[29] Reflecting the new power structure, Gerald "Skinny" Ward of Welland, who had long served as the Papalia's family drug distributor and smuggler in the Niagara Peninsula area, went over to the Hells Angels after Johnny's murder. [23] One who knew the gang stated, "They were a very tough bunch. [131] The police considered Papalia to be one of the prime suspects behind Volpe's murder. [36] Some sources indicate this value was over $200,000 after allegedly setting up a business to illegally cash in on grants. [145] It was only later that Pressey learned that "Pennybender" was working of Papalia. In 1984, Papalia attempted to redevelop an entire city block he owned in Hamilton to put up a luxury hotel, which was frustrated by the city of Hamilton, which refused the necessary permits to redevelop the block. [68] Monarch Vending was a profitable concern, making a daily profit of $12,000. I was standing there talking with John and this old Italian guy was walking by and the old guy bows his head to John and says, 'Ah comapare [an Italian expression meaning "godfather]'. Half. Walter Stadnick, a Hamilton native and Hells Angels in charge of expanding them into Ontario, was forced to keep a low profile in his hometown as long as Papalia lived. When Bluestein dropped to the floor, he was kicked in the face. [121] By the 1980s, Papalia's firms were the largest suppliers of beer dispensers for bars in Ontario while leasing out at least 2,000 vending and pinball machines. No conviction was obtained in relation to the murder of Papalia. [84] Papalia's homecoming to Hamilton was a lavish affair as Railway Street was filled up with a vast assortment of parked Lincolns and Cadillacs as a number of the underworld figures of southern Ontario arrived to pay their respects. "[27], Papalia was involved in petty crimes from a young age. Papalia has an inbred need to steal other men's women. [72], In July 1961, Papalia was ordered to be extradited to the United States for his role in the smuggling ring. [20] The authorities imposed conditions upon his release such as he stay out of Hamilton and regularly check in with the police. [28] Bynoe was a well known bencher with the Law Society of Upper Canada who had been representing members of the Papalia family since 1961 when he defended Johnny Papalia for beating up Maxi Bluestein. [158], Murdock also killed Papalia's right-hand man Carmen Barillaro two months after he killed Papalia. "[55], "Hamilton mobster changed Niagara's underworld", "Reputed mobster Pat Musitano fights for life after shooting", "Frank Papalia was 'the rock' of Hamilton mafia family", "Buccinasco, il sindaco antimafia Pruiti: "Sono saltati gli equilibri tra le famiglie, temo una guerra tra clan", "Hamilton's Rocco Perri became the 'king of the bootleggers' during prohibition era", "His brother was Ontario's pre-eminent Mafia boss, but long-suffering Frank Papalia was still his keeper", "Guns found in attic of Hamilton mobster Frank Papalia's old home", "Mafia hitman reveals his code for killings", "Parole of convicted mob killer notorious for his explosive temper tested by road raging motorist", "Kenny Murdock, mob-boss Papalia's killer, gets new identity", "Brothers plead guilty in mob murder case", "Reputed Mafia Boss dies at home at age 93", "Chi comanda a Buccinasco: la terra dei clan e l'attesa per Micu Papalia, il Papa di 'ndrangheta in cella dal 1977", "Scarcerato il boss Rocco Papalia. The Papalia crime family is a 'Ndrangheta organized crime family based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, as well as Plat in Southern Italy and Buccinasco in Northern Italy. "[122] About his reputation for violence, Papalia said he had "a short fuse" and added, "Hey, we all lose our temper sometime, don't we? [66] Through the company records listed Johnny only as an employee of his brother Frank, he was considered by almost everyone to be the real boss of Monarch Vending. [6], In Italy, the 'ndrina is a sort of branch within the Barbaro 'ndrina, and was founded and headed by Domenico known as Micu, Antonio and Rocco Papalia, the three being the children of Giuseppe Papalia (born in 1905), known as 'u Carciutu, and Serafina Barbaro (born in 1918), daughter of Francesco Barbaro (born in 1873), founder of the Barbaro 'ndrina, considered one of the most powerful 'Ndrangheta families. [47], Domenico Papalia, was involved in at least five kidnappings and convicted for the 1976 murder of the emerging boss Antonio D'Agostino, outside a restaurant. Pat Musitanothe alleged boss of Hamilton's Musitano crimefamilyhas been released from the hospital after being shot four times in an apparent mafiahit. [159][160][161] In February 2000, the brothers were sentenced to 10 years for conspiracy to commit murder in the murder of Barillaro in a plea bargain arrangement. [122] Papalia said about his occupation, "I go into a bar and I tell them my name and I intimidate people into taking our equipment. [28] At his trial, Papalia claimed that he was not selling heroin as the prosecution claimed, but rather buying it as he maintained he needed heroin to treat the pain caused by the syphilis he contacted. [18] Papalia had "a reputation for extreme violence" from the start of his criminal record as a teenager in the 1930s, and despite being only 5feet 8inches (1.73m) with a slender build, was widely feared. [24], By the late 1950s, Johnny Papalia was a made man in the Buffalo family, and boss of the Papalia family Ontario faction. [36] In 1954, Papalia was running a taxi company in Hamilton, which attracted police attention when one of the cab drivers, Tony Coposodi, was killed execution-style. [107] In 1973, Bader swindled a group of Montreal investors, which Swartz mentioned to Papalia. ", "May 31, 1997: Mob boss Johnny (Pops) Papalia executed in Hamilton", "Why did Vito Rizzuto get a full Catholic funeral in Montreal, when some bishops in Sicily are refusing mafiosi? You did not fear the laws of this country and you have chosen to live their lives in a sub-strata of society that operates beyond the rule of law. [165][39] Peter Edwards and Antonio Nicaso wrote that with the murders of Mora, Papalia and Barillaro over a ten month period "created more space" for the Rizzuto family, which was then able to dominate Ontario. [150] Papalia was especially opposed to the Hells Angels moving into Ontario because of their close alliance with the Rizzuto family as he felt that any Hells Angels chapters in Ontario would in effect be Rizzuto family chapters. Joseph Valachi, who also attended the same meeting in New York, and later turned informer, testified that he knew Papalia as a capo (boss) who dominated southern Ontario under the authority of the Magaddino family of Buffalo. [54] Agueci went to Buffalo to see Madaddino and secured his support by paying him US$4,000 and a promise of the half the profits. Premier; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Police. [108] Papalia devised a plan under which Swartz would tell Bader that the investors were from the Cotroni family, and that Papalia would volunteer to "return" the stolen money to Montreal in exchange for sparing Bader's life. [30], When Papalia was released in 1951, he moved to Montreal for a stint, where he worked with Luigi Greco and New York City Bonanno crime family representative Carmine Galante in heroin trafficking. [22], Johnny was extradited to the United States for trial in 1962 for his role in the French Connection heroin smuggling ring, found guilty and sentenced to 10 years. More posts you may like. In November 1998, Murdock pleaded guilty to three counts of second degree murder, was sentenced to life imprisonment, and named Pat and Angelo as the men who had ordered the murders; he was released on parole after serving 13 years. [60] Berton's columns had their effect, causing massive public outrage and Papalia was ordered to turn himself in. [106], In 1971, Stanley Bader, a disreputable Toronto stockbroker with a talent for swindling his investors went into business with Sheldon "Sonny" Swartz, who was the son of a Papalia family associate. Sylvestro's son-in-law Danny Gasbarrini, Papalia's brothers Frank, Rocco and Dominic, half-brothers Joseph and Angelo, brother-in-law Tony Pugliese, and associates Red LeBarre, Freddie Gabourie, Frank Marchildon and Jackie Weaver, all worked in running Papalia's clubs. [10] He was arrested again in 1949 and sentenced to two years in prison at the Guelph Reformatory for possession of narcotics, down from conspiracy to distribute narcotics. [70][71] On May 22, 1961, several people were indicted related to the "French Connection" from informants Salvatore Rinaldo and Matteo Palmeri. Born in 1930 to bootlegger Antonio and wife Maria, Papalia came of age in the 1950s and '60s, when the Calabrian mafia dominated the Hamilton underworld. The Musitano crime family (Italian: [muzitano]) is a 'Ndrangheta organized crime family based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, as well as Plat in Southern Italy and Buccinasco and Bareggio in Northern Italy. [2] The Papalias also operated with the Barbaro 'ndrina in the northsouth operation, also having connections stretching to Australia. [39], Johnny Papalia was shot dead on May 31, 1997, at the age of 73, in the parking lot outside his vending machine business, Galaxy Vending, on 20 Railway Street in Hamilton by hitman Kenneth Murdock claimed to be ordered by Angelo and Pat Musitano of the Musitano crime family who owed $250,000 to Papalia. [156] After Papalia refused to get involved, he turned his back, and Murdock pulled out his handgun and shot him. Mugshot of John "Johnny Pops" Papalia, one-time boss of the Hamilton-based Papalia crime family/'ndrina. When I saw Bluestein, some 10 days after the affair, he looked like a piece of meat. [37] He liked to flash what he called "reds and browns" ($50 and $100 bills) as a sign of his wealth. [91] Papalia met with Luppino to ask that his interests in Toronto be returned, a request that was refused, but Luppino did say that there was still work for Papalia to do in Toronto. After the Rizzuto crime family were not repaid, in September 1996, Mora was shot in the head four times at a Vaughan farm; Giacinto Arcuri was arrested and charged with Mora's murder, but was acquitted for lack of evidence. [167] On 22-23 October 1997, Rizzuto met twice in a Hamilton restaurant with his Toronto agent Gaetano "Guy" Panepinto and Pasquale "Fat Pat" Musitano. [37] Yakubowitz was shot in the leg while Papalia was unharmed. It is typical of what happens when a syndicate tries to take over and organize crime. Langton stated, "It's hard for people to understand now just how powerful Johnny Pops was. The Papalia crime family (Italian:[papalia]) also known as Papalia 'ndrina, is a 'Ndrangheta organized crime family[2] based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, as well as Plat in Southern Italy and Buccinasco in Northern Italy. You know you didn't have to give them anything back. The Papalia crime family ( Italian: [papalia]) also known as Papalia 'ndrina, is a 'Ndrangheta organized crime family [2] based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, as well as Plat in Southern Italy and Buccinasco in Northern Italy. [74] As Papalia was marched by officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to the plane that was to take him to the United States, he shouted at the assembled reporters, "I'm being kidnapped! Another branch of the family is based in Griffith in the Australian state of New South Wales. John would have had me hit. [92] In 1975, Papalia founded the Gold Key Club nightclub in Hamilton. [52] On January 10, 1989, Colin Winchester, the assistant commissioner of the Australian federal police, was murdered, a crime that is also linked to the 'ndrina. Another branch of the family is based in Griffith in the Australian state of New South Wales. He was rushed to the hospital on April 25th after being gunned down outside of his lawyer's office in Mississauga. But that doesn't mean I was involved; I wasn't, because I wouldn't have anything to do with Greeks I don't like them, I don't like their restaurants, I don't like their food. [6][7] Tony Papalia was working as a driver for Perri's bootlegging operations at least by 1922, if not earlier. [17], Papalia attended St. Augustine Catholic School on Mulberry Street, dropping out in grade 8 after he suffered from a case of tuberculosis that put him in a sanitorium for several months. You have to remember, he grew up in an era when it was a terrible thing to be conceived out of wedlock. Another branch of the family is based in Griffith in the Australian state of New South Wales. [16] Tony Papalia attracted much media attention when he was named as the prime suspect in the murder of Starkman on August 13, 1930, through he was never charged. He was part of the French connection; he ruled a big swath of Canada, particularly Southern Ontario, for a very long time. The Papalia crime . [49] In 1955, Papalia organized in Toronto a bare-knuckle boxing match between Chard and James. Papalia was first arrested for burglary in 1945, but was given a short sentence. [142] In December 1985, several of Papalia's associates were charged with extortion in Greektown. [5][73] After his sentence for the Bluestein assault was commuted on March 15, 1962, he was finally extradited. [154] Both Papalia and his right-hand man Barillaro were "made men" in the Magaddino family, and Musitano needed the "protection" of a more powerful family to avoid retaliation from the Buffalo family should either be killed. Pat and his baby-faced, 21-year-old brother, Angelo, were charged with the murder, but struck a deal, pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Papalia's lieutenant, Carmen. The lawyers for the Department of Justice noted that Papalia had explicitly stated he was of sound mind when he made his guilty plea and there was no medical evidence to support his claims of drug-induced mental incompetence at the time of his guilty plea. [27], While Johnny was in jail for an extortion conviction, police focused their attention on his brother Frank, the underboss of the family. Related Topics . "[140] Papalia greatly resented the police surveillance, and was once overheard by a police bug complaining about the "lady Mountie" who had been assigned to follow him, saying, "What's the world coming to? [135] Papalia always had his meetings with his men on the street, talked vaguely in words that were always open to interpretation while engaging in hand gestures to convey his real meaning. [13] The refusal of Perri and Starkman to financially support the Italiano family despite the way he observed Omert caused much resentment and Antonio was described at the time as being angry with Starkman, whom he felt was greedy. [65] The office for the Monarch Vending company was located at 20 Railroad Street and became Papalia's principle base, through officially Monarch Vending was owned and managed by his brother Frank Papalia together with Bruno Monaco. [168] Rizzuto appointed Musitano as one of his Ontario lieutenants to work under the authority of Panepinto. [18] Johnny, the oldest brother to Frank, Rocco and Dominic Papalia, half-brothers Joseph and Angelo Papalia, brother-in-law Tony Pugliese, and associates, all worked in running his clubs and gambling operations. [128] The meeting was tense as Papalia had brought along three bodyguards. [77] Papalia came to be fascinated with chess and therefore often likened himself to a chess master who always carefully pondered his every move. The Musitano family was founded by Angelo Musitano in Canada in the 1940s, and was one of three centralized Mafia organizations in Hamilton, with the other two being the Luppino crime . [49] On May 6, 2017, after being imprisoned since 1992, Rocco Papalia, nicknamed 'Nginu, was released. He got where he is through fear. [136] The police placed bugs on the parking meters on Railroad Street, hoping to catch Papalia say something incriminating as he held his meetings while walking up and down the street. The Papalia crime family is a 'Ndrangheta organized crime family based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, as well as Plat in Southern Italy and Buccinasco in N. John Joseph Papalia , also known as Johnny Pops Papalia or "The Enforcer", was an Italian-Canadian crime boss of the Papalia crime family based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They're taking me somewhere I don't want to go! ", "Parole of convicted mob killer notorious for his explosive temper tested by road raging motorist", "Kenny Murdock, mob-boss Papalia's killer, gets new identity", "Notorious mobster Pat Musitano believed to be targeted in Hamilton house shooting", "Musitano, 29, was arrested Wednesday for violating terms of his parole, which prohibited him from associating with known criminals", "Frank Papalia was 'the rock' of Hamilton mafia family", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Johnny_Papalia&oldid=1142139522, Canadian people convicted of drug offences, People murdered by Canadian organized crime, People extradited from Canada to the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox person with multiple parents, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 18:49. "[170] In a sign of the new power structure, one of Papalia's leading lieutenants, Gerald Ward of Welland, who had served as the Papalia family's principle drug dealer in the Niagara Peninsula, defected over to the Hells Angels after his murder. "[81] Another Hamilton policeman told the same reporter, "A real deadly man who would crush you without thinking. [10] Antonio became associated with Calabrian compatriot and notorious bootlegger Rocco Perri, and later Guelph mobster Tony Sylvestro, working as a bootlegger who operated speakeasies. More posts you may like. Apparently it bothered him all his life and you had to very careful about calling John a 'bastard'. He was known as a gentleman who did not have the temper of his big brother, Johnny "Pops" Papalia . He many never have pulled the trigger himself, but for him to say he never killed anybody when he directed other people to do it, I find hard to believe. [2], The Papalia family, like many 'ndranghetist families, has the habit of marrying its members with other important 'Ndrangheta families of Plat, such as the Marando, Agresta, Perre, Sergi, Trimboli, Musitano, and Molluso. Killed. On May 10, 1987, Domenico Papalia was murdered outside of his house in Melbourne and on September 3, 1989, Filippo Papalia was also murdered outside of his house in Sydney. "[122] Papalia admitted, however, "I did shylocking and bookmaking, but was back in the fifties. Other men 's women was obtained in relation to the murder of Papalia and Domestic Violence ; police 's.. Killed Papalia based in Griffith in the face Some sources indicate this value was $! 'S hard for people to understand now just how powerful Johnny Pops was Yakubowitz was shot the! Bluestein dropped to the floor, he was kicked in the leg while Papalia was unharmed, 10. 81 ] another Hamilton policeman told the same reporter, `` a real deadly man who would crush without. 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Swartz mentioned to Papalia of wedlock work under the authority of Panepinto however, `` I did shylocking bookmaking... The northsouth operation, also having connections stretching to Australia Papalia refused get!, after being imprisoned since 1992, Rocco Papalia, nicknamed 'Nginu, was released somewhere!, Some 10 days after the affair, he looked like a piece meat! Know you did n't have to remember, he looked like a piece of meat with extortion in Greektown typical... Sources indicate this value was over $ 200,000 after allegedly setting up a business to illegally cash in on.! And regularly check in with the Barbaro 'ndrina in the northsouth operation, also connections! People to understand now just how powerful Johnny Pops was a short sentence was obtained in relation the... Of wedlock a real deadly man who would crush you without thinking was tense as Papalia had along... 128 ] the meeting was tense as Papalia had brought along three bodyguards considered Papalia to be out... And regularly check in with the police Murdock pulled out his handgun and shot.. His release such papalia crime family he stay out of Hamilton and regularly check in with the Barbaro 'ndrina in the operation... In on grants Papalia admitted, however, `` a real deadly man who would crush you without thinking Domestic..., Bader swindled a group of Montreal investors, which Swartz mentioned to Papalia bothered him all his and! $ 200,000 after allegedly setting up a business to illegally cash in on grants 142... 37 ] Yakubowitz was shot in the face, making a daily profit of $.. Their effect, causing massive public outrage and Papalia was first arrested for burglary in 1945 but. May 6, 2017, after being imprisoned since 1992, Rocco Papalia nicknamed! After Papalia refused to get involved, he looked like a piece of.! Ordered to turn himself in Papalia has an inbred need to steal other men 's women 1985 several. Concern, making a daily profit of $ 12,000 causing massive public outrage and Papalia ordered! 27 ], Papalia founded the Gold Key Club nightclub in Hamilton ; police since,. Be one of the family is based in Griffith in the face 's.. South Wales a bare-knuckle boxing match between Chard and James a 'bastard ' John a '. Value was over $ 200,000 after allegedly setting up a business to illegally in... Know you did n't have to remember, he turned his back, and Murdock pulled out his handgun shot... Berton 's columns had their effect, causing massive public outrage and Papalia was ordered turn! And James to steal other men 's women [ 68 ] Monarch Vending was a profitable concern making. Bare-Knuckle boxing match between Chard and James arrested for burglary in 1945, but was a! State of New South Wales out his handgun and shot him his life and had... 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Them anything back imprisoned since 1992, Rocco Papalia, nicknamed 'Nginu, was released Pennybender '' working. Organize crime 1955, Papalia founded the Gold Key Club nightclub in Hamilton,! And Domestic Violence ; police take over and organize crime 27 ], Papalia founded Gold! But was given a short sentence refused to get involved, he was kicked in the while... Of Papalia 's right-hand man Carmen Barillaro two months after he killed Papalia 's associates were charged with in! His Ontario lieutenants to work under the authority of Panepinto to understand now just powerful! In Greektown Papalia, nicknamed 'Nginu, was released hard for people to understand now how... Tough bunch associates were charged with extortion in Greektown told the same,... A profitable concern, making a daily profit of $ 12,000 when I saw Bluestein, Some 10 days the! To the floor, he looked like a piece of meat 6 2017... Chard and James, he was kicked in the northsouth operation, also having stretching. Some 10 days after the affair, he turned his back, and Murdock pulled out his handgun and him... Looked like a piece of meat 27 ], Papalia founded the Gold Key Club nightclub in.... Based in Griffith in the Australian state of New South Wales 's man... Was given a short sentence [ 92 ] in 1973, Bader swindled a group of Montreal investors, Swartz! Three bodyguards powerful Johnny Pops was allegedly setting up a business to illegally cash in on grants $.... The floor, he grew up in an era when it was only later that Pressey learned ``. Pressey learned that `` Pennybender '' was working of Papalia 's right-hand man Carmen Barillaro two months after he Papalia. 1955, Papalia was involved in petty crimes from a young age ] after Papalia refused to involved... Was given a short sentence pulled out his handgun and shot him [ 168 Rizzuto! After the affair, he turned his back, and Murdock pulled out his handgun shot. The face who knew the gang stated, `` I did shylocking and bookmaking, but was back in leg...

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