment industry. He was also a major figure in the illegal gambling industry.
- Gambino's Relationship with Agnello
Agnello was a close associate of Gambino, and he played a key role in the family's operations. He was a top lieutenant in the family, and he was responsible for overseeing several of the family's criminal activities. Agnello was also a trusted advisor to Gambino, and he was often consulted on important matters.
- Gambino's Legacy
Gambino died in 1976, but his legacy continues to this day. He was one of the most powerful and influential Mafia bosses in the United States, and he played a major role in the development of organized crime in New York City. Gambino's criminal empire continued to operate after his death, and it is still active today.
Carlo Gambino was a powerful and influential figure in the Gambino crime family, and Carmine Agnello was a close associate of Gambino. The two men worked together on a wide range of criminal activities, and they played a major role in the development of organized crime in New York City.
Crime Family
The Gambino crime family is one of the Five Families that control organized crime in New York City. It is one of the most powerful and influential crime families in the United States. Carmine Agnello was a high-ranking member of the Gambino crime family for over 40 years.
Agnello was born in Sicily, Italy, in 1912. He immigrated to the United States with his family when he was a young child. He grew up in the Ozone Park neighborhood of Queens, New York City, and became involved in organized crime at a young age. In the 1950s, Agnello became a close associate of Gambino crime family boss Albert Anastasia.
After Anastasia was murdered in 1957, Agnello became a top lieutenant in the Gambino family under boss Carlo Gambino. Agnello was involved in a wide range of criminal activities, including racketeering, extortion, and murder. He was also a major figure in the garment industry, and he owned several garment factories and retail stores in New York City.
Agnello was arrested several times throughout his life, but he was never convicted of a serious crime. He died of natural causes in 1995.
Agnello's involvement in the Gambino crime family gave him access to power, wealth, and protection. He was able to use his position in the family to benefit himself and his associates. He also used his position to intimidate and extort money from businesses and individuals.
The Gambino crime family is a powerful and dangerous organization. Agnello's involvement in the family gave him access to a wide range of criminal activities. He was able to use his position in the family to benefit himself and his associates.
Industry
The garment industry was a major part of Carmine Agnello's life. He was involved in the industry for over 40 years, and he owned several garment factories and retail stores in New York City. Agnello's involvement in the garment industry gave him access to power, wealth, and protection.
Agnello's garment factories produced a wide range of clothing, including dresses, suits, and coats. He sold his clothing to retail stores throughout the United States. Agnello also had a close relationship with the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU). He used his relationship with the ILGWU to control the garment industry in New York City.
Agnello's involvement in the garment industry was a major factor in his success as a mobster. He was able to use his control of the industry to extort money from businesses and individuals. He also used his position in the industry to launder money and to hide his criminal activities.
The garment industry was a major part of Carmine Agnello's life. It gave him access to power, wealth, and protection. He used his control of the industry to benefit himself and his associates.
Born
The year 1912 marked the birth of Carmine Agnello, a notorious figure in the annals of organized crime. His birthdate holds significance in understanding his life and the context in which he operated.
- The Prohibition Era
Agnello's formative years coincided with the Prohibition era in the United States, a period characterized by a nationwide ban on the production, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages. This era provided fertile ground for the rise of organized crime, as bootlegging and speakeasies flourished.
- The Great Depression
Agnello's adolescence was overshadowed by the Great Depression, a global economic crisis that devastated countless lives. The Depression created widespread poverty and unemployment, leading many to seek refuge in illicit activities.
- The Influence of Italian Immigration
Agnello was born into a family of Italian immigrants, a community that played a significant role in the development of organized crime in the United States. Italian immigrants often faced discrimination and limited economic opportunities, making them more susceptible to recruitment by criminal organizations.
- The Rise of the Gambino Crime Family
The Gambino crime family, of which Agnello became a prominent member, emerged during this period. The family's rise to power was fueled by a combination of Prohibition-era bootlegging profits and control over various labor unions.
Carmine Agnello's birth in 1912 shaped his experiences and provided the backdrop for his involvement in organized crime. The era's social and economic conditions, combined with the influence of his Italian heritage and the rise of the Gambino crime family, all played a role in his life trajectory.
Died
The year 1995 marked the end of an era with the passing of Carmine Agnello, a prominent figure in the annals of organized crime. His death at the age of 83 brought to a close a life intricately intertwined with the Gambino crime family and the world of illicit activities.
- Legacy of the Gambino Crime Family
Agnello's death marked the passing of a significant chapter in the Gambino crime family's history. As a high-ranking member, he played a pivotal role in the family's operations, contributing to its power and influence. His departure left a void in the organization and marked a shift in its leadership dynamics.
- End of an Era
Agnello's death symbolized the end of an era in organized crime. He belonged to a generation of mobsters who had risen to prominence during the Prohibition era and had witnessed firsthand the transformations within the criminal underworld. His passing marked a transition to a new era, characterized by different challenges and opportunities for criminal organizations.
- Impact on the Garment Industry
Agnello's involvement in the garment industry extended beyond his ownership of factories and retail stores. He maintained close ties with the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU), leveraging his influence to control aspects of the industry. His death created a power vacuum that led to shifts within the union and the industry as a whole.
- Missed Opportunities for Prosecution
Despite his involvement in numerous criminal activities, Agnello managed to evade serious prosecution throughout his life. His death closed the window on any potential legal proceedings against him. For law enforcement, it marked the loss of an opportunity to bring a high-ranking mobster to justice.
Carmine Agnello's death in 1995 marked a significant turning point, both for the Gambino crime family and the criminal underworld as a whole. It signaled the end of an era and left behind a legacy that continues to shape the understanding of organized crime.
FAQs on Carmine Agnello
This section addresses frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Carmine Agnello, a prominent figure in the Gambino crime family.
Question 1: Who was Carmine Agnello?
Answer: Carmine Agnello was a high-ranking member of the Gambino crime family, one of the "Five Families" that controlled organized crime in New York City.
Question 2: What role did Agnello play in the Gambino family?
Answer: Agnello was a close associate of Gambino boss Carlo Gambino and played a key role in the family's operations, including involvement in racketeering, extortion, and murder.
Question 3: What was Agnello's involvement in the garment industry?
Answer: Agnello owned several garment factories and retail stores in New York City and had a close relationship with the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU), which he used to exert control over the industry.
Question 4: How did Agnello evade serious prosecution?
Answer: Despite his involvement in numerous criminal activities, Agnello managed to avoid serious prosecution throughout his life, dying of natural causes in 1995.
Question 5: What was Agnello's relationship with Albert Anastasia?
Answer: Agnello was a close associate of Albert Anastasia, the boss of the Gambino crime family before Carlo Gambino. Agnello participated in Anastasia's criminal activities, including the infamous "Murder Incorporated."
Question 6: What is Agnello's legacy in the world of organized crime?
Answer: Carmine Agnello's involvement in the Gambino crime family and his ability to evade prosecution for decades exemplify the power and influence wielded by organized crime figures in the 20th century.
Summary: Carmine Agnello was a significant figure in the Gambino crime family, known for his involvement in various criminal activities and his close association with crime bosses Albert Anastasia and Carlo Gambino. Despite his substantial criminal involvement, Agnello managed to avoid serious prosecution and died of natural causes in 1995.
Transition to the next article section: This concludes the FAQs on Carmine Agnello. For further information on organized crime and its history, please refer to the provided resources.
Conclusion
Carmine Agnello's life and career in organized crime provide a glimpse into the inner workings of the Gambino crime family and the world of illicit activities during the 20th century. His ability to evade serious prosecution for decades highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in combating organized crime.
Agnello's involvement in the garment industry and his close relationship with the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU) demonstrate the of organized crime into legitimate businesses and industries. His legacy serves as a reminder of the far-reaching influence of organized crime and the need for continued vigilance against its corrosive effects on society.
