Jon C. Montana - John C. Montana

Jon C. Montana
Montana Post Apalachin.JPG
A'zosi Buffalo Umumiy Kengashi
Niagara tumanidan
Ofisda
1927–1931
Shaxsiy ma'lumotlar
Tug'ilgan
Jovanni Montana

1893 yil 1-iyul
Montedoro, Sitsiliya
O'ldi1964 yil 18 mart
Buffalo, Nyu-York, BIZ.
Siyosiy partiyaRespublika

Jon C. Montana (tug'ilgan Jovanni Montana; 1893 yil 1 iyul - 1964 yil 18 mart) a Buffalo, Nyu-York mehnat reketeri, siyosiy fiksator va saylangan siyosatchi, oxir-oqibat etakchiga aylandi va / yoki konsigliere ning Buffalo jinoyatchilar oilasi.

Tug'ilgan Montedoro, Sitsiliya, Montana AQShga 1907 yilda ko'chib kelgan. 1920 yillarga kelib, boshlanishi bilan Taqiq, Montana go'yo bootlegging bilan shug'ullangan. 1931 yilda Chikagodagi milliy mafiya konferentsiyasida ishtirok etishi uning uyushgan jinoyatchilik safida jinoiy martaba ko'tarilganidan dalolat berib, oxir-oqibat Buffalo oilasining 3-raqamiga aylandi. U davlat xizmatiga saylangan va ko'plab taniqli lavozimlarda ishlagan. Montana Buffalodagi hayotning barcha doiralarida - boy ishbilarmonlar, qudratli siyosatchilar va shafqatsiz gangsterlar bilan yurish imkoniyatiga ega edi. U qatnashgan 1957 yilda qo'lga keyin milliy mafiya yig'ilishi davlat politsiyasi tomonidan reyd qilingan Apalachin, Nyu-York, Montananing jinoiy aloqalari ma'lum bo'ldi va mashhur jamoat arbobi "to'dalarning sobiq xo'jayini" ga aylandi.

Erta martaba

Tug'ilgan Montedoro, Sitsiliya 1893 yil 1-iyulda Jovanni Montana 1907 yil iyun oyida o'n uch yoshida Buffaloga keldi va tezda o'zining ishbilarmonlik iste'dodlarini namoyon qila boshladi. O'rta maktabda Montana birinchi dollarlarini G'arbiy Sayd konfet do'konining xabarchisi sifatida ish va xabarlar bilan ishlagan. 17 yoshli Jon Charlz Montana o'zining ukalari Salvatore, Angelo, Piter va Jozef bilan italiyaliklar Quyi G'arbiy tomonda va shahar markazida yuqori zichlikdagi joyda yashagan davrda birinchi bo'lib Buffaloning Kichik Italiyasidan popkorn aravasini itarishdi. Talab juda katta bo'lganligi sababli, Montana birodarlari o'zlarining tovarlarini istagan ko'plab odamlarni etkazib bera olmaganliklari sababli birinchi bizneslarini katlamalariga to'g'ri keldi.

Vaqt o'tib, Don Stefano Magaddino Buffalodagi mafiya boshlig'i bo'lib, tepada Jon Montana bo'lgan imperiyani tashkil qiladi. Yillar davomida Montananing jiyani Charlz Don Stefanoning to'ng'ich qiziga uylanardi; Don Stefanoning yagona o'g'li Piter ham Montananing jiyaniga uylandi. Oilaviy aloqalar orqali Jon Montana ushbu shahar ko'rmagan eng shafqatsiz jinoyatchi rahbar bilan birlashdi. Montana aqlli ishbilarmon edi. U hech qachon Mafioso bo'lishi kerak bo'lgan narsalarning ta'rifiga to'g'ri kelmaydi.

1922 yilda Jon Montana Buffalo taksi kompaniyasini tashkil etdi - Buffaloning tez rivojlanib borayotgan transport sanoatiga qo'shilishidagi birinchi zarbasi. Bir necha yil o'tgach, u avtoulovlarni va chaqiriq markazlarini birlashtirish hamda taksilar raqobatini yo'q qilish maqsadida Yellow Cab Company kompaniyasini sotib oldi va birlashtirdi.

Etakchi italiyaliklar va taniqli W.A.S.P.lar orasida siyosiy qo'llab-quvvatlash orqali. Montana shtatidagi Buffaloniyaliklar shaharning umumiy kengashiga nomzod sifatida qatnashish uchun respublikachilarga bosh irg'ab berishdi; u birinchi bo'lib 1927 yilda Niagara okrugidan vakil etib saylangan va 1929 yilda yana qayta saylangan. To'rt yil davomida Montana Buffalo shahriga Kengash tarkibida xizmat qilgan va allaqachon rivojlanayotgan shaharda katta yutuqlarni ko'rgan. Kengashda u uy-joy va qashshoqlarni tozalash bo'yicha qo'mitaning raisi edi, bu uning mafiya sheriklariga odamlar yashash joyi va qanday qayta qurish ishlari olib borilishi to'g'risida bevosita ta'sir ko'rsatdi. U, shuningdek, mafiyaga ushbu hududdagi turli kasaba uyushmalarida bir oz ta'sir ko'rsatgan holda, mehnat munosabatlari va kompensatsiya qo'mitasining raisi sifatida ishlagan.

Magaddino mafiyasidagi roli hokimiyatda bo'lgan davrida hech qachon ommaga oshkor qilinmagan va fuqarolik yutuqlari uchun olqishlangan bo'lsa-da, Jon Montana ham mafiya shohining ishonchli maslahatchisi, ham merning ishonchli maslahatchisi sifatida ikki baravar hayot kechirdi. Darhaqiqat, shahar meri Shvab (Germaniya sobiq pivo ishlab chiqaruvchisi, taqiq paytida ichkilikbozlik uchun hujum qilingan va shahar hokimi sifatida o'tirganida ayblangan) Buffaloda birinchi jamoat avtobuslarini yaratish uchun qattiq kurash olib borganida, transport sohasidagi etakchi ishbilarmonlarning aksariyati jamoat avtobuslariga g'oya (bu yo'lovchilarni taksilar, vagonlar va poyezdlardan uzoqlashtirishi mumkin). Biroq Jon Montana o'zining siyosiy ta'siridan foydalanib, Buffalodagi birinchi avtobuslarni o'rindiqlar, o'tiradigan joylar va bortida zarur bo'lgan barcha narsalar bilan ta'minlaydigan sevgilisi bilan shartnoma tuzdi; U Montana kompaniyasini yaratdi, u jamoat transporti uchun shaharning tortishuvlariga sabab bo'lgan birinchi avtobusni jihozlash shartnomasi bilan taqdirlandi.

Shahar kengashi a'zosi bo'lganida, Montana Buffalo aeroportining ochilishini ko'rdi (yilda Cheektowaga ). U go'yoki ochilish bilan bog'liq qonunlarni qabul qildi Tinchlik ko'prigi, Buffaloning Kanadaga xalqaro eshigi. U Sharqiy tomonda "17 qavatli kombinat ofis va terminal binosi" bo'lgan Nyu-York markaziy stantsiyasining ikki yillik qurilishini nazorat qilishda muhim rol o'ynadi. U yangisini qurish uchun qonunchilik qabul qildi hokimiyat Buffalo shahar markazida hali ham muhim ahamiyatga ega bo'lgan bino. Qirolicha Siti siyosiy etakchisi bo'lgan davrda juda ko'p katta o'zgarishlar yuz berdi va Jon Montana o'zining yashirin sherikliklari hech qachon oshkor etilmasligiga ishonch hosil qildi, shu bilan birga odamlarni qurilish va transport rivojlanishining yuksak samaralarini olish uchun joylashtirdi. Masalan, Montana taksilariga yangisida yagona taksi operatori bo'lish uchun sevgilisi bilan shartnoma berildi Markaziy terminal stantsiya; Buffalodan kuniga 200 ta poezd o'tishi aytilgan va Montanadagi taksilargina sayohat qilishni xohlagan yo'lovchilarni olib ketishga ruxsat berilgan - Buffalo politsiyasi hattoki temir yo'l stantsiyasidan tariflarni qidirib topgan boshqa taksi kompaniyalarini ham chiptaga olib, tortib olgan.

Montana shtatidagi muvaffaqiyatli qayta saylovlar mavsumi davomida Kengash a'zosi uni shu sohadagi eng qudratli taksi magnatiga aylantirgan yirik biznes bitimiga qo'shildi. 1929 yil iyun oyi oxirida, ilgari Yellow Taxi Cab Company-ni sotib olgan Montana Fred Van Daykni G'arbiy Nyu-Yorkdagi eng yirik taksi raqobatchilari - o'z biznesidan voz kechishga ishontirdi. Sakkiz yil oldin Fred Van Deyk Buffaloning Charlz V. Miller nomidagi transport kompaniyasini sotib olgan edi, u ikki avlod davomida oilaviy biznes bo'lib kelgan; Buffaloning birinchi doimiy transport kompaniyasi bo'lgan. 1929 yilda Montana o'z kabinalarini Van Deykning 60 dan ortiq qo'ng'iroq stantsiyalari bo'lgan 200 dan ortiq mashinalarni birlashtirganligi bilan birlashtirdi. Montana allaqachon Markaziy Terminalda franchayzingga ega bo'lganida, u tobora mobillashgan shaharda kuchliroq bo'lish uchun yaxshi sharoitga ega edi. Ishni yaxshi biladigan kommunikator sifatida Jon Montana shahar chavandozlariga ma'lum qilishicha, u hozirda shtatdagi ikkinchi eng yirik taksi kompaniyasiga egalik qilar ekan, u yo'l haqini Yellow Cab Company bilan bo'lgani kabi ushlab turadi - birinchi mil uchun 50 sent va 10 sent keyingi uch milga. (Bir necha yillar davomida taksi operatorlari Montana Buffaloda taksilarga nisbatan monopoliyani saqlab qolishidan shikoyat qilar edi, ba'zilari esa shahardagi boshqa kichik taksi kompaniyalarini Montananing sheriklari boshqargan deb da'vo qilar edilar, ular faqat Montana kompaniyalarini monopoliyaga qarshi sud jarayonidan xalos qilish uchun yurishardi) .

Ayblovlar kamdan-kam hollarda va tasdiqlanmagan bo'lsa-da, ba'zi fikrlarda Montananing kabinalari buzilganligi aytilgan. Qonuniy va muvaffaqiyatli biznesda ishlagan paytida, Van Deyk haydovchilariga ba'zida qimor buyumlari va spirtli ichimliklarni tashish kerakligi aytilgan. O'nlab yillar davomida taqiqlangan Niagara chegarasi, mafiya bilan bog'liq qotilliklarda 100 dan 150 gacha odamlar o'ldirilgan; yana 125-150 kishi zaharlangan alkogol ichimlikdan vafot etdi. Ammo Montananing ko'plab sheriklari yuk ko'tarish bilan shug'ullangan bo'lsa-da, Kengash a'zosi spirtli ichimliklar savdosi bilan hech qachon ommaviy aloqada bo'lmagan. "Noble Experiment" taqiqning muvaffaqiyatsizligi isbotlandi va bekor qilindi. Noqonuniy spirtli ichimliklar o'n yilligida Montananing Stefano Magaddinoning mafiya oilasi bilan aloqasi hech qachon aniqlanmagan.

Milliy mafiya

Kengashda ishlagan davrda Montana Buffaloda ko'plab o'zgarishlarga guvoh bo'lgan, jumladan, NY markaziy terminalining ochilishi, Tinchlik ko'prigi, aeroport va Yangi shahar hokimligi binosi. Taqiqlash paytida mahalliy mafiya qirolining o'ng qo'li sifatida Montana ham uyushgan jinoyatchilik milliy siyosatida ko'plab o'zgarishlarga guvoh bo'ldi. 20-yillarning oxiri va 30-yillarning boshlarida, xuddi biznes rahbarlari qilayotgani kabi, eng ustun mafiya arboblari raqiblarini yo'q qilishdi va hokimiyatni mustahkamlashdi. Bir necha xil darajadagi va mahalliy hududlarga ega bo'lgan yirik tashkilotlarni yaratish orqali mafiya o'zini milliy inqirozga qarshi qurdi, bu millatning ba'zi italyan mahallalarida tarqaldi.

Sitsiliya va neapolliklar o'rtasidagi o'nlab yillik urushlardan so'ng Kamorra, Sitsiliya mafiyasi qimor o'yinlarida, mehnatda va mayda-chuyda ichimliklarda hukmron kuchga aylandi. 1930-yillarga kelib, ikki yirik fraktsiya ustunlik uchun kurashdi - Niagara sharsharasidan Stefano Magaddino fraktsiyalardan biri bo'lgan Castellammarese oilalarining katta a'zosi edi. Boshchiligidagi Salvatore Maranzano Bruklindagi mafiya Castellammare del Golfo undirilgan a urush qarshi Jou "xo'jayin" Masseria Manxettenda, ikkinchisining qotilligi bilan yakunlandi. Salvatore Maranzano va Charli "Baxtli" Luciano mafiya janjalining g'oliblari bo'lgan va mafiyani qayta tashkil etishni muhokama qilish uchun butun mamlakat bo'ylab oila boshliqlarini chaqirishgan. Turli xil joylardan kelgan oilalar Chikagoda to'planib, Salvatore Maranzano qanday qilib Lucky Luciano yordamida Jo Masseriyani mag'lub etganini eshitishlari kerak edi; Mafiya qiyofasini o'zgartirishga qaratilgan xalqda uyushgan jinoyatchilikning yangi tuzilishini eshitishlari kerak edi.

1931 yil may oyida Stefano Magaddino ushbu muhim mafiya sammitida akasi Antonio va amakivachchasi Piter bilan ishtirok etishni rejalashtirgan. Kastellammare oilasidagi faol roli tufayli Magaddino milliy jinoyatlar boshliqlari orasida muhim mavqega ega edi. U mamlakatning eng yaxshi mafiosi bilan aralashish uchun Chikagoga kelish uchun u o'zining yaqin do'sti va maslahatchisi Jon Montanani, Stefano Magaddino va uning ukasi Antonio ortidagi Buffaloning mafiyasida 3-raqamli odamni taklif qildi.

Ta'kidlanishicha, Montana Chikagodagi mafiya kelajagini uning ko'z oldida ko'rish uchun u saylangan a'zosi bo'lganida Umumiy kengash. O'zining bezatilgan biografiyasida Djo Bonanno, Bruklin mafiyasining sobiq rahbari Jon Montananing Chikago konferentsiyasiga safari haqida gaplashmoqda. Bonanno, Stefano Magaddinoning kichik amakivachchasi edi, Nyu-Yorkdan poezdda milliy sammitga Lucky Luciano va Salvatore Maranzano kabi erkaklar kontingenti bilan bordi. Poyezd Buffaloning mafiya rahbarlarini qabul qilish uchun Sharqiy tomonda joylashgan Markaziy terminalda to'xtadi. Bonanno so'zlariga ko'ra:

Hammamiz bir xil poezdga Chikagoga yo'l oldik. Buffaloda Stefano Magaddino va uning o'ng qo'li Jon Montana va mening amakivachcham Pit Magaddino ham poyezdga chiqishdi. Maranzano telefon qilish uchun poezddan tushdi. Yarim soat o'tdi; Maranzano qaytib kelmadi. Poyezd stantsiyani bir zumda tark etishi kerak edi. Maranzanodan voz kechish xayolga ham kelmasdi.

Montana poyezddan tushdi. Montana Buffaloda taniqli odam edi. U taksi kompaniyasiga egalik qilgan va bir paytlar shahar hokimining o'rinbosari bo'lgan. U bizning kupega qaytib kelganda, Montana bizga Maranzano qaytib kelguncha poyezdni kutib turishini aytdi. Ushbu ko'rgazma bizda katta taassurot qoldirdi. Maranzano yana o'tirgandan va biz yo'lga chiqqanimizdan so'ng, mening amakivachcham Stefano g'urur bilan nur sochdi.

"Qarang, mening qo'l ostimda qanday erkaklar bor?" - dedi Stefano. "Jon poezdlarni to'xtata oladi."

Buffaloning biznes elitasi

Uning mafiya tarkibidagi yuqori darajadagi roli jamoatchilikka ma'lum bo'lmagan bo'lsa-da, Buffaloning italiyaliklari orasida uning qadami aniq edi. 45 italiyalik tashkilotning 300 ta italiyaliklari jozibali ko'rinishga kelganlarida Statler mehmonxonasi Buffaloning markazida 1930-yillarning boshlarida Kolumb kunini nishonlash uchun Montana kengashi meri Edvard X.Butler bilan birga Buffalo News va Buffalo shtat kutubxonasini boshlagan politsiya komissari bilan birga mahalliy gazetalar tomonidan qayd etilgan faxriy mehmonlardan biri edi. , Savdo palatasining bosh menejeri, AQSh uyi vakili, shtat assambleyasi va boshqa siyosiy jihatdan kuchli italiyaliklar, shu jumladan Charlz Giambrone, Charlz Martini, Vinsent Tauriello, Xonim. Jozef Gambino va Frank Gugino.

Biroq, Montana har doim ham taniqli Buffaloniya va hurmatga sazovor fuqarolik lideri sifatida matbuotda bo'lmagan. 1932 yil oxirida u jamoatchilik oldida edi, chunki u taksilar sohasida yangi raqobatga duch keldi. Grey Cab Company 1932 yilda shaharga mustaqil biznes sifatida kelgan va dominant taksi kompaniyalaridan, ya'ni Van Deyk Taksidan ancha kam haq olish uchun etarli mablag 'olib kelgan. Van Deyk yangi raqobatni kutib olish uchun narxlarini vaqtincha pasaytirdi, ammo ko'plab kichik mustaqil kompaniyalar stavkalarini tushira olmadilar va ishdan chiqishni boshladilar.

Aksariyat kompaniyalar tushirilgan stavkalarni o'lim zarbasi deb bilsalar, Montana buni raqobatni muzlatib qo'yish va ba'zi raqiblarini yo'q qilish uchun imkoniyat deb bildi. 1932 yil sentyabr oyida Buffalo (Nyu-York) shtatida joylashgan taksiklar egalari va operatorlari uyushmasi Umumiy Kengashdan yangi taksi kompaniyalariga qarshi kurashishni va tariflarni tarif bo'ylab standartlashtirishni so'radi. Ma'lum bo'lishicha, Montana (hali ham Kengashda o'rin egallagan) bu masalani rad etdi va shahar harakat qilmadi - chunki rasmiy ravishda Kengash xususiy biznes ishlariga aralashishni istamadi.

Raqib kabinetlar shirkati bir necha oy davomida ish haqi pasaytirilgan shaharga kelganidan so'ng, ko'plab kichik taksi korxonalari raqobatlasha olmaganliklari va foyda keltira olmaganliklari sababli eshiklarini yopishlari kerak edi. Bir nechtasi ishdan chiqib ketgandan so'ng, mehnat mojarosi yuzaga keldi va Gray Cab kompaniyasining 200 xodimi ish tashlashdi. Montana hech qachon ish tashlash bilan jamoatchilik bilan bog'lanmagan bo'lsa-da, 1932 yilda uning sheriklari Grey Cab xodimlarini ko'proq ish haqi uchun ish tashlashga undashgani va natijada kompaniyaning yo'lovchilar tashishni vaqtincha to'xtatishiga sabab bo'lganligi haqida mish-mishlar tarqaldi.

Montananing mehnat mojarosidagi gumon qilinadigan roli noma'lum bo'lsa-da, uch yil o'tmay, ba'zi haydovchilari ish tashlashda bo'lganida, u o'zining mehnat muammolariga duch keldi. 1935 yil yanvar oyida mahalliy Teamsters taksichilar uchun kasaba uyushmasi keyinchalik Montanada "fuqarolar urushi" deb atagan edi. Kasaba uyushmasida uch yuzdan ortiq haydovchi bo'lgan Teamsters Local 153 kompaniyasining biznes agenti Jou Gerrity salonning orqasida yig'ilish o'tkazdi va uning chavandozlari 184-9 ovozi bilan ish tashlashga qaror qildilar. Dastlab gazetalarda 325 haydovchi ish tashlashgani, asosan Montanaga tegishli Van Deyk Taksidan va Montananing yaxshi do'sti Charlz Seditaga tegishli 50-50 taksi kompaniyasidan ish tashlashgani haqida gazetalarda xabar berilgan.

Aslida, ish tashlash boshidanoq mahkum bo'lgan. Montana tezda haydovchilarga ishora qilganidek, ish tashlashga rozi bo'lishlari uchun ularga kasaba uyushma saflarining 2/3 qismi kerak edi; faqat 184 ish tashlash uchun ovoz bergan holda, Montana buni noqonuniy deb da'vo qildi; taksi magnati ham kasaba uyushmasining ish tashlashi to'g'risida hech qachon muzokara o'tkazmaganligini aytdi, chunki unga hech qachon muammolar yoki talablar ro'yxati taqdim etilmagan. Kasaba uyushmasi kotibi-xazinachisi Charlz Strauss bilan muzokaralar olib borish orqali, Teamsters taksichi haydovchilari bir oydan ortiq ishlamay qolishdi. Nufuzli Montananing so'zlariga ko'ra, "Gerrity ish tashlashni befarqlikdan chaqirgan. Bizda Prezident Ruzveltning ish yoyish istagiga mos keladigan 223 haydovchi bor. Biz ularning hammasini ish bilan ta'minladik. Gerrity mening ishchilarimni 40 kishini ishdan bo'shatishimni istadi, shuning uchun ko'proq ish bo'lishi mumkin edi" qolgan operatorlar. Men rad qildim. "

Murakkab siyosiy nutq orqali Montana mashhur prezidentni maqtadi va bandlik faqat bir necha kishiga tejab qolmasdan, ko'pchilikka tarqalishi kerakligini ta'kidladi. Montananing kabinalari fevral oyida qayta ishlaganidan so'ng, u ish tashlashni qo'zg'atuvchilarning ko'pchiligining ishlashga qaytishiga yo'l qo'ymaydi; ba'zilari qaytib kelishidan oldin rasmiy kechirim so'rashlari kerak edi.

Bu Montananing taksi biznesi uchun juda taniqli vaqt bo'lgan bo'lsa-da, u Albani siyosatchilarining ko'p vaqtini sarf qiladigan taksilar bilan bog'liq munozarali masalani qo'zg'atuvchisi edi. 1935 yildagi ushbu ish tashlashlar bilan bir vaqtda, shtat senati Byuxill-Kanni to'g'risidagi qonunni ko'rib chiqayotgan edi. Shunga ko'ra, shaharlarida ko'p taksilar bo'lgan barcha taksilar shahar xizmat bo'limlari tomonidan ommaviy ravishda boshqarilishi kerak edi; faqat Buffalo va Nyu-York shahri ushbu qonun loyihasiga ta'sir qilish uchun etarlicha katta edi.

Montana shtati taksi sanoatining milliy savdo haftaligi - Taxi Age-ning birinchi sahifasida korruptsiya buzilgan taksi egalari va ularning siyosat bilan aloqalari haqidagi sarlavhali hikoyada muhim ahamiyatga ega edi. Qisqasi, nashr Montanani Entoni Kanniga (D-BFLO) pora berganlikda ayblagan va rasmiy Van Deyk bilan "kelishmovchiliklar" bo'lganligini aytgan. Aksariyat taksichilar qonun loyihasini xususiy biznesga nisbatan ochiqdan-ochiq e'tiborsizlik deb hisoblashgan bo'lsa, Montana (shtatdagi ikkinchi eng katta taksi egasi) uni qo'llarini ochib ko'rib (va hatto yozishga yordam bergan bo'lishi mumkin). Montananing shahar xizmatlari, City Streets Dept va butun Umumiy Kengash bilan aloqalari, u Van Deykdagi stol ortidagi o'rindiqdan farqli o'laroq, shahar boshqaruvidagi o'rindiq orqali taksilar sanoatini yanada ko'proq boshqarishini anglatardi. Jamoatchilik transporti g'oyaga aylangan davrda Montana shahar tomonidan boshqariladigan kabinalarni - Buffaloning mafiyasining konsiglyeri allaqachon kirib kelgan shaharni xohlagan. Uning Van Deyk kabinalari taksi sanoatida yakka monopoliyani tashkil qilar ekan, Montana shaharga barcha kabinalarni jamoat transporti sifatida ishlatishga ruxsat berilsa, u to'liq monopoliyani boshqarishi mumkinligini bilar edi - bu qonuniy monopoliya bo'ladi.

Kongressga qatnashish

Montana shahar va davlat siyosatida nufuzli qo'li bilan bir qatorda respublikachilar doiralarida butun mamlakat bo'ylab tanilgan edi. 1936 yil iyun oyida Respublika milliy anjumani partiyadan eng yaxshi nomzodni ko'rsatish uchun har to'rt yilda bir marta Klivlendda uchrashdilar. Taqiqlash paytida, Gerbert Guver oxir-oqibat demokrat bilan respublikachi prezident bo'ldi Franklin D. Ruzvelt; respublikachilar pozitsiyani qaytarib olishni xohlashdi. Montana Nyu-Yorkdan muqobil delegat sifatida tanlandi va ular qo'llab-quvvatlaganidek, eng yaxshi siyosatchilar bilan aralashdi Alf M. Landon va Frank Noks FDR va uning vitse-prezidentiga qarshi kurashish. Respublikachilar saylovda yutqazganda, Montana hali ham respublika doiralarida nufuzli odam sifatida qayd etilgan.

1936 yildagi Respublikachilar milliy konventsiyasidan ko'p o'tmay, mafiya konsiglyeri Kongress uchun kurashga kirishdi. Uyning 41-chi okrugidan, asosan Italiyaning G'arbiy Saydidan tashkil topgan Respublikachilar partiyasi rahbarlari tanlab olishdi J. Frensis Harter, ularning nomzodi sifatida Amherst advokati. Harter 41-okrugdan tashqarida - Buffalo shahrining tashqarisida birga yashaganligi sababli ko'p odamlar qarshi chiqishganida - Jon Montana buni Eri okrugi respublikachilar partiyasida parchani yaratish va uning vakili sifatida nomzodini qo'llab-quvvatlagan dissident fraktsiyasini boshqarish uchun foydalangan. AQSh uyiga.

Buffaloning mafiyasi, agar ularning maxfiy konsiglyeri (yoki maslahatchisi / # 3 kishi) uyga saylangan bo'lsa, iltifot ko'rsatishi mumkin edi. O'sha paytda 228 Bustida yashagan Montana bir paytlar uni qo'llab-quvvatlagan qudratli Respublikachilar partiyasiga qarshi kuchli va shafqatsiz kampaniya olib bordi. "Demokratiyaning asosiy kuchi odamlar ichida", dedi Montana shaharga. "Boshqa notinch davlatlarda o'z fuqarolarini hukumat ishlaridan mahrum qilayotgan notinch davrda, Amerikadagi siyosiy rahbarlarning vazifasi demokratiyaga bo'lgan ishonchni tasdiqlash yo'lini ko'rsatishdir". Montana tuman Montana ustidan Amherstning Harterini qo'llab-quvvatlagan okrug respublikachilar partiyasiga qarshi qattiq lobbichilik qildi. "Bunday xatti-harakatlar haqiqiy demokratik tamoyillarni kamsitishdir, - deydi Montana, - buning uchun mas'ul bo'lganlarga partiyamiz rahbariyati ishonib topshirilmasligi kerak". Mahalliy mafiyadagi uchinchi raqamli odamning so'zlariga ko'ra, "Mening nomzodimni maxsus yordam izlayotgan har qanday guruh yoki shaxs himoya qilmaydi".

1938 yil 14-avgustda Montana Buffaloning G'arbiy tomonidagi Yuqori terrasadan Societa S.S. Del Ponte oldida kampaniya o'tkazdi. Ertasi kuni Montanada 10 000 kishiga miting bo'lib o'tdi Gamburg Circolo Figlli di Valledolmo bilan ko'rgazma. Ko'p o'tmay, Montana Germaniya bayramida qo'llab-quvvatlash uchun Sharqiy tomonda joylashgan Genesee bog'iga tashrif buyurdi. Uning eng katta qo'llab-quvvatlovchilari Buffalo universitetini tugatgan birinchi ayol doktor va advokat Maykl Katalanoning (keyinchalik Oliy sud sudyasi) singlisi, ikkalasi ham respublika davlat qo'mitasining a'zosi bo'lgan Charlz J. Jyambrone va doktor Marietta Katalanodan kelgan. . Shtat assambleyasi a'zosi Frank A. Gugino ham Montananing Kongressga nomzodini qo'llab-quvvatladi. Italiya jamiyatlari federatsiyasi rahbari Piter F. Fiorella o'z soyaboni ostidagi ko'plab italyan tashkilotlariga Jon Montanaga ovoz berishni aytdi.

U partiyaning ikkala tomonida ham italiyaliklardan ovoz olishga ishonch hosil qilganda, Jon C. Montana respublikachilar partiyasida katta mag'lubiyatga uchradi, chunki ko'plab italiyaliklar partiyalarga bog'liqligi sababli ovoz berish huquqidan mahrum bo'lishdi - va boshqalar shahar atrofidagi advokatni ma'qullashdi. Montana u hukumatga kirib kelganiga va hali ham respublika doiralarida taniqli odam ekanligiga ishongan. Darhaqiqat, 1938 yildagi asosiy yo'qotishdan ko'p o'tmay, Montana shtat Konstitutsiyaviy konvensiyasining delegati sifatida nomlandi; Jon Montana eng qudratli siyosatchilar bilan ishlagan, Nyu-York shtat qonunlarini qayta ko'rib chiqishni taklif qilishi kerak edi. Umuman olganda, 1938 yil noyabrda shtat Konstitutsiyasi Konvensiyasida shtat konstitutsiyasiga 10 ta o'zgartirish kiritildi; Montana o'n kishining ham guvohi bo'lgan va hatto ba'zilarida bahslashishda ham o'z rolini o'ynagan. (Bu, shuningdek, ayollarga ovoz berilgan birinchi Nyu-York Konstitutsiyaviy Konvensiyasi edi).

Ba'zi qonunlar tegishli sud jarayoni, sudyalar va katta sudlarning vakolatlari, ikkilamchi xavf qonunlari, diniy erkinlik va taniqli domenga qo'shildi. Montana ko'pchilikni qo'llab-quvvatladi, shuningdek, mafiya uchun ijobiy natijalarga olib keladigan ikkita tuzatish. 1938 yil 8-noyabrda shtat konstitutsiyasiga barcha fuqarolar "har qanday asossiz tintuv va tortib olishga qarshi o'z shaxslarida, uylarida, qog'ozlarida va ta'sir joylarida xavfsiz bo'lish huquqiga ega" degan satr qo'shildi. Ushbu tuzatish politsiyani qidirishni istagan ma'lum bir narsaga qarshi taxminiy sababni ta'minlash uchun "qasamyod yoki tasdiq" bilan qo'llab-quvvatlanishi kerakligini ta'kidladi. Mafiya insayderlariga mehnat qoidalari va huquqlarini ko'rib chiqishda yordam beradigan yana bir qonun; "xodimlar o'zlari tanlagan vakillar orqali jamoaviy savdolashish va savdolashish huquqiga ega."

Bularning barchasi shtat tarixidagi muhim qoidalar bo'lgan bo'lsa-da, qariyb 25 yil o'tgach, hokimiyat mafiya boshlig'i Stefano Magaddinoni suddan tashqariga chiqarib yuborilgan 1000 soatdan ortiq yozib olingan videofilmlarga aralashganidan keyin ozod qilishi kerak edi, chunki sudya ular telefon tinglashlarini hech qachon tasdiqlamagan. o'rnatildi. Mafiya noqonuniy tintuvlar va olib qo'yishlar qoidalari orqasida qat'iy turardi! Mafiyaning kundalik faoliyatini amalga oshirish uchun ularga quyi darajadagi reketchilar va shafqatsiz kaputlar kerak bo'lsa-da, Jon Montana Oila uchun siyosat va imkoniyatlarni ta'minlash uchun jamiyatda yuqori o'ringa ega edi.

Montananing imkoniyatlaridan biri spirtli ichimliklar edi. U hech qachon taqiqlangan noqonuniy ichimlik bilan ommaviy ravishda bog'liq bo'lmagan bo'lsa-da, Magaddino gangsterlari G'arbiy Nyu-York va Janubiy Ontario bo'ylab noqonuniy spirtli ichimliklar ishlab chiqarish va tarqatishni tashkil qilgan. 1930-yillarning boshlarida taqiq tugagandan so'ng, Montana mafiya hukmronlik qilayotgan alkogol sanoatini va mintaqadagi nemis, polyak, irland va afroamerikalik mahallalarda tarqatish aloqalarini ta'minlash uchun pivo zavodlariga ko'chib o'tdi va qonuniy ravishda sotib oldi.

Mafiya sheriklari

1933 yilda Jon Montana Nyu-Yorkning Olean shahrida joylashgan Empire State Brewery Corp-ni yaratdi; qog'ozda uning biznes hamkori sharsharadan kelgan aka-uka Magaddinolar edi. Charlz Dottervich 1854 yilda Olean pivo zavodini qurdi va Montana uni sotib olmaguncha u oilaviy biznes bo'lib qoldi. Dotterwyck Beverage kompaniyasi taqiq paytida noqonuniy spirtli ichimliklar ishlab chiqargan deb taxmin qilingan Germaniya bozorida ovqatlanish paytida, Montananing Empire State pivo zavodi Old Dominion Ale va Old Myunxen pivosini sotgan. G'ayriqonuniy ichimliklar tarmog'i tugashi bilan Montana va Magaddino mahalliy tavernalar va restoranlarga spirtli ichimliklar sotadigan Power City Distribyutor Kompaniyasi orqali alkogol sanoatining nazoratchilari bo'lib qolishdi; Magaddino 1933 yildan 1958 yilgacha ushbu biznesning prezidenti «bankrot» bo'lib, aktivlarni sotguniga qadar boshqargan. Kompaniyaning kotibi-xazinachisi sifatida, Jonning jiyani Charlz Montana, biznesni yig'ish uchun hujjatlarni imzoladi va u Magaddinoning mafiya oilasida kuchli mavqega ega edi.

1940 yilda Oleandagi pivo zavodi egalik huquqini o'zgartirgandan so'ng, taksi magnatasi bo'lgan Jon Montana G'arbiy Nyu-York pivo sanoatida faol tadbirkor bo'lib qoldi. Montana Frontier Liquor Corp kompaniyasining direktori bo'ldi.Yillar o'tib Montana Buffalo ichimliklar kompaniyasida Stefano Magaddinoning yagona o'g'li Piter bilan ishbilarmonlik aloqalarini o'rnatdi - ilgari ushbu shahar meri Frank Shvab egalik qilgan kompaniya, taqiq chiqarilgunga qadar. Ushbu kompaniya Budweiser-ning G'arbiy Nyu-York bo'ylab tarqalishini nazorat qilgan va bir necha da'vo qilingan Mafiosini "biznes agentlari" sifatida ishlagan. Keyinchalik AQSh senatorlari taniqli distribyutor Jimmi LaDuka ekanligini ta'kidladilar, keyinchalik Magaddinoning qizlaridan biriga uylandi. LaDuca taniqli kasaba uyushma tashkilotchisi, qimorboz, kapitan va Magaddino oilasida juda kuchli rahbar edi; Montana bilan bog'langan bu aloqalar keyinchalik uning qulashi bo'ladi.

Nyu-York konstitutsiyaviy konvensiyasidan qaytib kelganidan bir yil o'tgach va Respublikachilar milliy konvensiyasida delegat bo'lganidan uch yil o'tgach, Jon Montana butun mamlakat bo'ylab mafiya oilalari rahbarlarini jalb qilgan boshqa konferentsiyada qatnashdi. 1939 yilda Jonning jiyani Charlz Montana Buffalo shahridagi dabdabali bayramda Magaddinoning to'ng'ich qizi (20 yosh) Jozefinaga uylandi. Federal qidiruv byurosining eslatishlariga ko'ra, "Informator AQShning sharqiy qismidan kelgan bir qator hodlums va reketchilar to'yda mehmon bo'lishiga ishonishini aytdi". Afsuski, Federal qidiruv byurosi uchun ma'lumot beruvchilar orqali tashrif buyuruvchilar to'g'risida hech qanday ism yoki ma'lumot olinmadi.

Jurnalistlar, ammo to'yni yaxshi mob voqeasi uchun imkoniyat deb bildilar va tadbir haqida batafsil ma'lumot oldilar. 1939 yildagi "Saturday Evening Post" ga ko'ra:

Buffalodagi Statler mehmonxonasi ish uchun qabul qilingan va Bukingem saroyidan ko'ra dabdabali tarzda bezatilgan. Faxriy mehmonlar butun mamlakat bo'ylab 100 ta bezorilar edi va ularning har biri uchun ikkita Federal agent va detektivlar olomonni himoya qilishdi. Hatto [Frank] Kostello ham o'sha erda bo'lgan, oxirgi marta u mafiya ochiq kleymake-da paydo bo'lgan. U sudni uyning eng yaxshi majmuasida o'tkazdi va qabulxonaga tushganda, tag'inlar ta'zim qilib, xuddi dehqonlarga Rojdestvo savatlarini berayotganday qirib tashladilar.

Odatiy biznes

Jon Montananing mafiyadagi milliy qadri uning Respublikachilar partiyasi rahbarlari orasida milliy obro'siga iltifot ko'rsatdi. Montananing biznesdagi muvaffaqiyati mafiya ta'sir doirasiga ulkan qonuniy daromad va manbalarni olib keladi va ular noqonuniy pul mablag'larini legallashtirish yo'li bilan qonuniy daromadga aylantirish uchun xavfsiz savdo shoxobchalarini taqdim etadi. Montananing ko'plab biznes imkoniyatlari Buffalodagi bir necha qudratli odamlar bilan ta'sir o'tkazganligi sababli yuzaga keldi. 1943 yilda u shaharning Apellyatsiya kengashining raisi bo'lib ishlagan. Zonalarni ajratishda har doim tortishuvlar yuzaga kelganda, Montananing qarorlari juda katta vaznga ega bo'lar edi - va uning sheriklari Buffalo shahar hukumatining muhim va o'ta boshqariladigan sektoriga to'g'ridan-to'g'ri yo'nalishga ega edilar.

Uning ta'siri boshqalarga uning faoliyatiga ham ko'z yumishga yordam berdi. 1944 yil avgustda mustaqil taksik egalari uyushgan va Mayorga murojaat qilishgan Jozef J. Kelli monopollashtiruvchi Montana taksilariga qarshi yordam uchun. Van Dyke Taxicab kompaniyasi bu hududda hukmronlik qiladigan ulkan kompaniyalar tarmog'iga aylantirildi Van Dyke Transfer Corp., Van Dyke Taxi and Transfer Co. va Van Dyke Baggage Corp. Van Dyke Airport Transport Company reyslar ko'payib borayotgan paytda. mintaqada mashhur. Montana Motors shuningdek, taksilar imperiyasi uchun mashinalarni etkazib berdi. Bir muddat Jon Montana hatto Taxicab egalari milliy assotsiatsiyasining prezidenti bo'lgan. Uning filiallari va taksi konglomerati Buffalodagi barcha taksi sanoatini boshqarish va kichikroq / mustaqil kompaniyalarni yo'q qilish uchun foydali vositalarni yaratdilar.

Buffaloning Nyu-York shahridagi Mustaqil taksiklar assotsiatsiyasi shahar hokimidan yordam so'rab, Montanaga Ikkinchi Jahon urushi paytida faqat shahar bo'ylab faoliyat olib borish uchun adolatsiz shartnomalar berilgan - bu kunning adolatli monopol qonunlarini buzgan. Van Dyke Taxi and Transfer sayohatchilarni ushbu joyga ko'chirishga ruxsat berilgan yagona kompaniya edi Buffalo markaziy terminali Sharqiy tomonda va ratsion boshqalarni ishdan bo'shatishga majbur qilganda, hamma joyni haydashga va benzin sotib olishga qodir edi; politsiya hattoki yaqin atrofdagi boshqa taksilarni agressiv ravishda chiptalar yoki hibsga olishgan. Mustaqil taksilar uyushmasining prezidenti Tomas Kaverli gazetalar orqali Montanaga qarshi ommaviy kurash olib bordi: "Buffalo shahri nima uchun Nyu-York markaziy markaziga yordam berish va ularning himoyasi uchun Buffalo shahri o'z politsiyasi maoshlarini to'lashi kerakligini tushunmayapman. Van Deyk taksi va transfer kompaniyasi bilan shartnoma. "

Assotsiatsiya Umumiy Kengashga bordi, ular bu ularning vakolatiga kirmasligini aytdi. Kaverli shahar meri Kellidan iltimos qildi, ammo uni mustaqil operatorlarni yana bir bor aldayotgan Jon Montanaga qaytarishdi. "Men janob Montanaga qo'ng'iroq qildim, - dedi Kaverli, - va u unga vaziyatni mukammal darajada uddalay olishini maslahat berdi va agar u kelajakda mening yordamimga muhtoj bo'lsa, u bizni chaqirishdan mamnun bo'ladi".

Montananing bizneslari rivojlanib bordi va Magaddino bilan oilaviy aloqalari uning mafiyada konsiglyeri (yoki maslahatchi) sifatida o'rnini ta'minladi; uning siyosiy aloqalari ham cheksiz edi. Jamiyat ichidagi muhim rollardan tashqari, Montana ham kuchli tashkilotchi bo'lgan Fort Erie Race Track (Ontario), bu erda ot tikish va qimor bilan bog'liq kreditlar mafiya topuvchilar uchun muhim operatsiyaga aylangan. 1897 yilda ochilgan Fort Erie Race trassasi 1920 yilga qadar Fort Erie Jokey klubi tomonidan qabul qilindi va Jon Montana oxir-oqibat poyga yo'li bilan bog'liq bo'lgan eng kuchli mobsterga aylandi. Bir muncha vaqt Montana hatto Fort Eri (Ont.) Jokey klubining direktori edi.

Montana shahar hukumati, taksichilik va poyga klublarida jamoat etakchilik lavozimlaridan tashqari, Oltin qo'lqop boks targ'ibotchisi, Buffalo Beysbol Klubi direktori, Eri Douns Golf Avtomobillari a'zosi / prezidenti, qator boshqa fuqarolik rollarini bajargan. SPCA direktori, Buffaloning elita Elks Club a'zosi va Savdo-sanoat palatasi prezidenti. Montana, italiyalik jamoatchilikka doimiy ravishda yordam beradigan fuqarolik lideri deb aytilgan. Mafiyaning maxfiy konsigeri (omma uchun noma'lum) bo'lganida, u shuningdek, Buffalodagi italyan jamoasini mustahkamlash maqsadida bir nechta jamoaviy guruhlarni birlashtirgan soyabon tashkiloti bo'lgan Italiya-Amerika jamiyatlari federatsiyasining prezidenti edi.

Montananing fuqarolik rollari va jamoat mukofotlari uning ta'siri va ta'siriga qo'shimcha qo'shdi, bu har doim oila haqida o'ylar edi. 1954 yil 28-mayda Montana shtatidagi Statler mehmonxonasida bo'lib o'tgan ulkan bayramda sharaflandi. Montana 1924 yildagi Makkarron immigratsiya to'g'risidagi qonunni bekor qilishga urinayotgan siyosatchilar kontingentini boshqarar edi, italiyalik muhojirlarni boshqalar qatorida cheklab qo'ygan edi. Toastmaster, advokat Maykl Katalano (keyinchalik Nyu-York shtati Oliy sudining sudyasi etib saylangan) Montana haqida yaxshi so'zlarni aytdi, bu tadbirga homiylik qilgan Italiya-Amerika jamiyatlari rahbari Albert S. Skialfo ham. Nyu-Yorklik sudya Yuvenal Markizio hattoki Montana "Buffalo har qachongidan ham buyuk shahar bo'lishi uchun fuqarolik burchining qurbongohida o'zini yoqib yubordi" deb aytdi.

Apalachinning oqibatlari

Ikki yil o'tgach, 1956 yil yozida Montana 63 yoshida bo'lganida, Erie Club tomonidan Buffaloning "Yil odami" deb tan olindi. The Erie Club was an association of Buffalo police officers led by president Charles M. Basil who said the award was for "outstanding civic achievement." The prominent Buffalonians on the Selection Committee included District Attorney John F. Dwyer, Anthony J. Naples, Joseph Basil, and James C. Kennedy. In an ironic twist in Buffalo's history, the police association awarded the Mafia consiglieri as "Man of the Year."

While Montana was an acclaimed entrepreneur who was being rewarded for a lifetime of achievements, he was involved in national Mafia politics that were beginning to get out of control. In Niagara Falls, Stefano Magaddino had become the figurehead "Chairman of the Mafia's Ruling Commission" in New York but had been suffering health problems. As Chairman of the Commission, Magaddino saw different power grabs from rival bosses in New York that led to several people being murdered or forced to retire.

New York Mafia boss Vito Genovese wanted to call a National Conference of all Mafia leaders to sort out the disputes. Stefano Magaddino didn't want to kowtow to his New York rival Genovese who was becoming one of the most powerful leaders in the nation. Genovese wanted to call the meeting in Chicago to affirm his role atop the Mafia in New York and the East, as well as boss Sammy Giancana's role atop the Mafia in Chicago and the West Coast. Magaddino, however, lobbied to have the meeting held in Upstate New York, at the home of his old Castellammarese soldier-turned-boss of a smaller Northern Pennsylvania Mafia Family Joe Barbara.

In November 1957 before the Mafia disputes could be sorted out, State Police raided Joe Barbara's ranch house near Apalachin, NY and uncovered one of the most notable Mafia meetings in history. Several mobsters from across the country were found inside the home. Many were picked up by road blocks set up by police. Even more mobsters allegedly ran through the woods to escape – Mafia bosses in expensive suits running in the forest. Buffalo captain Jimmy LaDuca was even caught in the woods and explained to police that he was simply chasing after a deer that he saw running which had intrigued him. While he was not caught by authorities, it was believed Stefano Magaddino was one of those people who escaped through the woods after finding his identification at the house and later hearing informants talk of his participation.

John Montana in a nicely attired suit was also picked up by New York State Police straddling a barbed-wire fence – the first time in his illustrious career he was ever publicly linked to the Mafia. For the first time in recent history, authorities could no longer deny the existence an organized Mafia across the nation. Known mob bosses were on front pages across the country after the Apalachin Conference was broken up – and powerful men like Montana were facing their harshest scrutiny ever.

John Montana initially told the News that he had car trouble and stumbled upon a party. "I have nothing to hide, nothing to conceal. I can talk to the FBI, the tax people and anyone else in authority because I have not committed a crime." A month later, Montana was interrogated for two hours by a legislative investigation into the Mafia summit. Montana explained that he was driving from Buffalo to Pittson, PA, with his buddy Antonio Magaddino (the mob boss Stefano Magaddino's younger brother). The brakes on their new Cadillac began to fail near Utica so they went to their old friend Joe Barbara's house where they could get their car fixed. To their surprise, there was a big party at the Barbara household; John Montana said he didn't inquire about the party or join the festivities at all and instead just sat waiting patiently in a quiet room.

Investigators then asked why the former councilman (claiming to be waiting innocently) went running through the woods when police came. Montana explained that someone yelled to run so he and Antonio followed through the door. Sergeant Croswell of the State Police told the investigators that Montana said he'd get the officer promoted if he was let go.

Besides questioning his arrest at the Apalachin fiasco, investigators for the first time unveiled Montana's links to the Mafia in public. Two days before Apalachin, police asked why legendary Brooklyn mob boss Djo Profaci called Peter Montana, John's brother. Legislators explained Peter Montana was employed through Profaci's Olive Oil business. Montana was asked why calls were made from Van Dyke Taxi to Joe Profaci in Brooklyn and to Joe Falcone, Magaddino's mob captain over Central New York and Utica.

Montana suffered two hours of grueling questions about his past. Djo Barbara, the host of the conference, was said to have come up the ranks in Buffalo during prohibition. Keyin u ko'chib o'tdi Endikot, Nyu-York to be a mob boss there. The host Barbara had once worked at Montana's Empire State Brewery in Olean and had bought cars from Montana Motors. Known gangster Jimmy LaDuca was also noted as a Budweiser distributor for Montana's Buffalo Beverage Company. Montana's former body guard and 'made' member of the Buffalo Mafia Sammy Lagatutta, Sr. was also an attendee at Apalachin, linking the Buffalo civic leader to the mob even further. Also, his alibi of driving with a Magaddino made the former council men look guilty by association.

Authorities gouged into Montana's ties to the Mafia and left the consiglieri publicly embarrassed. They said Montana was real close with Vice President Nixon and New York Governor Harrison, and that he had been named Buffalo's "Man of the Year." Buffalo's newspapers featured stories about Montana, and he was a footnote in articles across the nation. With his influential role in Republican politics and his attendance at Apalachin, Montana brought out the true question of the State Police raid that publicly unearthed the Mafia: How could the Mafia be so violent and vicious yet be respected as community, political and business leaders at the same time?

Within a year, the U.S. Senate began an investigation about Apalachin. They questioned attendees and mob bosses from all over the nation. Observing constitutional rights, every mobster pleaded the 5th Amendment refusing to say a word as to not incriminate themselves – every mobster except John Montana that is. Out of everyone put before U.S. Senators and asked to testify, Montana was the only one (out of the 50+ mobsters from across the nation who were found at the Apalachin Conference) the only one to give an explanation as to why he was there – car trouble. With his lawyer Frank G. Raichle, Montana defended himself against a barrage of bullets from the panel.

Congressmen talked about his civic roles and business moves. They talked about his seat on the Common Council and his role as Chairman of both the Housing and Slum Clearance Committee and the Labor Relations and Compensation Committee; they asked about his Man of the Year award. Senators showed that the Buffalo Beverage Corp. was a front for John Montana and his nephew Charles, Jimmy LaDuca, and Antonio and Peter Magaddino. Montana was accused of trying to bribe State Trooper Croswell who arrested him while climbing a fence.

Senator Bobbi Kennedi, the President's brother, asked about Montana's association to Paul Palmieri, an important Castellammarese gangster from Niagara Falls who moved to New Jersey. He said Palmieri had been arrested in the Falls, Brooklyn, Chicago, Springfield (MA), Manhattan, Buffalo, and Lockport; Palmieri had also been a witness in the slaying of another New Jersey mob boss who made his bones during prohibition in Buffalo, Villi Moretti. Bobby Kennedy then showed Montana a picture of himself standing with Paul Palmieri. While Montana said it was at a political meeting, Kennedy explained that the photo was taken at the Del Golfo Society in 1939.

Releasing most of the questions and answers to the public, U.S. Senators made a mockery of John Montana's answers and denounced his influential role in Buffalo. Senators asked about calls from Montana to Profaci in Brooklyn and Magaddino in the Falls. "I wish the telephone had been tapped," Montana told the panel. "It would prove to this committee that I never had contact with that man or any other man like that."

The heat suffered from this investigation caused the Mafia to spin out of control and somewhat into hiding. John Montana lost respect among community members and his past dealings were being scrutinized. He was said to have faced a lot of heat in the underworld for offering an explanation as well – for violating the sacred oath of Omerta, or silence. Montana was ordered to serve five years behind bars and pay a $10,000 fine as well because authorities didn't like his answers – conspiracy to obstruct justice. The other attendees who took the 5th Amendment during investigations all received sentences for contempt as well.

On November 29, 1960, however, the Amerika Qo'shma Shtatlarining Ikkinchi davri bo'yicha apellyatsiya sudi decided that none of the attendees really committed a crime by meeting, and they were all freed from jail or bail, including the 66-year-old Montana who now lived at 340 Starin Avenue in North Buffalo. Hakam J. Edvard Lumbard wrote that "In America, we still respect the dignity of the individual and even an unsavory character is not to be imprisoned except on definite proof of a crime."

Oxirgi kunlar

While it was a brief relief for the Mafia, less than three years later the State Crime Commission began an investigation into Apalachin and questioned Montana's attendance all over again. Two months after that, a U.S. Senate Subcommittee began an open investigation into the Mafia as a whole, not just the mob summit that was discovered. Attorney General Bobby Kennedy was becoming a thorn in the Mafia's side – including the elderly Montana.

New York City mob soldier Djo Valachi was arrested dealing drugs in a distribution network with the Buffalo Mafia's Canadian wing; Valachi, however, didn't have the approval of his New York boss, Vito Genovese. Allegedly because he feared retribution from the boss, Valachi chose to tell everything about the Mafia for the first time – he disclosed information first to the Bureau of Narcotics about the scope and concepts of the Mafia. Again, Senators brought up evidence against Buffalo's Mafia and John Montana's leadership role. Senators went over Montana's attendance at the Apalachin Conference, his business partnerships with the Magaddino's, and his powerful Van Dyke Taxi empire. They noted that the former councilman's daughter/niece married boss Magaddino's son and how Montana's nephew Charles married Magaddino's oldest daughter.

In October 1963, Detective Michael Amico (later to become chief of police) from the Buffalo Police Department showed the structure of Buffalo's Mafia before the Senate. He said that police observations "tend to show us strongly that Montana is associated with the Magaddino empire." While Detective Amico labeled Montana as the consiglieri of the Mafia, he explained that Montana didn't even have a traffic ticket." Just as Joe Valachi told authorities that Montana asked to remove himself from his role atop the Mafia in Buffalo because authorities were getting too close and he couldn't be seen publicly with the mobsters under his command. Detective Amico then told Congress that "since 1957, Montana seems to have severed his activities completely from the syndicate."

Senator Javits then asked Detective Amico about Montana's taxi empire. Amico said that "Montana's cabs dominate the industry" but he also runs things legit and "has the most courteous and most trusted drivers of any company." Amico said Montana was said to have a corrupting hand in the creation of City Services in 1938.

After it all, Montana wouldn't show his face anywhere in public anymore. His power in the Mafia dwindled quickly after being caught on a barbed-wire fence – he even asked to be demoted in his later years as he didn't want the responsibility or police heat that's generally attributed to mob bosses. Just like his Mafia power, Montana's political influence was also erased when he was publicly identified as a mob leader. At age 70, Montana couldn't keep up with his business interests that were being scrutinized constantly by authorities. Living an influential life and going where many mobsters never could, Montana began having health problem while living at an expensive apartment in the Delaware Towers.

On March 18, 1964, John Montana died shortly after being admitted to the Buffalo General Hospital because of a heart attack. He was survived by two brothers, Peter and Angelo, and his nephew Charles who was solidly entrenched in the Mafia's hierarchy; Charles and his wife Josephine Magaddino lived in a lavish house on Mafia Row out in Lewiston, where Stefano Magaddino, his sons-in-law and daughters each had houses.

While Rose Montana and her attorney John J. Naples had copies of the will, Buffalo will never know the extent to which John Montana had his hand in the affairs of the Mafia – in the affairs of the community – in the affairs of business – in the affairs of the government. Living for years as a business tycoon and political influencer, Montana fell to disgrace in the end after being caught red handed. After the Apalachin fiasco, his prestige was damaged so much so that his health deteriorated quickly and he died. His brothers and nephew Charles carried out the Montana name and remained active in the Mafia for another decade or so.

John C. Montana was a political power in Buffalo, a business leader, and a Mafia controller – all at the same time. He mingled with Buffalo's elite in public, while breaking bread with other Mafia leaders secretly. After he was exposed at Apalachin, his power in all circles was diminished and destroyed, forcing the elderly Montana to suffer health problems and pass away peacefully.

Alleged criminal associates

Cumulative business interests

  • Montana Company (City Bussing)
  • Montana Motors (Auto Sales & Repair)
  • Buffalo Taxi Company
  • Yellow Cab Company
  • Van Dyke Taxicab Company (aka Van Dyke Taxi)
    • Filiallar:
      • Van Dyke Transfer Corp.
      • Van Dyke Taxi & Transfer Company
      • Van Dyke Baggage Corp.
      • Van Dyke Airport Transportation Company
  • Empire State Brewery Corp. (Olean)
  • Frontier Liquor Corp.
  • Buffalo Beverage Company

Alleged civic roles

  • Buffalo City Councilman, 1927-1932: Republican representative From Niagara District
    • Chairman of Housing and Slum Clearance Committee
    • Chairman of Labor Relations and Compensation Committee
  • Delegate at the NY State Constitutional Convention (1938)
  • Candidate for US House – 41st District (August, 1938)
  • Chairman of the Zoning board of Appeals (1943)
  • President of Federation of Italian-American Societies
  • President of the National Association of Taxicab Owners
  • Member / President of Erie Downs Golf Cars
  • Director of Fort Erie (Ont.) Jockey Club
  • Director of Erie County SPCA
  • Promoter of Golden Gloves
  • Director of Buffalo Baseball Club
  • Member / President of the Chamber of Commerce
  • Member / President of the Elks Club

Muallif

Frank Ticci, Buffalo, NY ([email protected])

Qo'shimcha o'qish

  • Brashler, William. The Don: The Life and Death of Sam Giancanna. 1977.

Adabiyotlar

  • Kelly, Robert J. Qo'shma Shtatlardagi uyushgan jinoyatchilik ensiklopediyasi. Westport, Konnektikut: Greenwood Press, 2000 yil. ISBN  0-313-30653-2
  • Bonanno, Joe (1983). A Man of Honor: The Autobiography of Joseph Bonanno. New York: St Martin's Paperbacks. ISBN  0-312-97923-1
  • Griffin, Joe. "Mob Nemesis"
  • Kurek, Albert. "The Troopers Are Coming II: New York State Troopers"