Scotto (right) and his daughter Elaina (left) attend Rosanna Scotto’s birthday in Southampton, NY, on June 20, 2008
Anthony Scotto – at one time one of the most powerful union leaders in the country who was convicted of being a Gambino crime family capo – has died at the age of 87, according to his daughter.
Scotto’s daughter, Rosanna, posted the news on Instagram Sunday, writing that her and her family are ‘broken-hearted’ over the news, leaving out her father’s precise cause of death.
‘We are broken hearted to share the passing of Anthony M Scotto 87 years, beloved husband of Marion Scotto and father of Rosanna, Anthony Jr, John, and Elaina, and grandfather to Jenna, Louis, Anthony, Gabriella, Danny, Julia, Bianca and Andrew,’ Rosanna – a ‘Good Day New York’ anchor – wrote.
Her dad began working as a longshoreman on the Brooklyn waterfront at the age of 16.
He rose through the ranks and became the union leader of the International Longshoreman Association 1814, after attending St Francis Preparatory School in Brooklyn and studying pre-law and political science at Brooklyn College. He later taught labor relations at Harvard University.
According to Scotto’s daughter, numerous influential politicians sought his endorsement, including former Governor Mario Cuomo and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
Anthony Scotto (far left) Roseanna Scotto (2nd left) Elaina Scotto (right) and Marion Scotto (far right) attend the Museum of the Moving image Dinner in Honor of Katie Couric and Phil Kent at the St. Regis Hotel on May 5, 2010 in New York
Scotto’s daughter, Rosanna, posted the news on Instagram Sunday, writing that her and her family are ‘broken-hearted’ over the news, leaving out her father’s precise cause of death.
‘He enjoyed golfing with his friends, loved a good cigar, and relished making Sunday Sauce with his family,’ her tribute concluded. ‘He was loved by everyone and will be missed dearly,’ Scotto’s daughter added.
Scotto married Marion Anastasio in 1957, whose father was capo Anthony Anastasio, of the infamous Anastasia crime family.
Marion’s uncle was Albert Anastasia – an Italian-American mobster, hitman, and crime boss, who was one of the original founders of the modern American Mafia.
Anthony Scotto, (right) leaves Federal Court with his lawyer, James La Rossa (right)
Anastasia was murdered in 1957 and underboss Carlo Gambino succeeded what became the Gambino crime family.
Scotto maintained an excellent relationship with Gambino, and was made a ‘made man.’
When Anastasio died in 1963, Scotto assumed power as head of ILA Local 1814.
It wasn’t long before Scotto became one of the most powerful mob lieutenants in New York on account of his dynamic political connections.
He even befriended the mob’s most feared enemy, U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy.
In 1969, while head of the longshoremen union, the Justice Department exposed Scotto as a member of the Gambino crime family.
Scotto’s wife, Marion, was the niece of Albert Anastasia (pictured) who was an Italian-American mobster, hitman, and crime boss. He was one of the original founders of the modern American Mafia
Theresa Scotto, Anthony Scotto, Elaina Scotto, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, Anthony Scotto Sr., Marion Scotto, Lon Trost, John Scotto, Rosanna Scotto, Randy Levine and Dan Faucetta attend FRESCO Restaurant at Yankee Stadium at Yankee Stadium on August 15, 2006 in New York City
Fox anchorwoman Roseanna Scotto (center) stands outside Cipriani’s restaurant with her father Anthony Scotto (far left), mother Marion Scotto (2nd left), daughter Tenna Scotto (2nd right) and husband Louis Ruggiero (right) March 31, 2002 in New York City
Despite maintaining his innocence, Scotto was sentenced to five years in federal prison in 1980 and fined $75,000 for racketeering and income tax fraud.
According to Department of Justice documents, the nine-week trial ‘historically may be considered one of the most significant investigations and prosecutions undertaken by the FBI at that time.’
Scotto served three years in two separate prisons and was released in October 1984, according to reports from the Associated Press.
This post first appeared on Dailymail.co.uk
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