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Joseph Corozzo

Joseph Corozzo
Born(1942-10-01)October 1, 1942
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedDecember 4, 2024(2024-12-04) (aged 82)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Other names
  • "Jo Jo"
  • "Miserable"
OccupationMobster
RelativesNicholas Corozzo (brother)
AllegianceGambino crime family
Criminal penaltyThree years' imprisonment (1995)
46 months' imprisonment (2008)
Five years' imprisonment (2012)

Joseph "Jo Jo" Corozzo, Sr. (born October 1, 1942 - December 4, 2024) was an American mobster who was the reputed consigliere of the Gambino crime family of New York.

Biography

Background

Corozzo was born in Brownsville, Brooklyn. His brother Nicholas "Little Nick" Corozzo was the alleged one time boss of the Gambino crime family. Joseph has two other brothers: Blaise Corozzo, an alleged Gambino soldier, and Anthony Corozzo, an alleged Gambino associate. Joseph Corozzo is the father of New York criminal attorney Joseph Corozzo, Jr.[1]

From capo to consigliere

Joseph Corozzo, Sr. started with the Gambino family as a transport truck hijacker. Corozzo earned the nickname "Miserable" because he allegedly suffers from bipolar disorder. In 1971, Corozzo was jailed for contempt of court for refusing to answer grand jury questions about organized crime.[2]

In 1991, during the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act trial of Gambino boss John Gotti, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identified Corozzo as a Gambino caporegime. In 1992, Corozzo became the Gambino consigliere. He replaced Frank Locascio, who had been sentenced to life in prison that year.

On November 24, 1992, Corozzo was indicted in New York on charges of running a hijacking crew, a horse race betting establishment, and a loansharking operation.[3][4] On May 30, 1994, Corozzo was indicted in New Orleans on racketeering charges involving mob infiltration of the video poker game industry in Louisiana.[5]

On May 20, 1995, Corozo was acquitted of all charges in the New York trial.[4] On September 8, 1995, Corozzo pleaded guilty to conspiracy counts in New Orleans as part of a plea bargain deal.[6] Corozzo was sentenced in New Orleans to three years in federal prison at the Federal Prison Camp Montgomery, Maxwell AFB, AL.[7]

In 2003, "Ruling Panel" member Michael "Mikey Scars" DiLeonardo testified that Arnold "Zeke" Squitieri was Gambino underboss and that John "Jackie Nose" D'Amico and Nicholas Corozzo ran the day-to-day family operations. Joseph Corozzo was the final decision-maker.[8] DiLeonardo also stated that these men have controlled the Gambino family since the 1990s.

Prison

On February 7, 2008, Corozzo was indicted as part of Operation Old Bridge, a massive push against the Gambino family.[9] The charges included numerous drug charges and charges of extorting payments from a Staten Island trucking company owned by businessman Joseph Vollaro. On June 5, 2008, in a plea bargain deal, the government dropped all drug charges against Corozzo and he pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy.[10] Joseph received 46 months in federal prison, the low end of the sentencing guidelines.

On January 1, 2011, five months before his scheduled release date, Joseph was indicted again as part of an FBI operation against over 100 alleged Mafia members and associates. His specific charges included distributing cocaine, marijuana, and ecstasy.[11] On September 19, 2012, Corozzo was sentenced to five years in federal prison.

Corozzo was imprisoned at the low security Federal Correctional Institution, Fort Dix in New Jersey. In October 2015, Corozzo was transferred to a reentry center in Brooklyn. He was released from custody on January 5, 2016.[12]

Death

Corozzo died peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours on Wednesday December 4, 2024, at the age of 82.[13]

References

  1. ^ Gendar, Alison (June 2, 2010). "Feds want 'mob' lawyer Joseph Corozzo taken off latest Gambino case". New York Daily News. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  2. ^ Kaplan, Morrisg (August 18, 1971). "14 ARE ARRESTED IN GAMBLING RAID" (PDF). New York Times. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  3. ^ Perez-Pena, Richard (November 25, 1992). "10 Indicted in a Mafia Rob-to-Order Operation". New York Times. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  4. ^ a b Breen, Virginia (May 20, 1995). "GOTTI PAL CLEARED". New York Daily News. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  5. ^ "Probe links organized crime to video poker scam; 17 jailed". Houston Chronicle. June 6, 1994. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  6. ^ "Five Plead Guilty to Plot to Infiltrate Video Poker Business". The Tuscaloosa News. September 9, 1995. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  7. ^ Raab, Selwyn (December 19, 1996). "Reputed New Gambino Boss Is Arrested". New York Times. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  8. ^ "Gotti Insider Kasman Set to Testify" Mob-News March 8, 2006
  9. ^ Rashbaum, William K. (February 8, 2008). "Accused Gambino Leaders Indicted in Sweep". New York Times.
  10. ^ Marzulli, John (June 6, 2008). "Wiseguy takes shakedown plea". New York Daily News. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  11. ^ "United States of America vs. Joseph Corozzo" (PDF). US Departement of Justice. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  12. ^ "Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator". Archived from the original on 2009-01-23. Retrieved 2021-02-28.
  13. ^ One Of The Last Of The Mohicans: Longtime Gambino Mob Shot Caller “Jo Jo” Corozzo Dead At 82, NYC Mafia Mourns Scott Burnstein, The Gangster Report (December 5, 2024)
American Mafia
Preceded by Gambino crime family
Consigliere
1992–2011 		Bartolomeo "Bobby Glasses" Vernace
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