2 Men Shot In Buffalo Cab Office

June 19, 1959

BUFFALO - A series of shots rang out in the Madison Cab Company's office 516 Rhode Island Street at 2:15 this morning, seriously wounding two men including the West Side firm's manager.

There was no attempt at robbery and the victims could give no good reason for the attack.

Manager Steve Cannarozzo, 38 was shot in the stomach. Dispatcher Edward Moscato, 45, suffered a punctured lung when shot in the left side and also was wounded in the right wrist. Columbus Hospital attendants reported both in critical condition.

Police seeking the unknown assailant said the shots were fired through a hinged window, about four feet above ground, that opens onto the street. One flattened bullet was found inside the office.

Several employees in the service garage at the rear of the office said they heard a noise like firecrackers exploding and then heard Moscato shout, "Come out here." Cannarozzo was on the two-way cab radio hookup when the shots were fired.

A few cabs in the vicinity responded when the drivers heard him cry .out: "Come to the office. I've been hurt." Cannarozzo's father, Victor Sr. owns the cab company.

Possible Link in Shootings, Battaglia Death Is Probed

June 20, 1959

BUFFALO - Buffalo Police sought to establish today whether a link exists between the mysterious shooting of two taxi firm employees and the unsolved slaying of Richard Battaglia last month.

The victim of yesterday's early morning shooting in the Madison Cab Service offices— Steve Cannarozzo, 38, and Rosario 

Moscato, 49 were reported still in critical condition at Columbus Hospital.

Det Chief John J. Whalen said authorities have been unable to uncover a motive for the shooting of the two, ripped by bullets from a .32 caliber weapon fired through a window of the cab company office.

Because of the victims' condition, they have not been questioned at length.

Police are still attempting to solve the May 23 slaying of Richard Battaglia.

The 30-year-old Battaglia lived at 635 Loretta St. in the Town of Tonawanda. He was found shot to death in a borrowed automobile in a West Side alley in Buffalo.

Whalen said Battaglia and Cannarozzo, manager of the cab service, had been friends and at one time had been closely associated.

The 30-year-old Battaglia was found shot to death May 23 in an automobile parked off a West Side alley.

Apalachin Issue To Be Decided Late This Month

September 9, 1959

ROCHESTER (UPI) - Federal Judge Harold P. Burke will decide Sept. 28 whether three reluctant witnesses must answer questions in connection with the investigation of the November 1957 Apalachin gangland convention.

Judge Burke gave defense attorneys and first Asst. Dist. Atty. Neil R. Farmelo until Sept. 21 to file briefs in support of oral arguments presented Tuesday.

Facing contempt action in the case are Stefano Magaddino of Lewiston. brother of missing Apalachin delegate Antonino Magaddino; Mrs. Angeline Laduca, wife of James V. Laduca, Lewiston, another Apalachin fugitive, and Fred G. Randaccio. Buffalo.

Laduca and Antonino Magaddino were among 27 persons indicted earlier this year on charges of conspiring to conceal the purpose of the underworld parley at the home of the late Joseph Barbara Sr. Both men have been missing more than a year.

The three balky witnesses, acting on advice of counsel, refused to testify on the grounds the answers could "open the door to a chain of questions which might involve incrimination."

Six other persons were called before the grand jury here Tuesday but their appearance shed little light on the long-standing inquiry.

Among the witnesses was Steve Cannarozzo. the victim of a mysterious West Buffalo shooting

earlier this summer.

15 Erie County Men Are Denied Wiretap Appeal

February 19, 1962

WASHINGTON AP—Fifteen persons indicted on gambling charges in Erie County, N.Y. were denied today a Supreme Court hearing in their attack on validity New York law permitting wiretapping by state officers.

The 15 said that information gained by tapping their telephones would be used in a pending criminal trial in Erie County.

They contended the Supreme Court should rule that wiretapping is completely prohibited by the 1934 Federal Communications Act.

The Supreme Court has barred use of wiretap evidence in federal courts.

In their appeal for a hearing, the 15 said the validity of state wiretap legislation has never been decided by any federal court and "the constitutional issues (involved in state wiretapping) have been discreetly avoided" by the Supreme Court.

U.S. District Court Judge John O. Henderson of Buffalo denied the 15 a declaration of unconstitutionality of the New York law, an injunction against the state court prosecution in which wiretap evidence is to be used, and an convening a special three-judge federal court to consider validity of the state law.

Henderson also dismissed the complaint by the 15 and his action later was affirmed by the U.S. Circuit Court in New York.

Justice Douglas noted that he favored granting the 15 persons a hearing.

Those filing the appeal to the Supreme Court are:

William Williams, Bartholomew Cannizzaro, Louis Angrisano. Pasquale Natarelli, Robert Rainey, Samuel Frangimore, Nelson Williams, Philip DiBlasis, Joe D. Brown, Ralph DiBlasis, Steven Cannarozzo, Joseph S. Occhino, Ernest Moulson, Vincent J. Occhino, Monroe Vinson.

Magaddino Funeral Chapel 1338 Niagara Street Niagara Falls, NY

Magaddino Chapel Crime Parley Site

September 27, 1966

By LINUS ORMSBY Niagara Falls Gazette Staff Writer

A Niagara Falls funeral chapel has been Cited by the State Commission on Investigation as the location visited by six Western New York crime syndicate members about 16 months ago.

Among those who were at the Magaddino Funeral Chapel on May 27, 1965, was Rochester underworld boss Frank Valenti.

Others who visited the funeral home at 1338 Niagara St. on that day were Samuel Rangatore, John Cammilleri, Antonino Magaddino, Peter Magaddino and Joseph Bongiorno, says the commission.

Visited Stefano Magaddino

Sometime after his arrival at the funeral chapel, Valenti went to the home of Stefano Magaddino, 518 Dana Drive, Lewiston.

These facts were contained in a report released Monday by the commission, which has concluded a 10-month investigation of crime in Western New York.

According to the 72-page document, Valenti came to Niagara Falls four days after he met with two Rochester detectives.

The commission did not state why Valenti came to this city, nor did it state that the six men met together at the funeral home.

However, the commission did say that "It is generally known that the crime syndicate in Western New York with which Valenti has long been identified by law enforcement authorities recognizes as

its head, Stefano Magaddino of Niagara Falls."

"Magaddino is also known as Don Stefano or The Old Man by members of his group, which includes such individuals as Peter Magaddino, Antonino Magaddino, Joseph Bongiorno, John Cammilleri, Fred Randaccio, Pasquale Natarelli, Steven Cannarozzo and Samuel Rangatore."  

Rangatore Called Courier

The commission specifically mentioned that 57-year-old Samuel G. Rangatore of  31st St., Niagara Falls, "has been identified variously as a courier and consultant in the syndicate."

Antonino Magaddino, 67, of 1528 Whitney Ave., a brother of Stefano; Peter A. Magaddino, 48, of 1103 22nd St., a son of Stefano, and. Joseph S. Bongiorno, 48, of 6831 Pine Ave., a nephew of Stefano, were questioned by the commission about the events of May 27, 1965.

All refused to testify on the ground that their answers would tend to incriminate

them.

Questioned for 45 Minutes John Cammilleri and Rangatore, who both testified before the commission after being granted immunity from prosecution, both admitted that it was "likely" that they visited with the Magaddinos some time on that day.

However, both denied having seen Valenti in Niagara Falls, according to the report.

Rangatore was questioned for approximately 45 minutes July 7 in the offices offices of his lawyers in the United Office Building here.

The commission lists the events leading up to that interview as follows:

"For months Rangatore evaded examination by the commission by submitting a variety of medical excuses.

Finally, after court action by the commission to compel his appearance, Rangatore was examined under a grant of immunity.

"He admitted being present in Rochester over the weekend of May 23, 1965 (the weekend Valenti met with the detectives). However, he stated that he did not know Valenti and did not see him during that time. This particular phase of the matter is still under investigation by the commission."

Scandal Cited

The report, which was signed by commission members Jacob Grumet./Myles J. Lane, John W. Ryan Jr. and Goodman A. Sarachan, centered on a scandal that broke more than a year ago in

Rochester.

"It appears that gambling remained a going and profitable business" in that city, the bi-partisan commission said.

Commenting on Valenti's background, the commission said that when he returned to Rochester in the fall of 1964, it was his intention to re-establish himself as the leader of syndicate operations in the Rochester area.

"As a first step," the report said, "he sought and obtained the approval of the syndicate leader 'Don' Stefano Magaddino of Niagara Falls."

The commission added that the principal phase of its operation was to be an organization of bookmakers who were to pay a percentage of their profits to the syndicate in return for "protection" which Valenti offered to provide.

Worked Under Magaddino

"Evidence obtained during the commission's investigation demonstrated that Valenti had a fertile and productive field in which to operate . . ."

In another reference to Stefano Magaddino, in the report, the commission said there is "no reason to doubt the general accuracy" of a report that Valenti was directly under Magaddino in the organizational structure of the Western New York criminal syndicate.

Valenti was placed in that position by Lucian Digiovanni, formerly detective supervisor of the Rochester Vice Control Unit.

It was Digiovanni and Det. John Lipari who met with Valenti in Rochester.

The report called the meeting "misconduct of the most serious nature," on the part of the police officers, and said it warranted strict disciplinary action.

But "that was not done," the report noted.

Digiovanni and Lipari were dropped from duty and submitted their resignations during the furor when the case first became public. However, they were later put back on the police force.