The other case was a RICO indictment for insurance fraud. Seven people were murdered. Fla. (AP), Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52792202/frank-cacciatore-trafficante, L'Unione Italiana Cemetery, Ybor City, Hillsborough County, Florida, USA, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santo_Trafficante_Jr, Death of Santo Trafficante, Jr at Houston, TX. [9][10] The CIA and the Mafia had a common enemy in Castro, a communist revolutionary who had shut down Cuba's lucrative casino businesses. With over 30 years experience in the field of Mechanics, I will work with you on a personal basis, I will discuss with you your specific needs pertaining to your motorcycle. View Source Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers Memorials Region North America USA Florida Many of the familys gangsters were in prison, or too old to be effective. [3] Trafficante moved to Cuba in 1955, where he came into contact with Batista and Meyer Lansky. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. "[12], In 1978, both Trafficante and Aleman were called to testify before members of the United States House Select Committee on Assassinations investigating possible links between Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald and anti-Castro Cubans, including the theory that Castro had Kennedy killed in retaliation for the CIA's attempts on his own life. In 1950, the aging Trafficante Sr. began to slow down. Santo Trafficante grew up in the Florida underworld, working his father's gambling rackets and getting experience in the business. [18] According to Ragano, he met Hoffa at the Teamsters' headquarters in Washington, DC, then delivered the message to Trafficante and Marcello in a meeting at the Royal Orleans Hotel in New Orleans. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. But those werent even their most ridiculous ideas. Santo Trafficante Jr. (November 15, 1914 March 17, 1987) was among the most powerful Mafia bosses in the United States. "Banks are my greatest enemy. Late in life LoScalzo denied any connections to organized crime. With deepest sympathy and love. "They'll sleep under trees on you.". Learn more about merges. His son was turned away from a date's house and his daughter has been refused jobs. Alongside Chicago boss Sam Giancana, Roselli and Trafficante came up with some truly insane plots to kill Fidel Castro. In the early 1980s Trafficante was ensnared in two major cases that could have sent the aging don to prison for the first time in his life, apart from his time in the Triscornia detention camp in Cuba following Castros takeover in 1959. Trafficante was apprehended in November 1957, along with over 60 other mobsters, at the Apalachin meeting in Apalachin, New York. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. Search above to list available cemeteries. Over the next 30-plus years, Trafficante, Jr. rose to oversee Mafia operations across the state of Florida. It wasn't somebody going into a back room to kiss somebody's ring. He attended a notorious convention of Mafia bosses held in the upstate New York town of Apalachin on November 14, 1957. In January 1963, he married Geraldine Valenti, the daughter of J.C. Valenti, who owned a thriving produce business. And the Trafficante Crime family found out that it had an unusual ally in their concerns about Castro: the Central Intelligence Agency. This is a carousel with slides. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Join us for this one-of-a-kind walking tour of Tampa's most storied neighborhood. She was a native of Tampa, a second-generation Sicilian immigrant who grew up in Ybor city. In fact, Florida had the dubious distinction of being home to a decades-old Mafia criminal network: the Trafficante Family. I found on Findagrave.com. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. The Shore Acres home is 2,350-square-feet with 10 rooms that Capone reputedly built in 1925 for his mother. [5][6] Cuba was one of the Apalachin topics of discussion, particularly the gambling and narcotics smuggling interests of La Cosa Nostra on the island. He has been featured on the History Channel, A&E, Discovery Channel, AHC, Oxygen Network and many local and national news shows. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.. Share to let others add their own memories and condolences. [1] In 1997, further declassified documents indicated that some mafiosi worked with the agency on assassination attempts against Castro. Trafficante was arrested frequently throughout the 1950s on various charges of bribery and of running illegal bolita lotteries in Tampa's Ybor City district. We guarantee you'll never look at Ybor City the same way again. And while cocaine-fueled Latin American criminal networks have been a serious problem in Florida for decades, the Trafficante familys illicit activities were quite infamous as well. She was a wonderful cook, and she loved to crochet and travel with her husband, but she lived her life for her family. You'll learn about bolita, the rumored tunnels of Ybor, and the Era of Blood. prosecution, fled temporarily to Cuba. He dropped out of high school and spent time in New York learning the trade from some of the countries toughest mobsters. He went to Jesuit High School and played some football. SANTO TRAFFICANTE SR, A Sicilian of the Old School, RULED TAMPAS UNDERWORLD FOR MORE THAN A DECADE! Desr Gerry, please know that I am thinking of you and never forget the kindness bestowed on me in my difficult time but especially the generosity and affection shown to my daughter and grandson. Over the next 30-plus years, Trafficante, Jr. rose to oversee Mafia operations across the state of Florida. He headed the Trafficante crime family and controlled organized criminal operations in Florida and Cuba, which had previously been consolidated from several rival gangs by his father, Santo Trafficante Sr. Undercover detectives ran a gambling sting operation there, hoping to nab a circle of Tampa men they said were making illegal sports bets. But Santo knew who was behind the killing a rival Mafia faction. Mob Lawyer Frank Ragano Says He Knows Who Killed JFK", "Book alleges plot to kill JFK in Tampa, cover-up", "At Santo Trafficante auction, a chance to buy a piece of Tampa's mob history", Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia, Associated Press report on Trafficante's death, "Little Man: Meyer Lansky and the Gangster Life" By Robert Lacy, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Santo_Trafficante_Jr.&oldid=1140940042, This page was last edited on 22 February 2023, at 15:02. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. The "Family Jewels" confirmed that in September 1960, the CIA recruited ex-FBI agent Robert Maheu to approach the West Coast representative of the Chicago mob, Johnny Roselli. He will always be remembered with fondness. But he was also the most powerful crime boss in pre-Castro Cuba, with influence that extended into Florida and the rest of the United States. Santo Trafficante Jr. (November 15, 1914 - March 17, 1987) was among the most powerful Mafia bosses in the United States. Drag images here or select from your computer for Santo Trafficante Jr. memorial. In 1963, the Mob allegedly had enough of Kennedy. Let others know about your loved one's death. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. There are few indicators that the family is still an active crime network. This was proven in 1953 when he eliminated the last contender to the Tampa mob throne: Joe Antinori, son of the late Ignacio. [14] He stated that he was concerned for his safety and was not certain that he had ever correctly heard or understood Trafficante's comment. Son of Santo Trafficante and Maria Giuseppa Trafficante To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. His luck has not improved recently. Consequently, while generally recognized as the most powerful organized crime figure in Florida throughout much of the 20th century, Trafficante was not believed to have total control over Miami, Miami Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, or Palm Beach. "Now when I walk in a bank," Trafficante says, "the president runs out the back door.". Santo Trafficante Jr. had long followed in his father's footsteps, and proved to be an even more effective Mafia kingpin. Instead of Italian suits, he wears horizontally striped golf shirts. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. More troubling for Trafficante was a court document that listed him for the first time as "a member of the Trafficante crime family.". He headed the Trafficante crime family and controlled organized criminal operations in Florida and Cuba, which had previously been consolidated from several rival gangs by his father, Santo Trafficante Sr. Trafficante maintained links to the Bonanno crime family in New York City, but was more closely allied with Sam Giancana in Chicago. One small gang, led by Italian immigrant Santo Trafficante Senior, profited from the illegal lottery-style games they ran across Tampa. Finally, in 1987, Trafficante died at the age of 72. Our thoughts and prayers with you. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. "My wife's got money. . Santos ran numerous legitimate businesses as well as illegal, including several legal casinos in Cuba, a Havana drive-in movie theater, and shares in restaurants and bars in Tampa. Trafficante weathered the violence of Floridas Mob wars and the various conspiracy theories, the Cuban Revolution and the loss of his offshore casinos, as well as intense law enforcement scrutiny, without ever spending time in prison. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to advance the public understanding of organized crime's history and impact on American society. "Sam Gold" was Sam Giancana; "Joe" was Trafficante. Or does he just look like one? My thoughts and prayers are with you all! On March 17, 1987, Trafficante died at the age of 72 at the Texas Heart Institute in Houston where he had gone for heart surgery. He was right, and when Castro took power in 1959, Trafficantes burgeoning gambling-and-drugs empire went under siege. Phil Alessi, a childhood friend, marvels at Trafficante's taste and capacity. He buys Jaguars for his two sons, hobnobs with sports stars on resort golf courses and occasionally flies to Miami for lunch at a favorite restaurant, the Rascal House. He was left with about 25 horses at his stable in Lutz that he couldn't race and couldn't sell for more than it cost to keep them fed. He is just a businessman, he says, his money tied up in wholesale automobiles, an orange grove and real estate. His wife also was named in the fraud charges. Wife : Josephine MARCHESE (Santo TRAFFICANTE Jr. married Josephine in Tampa, Florida on April 17, 1938). While he had several close calls with law enforcement including the famed FBI, Late in life LoScalzo denied any connections to organized crime. "There's no such thing as organized crime in Hillsborough County," Trafficante says, clapping his hands for emphasis. Santo Trafficante Jr. was a reserved, modest man married to the same woman for 49 years. In October 1966, while waiting in a Queens courthouse for his turn to be questioned by a grand jury about the infamous LaStella meeting (later dubbed "Little Apalachin") held a couple of weeks earlier on September 22, Santo Trafficante Jr., who was the boss of the Tampa Bay Crime Family, overheard reporters talking about someone . Santo Trafficante was wanted in 48 states by the time he was 43. Our heartfelt condolences go out to your family. Try again later. A full report was made by the Cuban police, dated January 23, 1958, includes transcripts of long-distance telephone calls made from the Sans Souci during the period AugustDecember 1957. He was again called to testify in April 1976 on the alleged conspiracy to kill Kennedy, but Rosselli never made it: His body was found in a barrel floating in Biscayne Bay off the coast of Florida. The twister killed hls mother when lt touched down about 6, honored Wednesday us the nation's sute legislator. With that act, Santo Trafficante now reigned supreme in Tampa. The idea behind the assassination wasnt just to punish JFK but also to get his brother off the Mobs back. He dressed nicely but not ostentatiously, and his choice of cars was never flashy. English He was, in many ways, the archetypical old-school Mob boss. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. To add further credence to this theory of JFKs assassination, famed prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi (who also wrote the infamous true crime novel on the Manson Family, Helter Skelter), who penned Reclaiming History: The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy, quoted a witness who said that New Orleans boss Marcello had quipped: The dog [JFK] will keep biting you if you only cut off its tail [RFK]., The final piece of evidence for the theory that Santo Trafficante was involved in JFKs assassination was a witness who reported that the mobster had once said himself that JFK not going to make it to the [1964] election. After the Kennedy hubbub, Trafficante kept a low profile or, lower that is. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. [21], Trafficante was summoned to court in 1986 and questioned about his involvement with the King's Court Bottle Club operated by members of the Bonanno crime family, including undercover FBI agent Joseph D. "Joe" Pistone, a.k.a. Nicknames: The Silent Don My heart goes out to the family. THE HIT THAT EXPOSED SOME OF TAMPAS ELITE. I can answer any questions you . Josephine Marchese Trafficante, 95, died peacefully in her sleep, Wednesday morning at her home. Passing before her were her parents Antonino and Sarafina Marchese; her beloved husband Santo Trafficante Jr.; her son-in-laws Augie Paniello and Richard Valdes; and her brothers, Bennie Marchese, Tommy Marchese, and Peter Marchese. Departed this Life May 13, 2015 Don Santo Trafficante Jr was one of the last of the old-time American Mafia bosses in the United States. [13] Trafficante also stated that he had no recollection of meeting Oswald or Oswald's assassin, Jack Ruby. Services will be followed by a graveside service at the Italian Club Cemetery and a reception at the family home. Scott M. Deitche, Mob Museum Advisory Council member and mob http://www.scottdeitche.com/books.htmlauthor of Tampa's favorite books, Cigar City Mafia: A Complete History of the Tampa Underworld & The Silent Don: The Criminal Underworld of Santo Trafficante Jror Manny Leto, previous Editor of Cigar City Magazine and Tampa historian, will guide you on a 1.5 -2 hour walking tour to old gambling palaces, street corners, and alleys where some mobsters met their demise, and restaurants where wise guys, like famed boss Santo Trafficante Jr, held court. But the news was not good on the Key Bank front. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to advance the public understanding of organized crime's history and impact on American society. However, LoScalzo was nonetheless able to expand the families criminal reach into new locations across Florida, and took advantage of alliances with other Mafia families to ensure the mob maintained its hold on criminal activities. santo trafficante daughters Learn more about managing a memorial . In 1954, Santo Sr. died of natural causes (at a time when some of his remaining rivals were still being violently dispatched), and his son took over leadership of the crime family. Like many of the most prominent mobsters of the 20th century, his father, Santo Trafficante Sr., grew up in Sicily, Italy but became a major player in the criminal world after migrating to America. Although a judge dismissed the charge for lack of evidence, the arrest had a lasting impact on another of Trafficante's ventures: thoroughbred breeding and racing. Authorities said he leaked a list of suspects in the case and then lied about it. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. Shop eBooks and audiobooks at Rakuten Kobo. She was an amazing daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend. Scott M. Deitche is the author of six books on organized crime, including a biography of Santo Trafficante Jr., and has written dozens of articles on organized crime for magazines and newspapers. His business ventures have not always been successful. According to Scott M. Deitche in The Silent Don, the family was profiting not only from its offshore casinos but from narcotics trafficking. [13] He testified that he was brought into the plot by Roselli and Giancana, who had been recruited by Maheu. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. [14] When this was pointed out, Aleman denied that he meant that he believed Kennedy was going to murdered and said he thought that Trafficante meant that Kennedy was going to be "hit" politically during the next election. In 1957 he was suspected of involvement in the barbershop slaying of Albert Anastasia, the . He headed the Trafficante crime family from 1954 to 1987 and controlled organized criminal operations in Florida and Cuba, which had previously been consolidated from several rival gangs by his father, Santo Trafficante Sr. Santo Trafficante arrives at Queens Supreme Court in Kew Gardens. [14], The HSCA had previously quoted Aleman as stating that he thought Trafficante's use of the phrase "he is going to be hit" meant that the mob boss knew Kennedy was going to be killed. You have been in pain too long. It was clear that federal and local law enforcement had an acute interest in the Trafficante family. In January 1963, he married Geraldine Valenti, the daughter. He dropped out of high school before the 10th grade. Other Mafia leaders, as well as newer organized crime networks, took over many of the rackets the family ran throughout the 20th Century. Santo Trafficante, Jr. was born in the United States on November 15, 1914, as one of five sons of Mafia boss Santo Trafficante. Trafficantes father was the lucky survivor of what was called the Era of Blood, when rival gangs based in Tampa fought for control of Prohibition-era nightclubs and, crucially, the local numbers rackets called bolitas. Battling Mob rivals in South Florida essentially weakened each other financially and, through murder, the number of available soldiers. Don Santo Trafficante Jr. the godfather from Tampa, Florida, USA. My uncle, never wore a ring," Trafficante says. For the last 20 years, everyone knew her as JuJu. [15], Ragano also claimed that Trafficante, four days prior to his death, delivered a deathbed confession which suggested that Marcello was meant to assassinate Robert F. Kennedy instead of his brother, the President. Fine food, and lots of it. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. Santo Trafficante Jr Santo Trafficante Jr. (November 15, 1914 - March 17, 1987) was among the most powerful Mafia bosses in the United States. Oops, something didn't work. Hey, they have more convicts at the track than straight people," Trafficante says. Santo Jr.'s daughters still owns 3610, where Santo spent time when he wasn't in Tampa or Miami. He convicted infamous criminal labor union head, Jimmy Hoffa. "Even my uncle (Santo Jr.) told me, "Santo, why don't you change your name?' Santo met and married Maria Giuseppe Cacciatore on April 20, 1909. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. The guy really tried to do it right.". Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. "I was going to ask him to come over and try our beignets to see how they compare to the Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans," Alessi says. U.S. Treasury Department documents indicate that law enforcement believed Trafficante's legitimate business interests to include several legal casinos in Cuba; a Havana drive-in movie theater; and shares in several restaurants and bars in Trafficante's hometown of Tampa, Florida. The Trafficante Family Under Santo Junior . "He's very creative in terms of the combination of things he eats," Alessi says. Wife : Josephine MARCHESE (Santo TRAFFICANTE Jr. married Josephine in Tampa, Florida on April 17, 1938). [4] All were fined, up to $10,000 each, and given prison sentences ranging from three to five years. After a violent mob war left several of Trafficantes rivals dead or weakened, his gang rapidly rose to prominence in Tampa. Trafficantes chance came in the 1960s when he became acquainted with mobster John Handsome Johnny Roselli. Trafficante was born in Tampa, Florida, to Sicilian parents Santo Trafficante Sr. and his wife Maria Giuseppa Cacciatore in 1914. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Though his prison sentence wasnt long and he returned to a strong position in Florida, Trafficante never forgave Castro. [2] Trafficante Jr. would frequently meet with Lucchese in New York City for dinner.[2]. Upon his return to the United States, he became determined to bring down the man who ended his empire. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Still, theres a fine line between exploring a topic and glorifying it. Please try again later. "I thought I could just go down to (former Hillsborough State Attorney) Bill James and (Assistant State Attorney) Lee Atkinson and explain it all away in 15 minutes.". Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Santo Trafficante (53540265)? We never paid cash. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. A year later they had their first son, Frank, born on April 16, 1910. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. I hold such fond memories of Santo & Gerry when I was growing up. [2] Trafficante Jr. had known Lucchese since the 1940s, when his father and Lucchese had trained him in the mafia traditions. Died: March 17, 1987, Houston, Texas Born Tampa, Florida March 24, 1920 Welcome to Boxer Cycle Works. cemeteries found in Ybor City, Hillsborough County, Florida, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Santo Trafficante Jr., one of the last of the old-time reputed Mafia dons, who was reportedly enlisted in 1960 in a futile effort to kill Fidel Castro, has died at the age of 72. [13] Trafficante said that he introduced the trio to Cuban exiles in Florida. He is hardly the "Dapper Don." In the mid-2000s, he would say he was a legitimate businessman, citing his ownership of a car dealership, and employment at various restaurants and night clubs over the years. However, by the late 1920s, facing little pressure, Sicilian gangsters began setting up lucrative gambling and narcotics rackets. All Rights Reserved. In a 1978 legal testimony, Trafficante discussed how quickly Castro shut it all down, then reopened the casinos on his own terms. Trafficante would be charged with bank fraud, perjury and disclosure of criminal investigation. love gloria "owens" hill. He was going to be hit.. Verify and try again. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). In February 2016, many of Trafficante's personal belongings were sold at an auction in St. Petersburg, Florida. Indeed, a wiretapped conversation picked up a Key Bank official calling Trafficante a "sacred cow," with loans in excess of a million dollars. "I thought all this would end when my uncle died. When his father died in 1954 he took control of these establishments. Early in Trafficantes federal court case in 1986, the judge declared a mistrial. However, by the late 1920s, facing little pressure, Sicilian gangsters began setting up lucrative gambling and narcotics rackets. Search results for "Images of America" at Rakuten Kobo. Weve updated the security on the site. Love, Jimmy Schaffer. He had a big heart and will be missed. Try again later. Passing before her were her parents Antonino and Sarafina Marchese; her beloved husband Santo Trafficante Jr.; her son-in-law's Augie Paniello and Richard Valdes; and her brothers, Bennie Marchese, Tommy Marchese, and Peter Marchese. His son, Santo Trafficante Jr., took over the crime family and became tangled in a web of conspiracies to kill the leader of revolutionary Cuba and, it is rumored, President John F. Kennedy. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Now he owns a 210-acre orange grove in southern Hillsborough. From bolitaan illegal version of the now-legal Florida lotteryto narcotics, Tampas experience with organized crime is as notable as Chicagos or New Yorks. As Jimmy Hoffas former lawyer Frank Ragano would later recall, Jimmy told me to tell [New Orleans boss Carlos] Marcello and Trafficante they had to kill the president. Trafficante proceeded to open casinos in Cuba at his fathers behest and facilitated heroin smuggling by working together with famous mobsters Charles Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky. Published: March 15th, 2017 - By Scott M. Deitche, Contributing Writer, Florida Mafia boss Santo Trafficante Jr. died 30 years ago March 17, El Chapos lawyers complain about strict rules at New York prison. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Trafficante was arrested again in 1957 for attending the famous Apalachin summit of Mob leaders in New York, but those charges were dropped. He worked to expand the crime familys business holding and territory he was particularly interested in Cuba as a location for gambling, hotels and night clubs and worked to cement good ties with his fellow mobsters in New York City. the daughter of immigrants from the Italian region of Basilicata. The senior Trafficante's name has been linked to gambling, drug-dealing and even plots to kill Fidel Castro and John F. Kennedy. He has thought about it. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. She handled great adversity and difficult, troubling times with grace, dignity, and style; with respect and love for all around her. As one of the most powerful mobsters in the US, Trafficante was invited to the Havana Conference in December 1946. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. While he had several close calls with law enforcement including the famed FBI Donnie Brasco investigation he never spent a single day of his life in jail. Trafficante was arrested on a bookmaking conspiracy charge. 2023, Tampa Mafia. Conspiracy theorists consider Giancana along with Mafia leaders Santo Trafficante Jr. and Carlos Marcello associated with the assassination of Kennedy. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. I have thought of you and Santo many times over the past 50 years. Try again. We are one of them! Trafficante enjoyed life in Cuba, developed a relationship with its strongman, the dictator Fulgencio Batista, and helped the Trafficante Crime family garner even more profits from its legitimate gambling operations there. If the decision is upheld on appeal, charges against Trafficante may be dismissed. Ed Giorandino/NY Daily News Archive via Getty ImagesSanto Trafficante arrives at Queens Supreme Court in Kew Gardens. Father of Private and Private Santo Trafficante Jr. continued to develop his interests in Cuba serving as Luciano and Lanskys local liaison. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. By December 1953, one more rival was dead and another was too scared to even venture out of his home. We found ourselves in a love affair with Tony Soprano and we could not stop watching. Wikimedia CommonsPresident John F. Kennedy, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. based on information from your browser. Today, Santo Trafficantes criminal legacy lives on through his nephew and namesake, Santo Trafficante III, who was charged with organized fraud in 1992. The east coast of Florida was a loosely knit conglomerate of New York family interests with links to Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel, Angelo Bruno, Carlos Marcello, and Frank Ragano. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santo_Trafficante_Jr. Santo Trafficante Jr, was born on November 15, 1914 in Tampa, Florida and followed in the footsteps of his father, Santo Trafficante Sr, into a life of organized crime. He was rumored to be part of a Mafia syndicate which owned many Cuban hotels and casinos. President John F. Kennedy, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Dennis Caruso/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images. "[12] Aleman claimed to have reported Trafficante's comments to his FBI contacts, who "dismissed the Kennedy warnings as gangland braggadocio. James Anthony Traficant Jr. (May 8, 1941 - September 27, 2014) was an American politician who served as a Democrat, and later independent, member of the United States House of Representatives from Ohio.He represented the 17th Congressional District, which centered on his hometown of Youngstown and included parts of three counties in northeast Ohio's Mahoning Valley.