[17], The K&A burglary crew was a coalition of "crew chiefs" and the organization was a horizontal one in terms of structure.[4]. You have to be strong," he told a reporter after his conviction. Try 7 Days Free to get access to 822 million+ pages. The labor leader, John J. McCullough, who was head of Philadelphia's Local 30 of the roofers' union, had been described as a close friend of Mr. Bruno. 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. "John McCullough has a reputation for crafting lyric poems of the everyday with a surreal twist. | Pilch himself has had tie-ins to the construction trades through his job as a real estate broker and insurance salesman for United Brokers, a major Philadelphia firm which came under federal investigation last year for rampant frauds in housing programs designed to subsidize renovation and purchase of low-income housing. John McCullough . The other picketers were clamped with $100 fines for violation of the injunction. Interview It began with an incident almost identical to the Valley Forge firebombing. On that day, Appellant rented a van, posed as a florist delivery man, and drove to the McCullough residence. Both Altemose and Bingaman are confident that an injunction barring union members from picketing Altemose sitesrequested after the June 5 Valley Forge attackwill be upheld when reviewed this September by the State Supreme Court. Five hours after sunset on November 9, three satchels of dynamite destroyed his plans, wrecking a giant crane and knocking a ten foot hole in the foundation. He is survived by sons Stephen J. III and Joseph; daughters, Barbara, Tina, and Donna; a brother, and a close friend, Nancy Pasquale. The suspect, 31-year-old Willard E. Moran Jr., was arrested at his home in Gloucester Township on Sept. 30. 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. 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.". However, when labor union members or officers attempted to impose unwanted or unneeded union services, then extortion was made out. The highly-anticipated Netflix film clocks in at 209 minutes and features de-aging technology, so viewers may be steadily wondering where they've seen the actors and actresses before.. 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. The arrest capped a 10-month investigation of the slaying of John McCullough. "It's crude. John Gerard - Member of Carl Jackson's crew. Both of Philip Charles Testa's families, his kin as well as those reputed to have been linked to him in a brief reign marked by bloody violence, are expected to attend the last rites for the slain crime chieftain tomorrow. Then, as suddenly as it began, the violence stopped. This website uses cookies for functionality, analytics and advertising purposes as described in our. Shawn McCullough, President Local Union #30 6447 Torresdale Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19135 (215) 331-8770 Jose Padilla, Secretary Local Union #40 150 Executive Park Blvd. [15] The meth rings were sanctioned by the Scarfo crime family, who received a cut of the profits. 94. Newer Post Older Post Home. Others considered powerful enough to have been a threat to Mr. Testa's command have been slain. Also uncle of John and Mark Goodwin from the Traitz Brothers RICO Trial. Lights, Camera, Killing: Philly Roofers Union President's Slaying Slated For Big Screen Treatment In New Scorsese Film 5 years ago Scott Burnstein He was very deliberate about his actions and he didn't suffer fools easily. Philadelphia Uplighting Rental - Event, Wedding and Party Rentals (2023) . This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. We encourage you to research and examine . Chicago Paul Campbell. Apr 28, 2016. "I'm going to build that building," he says. Privacy Policy | Larry Krasner Hires A Jazz Guitarist To Prosecute A Rape Case, A Shower Of Lies: Spanier, Sandusky And The Mess At Penn State, Lawsuit: 'Pillow Talk' Conspiracy Between Penn's News Officer & Philly Inquirer's Top Editor Targeted Grad Student For Smear Job. "He's the greatest man I ever knew," Mr. Traitz said. Edward E. Pilch, Philadelphia representative for Senator Hugh Scott (R-Penn. Midwest People From the post-war 1950s to the 1970s, members of the network were tied to burglaries and theft operations all along the East Coast. The corruption case scandalized the city court system. He died two . How to talk like a Philadelphian by Stu Bykofsky Stu is a columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News which you would already know if . But that's a story for another day. John Tackett, President Local Union #70 P.O. 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. Reasons for that volatility, investigators say, include a string of seven murders over the last year. And I can shovel horse manure. 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. PHILADELPHIA ROOFERS RENOVATE VILLANOVA ROOF . After being indicted for 14 counts of trafficking in methamphetamine and the chemical P2P in January 1982, Berkery fled to Ireland to avoid prosecution, where he supposedly had contacts in the Irish Republican Army. Select this result to view John W McCullough IV's phone number, address, and more. The Sheriff read Cirillo's injunction to the pickets, giving them 15 minutes to leave, but they refused to depart. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Charles Oliver Ruinous financial losses ensued, and although the project was later completed it discouraged other merit shop contractors from undertaking similar construction. Already, six besides Mr. Testa have fallen, and around all the deaths, little besides mystery has emerged, though theories and hints of evidence abound. 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. Nearly every week brings him new reports of stonings, telephoned threats, or property destructionor, as in the June 29 firebombing doing $100,000 damage to merit shop contractor George Blyth, reports of terror directed against his colleagues. The police moved in and arrested 123 men, confiscating over 30 knives and one fully loaded 22 caliber pistol belonging to Allen Cohen, a friend of the union leaders. The principle at stake, he says, is whether he will be allowed to run his business as he thinks best, or whether he will bow to dictation from the unions. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. Click to explore our pension plan. Philadelphia Read More. Support The National Registry of Exonerations , The Contribution of Forensic and Expert Evidence to DNA Exoneration Cases, Race and Wrongful Convictions in the United States, 2022, Government Misconduct and Convicting the Innocent, Witness Recantations: Preliminary Findings, May 2013, Exonerations in the United States: 1989 - 2012, Tell us about an Exoneration that we missed, Other Pennsylvania Cases with Perjury or False Accusation. Donald Gaster, developer of a 27 story apartment-office center who sought to pare expenses to a minimum, hired local black workers and North Carolina Indians to keep building costs under $5 million. J. Leon Altemose, 32 year old president of a burgeoning Norristown design and construction firm, stands at the center of the gathering holocaust with the ABC. Hugh "Hughie" Breslin - Member of the burglary crew - deceased. "Every kid should be taught to box," he once told a reporter, arguing that it teaches discipline and self-respect. Usergen The Registry provides detailed information about every known exoneration in the United States since 1989cases in which a person was wrongly convicted of a crime and later cleared of all the charges based on new evidence of innocence. Consistent with 47 U.S.C. [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. . Two witnessesLewis Louderback, chairman of a union-shop transportation firm, and Mrs. Ruth Dann, a participant in a Baptist convention next to the Sheraton site, testified that a small group of men appeared to be directing the proceedings from the street. I'm waiting for the book to arrive but it's been held up for over a month now! 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. The arrest capped a 10-month investigation of the slaying of John McCullough. Box 116 Howell, MI 48844 (517) 548-6554 Mark K. Peterson, Secretary Local Union #149 P.O. 1.17.2023 4:53 PM, Christian Britschgi Before moving to Colleen's current city of Telluride, CO, Colleen lived in Norwood CO, Breckenridge CO and Anchorage AK. Plot Location: Section 149, Lot 1. Random TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. ranging from $300 to $500 from Roofers Local 30 . International 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. I think it will eventually lead to legislation which cuts down some of their power.". "Four or five men in business suits seemed to have control of the whole situation," Louderback said. ", "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. 2. He's built probably the greatest construction firm in the Philadelphia area.". Wallace was found dead by another union member at 6:40 a.m., police said. The barrel-chested former boxer, who attended daily Mass and did not drink liquor, was known for being polite and soft-spoken, but he was caught . James "Lefty" Shannon - Member of the Stocker gang. In 1983, Philadelphia garnered a reputation as the "meth capital of the world", according to a statement published by the Associated Press, from a local police officer. The Registry also maintains a more limited database of known exonerations prior to 1989. The grand jury had been trying to learn whom the three may have met in New York. George Holmes alleges that a showgirl named Lillian Reis and Vickie Mason(AKA, Viola Lorenzo) gave the gang the tip they needed to pilfer $478,000 in cash and jewelry from the home of John B. The best result we found for your search is John W McCullough IV age 40s in Philadelphia, PA in the Grays Ferry neighborhood. | Last Update. On June 5, the unions retaliated. Tall, usually cheerful, a prize-winning racer of cars and a man who has watched his company double in size each year for the last ten, he is determined not to capitulate to the unions. The authorities said Moran was expected to be arraigned on murder, weapons and conspiracy charges. Phone Email . A second throng began heaving stones at the lone policeman who ran to assist two security guards cornered by the mob, while a third blocked passage of fire-fighting equipment. LOCAL REP. $57,200. The gunman then fled with an accomplice in a rented van, which was found near the union leader's home hours after the shooting. The union contention that the June 5 violence was "unplanned" began to shrivel two days later in court hearings before Judge Cirillo. Drug Gangs In those days, there was no overarching structure within the gang. Some members had become impatient, it seems, over Mr. Bruno's reluctance to approve drug trafficking as well as his failure to resist aggressively enough attempts by New York elements to invade the family's Atlantic City preserve. As a final damning piece of evidence, a picket holding a walkie talkie was also photographed standing nearby. Then, in 1969, union terror became increasingly spectacular and bloody. Mr. Traitz was the third major leader among Philadelphia's storied building-trades unions to die this month. The tapes also documented threats to roofing contractors and beatings inside union offices. It was founded in 2012 in conjunction with the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University School of Law. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Then, in angry reply, the Philadelphia Building Trades Council threw up picket lines at an Altemose school construction site in Prospect Park, intimidating workers and damaging equipment. [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. Days later, union violence again turned on itselfone of the three identified men was found lying dead of gunshot wounds under a turnpike bridge. 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. Business Assistant & Manager . Two months after slaying of leader John J McCullough. He and Frank "The Beard" Zappacosta received a lifetime sentence in accordance with the Continuing Criminal Enterprise statute, otherwise known as the "drug kingpin" law. ''Based on the pattern of violence that has already taken place, there's no reason to believe that it's going to cease immediately,'' said Joel M. Friedman, the attorney in charge of the organized crime and racketeering section of the Justice Department's Philadelphia Strike Force. A recent sympathy march by over 20,000 unionists and supporters in Junethe largest in Philadelphia historywas held despite flood conditions to underscore the electoral muscle of the unions and the depth of feelings at issue. The crew was adamant about not carrying weapons with them while they burglarized. "Leon Altemose hasn't been satisfied with the mediocrity that most contractors are. Here are some of his Philadelphia connections. $42,106. John William Mccullough, 79. Gillespie said Mr. Traitz was devoted to boxing, particularly working with the Rev. Archives 1980. (Code: 1FREESUNDAY) COUPON: $25 Off Premium Digital Jukebox Rental or Premium Digial Jukebox Rental with Karaoke on Sunday (Code: SUNDAYPREMIUM) NOTE!!! How do we create a person's profile? South Big Trial | Philadelphia Trial Blog | Copyright 2020 BigTrial.net | Privacy Policy. Many observers, however, had their doubts. Featured December 16 - John McCullough, President of the Roofer's . As a roofer, he idolized John McCullough, who organized and ran the Roofers union. They had setup lucrative markets dealing with gambling, loan sharking, and most famously burglary. 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. 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?" The K&A Gang was started following World War II and controlled the city's Irish-American criminal underworld for much of the late 20th century. New Jersey authorities have refused to disclose where he is being held. Mr. Traitz was born in Philadelphia and saw early success as an amateur boxer. Email. In 1981, Willard Moran, a reputed organized crime hitman, was charged with the murder. As the talks dragged on, Altemose used the time gained to set up fences and guards on the Valley Forge site. As "open shop" or "merit shop" contractors win growing shares of the market, operating on the principle that only the lowest responsible bidders should be awarded contracts, building trades unions have waged an increasingly ugly campaign of terror. And as they gather for a service at St. Monica Roman Catholic Church here, law-enforcement agents will be watching and speculating on whether some of the mourners will fail to survive a war of succession that the law officers fear is likely to follow in Philadelphia's organized crime family. He retired in 1960 with 21 wins, two draws, and five losses. ABC contractors in the Philadelphia area have proved their pointlocal ABC membership has leaped from 180 in 1969 to 347 today. "I'm losing my friends," Gillespie said. Mr. McCullough had reportedly been trying to . Phone Email. At the time, US Attorney Edward Dennis claimed in a press release that the gang was "one of the largest methamphetamine organizations in the nation". Mayor Frank Rizzo (shaking Hoffa's hand) and roofing union boss John McCullough (second from right,) and civil rights leader Cecil B. Moore (far right) . Daniel Gundaker - Member of the burglary ring. 1. Cohen, chief union negotiator for a Mafia linked meatpacking companyKansas Beef Industriescarried no permit for the gun. Mr. McCullough had reportedly been trying to widen his influence in Atlantic City unions without the support he had had before Mr. Bruno's death. He has been unable to work on the site for the past 30 months because of daily union picketing, and is now resigned to tearing down the half-completed structure. 1.18.2023 4:00 AM, John Stossel Electricians Local 98 president John "Johnny Doc" Dougherty described Mr. Traitz as "straight, honest, and you knew where he was coming from.". The Irishman has a cast that's fully loaded with iconic actors and familiar industry faces. In support of Forrest and Edwin Booth he played second roles . The driver, John Stanfa, was indicted and later convicted on a perjury charge for denying that he had made the trip. 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