Dominick Cirillo

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dominick "Quiet Dom" Cirillo
Dominick "Quiet Dom" Cirillo

Dominick "Quiet Dom" Cirillo (born July 4, 1929) is a high-ranking member of the Genovese Crime Family, who served as the former acting boss for the imprisoned Vincent "Chin" Gigante.

Contents

[edit] Early life and boxing

Cirillo was born in East Harlem to Colombo crime family capo Alphonse Cirillo who served under Joseph Magliocco. Alphonse was killed in a gangland slaying in 1959. Dominick started out as a boxer with future Genovese crime family boss Thomas "Tommy Ryan" Eboli as his manager. Cirillo gradually drifted towards the criminal side of the neighborhood, along with another boxer and associate, Vincent "Chin" Gigante.

[edit] Genovese crime family

His first conviction came in 1952, when he was imprisoned on narcotics charges.[1] In subsequent years, he grew closer to Gigante, who was seen, in the mid 1980s, as the defacto Boss of the Genovese crime family. While Gigante served as boss on the streets, Cirillo served in a 'messenger' between Gigante and the other caporegimes of the Genovese crime family, as Cirillo's low-key style earned him his nickname "Quiet Dom", and helped him avoid the gaze of the authorities for many years.[2]

[edit] Gigante's Acting boss

After Gigante was imprisoned in 1997 for racketeering and conspiracy charges, the leadership of the Genovese crime family passed to a Committee/Ruling Panel, known as the "Administration", ostensibly led by Cirillo.[3] In this capacity, Cirillo represented the Genoveses in its dealings with the other Mafia families of New York City, though Gigante remained in overall charge of the family. In this way, Cirillo maintained acting boss, and was seen by US athorities, as the most powerful member of the Genovese family. However, in 1998 Cirillo stepped down as acting boss due to a certain heart attack, and recovered his position as Caporegime of the Genovese crime family that same year.

[edit] Nick Cirillo missing

Cirillo's son, Nicholas, who was not believed to be a made man, disappeared on May 9, 2004. Three weeks later his abandoned car was discovered, but Nicholas Cirillo has never been found. Investigators believe the younger Cirillo was killed after he insulted the son of acting Bonanno crime family boss Vincent "Vinny Gorgeous" Basciano and caporegime Dominick Cicale.[4] It remains unclear whether this would have been allowed to happen without the explicit permission of Dominick Cirillo.[5]

[edit] Trial and guilty plea

On October 18, 2005, Cirillo, who again was recognized as acting boss for Gigante, and three Genovese capos, Lawrence "Little Larry" Dentico, John "Johnny Sausage" Barbato and Anthony "Tico" Antico, pleaded guilty on charges of racketeering and racketeering conspiracy.[6] Cirillo was sentenced to 48 months in prison and forced to pay $75,000 restiturion on March 3, 2006.

[edit] Reputed Consigliere

As of December, 2007, Dominick "Quiet Dom" Cirillo, at age 78, is still imprisoned prior to his conviction in 2006. [1] All though imprisoned, law enforcement are listing Cirillo as the reputed official Consigliere of the Genovese crime family, as he was demoted from acting boss after the death of longtime family godfather Vincent "Chin" Gigante in December of 2005, while Cirillo was on trial. Cirillo's project release-date is August 22, 2008, when he will be 79.

[edit] References

  1. ^ "'Quiet Dom' Is Seen as Heir to Gigante as Crime Family Boss", Selwyn Raab. New York Times. (Late Edition (East Coast)). New York, N.Y.: Sep 15, 1997. pg. B.1
  2. ^ "The last Dom", William Bastone. The Village Voice. New York: Apr 29, 1997. Vol. 42, Iss. 17; pg. 36, 3 pgs
  3. ^ "Roving Brief:'Oddfather' business safe in family hands despite conviction", The Observer. London (UK): Jul 27, 1997. pg. 004
  4. ^ "MOB-HIT ALARM - JAILED GODFATHER'S SON IN DANGER", KATI CORNELL SMITH. New York Post. New York, N.Y.: Nov 26, 2004. pg. 024
  5. ^ "QUIET DOM MUM ON MISSING SON; [SPORTS FINAL Edition], JOHN MARZULLI DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER. New York Daily News. New York, N.Y.: Mar 2, 2006. pg. 29
  6. ^ "Four Are Held on Charges Linked to Genovese Family", Sabrina Tavernise. New York Times. (Late Edition (East Coast)). New York, N.Y.: Apr 6, 2005. pg. B.4
Preceded by
Vincent Gigante		 Genovese Crime Family Boss
2003-2006		 Succeeded by
Mario Gigante
Languages