Hull Warren R. - The Los Angeles Sugar Ring

Published by The History Press

Charleston, SC

www.historypress.net

Copyright 2017 by J. Michael Niotta, PhD

All rights reserved

Front cover, top: courtesy of Frannie LaRussa; bottom: Los Angeles Times Photographic Archive, Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.

First published 2017

e-book edition 2017

ISBN 978.1.43966.308.0

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017945024

print edition ISBN 978.1.62585.997.6

Notice: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. It is offered without guarantee on the part of the author or The History Press. The author and The History Press disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Dedicated to all the Georges Ive (n)ever known.

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

My interest in organized crime and, more specifically, Los Angeles organized crime, goes back to my youth. It was during visits to my great-aunt and great-uncles home in Brea Hills, California, that I first learned of our family connection to people like Franklin Shaw, the onetime mayor of Los Angeles; Howard Hughes, aviator, movie producer and billionaire; and Jack Dragna, the leader of organized crime in the City of Angels. I would listen to the stories from the good old days shared between my unclesJimmy, Johnny and Joe (Jimmy Fratianno, Johnny Roselli and Joe Dippolito). As you can imagine, some incredible tales were told in Aunt Gaynell and Uncle Nicks kitchen, and I enjoyed listening to each and every one of them. Despite the reputation these men had as brutal and vicious gangsters, the stories I heard were never of murder and mayhem; rather, they were recollections of family and friends taking care of one another like family should.

During my twenty-five years as a researcher of organized crime in Southern Californiaand more specifically the city of Los AngelesI have been extremely disappointed by the lack of quality nonfiction, true crime books dedicated to the City of Angels. Obviously, there are some incredible fictionalized stories about the seedier sidethank you, James Elroybut to find a truly compelling nonfiction piece that takes place in Los Angeles is a bit more challenging. Dont get me wrong, John Buntins L.A. Noir: The Struggle for the Soul of Americas Most Seductive City, Bruce Henstells Sunshine & Wealth: Los Angeles in the Twenties and Thirties and Kevin Starrs five-volume History of California: Americans and the California Dream are all excellent resources for those fascinated with the development of organized crime in LA from the 1920s to the 1950s. But none of these publications comes close to capturing the stories I heard as a kidthat is, until I read J. Michael Niottas new book.

I come from a family that believes sharing family stories is more than a pleasant pastime and that stories with strong narratives build strong family bonds. I discovered this to be true when I wrote my first nonfiction book, Family Secret. While the story details how our family became involved in the murder of a famous mobster, what made writing the book so rewarding was the way the story drew people together. Not only did I hear from members of my family, many of whom I had never met, but I also heard from hundreds of my readers who became motivated to research their family stories after being inspired by reading one of mine. Niottas book will have a similar impact.

Every metropolitan area has its share of historic corruption, and Los Angeles is no different. The Los Angeles Sugar Ring takes readers on a journey into the worlds of big-city politics, the socially affluent, vice, illegal gambling, police corruption and mobsters. Who doesnt like stories like these? Great books are those that take the reader on a compelling journey. Great books are the stories that allow you to flip from page to page, not only satisfied with what youve read but also wanting more. The Sugar Ring is a great book. It is gripping and will cause you to stay up until two oclock in the morning just to find out what happens next.

Niotta is a gifted storyteller who captivated me from the start. He has a personal, well developed and descriptive writing style that makes for an enjoyable, smooth read. His knowledge of early Los Angeles history is second to none, and his family story is one of the most intriguing tales I have read in a very long time. J. Michael Niotta has done a masterful job on this, his first publication, and I am hopeful he will explore more of his family history and share those discoveries with the world.

WARREN R. HULL
Producer/writer/independent film director

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to acknowledge the support, understanding and sacrifice of my wife, Jessy, and son, Dylanputting together a book takes a lot from a young family. Thanks to all whove humored my less than conventional choices, with much appreciation to the Guarnieris and Niottas, plus the Amador, Cacioppo, LaRussa, Galardo, Dewey, Bovi, Rizzotto, Poli, Charfauros, Penkava, Glogovac and Dragna families. Special thanks to Big George for telling the tale that inspired it all; Frannie LaRussa, Anthony and Toni Amador and Catlin Meininger for their consistent willingness and wealth of stories; Gail Gray (RIP) for seeing the seed; Laurie Krill for spotting and fighting for a good story; Warren R. Hull for insight; the Rosie Network; Dr. Lawrence Murray; Mr. Christiaan Pasquale, my contemporary on many accounts; Andy Martello for graciously donating El Rey memorabilia; Bill Yenne for beer knowledge; Arlene Nunziati and the Order of Sons of Italy in America (OSIA); Arthur Nersesian and Dan Fante (RIP) for inadvertently nudging me from fiction to fact; Conquistadors C.C., Bill WTF Taylor and the once mighty motor pool, Brando Von Badsville, Richard Dick Williams, Nickie Bushor, Florence Quinn, Jerry Cacioppo, Luellen Smiley, John Peebucks Bonnel, Mike Prestigious Clem, Profs Kelly, Kantor and Tatum; Otto Dewey, Jay Mendoza, and all others whove helped on this journey. I wish to express immense gratitude to supporters of the books image content: Anthony Amador, Frannie LaRussa, George and Jeanne Niotta, Catlin Meininger, Debra Turner, Monika Seitz Vega, Kari Orvik, Belgium Lion Photography, J. Strauss of the Great Falls Tribune, Jason VanAntwerp, Mark Amador, Heather Bik, David Vazquez, the Vechil family, Jenessa Warren, Jessica Glogovac, Lori Orwig, Ronnie and Linda Galardo, Aaron Felt, Angie Sumrall, Sarah Sanger, Frankie Cascioppo, Matty the Jew, Leanne Babcock, Saralynn Sanfillipo, Janice Perine and the Vegas Niottas.

INTRODUCTION

Hey, George, breathed through the receiver, its Tommy. We got us a problem here. Guy says he doesnt wanna pay.

Tommy could hear the concern in the words that followed.

You alrightthey didnt hurt you any?

No. Im good, thanks. But whaddaya want me to do?

The silence on the line hung a moment, and then, in the bright tone that Tommy had come to know, Big George Niotta fired, Ill handle it.

Thinking it settled, it surprised Tommy when his employer probed further.

You sure they didnt try anything rough?

Naw, Im fine, George. Really.

Good! Get back to the route. Ill make a call. Hes gonna lose his sugar!