Family Business III

FAMILY BUSINESS III: Brown Paper Package

The Old barn turned Zizzo crime family justice facility was bustling compared to the usual quiet solitude typically found on the Palmisano farm in upstate New York.

The Godfather, Don Giuseppe Zizzo, was on his way with Consigliere Francesco Zizzo and Caporegime Antonio Ingrilli, as the two other Capos were preparing for the afternoons' court proceedings.

A dozen Soldiers in the family were either there already or would be arriving shortly. It was a big case to be heard today, and as the Dons rule, all Capos and Soldiers must be in attendance to witness.

Accused are Philippe Cataldo, a low-ranking Soldier in the prominent Philadelphia-based Andruzzi crime family, and his accomplice Frank Vento, a known associate member.

The pair will answer for their respective roles in crimes against the Zizzo family over Easter Sunday.

Formal charges include the destruction of Club Palermo, a Zizzo-owned restaurant and entertainment center, theft of 8 kilos of cocaine stored there, and the murder of 2 Zizzo family associates, Willy" Pizzaman" Zaffiro and Michael Busalacchi.

Cataldo did not act alone for sure, and preliminary court proceedings warrant an entire interrogation of both suspects to determine each participant's level of responsibility. The big question for prosecutors is where the internal orders came from and who issued them.

Suspects in Custody

Cataldo and Vento were apprehended as they left Geno's Steaks, the famous cheesesteak joint near south Philly. Zizzo informants tipped off the whereabouts of the two, and they caught sight of them when they entered for lunch. When the two left the establishment, Zizzo Soldiers confronted the men and literally stunned them with tasers making it easy to wrestle them into their waiting van. After a bit of a tussle inside the truck, the rival gang members were further subdued and bound with handcuffs and heavy rope. Then, guarded at gunpoint, the accused were driven directly to the Palmisano barn location. It was the first step in their Zizzo justice proceeding and the beginning of a most challenging afternoon for them.

Video monitors from outside the entertainment center provided sufficient evidence that Cataldo and Vento were responsible for the restaurant arson and the murder of Zizzo syndicate associates Zaffiro and Bussalacci. The issue regarding missing cocaine, either stolen or possibly destroyed in the blast, was also deemed their responsibility while still circumstantial. Today they would face the judge, Don Giuseppe Zizzo, on charges of 2 counts of murder, arson with damages over 1.6 million dollars, and cocaine theft valued in excess of 1 million dollars street value.

Consigliere Francesco Zizzo would act as their court-appointed legal representation. Caporegime Antonio Ingrilli would act as lead representation for the Zizzo family prosecution, with Capos Angelo Palmisano and Giovanni DiPrima assisting.

The Interview Process

Once arriving at the justice facility barn, the men would each get their turn in the interview room with the other held in a separate holding cage.

Palmisano, an intimidating figure at 6 foot 4 inches, weighing about 295 pounds, would administer today's interrogation effort. A former military operative, Palmisano's interview method of choice is waterboarding.

First, the accused is strapped to a wooden plank with a cloth placed over the face, nose, and mouth in this technique. Then, to extract needed information, a heavy stream of water is poured over the facial area, giving a drowning sensation.

While very effective in obtaining desired results, Palmisano has a reputation for being a little excessive to the point where the suspect interviewed has drowned.

His desire here was to determine what these men knew about the attack on the Zizzo club. Why their club was the target, and who in particular gave orders to carry out such plan.

Interview for Answers, Interrogation for Results

Frank Vento was first in line for questioning. In between repeated water applications, Palmisano kept asking who gave the order for the attack on the Zizzo property? Each time Vento was allowed to catch a breath, he refused to talk. The process of choking on water and gasping for air went on for over 45 minutes, with Vento refusing to provide any information. Finally, this interview would end with him expiring from drowning and saying nothing.

Things would go a bit different in the Philippe Cataldo interview. After learning that Vento was dead, his interrogation was a bit more productive. Within minutes, Cataldo informed Palmisano they discovered the cocaine was inside Club Palermo, and they felt it would be an easy mark. The fire-bombing was to distract the Zizzo family from interfering with their getaway. They had not intended to kill Zaffiro or Bussalacci, but an exchange of gunfire occurred when they discovered the theft in progress. Zaffiro and Bussalacci were unintended casualties of that exchange. Cataldo also revealed that Adruzzi family underboss Joseph Bonfiglio was the one who gave the go-ahead on the cocaine heist plan.

Satisfied with the information, Cataldo was returned to the cage to await trial.

Trial Begins

The judge, prosecution team, accused representation, and remaining Capos and Soldiers had now all arrived.

With new evidence in place, they all then adjourned to the lower level to partake in their standard tradition of food and drinks to be served.

The Don always insisted that providing a meal before these gatherings demonstrated the bond of family that connected them.

It also provided the opportunity for the prosecution, the accused representation, and any testimonial witnesses to prepare their arguments before proceeding to court.

Justice in Short Order

As court members took their places, Cataldo was brought in and seated next to his counsel, Consigliere Francesco Zizzo. With the Don presiding high on the judges' bench and the prosecution table set with the lead Capo Ingrilli and his assistant prosecutors Capos Palmisano and DiPrima, the court was now in session.

As customary in all these Zizzo justice trials, The Lord's Prayer was recited then followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

First, the prosecution read the charges brought to the now sole accused Philippe Cataldo. The judge informed Mr. Cataldo that arson charges, theft, and two counts of murder in the first degree are what he faced.

Consigliere Zizzo informed the court that the accused understood the charges and was indeed deemed competent to face those accusations. He then told the court that his client was guilty of such heinous crimes based on the video evidence and would plead as such to the charges. He also informed the court that there was no reason for Mr. Cataldo to speak on his behalf, as his actions were indefensible. The defense would then rest its case.

Next, it was the prosecution's turn. First, caporegime Ingrilli spoke of the attack on the Zizzo property and the theft, which combined to cost the Zizzo business organization an estimated $2,600,000 in damages.

He informed of the security camera video evidence that, despite the dark cover of night, showed clearly and unmistakably that it was indeed Mr. Cataldo and Mr. Vento committing these terrible acts of pure violence.

He then spoke of the beautiful family men whose lives were brutally and abruptly ended by these savage criminals. These families would never again feel the love and caring they knew from the very gentlemen whose lives were so atrociously taken by these street thugs that terrorize so many of our communities.

At that time, the prosecution demanded the maximum sentence allowed stating the only way for the safety of others and for justice to be indeed served would be to rid society of the accused.

The Verdict

The judge then asked the court to remain seated while he adjourned to his chambers to make a final decision based on the evidence provided.

After deliberating for several minutes, the judge returned to declare his ruling.

"First, I would like to thank everyone involved with the effort provided to ensure our system of fairness and justice prevails as it did here today," he stated.

"You can all feel very proud that you live in such a great country that can ensure criminals such as the man before you will not go unpunished," he added.

"Mr. Cataldo, you are found guilty of all charges. As a result of this, I remand you to death by beheading."

"Upon your death, your body will be eviscerated and dispelled amongst the dirt on this very farm. May your remains be of some value to those hereafter."

"Additionally, I have chosen the expiration method to remove your head from your body which can then be delivered to that notorious family to which you belong in a message that will be clear. Let it be known, acts against the Zizzo family will have significant and extraordinary consequences!"

He then declared the death sentence be acted upon out immediately, and the court adjourned. Cataldo was taken outside the barn, and his head severed from his body with a chainsaw.

The Package

Following the judges' orders, the bodies of Cataldo and Vento were destroyed through the use of the farm wood chipper and scattered throughout the acres of farm fields.

Commonly referred to as working on the farm, such disposal made it impossible to identify remains. It also enhances the soil when significant amounts are applied.

As directed, the head of Cataldo was destined elsewhere. First, placed in a plastic bag and then a cardboard box. It was then packaged with brown paper wrapping and sent to the home of Mr. Joseph Bonfiglio in Philadelphia. The brown package was unmarked except for the name, address, and the inscription "Never go against a Sicilian when death is on the line."

Look for other upcoming posts in this Family Business series. Learn more of the case studies and reports of this unique crime family and the Don Zizzo justice system.

About the author

Thomas Doyle is a professional career chef, entrepreneur, restaurant consultant, writer for the food industry, storyteller, and humorist. A Green Bay resident, avid Green Bay Packer fan, and lifelong season ticket holder, Doyle now can be found as a feature writer for Packerstalk.com.