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{{short description|American mobster}}
{{short description|American mobster}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox criminal
{{Infobox criminal
| name = Matthew Ianniello
| name = Matthew Ianniello
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'''Matthew Joseph''' "'''Matty the Horse'''" '''Ianniello''' (June 18, 1920 – August 15, 2012) was a New York mobster with the [[Genovese crime family]], of which he was once the acting boss. During the 1960s and 1970s, Ianniello controlled the lucrative [[sex industry]] centered near [[Times Square]]. He was convicted of [[bid rigging]] in construction, skimming [[union dues]], and extorting [[protection money]] from bar owners, pornography peddlers, and [[topless dancers]] as Times Square became filled with [[peep show]]s.<ref name=nytobit/>
'''Matthew Joseph''' "'''Matty the Horse'''" '''Ianniello''' (June 18, 1920 – August 15, 2012) was an American mobster with the [[Genovese crime family]] of [[New York City]], of which he was once the acting boss. During the 1960s and 1970s, Ianniello controlled the lucrative [[sex industry]] centered near [[Times Square]]. He was convicted of [[bid rigging]] in construction, skimming [[union dues]], and extorting [[protection money]] from bar owners, pornography peddlers, and [[topless dancers]] as Times Square became filled with [[peep show]]s.<ref name=nytobit/>


==Early life==
==Early life==
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==Career==
==Career==
In the 1960s, Ianniello joined the [[Genovese crime family]], then run by imprisoned boss [[Vito Genovese]]. Ianniello's sponsor was mobster and future acting boss [[Frank Tieri (mobster)|Frank Tieri]].<ref name=Newswalker/>
In the 1960s, Ianniello joined the [[Genovese crime family]], then run by imprisoned boss [[Vito Genovese]]. Ianniello's sponsor was mobster and future acting boss [[Frank Tieri (mobster)|Frank "Funzi" Tieri]].<ref name=Newswalker/>


Ianniello eventually controlled [[Amalgamated Transit Union]], bus drivers Local 1181, giving him the power to extort payments from school bus companies in New York City as well as the union drivers.<ref>{{cite book | last1=Jacobs | first1=James B. | title=Breaking the devil's pact the battle to free the Teamsters from the mob | publisher=New York University Press | isbn=978-0-8147-4366-9 | pages=13 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Po9o6mB0Ir8C&pg=PA13 | last2=Cooperman | first2=Kerry T.| year=2011 }}</ref>
Ianniello eventually controlled [[Amalgamated Transit Union]], bus drivers Local 1181, giving him the power to extort payments from school bus companies in New York City as well as the union drivers.<ref>{{cite book | last1=Jacobs | first1=James B. | title=Breaking the devil's pact the battle to free the Teamsters from the mob | publisher=New York University Press | isbn=978-0-8147-4366-9 | pages=13 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Po9o6mB0Ir8C&pg=PA13 | last2=Cooperman | first2=Kerry T.| year=2011 }}</ref>
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On February 2, 1965, Ianniello was indicted on contempt of [[grand jury]] charges for refusal to testify. However, the charges were dismissed in 1966.<ref>{{cite news | last=Gage | first=Nicholas | title=Study Shows Courts Lenient With Mafiosi | url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1972/09/25/91660103.html | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=September 25, 1972 | url-access=subscription}}</ref>
On February 2, 1965, Ianniello was indicted on contempt of [[grand jury]] charges for refusal to testify. However, the charges were dismissed in 1966.<ref>{{cite news | last=Gage | first=Nicholas | title=Study Shows Courts Lenient With Mafiosi | url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1972/09/25/91660103.html | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=September 25, 1972 | url-access=subscription}}</ref>


In the early 1970s, Ianniello was promoted to [[caporegime]].<ref name=dtobit/> Ianniello then controlled over 80 restaurants and sex-oriented clubs in New York City, including most of those located in the [[Times Square]] area of Manhattan.<ref>Collins (2002), 126.</ref> Officially, he still had a respectable job with the union.
In the early 1970s, Ianniello was promoted to ''[[caporegime]]''.<ref name=dtobit/> Ianniello then controlled over 80 restaurants and sex-oriented clubs in New York City, including most of those located in the [[Times Square]] area of Manhattan.<ref>Collins (2002), 126.</ref> Officially, he still had a respectable job with the union.

⚫
In 1972, [[Colombo crime family]] rebel [[Joe Gallo]] was murdered at the restaurant [[Umberto's Clam House]] in [[Little Italy, Manhattan]], owned by Matthew's father, Umberto Ianniello.<ref name=nytobit/><ref name=dtobit>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/9495291/Matthew-Ianniello.html | title=Matthew Ianniello | work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | date=August 23, 2012}}</ref> On April 7, 1972, early in the morning, Gallo, who was celebrating his birthday with family and friends, arrived at Umberto's.<ref>{{cite news | last=Skillings | first=Pamela | url=https://www.tripsavvy.com/tour-sites-of-famous-nyc-deaths-2286978 | work=[[Dotdash]] |title=Manhattan, New York: Photo Tour of Sites of Famous New York Deaths | page=9 of 11}}</ref> When he arrived, Gallo greeted Matthew. A Colombo associate sitting at the bar saw Gallo and immediately left to notify his superiors.


⚫
In 1972, [[Colombo crime family]] rebel [[Joe Gallo]] was murdered at the restaurant [[Umberto's Clam House]] in [[Little Italy, Manhattan]], owned by Matthew's father, Umberto Ianniello.<ref name=nytobit/><ref name=dtobit>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/9495291/Matthew-Ianniello.html | title=Matthew Ianniello | work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | date=August 23, 2012}}</ref> On April 7, 1972, early in the morning, Gallo, who was celebrating his birthday with family and friends, arrived at Umbertos.<ref>{{cite news | last=Skillings | first=Pamela | url=https://www.tripsavvy.com/tour-sites-of-famous-nyc-deaths-2286978 | work=[[Dotdash]] |title=Manhattan, New York: Photo Tour of Sites of Famous New York Deaths | page=9 of 11}}</ref> When he arrived, Gallo greeted Matthew. A Colombo associate sitting at the bar saw Gallo and immediately left to notify his superiors.
Soon afterward, several armed Colombo associates stormed into the restaurant and shot and killed Gallo.<ref>{{cite news | last=Gage | first=Nicholas | title=Story of Joe Gallo's Murder | url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1972/05/03/82222661.html | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=May 3, 1972 | url-access=subscription}}</ref> Matthew was in the kitchen at the time and missed the entire attack. Matthew later claimed no prior knowledge of the attack and was not charged.<ref name=nytobit/> ''[[The Nevada Daily Mail]]'' reported Matthew was at the cash register that night but "the proprietor dove into the kitchen and lay on the tile floor with his hands over his eyes as soon as Sonny Pinto (Carmine Dibiasi) and two out-of-town [[Contract killing|torpedoe]]s known only as Cisco and Benny came in the side door blasting. The next thing he knew, Pete "The Greek" Diopoulis, a Gallo bodyguard, was pushing a gun in his face and pulling the trigger but only clicks came out because it had been emptied trying to save Joey."<ref>{{cite news | work=[[The Nevada Daily Mail]] | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=W6AfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=t9UEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1531%2C3294861 | title=In These Eateries, Pasta Was Served With Bullets | date=May 5, 1985 | page=3A | first=Hugh A. | last=Mulligan}}</ref>
Soon afterward, several armed Colombo associates stormed into the restaurant and shot and killed Gallo.<ref>{{cite news | last=Gage | first=Nicholas | title=Story of Joe Gallo's Murder | url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1972/05/03/82222661.html | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=May 3, 1972 | url-access=subscription}}</ref> Matthew was in the kitchen at the time and missed the entire attack. Matthew later claimed no prior knowledge of the attack and was not charged.<ref name=nytobit/> ''[[The Nevada Daily Mail]]'' reported Matthew was at the cash register that night but "the proprietor dove into the kitchen and lay on the tile floor with his hands over his eyes as soon as Sonny Pinto (Carmine Dibiasi) and two out-of-town [[Contract killing|torpedoe]]s known only as Cisco and Benny came in the side door blasting. The next thing he knew, Pete "The Greek" Diopoulis, a Gallo bodyguard, was pushing a gun in his face and pulling the trigger but only clicks came out because it had been emptied trying to save Joey."<ref>{{cite news | work=[[The Nevada Daily Mail]] | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=W6AfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=t9UEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1531%2C3294861 | title=In These Eateries, Pasta Was Served With Bullets | date=May 5, 1985 | page=3A | first=Hugh A. | last=Mulligan}}</ref>


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On May 13, 1986, Ianniello was acquitted on all charges in the 1986 indictment on racketeering in the garbage industry.<ref>{{cite news | last=Saxon | first=Wolfgang | title=SIX DEFENDANTS ARE ACQUITTED IN A MOB TRIAL | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/14/nyregion/six-defendants-are-acquitted-in-a-mob-trial.html | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=May 14, 1986 | url-access=subscription}}</ref> On May 17, 1986, Ianiello was indicted in federal court in New York on new charges of labor [[racketeering]], construction [[bid rigging]], [[extortion]], [[gambling]], and [[murder]] conspiracies.<ref>{{cite news | title=U.S. Attorney Reports Indictment of Ianniello | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/16/nyregion/us-attorney-reports-indictment-of-ianniello.html | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=May 16, 1986 | url-access=subscription}}</ref>
On May 13, 1986, Ianniello was acquitted on all charges in the 1986 indictment on racketeering in the garbage industry.<ref>{{cite news | last=Saxon | first=Wolfgang | title=SIX DEFENDANTS ARE ACQUITTED IN A MOB TRIAL | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/14/nyregion/six-defendants-are-acquitted-in-a-mob-trial.html | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=May 14, 1986 | url-access=subscription}}</ref> On May 17, 1986, Ianiello was indicted in federal court in New York on new charges of labor [[racketeering]], construction [[bid rigging]], [[extortion]], [[gambling]], and [[murder]] conspiracies.<ref>{{cite news | title=U.S. Attorney Reports Indictment of Ianniello | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/16/nyregion/us-attorney-reports-indictment-of-ianniello.html | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=May 16, 1986 | url-access=subscription}}</ref>


On May 18, 1988, Ianniello was indicted again in Newark, New Jersey on racketeering charges involving the 1984 Genovese takeover of a gravel company in [[Edgewater, New Jersey]].<ref>{{cite news | last=Uhlig | first=Mark A. |title=8 Reputed Members Of Genovese Family Indicted by U.S. Jury | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/19/nyregion/8-reputed-members-of-genovese-family-indicted-by-us-jury.html | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=May 19, 1988 | url-access=subscription}}</ref> On October 13, 1988, Ianniello was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison after being convicted of the 1986 bid rigging racketeering charges.<ref name=salerno>{{cite news | title=Salerno, Now Serving 100 Years, Gets 70 More in Bid-Rigging Case | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/10/14/nyregion/salerno-now-serving-100-years-gets-70-more-in-bid-rigging-case.html | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=October 14, 1988 | url-access=subscription}}</ref>
On May 18, 1988, Ianniello was indicted again in [[Newark, New Jersey]] on racketeering charges involving the 1984 Genovese takeover of a gravel company in [[Edgewater, New Jersey]].<ref>{{cite news | last=Uhlig | first=Mark A. |title=8 Reputed Members Of Genovese Family Indicted by U.S. Jury | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/19/nyregion/8-reputed-members-of-genovese-family-indicted-by-us-jury.html | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=May 19, 1988 | url-access=subscription}}</ref> On October 13, 1988, Ianniello was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison after being convicted of the 1986 bid rigging racketeering charges.<ref name=salerno>{{cite news | title=Salerno, Now Serving 100 Years, Gets 70 More in Bid-Rigging Case | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/10/14/nyregion/salerno-now-serving-100-years-gets-70-more-in-bid-rigging-case.html | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=October 14, 1988 | url-access=subscription}}</ref>


===Acting Boss===
===Acting boss===
In 1995, Ianniello was released from prison. When Genovese boss [[Vincent Gigante]] went to prison in 1997, Ianniello became acting boss.<ref name=nytobit/> By 1998, Ianiello was deeply involved in [[Amalgamated Transit Union]] Local 1181, a bus drivers union.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/04/nyregion/04drivers.html | title=Two Accused of Extorting Bus Companies | first=Paul | last=von Zielbauer | authorlink=Paul von Zielbauer | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=June 3, 2009 | url-access=subscription}}</ref> Through the union, Ianiello forced a medical center to pay $100,000 to renew their lease and then make regular cash payments in order to keep it.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://oklahoman.com/article/3021883/matty-the-horse-on-his-last-ride | title=Matty 'The Horse' on His Last Ride | agency=[[Associated Press]] | publisher=[[The Oklahoman]] | date=March 4, 2007}}</ref>
In 1995, Ianniello was released from prison. When Genovese boss [[Vincent Gigante|Vincent "Chin" Gigante]] went to prison in 1997, Ianniello became acting boss.<ref name=nytobit/> By 1998, Ianiello was deeply involved in [[Amalgamated Transit Union]] Local 1181, a bus drivers union.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/04/nyregion/04drivers.html | title=Two Accused of Extorting Bus Companies | first=Paul | last=von Zielbauer | authorlink=Paul von Zielbauer | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=June 3, 2009 | url-access=subscription}}</ref> Through the union, Ianiello forced a medical center to pay $100,000 to renew their lease and then make regular cash payments in order to keep it.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://oklahoman.com/article/3021883/matty-the-horse-on-his-last-ride | title=Matty 'The Horse' on His Last Ride | agency=[[Associated Press]] | publisher=[[The Oklahoman]] | date=March 4, 2007 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


===Waste management industry===
===Waste management industry===
Between 2001 and 2005, Ianniello received [[protection racket|protection fee]]s of more than $800,000 from [[Connecticut]] [[waste management]] businesses owned by [[James Galante]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2007-05-10-0705100948-story.html | title=24 MONTHS FOR 'THE HORSE' | first=DAVE | last=ALTIMARI | work=[[Hartford Courant]] | date=May 10, 2007}}</ref> On July 27, 2005, Ianniello was indicted on [[racketeering]] charges in New York involving extortion and loansharking. The agents that arrested Ianniello at his home reported that he was watching the film [[The Godfather Part III]] at the time.<ref>{{cite news | title=Metro Briefing - New York: Manhattan: Reputed Mob Family Boss Indicted | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/29/nyregion/metro-briefing-new-york-manhattan-reputed-mob-family-boss-indicted.html | first=William K. | last=Rashbaum | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=July 29, 2005 | url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/07/28/mafia.racketeering/index.html | title=Reputed Genovese family members indicted | first=Marissa | last=Muller | work=[[CNN]] | date=July 28, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/feds-hope-new-rap-reins-mob-matty-horse-article-1.628610 | title=FEDS HOPE NEW RAP REINS IN MOB'S MATTY THE HORSE | first=TRACY | last=CONNOR | work=[[New York Daily News]] | date=June 10, 2006}}</ref> On June 10, 2006, Ianniello was indicted in federal court in [[New Haven]] on charges of racketeering involving trash hauling in Southwestern Connecticut.<ref>{{cite news | title=Mob Figures Are Charged With Controlling Trash Hauling in Connecticut | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/10/nyregion/10trash.html | agency=[[Associated Press]] | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=June 10, 2006 | url-access=subscription}}</ref> He pleaded guilty to the New York racketeering charges and received an 18-month prison sentence and he pleaded guilty in Connecticut and was sentenced to two years in [[federal prison]] to run concurrent with the 18 month New York sentence. Ianniello's attorney had asked for leniency, saying Ianniello had [[cancer]] and was in general poor health.<ref name=trashcase>{{cite news | last=Rubinsky | first=Cara | title=Reputed Mob Boss Sentenced in Trash Case | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/09/AR2006060900500.html | work=[[The Washington Post]] | date=May 9, 2007}}</ref> On April 3, 2009, after serving 2 years, Ianniello was released from the [[Federal Medical Center, Butner]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/ | title=Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator | publisher=[[Federal Bureau of Prisons]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BWxSPeaQN7EC&pg=PA256 | title=Peppermint Twist: The Mob, the Music, and the Most Famous Dance Club of the '60s | first1=Joel | last1=Selvin | first2=John | last2=Johnson, Jr. | first3=Dick | last3=Cami | publisher=[[Macmillan Publishers]] | date=November 13, 2012| isbn=9781250013538 }}</ref>
Between 2001 and 2005, Ianniello received [[protection racket|protection fee]]s of more than $800,000 from [[Connecticut]] [[waste management]] businesses owned by [[James Galante]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2007-05-10-0705100948-story.html | title=24 MONTHS FOR 'THE HORSE' | first=Dave | last=Altimari | work=[[Hartford Courant]] | date=May 10, 2007}}</ref> On July 27, 2005, Ianniello was indicted on [[racketeering]] charges in New York involving extortion and loansharking. The agents that arrested Ianniello at his home reported that he was watching the film ''[[The Godfather Part III]]'' at the time.<ref>{{cite news | title=Metro Briefing - New York: Manhattan: Reputed Mob Family Boss Indicted | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/29/nyregion/metro-briefing-new-york-manhattan-reputed-mob-family-boss-indicted.html | first=William K. | last=Rashbaum | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=July 29, 2005 | url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/07/28/mafia.racketeering/index.html | title=Reputed Genovese family members indicted | first=Marissa | last=Muller | work=[[CNN]] | date=July 28, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/feds-hope-new-rap-reins-mob-matty-horse-article-1.628610 | title=FEDS HOPE NEW RAP REINS IN MOB'S MATTY THE HORSE | first=Tracy | last=Connor | work=[[New York Daily News]] | date=June 10, 2006}}</ref> On June 10, 2006, Ianniello was indicted in federal court in [[New Haven]] on charges of racketeering involving trash hauling in Southwestern Connecticut.<ref>{{cite news | title=Mob Figures Are Charged With Controlling Trash Hauling in Connecticut | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/10/nyregion/10trash.html | agency=[[Associated Press]] | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=June 10, 2006 | url-access=subscription}}</ref> He pleaded guilty to the New York racketeering charges and received an 18-month prison sentence and he pleaded guilty in Connecticut and was sentenced to two years in [[federal prison]] to run concurrent with the 18 month New York sentence. Ianniello's attorney had asked for leniency, saying Ianniello had [[cancer]] and was in generally poor health.<ref name=trashcase>{{cite news | last=Rubinsky | first=Cara | title=Reputed Mob Boss Sentenced in Trash Case | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/09/AR2006060900500.html | newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | date=May 9, 2007}}</ref> On April 3, 2009, after serving 2 years, Ianniello was released from the [[Federal Medical Center, Butner]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/ | title=Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator | publisher=[[Federal Bureau of Prisons]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BWxSPeaQN7EC&pg=PA256 | title=Peppermint Twist: The Mob, the Music, and the Most Famous Dance Club of the '60s | first1=Joel | last1=Selvin | first2=John Jr. | last2=Johnson. | first3=Dick | last3=Cami | publisher=[[Macmillan Publishers]] | location=New York City |date=November 13, 2012| isbn=9781250013538 }}</ref>


==Death==
==Death==
On August 15, 2012, Ianniello died at his home in [[Old Westbury, New York]] of health problems related to heart ailments and other illnesses, including [[prostate cancer]].<ref name=nytobit/>
On August 15, 2012, Ianniello died at age 92 at his home in [[Old Westbury, New York]] of health problems related to heart ailments and other illnesses, including [[prostate cancer]].<ref name=nytobit/>


==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
Matthew Ianniello is portrayed by actor [[Garry Pastore]] in the 2017 [[HBO]] series ''[[The Deuce (TV series)|The Deuce]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://themobmuseum.org/blog/mafia-ruled-times-square/ | title=WHEN THE MAFIA RULED TIMES SQUARE | publisher=[[Mob Museum]]}}</ref>
Matthew Ianniello is portrayed by actor [[Garry Pastore]] in the 2017 [[HBO]] series ''[[The Deuce (TV series)|The Deuce]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://themobmuseum.org/blog/mafia-ruled-times-square/ | title=WHEN THE MAFIA RULED TIMES SQUARE | date=September 26, 2018 | publisher=[[Mob Museum]]}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|1}}
{{Reflist}}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
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[[Category:1920 births]]
[[Category:1920 births]]
[[Category:2012 deaths]]
[[Category:2012 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century American criminals]]
[[Category:21st-century American criminals]]
[[Category:Acting bosses of the Five Families]]
[[Category:American gangsters of Italian descent]]
[[Category:American gangsters of Italian descent]]
[[Category:People from Manhattan]]
[[Category:American male criminals]]
[[Category:Genovese crime family]]
[[Category:American prisoners and detainees]]
[[Category:United States Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Bosses of the Genovese crime family]]
[[Category:Criminals from Manhattan]]
[[Category:Gangsters from New York City]]
[[Category:People acquitted of racketeering]]
[[Category:People convicted of racketeering]]
[[Category:People convicted of racketeering]]
[[Category:People from Old Westbury, New York]]
[[Category:People from Old Westbury, New York]]
[[Category:Prisoners and detainees of the United States federal government]]
[[Category:United States Army personnel of World War II]]

Latest revision as of 04:56, 28 October 2024

Matthew Ianniello
Born(1920-06-18)June 18, 1920
New York City, U.S.
DiedAugust 15, 2012(2012-08-15) (aged 92)[1]
Old Westbury, New York, U.S.[1]
OccupationMobster
AllegianceGenovese crime family
Conviction(s)Racketeering (1988)
Racketeering (2006)
Criminal penaltySentenced to 13 years imprisonment
Concurrently sentenced to 18 months imprisonment (state) and two years imprisonment (federal)

Matthew Joseph "Matty the Horse" Ianniello (June 18, 1920 – August 15, 2012) was an American mobster with the Genovese crime family of New York City, of which he was once the acting boss. During the 1960s and 1970s, Ianniello controlled the lucrative sex industry centered near Times Square. He was convicted of bid rigging in construction, skimming union dues, and extorting protection money from bar owners, pornography peddlers, and topless dancers as Times Square became filled with peep shows.[1]

Early life

[edit]

Ianniello was born in 1920 in Little Italy, Manhattan and was one of eight children of his Italian immigrant parents.[1][2]

Ianniello allegedly got his nickname "Matty The Horse" in a youth baseball game. During one game, the opposing pitcher threw a hard pitch into the face of the batter. A fight erupted in which Ianniello knocked down the pitcher, who was older and taller than he. After this episode, someone remarked about Ianniello: "That boy is as strong as a horse."[3]

He worked as a waiter in a restaurant owned by his uncle in the Brooklyn dockyards, and then as a longshoreman in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, then joined the United States Army in 1943. He received a Purple Heart and a bronze star for valor in combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. After World War II, he and an uncle became partners in a second restaurant, Matty's Towncrest Restaurant.[1][2]

Ianniello was married to Beatrice May and the couple had four children.[1]

In 1951, Ianniello was arrested on charges of possessing heroin, but the charges were dropped.[1]

In 1960, Ianniello became partners with Edward L. DeCurtis, a longtime associate, in running private after-hours drinking clubs for gay men.[2] Ianniello eventually owned a string of clubs and nightclubs for gay men, including the Gilded Grape and the Hay Market.[1]

Career

[edit]

In the 1960s, Ianniello joined the Genovese crime family, then run by imprisoned boss Vito Genovese. Ianniello's sponsor was mobster and future acting boss Frank "Funzi" Tieri.[2]

Ianniello eventually controlled Amalgamated Transit Union, bus drivers Local 1181, giving him the power to extort payments from school bus companies in New York City as well as the union drivers.[4]

On February 2, 1965, Ianniello was indicted on contempt of grand jury charges for refusal to testify. However, the charges were dismissed in 1966.[5]

In the early 1970s, Ianniello was promoted to caporegime.[6] Ianniello then controlled over 80 restaurants and sex-oriented clubs in New York City, including most of those located in the Times Square area of Manhattan.[7] Officially, he still had a respectable job with the union.

In 1972, Colombo crime family rebel Joe Gallo was murdered at the restaurant Umberto's Clam House in Little Italy, Manhattan, owned by Matthew's father, Umberto Ianniello.[1][6] On April 7, 1972, early in the morning, Gallo, who was celebrating his birthday with family and friends, arrived at Umberto's.[8] When he arrived, Gallo greeted Matthew. A Colombo associate sitting at the bar saw Gallo and immediately left to notify his superiors.

Soon afterward, several armed Colombo associates stormed into the restaurant and shot and killed Gallo.[9] Matthew was in the kitchen at the time and missed the entire attack. Matthew later claimed no prior knowledge of the attack and was not charged.[1] The Nevada Daily Mail reported Matthew was at the cash register that night but "the proprietor dove into the kitchen and lay on the tile floor with his hands over his eyes as soon as Sonny Pinto (Carmine Dibiasi) and two out-of-town torpedoes known only as Cisco and Benny came in the side door blasting. The next thing he knew, Pete "The Greek" Diopoulis, a Gallo bodyguard, was pushing a gun in his face and pulling the trigger but only clicks came out because it had been emptied trying to save Joey."[10]

In 1985, along with Vincent Asaro, he was alleged to have demanded up to $1 million when seedy properties owned by gangster Michael Zaffarano were sold to legitimate real estate developers.[11]

Indictments

[edit]

On February 28, 1985, Ianniello was indicted in federal court in New York on charges of racketeering involving the operation of several restaurants, bars and carting companies.[12] Using telephone tapping on Ianniello's office, agents assembled proof that he was skimming over $2 million from bars and restaurants and a topless bar in which he owned interests. On December 30, 1985, Ianniello was convicted on numerous counts[13] and on February 16, 1986, Judge Weinfeld sentenced Ianniello to six years in federal prison.[14]

On May 13, 1986, Ianniello was acquitted on all charges in the 1986 indictment on racketeering in the garbage industry.[15] On May 17, 1986, Ianiello was indicted in federal court in New York on new charges of labor racketeering, construction bid rigging, extortion, gambling, and murder conspiracies.[16]

On May 18, 1988, Ianniello was indicted again in Newark, New Jersey on racketeering charges involving the 1984 Genovese takeover of a gravel company in Edgewater, New Jersey.[17] On October 13, 1988, Ianniello was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison after being convicted of the 1986 bid rigging racketeering charges.[18]

Acting boss

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In 1995, Ianniello was released from prison. When Genovese boss Vincent "Chin" Gigante went to prison in 1997, Ianniello became acting boss.[1] By 1998, Ianiello was deeply involved in Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181, a bus drivers union.[19] Through the union, Ianiello forced a medical center to pay $100,000 to renew their lease and then make regular cash payments in order to keep it.[20]

Waste management industry

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Between 2001 and 2005, Ianniello received protection fees of more than $800,000 from Connecticut waste management businesses owned by James Galante.[21] On July 27, 2005, Ianniello was indicted on racketeering charges in New York involving extortion and loansharking. The agents that arrested Ianniello at his home reported that he was watching the film The Godfather Part III at the time.[22][23][24] On June 10, 2006, Ianniello was indicted in federal court in New Haven on charges of racketeering involving trash hauling in Southwestern Connecticut.[25] He pleaded guilty to the New York racketeering charges and received an 18-month prison sentence and he pleaded guilty in Connecticut and was sentenced to two years in federal prison to run concurrent with the 18 month New York sentence. Ianniello's attorney had asked for leniency, saying Ianniello had cancer and was in generally poor health.[26] On April 3, 2009, after serving 2 years, Ianniello was released from the Federal Medical Center, Butner.[27][28]

Death

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On August 15, 2012, Ianniello died at age 92 at his home in Old Westbury, New York of health problems related to heart ailments and other illnesses, including prostate cancer.[1]

[edit]

Matthew Ianniello is portrayed by actor Garry Pastore in the 2017 HBO series The Deuce.[29]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Vitello, Paul (August 24, 2012). "Matthew Ianniello, 92, Former Mafia Boss". The New York Times.
  2. ^ a b c d Collins, R. Thomas (2002). Newswalker: A Story for Sweeney. RavensYard Publishing, Ltd. p. 120. ISBN 978-1-928928-03-4.
  3. ^ Castro, Tony (March 15, 2016). DiMag & Mick. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9781630761257.
  4. ^ Jacobs, James B.; Cooperman, Kerry T. (2011). Breaking the devil's pact the battle to free the Teamsters from the mob. New York University Press. p. 13. ISBN 978-0-8147-4366-9.
  5. ^ Gage, Nicholas (September 25, 1972). "Study Shows Courts Lenient With Mafiosi". The New York Times.
  6. ^ a b "Matthew Ianniello". The Daily Telegraph. August 23, 2012.
  7. ^ Collins (2002), 126.
  8. ^ Skillings, Pamela. "Manhattan, New York: Photo Tour of Sites of Famous New York Deaths". Dotdash. p. 9 of 11.
  9. ^ Gage, Nicholas (May 3, 1972). "Story of Joe Gallo's Murder". The New York Times.
  10. ^ Mulligan, Hugh A. (May 5, 1985). "In These Eateries, Pasta Was Served With Bullets". The Nevada Daily Mail. p. 3A.
  11. ^ DESTEFANO, ANTHONY M. (June 15, 2015). "LI mob figure benefited from Times Square redevelopment, according to court papers". Newsday.
  12. ^ Lubasch, Arnold H. (March 1, 1985). "REPUTED CRIME BOSSES ARRAIGNED". The New York Times.
  13. ^ Lubasch, Arnold H. (December 31, 1985). "9 OF 10 FOUND GUILTY IN SKIMMING TRIAL". The New York Times.
  14. ^ "Ianniello Is Sentenced In Racketeering Trial". The New York Times. February 16, 1986.
  15. ^ Saxon, Wolfgang (May 14, 1986). "SIX DEFENDANTS ARE ACQUITTED IN A MOB TRIAL". The New York Times.
  16. ^ "U.S. Attorney Reports Indictment of Ianniello". The New York Times. May 16, 1986.
  17. ^ Uhlig, Mark A. (May 19, 1988). "8 Reputed Members Of Genovese Family Indicted by U.S. Jury". The New York Times.
  18. ^ "Salerno, Now Serving 100 Years, Gets 70 More in Bid-Rigging Case". The New York Times. October 14, 1988.
  19. ^ von Zielbauer, Paul (June 3, 2009). "Two Accused of Extorting Bus Companies". The New York Times.
  20. ^ "Matty 'The Horse' on His Last Ride". The Oklahoman. Associated Press. March 4, 2007.[permanent dead link‍]
  21. ^ Altimari, Dave (May 10, 2007). "24 MONTHS FOR 'THE HORSE'". Hartford Courant.
  22. ^ Rashbaum, William K. (July 29, 2005). "Metro Briefing - New York: Manhattan: Reputed Mob Family Boss Indicted". The New York Times.
  23. ^ Muller, Marissa (July 28, 2005). "Reputed Genovese family members indicted". CNN.
  24. ^ Connor, Tracy (June 10, 2006). "FEDS HOPE NEW RAP REINS IN MOB'S MATTY THE HORSE". New York Daily News.
  25. ^ "Mob Figures Are Charged With Controlling Trash Hauling in Connecticut". The New York Times. Associated Press. June 10, 2006.
  26. ^ Rubinsky, Cara (May 9, 2007). "Reputed Mob Boss Sentenced in Trash Case". The Washington Post.
  27. ^ "Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator". Federal Bureau of Prisons.
  28. ^ Selvin, Joel; Johnson., John Jr.; Cami, Dick (November 13, 2012). Peppermint Twist: The Mob, the Music, and the Most Famous Dance Club of the '60s. New York City: Macmillan Publishers. ISBN 9781250013538.
  29. ^ "WHEN THE MAFIA RULED TIMES SQUARE". Mob Museum. September 26, 2018.

Further reading

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American Mafia
Preceded by Genovese crime family
Acting boss
1998–2005 		Succeeded byas acting boss
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