Philip Rastelli
Galante's rival for leadership of the Bonanno family; the Second Circuit wrote that after the 1979 murders the Commission reorganized the family under him. He was convicted in the Local 814 moving-industry case.
- Aliases
- Rusty
- Family
- Bonanno family (Second Circuit, 1989)
- Role
- Rival boss to Galante; the family was "reorganized ... under Rastelli" after 1979 (Second Circuit, 1989, summarizing the evidence)
- Rights
- Biography on this page is limited to what the cited federal records state.
On the record
- 1979 — United States v. Salerno, 868 F.2d 524 (1989): "the Commission actively reorganized the Bonanno family under Rastelli." It calls him "a rival to Galante for Bonanno family leadership" who "was originally named a defendant, but was severed." What the evidence showed, as the court summarizes it; court opinion.
- 1 June 1981 — A Brooklyn/Queens teletype (FBI Vault, Operation Donnie Brasco, p. 97): "It is believed that Dominick Napolitano, aka 'Sonny Black', and Joseph Messina, both capos, are responsible for the family realignment under the direction of Phillip Rastelli, presently in federal prison." FBI teletype, not a finding.
- 26 February 1985 — The FBI's announcement of the Commission indictment (NARA 118568050) lists "8. Philip Rastelli, Boss, Bonnano Family" among the nine defendants. FBI announcement, describing the charges.
- 24 March 1988 — United States v. Bonanno Organized Crime Family, 683 F. Supp. 1411: the complaint alleged that "Rastelli has been at various times and is currently the Boss of the Bonanno Family." Charge, in a civil complaint.
- April 1988 — FBI Deputy Assistant Director Daniels (S. Hrg. 100-906, printed p. 22): "Following the murder of Carmine Galante in 1979, Rastelli assumed control of the Bonanno LCN family." FBI testimony to a Senate subcommittee.
- 22 April 1988 — Pistone testified: "I was aligned with Napolitano and Ruggiero, who were aligned with Rusty Rastelli, who became the boss of the families at that point in time" (after Galante's 1979 killing; the transcript splits "Rug- giero"). Testimony.
- 16 March 1989 — United States v. Rastelli, 870 F.2d 822: convictions for racketeering in the moving industry through Teamsters Local 814, an enterprise alleged "from approximately January 1, 1964, to June 11, 1985"; "The judgments of conviction are affirmed as to all defendants." Court opinion.
No opened record gives his birth or death. The role line is the Commission appeal’s account, and it stays on this page and the opinion’s page.
Records
itemFBI Vault, Operation Donnie Brasco, Part 01, viewer pp. 97-98 (June 1, 1981)A Brooklyn-Queens teletype of June 1, 1981: "the Bonanno LCN family is presently undergoing a power struggle that has resulted in the deaths of three family capos," Sonny Red Indelicato, Phillip Giaccone and Dominick Trinchera. It says Benjamin Ruggiero would travel to Canada.
itemFBI announcement and briefing outline, "LCN Commission Indictment," February 26, 1985The FBI's announcement of the Commission indictment, forwarded to John Roberts at the White House, lists "Philip Rastelli, Boss, Bonnano Family." Its briefing outline says the Commission "authorized the murders of" Galante, Coppola, Alphonse Indelicato, Trinchera, Giaccone and "Anthony Indelicato, solider," and lists "Testimony of UCAs (Pistone)."itemJoseph D. Pistone, answers to the subcommittee, April 22, 1988 (S. Hrg. 100-906, pp. 207-217)Pistone's answers to Senators Nunn and Roth after his opening statement, testifying behind a screen. He describes the 1979-1981 struggle "within the Bonanno family," the contract he was given to find Bruno Indelicato, and the end of the operation, "I think it was July 27."itemUnited States v. Salerno, 868 F.2d 524 (2d Cir. 1989)Second Circuit opinion on the appeal from the Southern District of New York trial of Anthony Salerno and seven other defendants, decided January 31, 1989.itemUnited States v. Bonanno Organized Crime Family of La Cosa Nostra, 683 F. Supp. 1411 (E.D.N.Y. 1988)Ruling of March 24, 1988 on motions to dismiss the government's civil RICO suit against the Bonanno family, its alleged officers and Teamsters Local 814. It summarizes what the amended complaint alleged about each defendant's position.itemUnited States v. Rastelli, 870 F.2d 822 (2d Cir. 1989)Second Circuit opinion of March 16, 1989 affirming the convictions of Philip Rastelli, Joseph Massino and others for racketeering in the New York moving industry through Teamsters Local 814.itemUnited States v. Bonanno Organized Crime Family of La Cosa Nostra, 879 F.2d 20 (2d Cir. 1989)Second Circuit opinion of June 23, 1989 holding that the United States may not sue for treble damages under civil RICO, in the government's suit against the Bonanno family.itemOrganized Crime: 25 Years After Valachi (S. Hrg. 100-906, 1988)Hearings of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, April 1988, in which FBI officials compared the 1963 Valachi charts with the Bureau's 1987 charts of the families. FBI testimony about its own intelligence, not court findings.