For more information, go to my.ny.gov. "I know that Ron Fino supplied interesting and accurate information about how unions worked and how organized crime infiltrated Local 210," McDonnell said. Ron Fino lived a dangerous double life as business manager of Laborers Local 210 and a secret FBI informant. West Seneca, NY 14224 Union Trustees: Peter Capitano Laborers' Local Union 210 25 Tyrol Drive, Suite 100 Cheektowaga, NY 14227 Samuel Capitano . To many people in Buffalo, Fino is a mysterious figure. We were against the way the trusteeship was put on us," Capitano said. Thanks to his father's status in the mob, Fino got hired at the age of 18 as a laborer through Local 210. Buffalo Laborers Welfare Fund, 25 Tyrol Drive, Suite 200, Cheektowaga, NY 14227. To prove the story, Sam rifled through a nearby pile of papers and pulled out an old Buffalo News photo (pictured below) that shows his father and Peter checking out the plans for what was then UBs new School of Management, which was being built in the Buffalo Suburb of Amherst. Meanwhile, every major action he took during his years running Local 210 was done on orders of the Mafia leadership in Buffalo, according to Fino. 55 Broad St, 11th Floor Local 237. International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Ironworkers Local #6. "We weren't against the reforms. He also served as the Unions Secretary-Treasurer for some time. Total Revenue. But Ron always had some kind of an inside game going that always benefited Ron," Cambria said. It also shows that Fino was paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for this work, and that in 1999, he testified as a prosecution witness in a high-profile mob murder trial in Las Vegas. If his life was in such danger, how did Fino manage to survive all these years? Sams Mother, whom his Father had divorced when the boys were very young, prepared him some cardoons (a traditional Italian vegetable dish served steamed or braised, which have an artichoke-like flavor) and instructed Sam to take to the food to his Father in the hospital. "The trustee has gone out to work sites and thrown stewards off jobs, for no reason," Capitano said. Even though he had started working as a Laborer, Peter still had designs on going to school and getting a degree: When I started (working with the Union), I didnt think it would be a (life-long) living. I did take some classes at UB, but my Dad called me up and told me to scrap that. Heck, I was making over ($1,000) a week at the age of (23).. When the feds took control of Local 210 in the 1990s, Fino helped the government establish trusteeships that ran the local and the Laborers International Union of North America, removing most. The late Buffalo Mayor James D. Griffin once called Fino "a fair and honest union leader" and testified as a character witness for Fino at a fraud trial. I remember, my whole life, sitting at the dinner table, listening to all the stories, all the construction projects he worked on. (When he became a Local 210 Officer) he worked day and night. When I was (18) I chose to go to school. Then I learned I could be making ($13.75) an hour. I saw that big dollar sign and started working with him. I worked every job with him, Sam said. "I have lived on the edge for a long time, in dangerous harm's way. LOCAL 210. We were well-prepared and we always pressed on through the obstacles, Peter said. tXD+X]P+l^%MNi' RJB#\6ps4.Znvgh,euaDf{}rc7\lo9VnMw cWDY$S Dx 0NdgB "Later in life, he told me he really didn't want me to be part of the mob.". "It has not been an easy life," said Fino, who is now married to an artist he met in the Republic of Belarus. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. He says one of the reasons he did was to protect his family from danger. Listing by CENTURY 21 Gold Standard, (716) 689-4000. These are false allegations that I lived with all the time I worked for Local 210.". So from 1965 through 1991, Peter Capitano worked out in the field before becoming a Union Steward in the early 80s and then rising up in Local 210 to become a Business Agent in 1991. My Dad was very instrumental in getting a PLA (Project Labor Agreement) for the Roswell Park Cancer Institute Project in the nineties (the first time a PLA was used on a Buffalo Construction Project). "On a personal basis, I always liked Ron. LOCAL 210 AFFILIATED SUPP BENEFIT FUND CO CROSSROADS HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT. "Sam Frangiamore must be in his 80s by now. His colorful past included a relationship with former Playboy bunny Denise Erb, left, and rubbing shoulders in 1982 with politicians, Mayor James Griffin and New York City Mayor Edward I. Koch. Gov. I love it. Its an honor to serve. I was elected to represent a large (Laborers) population and I not only represent them, Im a participant - being a Member of Local 210 for (36) years, Sam said. "As for Sam Capitano, he was a very active, very vocal union guy who did fight against the takeover. Trustees: The term "Trustees" will mean the Board of Trustees of the Fund. xS]k0}7?Gi! 16 W. Main Street 726 Hancock - Hancock. Buffalo man shot Sunday morning near ECMC, Buffalo man who lost his sister to sickle cell strives to help others, A long extended period of cool and showery weather looms for Western New York, WNY business holds events to recognize World Down Syndrome Day, GiGi's Playhouse awarded state grant For Down Syndrome Awareness Month. ", John Patrick Pieri, a Buffalo attorney who represents several of the men on the list, charged that many of the allegations came from FBI informer Ronald Fino, a former Local 210 business manager. Printer Friendly View Address: 25 Tyrol Dr Ste 100 Buffalo, NY, 14227 . I could have made a million dollars just on the snow plowing business I had, with mob connections.". In 1973, he was elected as business manager, the top position in Local 210. "I believe the FBI made it clear to organized crime people that I was working with them, and if anything happened to me, there would be consequences for them.". He was a quite a Rep, but he had an old school mentality - he stuck to his guns, but he was flexible. He was also reliable and he had a sense of humor that was insane. "This is ludicrous. 4 0 obj The international's documents name Todaro, Falzone, BiFulco, Salvatore Cardinale, John Catanzaro, Sam Frangiamore, Bart Mazzara, Robert Panaro, Donald Panepinto, Joseph Pieri Jr., John A. Pieri, Joseph Rosato, Daniel Sansanese Jr., Victor Sansanese, Louis Sicurella and Vincent Sicurella as having "membership" in the mob. As a result, the local and its members have been victimized by the corruption of organized crime," the international said in its papers. The international said it wants to remove all 28 men from the union for engaging in "barred conduct," including dealings with organized crime. My home office is in Syracuse and I have also been President of Local 210 since September 2019, but because of the (Coronavirus Pandemic), theres a lot of remote (business conducted via computer)., Sams appointment to the International is a big thing, said Peter, who worked out in the field for 25 years himself, which he said has provided him with the knowledge to talk to contractors, by understanding what it means to be a Union Member.. Adrian Merced, Vice President 2 0 obj Local 210 today works with 265 contractors, compared to 98 in 1998. Keep reading with unlimited digital access. * Periods of disability for as long as New York State disability benefits were paid . The Federal Governments investigation left Peter Capitano with a bitterness, son Peter said. Sincerely, Board of Trustees Welfare Fund. $222,499. And Im glad my Dad got to see my Brother move up to the International. This was his way of life. He was a Union Man - through and through. He knew what was best for our Members and he stood behind them., 2023 All Rights Reserved.WNY Labor Today/Campbell & Associates Public RelationsTerms of Use. 2009. Nicholas D. D'Angelo, an attorney from Niagara County, will serve six months in jail and also will be placed on sex offender probation for 10 . Despite that, Fino insists he is not the thing that all mobsters despise. Retired FBI Special Agent John "Jack" McDonnell said he believes the government cleanup of Local 210 and the Laborers - with Fino's help - was a major success. WNYLaborToday.com Editors Note: Pictured below, Father Peter Capitano on the far right, with sons, Sam, on the far left, and Peter, in the middle. 25 overall in NFL draft, Former waitress sentenced to 2 to 5 years in prison in $50,000 lottery scheme, The prayerful goal for Bills and Sabres owner Kim Pegula: 'Full recovery', Culture wars shift to the school library, including in Western New York, First Republic Bank to Be Sold to JPMorgan, Biden addresses journalists detained abroad at Correspondents' Dinner, Sudan's rival forces vie for control, risking prolonged conflict, 5 killed in Texas shooting, sheriff expands search for suspect. [The mob leader] bought it.". Fino said he could not be more specific than that about his investigations of the Russian mob, adding that some aspects of the investigations are still ongoing. Ruling year info. Cement Masons Local 111. Membership is up to 1,708, including 1,040 dues-paying members and 780 working members. Summary; Guest Rooms; . Bernadette Kelly, Recording Secretary New York, NY 10004. In March 1995, then serving as a Local 210 steward, Capitano repeatedly told The News the federal government was greatly exaggerating the influence of mobsters on the local. @5KA@"b+wQ${]t{7GWtN_+HHY$Q KxWAL8MHDs)! Get the latest business insights from Dun & Bradstreet. In 2018 he was approached by the International to become a Special International Rep for the Northeast Region, overseeing seven Laborers Locals in Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Olean, Rochester, Syracuse, Ithaca and New York States North Country, which totals a combined 4,500 Members. / / / / / / / / . Pegulas fight to heal and rehabilitate from a brain injury suffered after a cardiac arrest last June has been one that is long and largely private. "I can't vouch for his credibility.". She was hired by Fino's company and disappeared the same time he did in January. Our Members said: Are you serious, son Peter recalled. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. Between 1996 and 2010, Fino said, he worked extensively as a private contractor for the CIA investigating Russian mobsters and black market arms sales. Local 210 of the Laborers' International Union of North America represents union laborers in Erie County. (Photo by Derek Gee / Buffalo News). Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. Never thinking he had a chance, Sam ran for Business Manager in 2007 and won by 22 votes. Capitano, former business manager for Local 210, said the disciplinary charges are likely to increase the hard feelings that already exist over the international's takeover of the Franklin Street local earlier this year. He doesn't regret that he turned away from old friends and family members when he left Buffalo 23 years ago. She also backed the implementation of 12 weeks of paid family leave for state workers. "I don't know any place I can be safe," Fino told The News from a hidden location in February 1989. On the job, he would also make sure I had my hard-hat on. And he taught me to never back down when you knew you were right. To stand up for the little guy and not be concerned about yourself. But he always wanted you to have fun too. He was always joking around. He enjoyed life, he said. With what he had learned from his Father, Sam decided to find spots in the organization for the slate of Local 210 Members who ran against him. Photo by Derek Gee/Buffalo News. His personality was so profound. And - he could tell a story, Sam said. "These are people who we feel have played a part in the corruption of Local 210," said Daniel A. Braun, an attorney for the international. Plum jobs and in some cases no-show jobs were routinely doled out to people with mob ties, Fino told the FBI. So after 41 years with the Local, Peter Capitano retired in 2006. "The reform plan that was put in place prevents [organized crime] from having any influence in our unionI feel these changes were good and necessary. "The FBI wanted to make sure I was questioned about the murder, like everyone else, so it didn't look like I was getting any kind of special treatment.". The public record shows that Fino was one of the government's key sources of information in the investigation that led to a takeover of Laborers' unions all over the country in 1996. Some sources close to the case said Sciolino, like Fino, had been working as an informant for the feds. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. 212-691-7074, Teamsters Join Labor and Immigrants to Celebrate May Day, Teamsters Remember Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, New York Teamsters Prepare for Immigrant Defense, A Year of Progress for New York Teamsters, TEMP Act to Protect Workers from Extreme Heat, Governor Hochul Blocks E-Commerce Project, Saves Freeport Park, New York Heating Workers Approve Citywide Union Contract with Big Raises. The international said it is taking disciplinary action against Joseph Todaro Jr., Leonard F. Falzone, Frank "Butchie Bifocals" BiFulco and other longtime members as part of a government-monitored effort to clean up the local. Hiring our members ensures that your job will be done right the first time, by expert tradespeople whose projects stand the test of time. The two men were accused of plotting the death of Herbert "Fat Herbie" Blitzstein, and Fino testified about their alleged ties to the Buffalo mob. And many of those workers are from the lower end of the income ladder. The pension fund provides retirement . 1.24. "He took all the benefits of whatever associations he had here in Buffalo, and then he turned on the organization that he was a part of. The company was more than $2.6 million in debt when Fino left it - and abruptly moved out of Buffalo - in early 1989. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Involved in . !4 O t8?K&%hDtdfT9H4q 41| ct}F*AsW_3sP1SW]!W6vN4Hp7HMn\'^N2O_tKN4 Panczykowski, Salvatore Caci, Peter Capitano, Decimo Cisero, Edward Domino, Ignatius Fasciana, Peter Gerace, Richard Giambra, Frank "Chickie Botts" Grisanti, Charles Pusateri, Sam Todaro and Nicholas Zendano are named in the documents as being associated with mobsters. Your guide to the road to a new Bills stadium. Privacy Policy.Web & eBusiness Solutions by Rare Earth Interactive, the creative drives the technology., by WNYLaborToday.com Editor-Publisher Tom Campbell, My Dad was the only one (of the Representatives at the time that he served the Local) who came out of the field, son Peter, who has been Local 210s Business Manager since 2019 and also serves as a LIUNA District Delegate, told, Peter Capitano (Pictured below on the far light with his sons/Photo Courtesy of Sam Capitanos, So from 1965 through 1991, Peter Capitano, At the age of 17, in 1983, he started his Union career mixing mortar and was caught completely off guard, Soon afterward, the Buffalo Laborers Local. Description. The New York State Laborers' Union represents over 40,000 members employed in the construction industry and other fields throughout the state. Laborers' Local 210 Union Website Member Portal User Registration Guide Have questions? endobj Attorney Paul J. Cambria, who has represented Local 210 and at one time Fino, has some mixed feelings. Sam and Peter - who are identical twins, born just eight minutes apart on March 30th, 1966, recently sat down - individually - to speak with WNYLaborToday.com about their Fathers Union legacy and how they are following in his footsteps, while leading the Buffalo-headquartered Building Trades Local into the future.
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