Ignazio Ingrassia’s life epitomizes the deep, often dangerous connections between the Sicilian Mafia and its American counterparts. Born into a Mafia family in Sicily and later affiliating with the Gambino crime family in New York, Ingrassia’s criminal career spanned continents, involving everything from narcotics trafficking to murder. His story is one of familial loyalty, cross-border crime, and the enduring influence of Sicilian Mafia traditions in America. @MikeyScarsNOEXCUSES Michael DiLeonardo was also in this crew.
Background: Ignazio Ingrassia was born in 1950 in Monreale, Sicily, a region steeped in Mafia history. His father, Andrea Ingrassia, was a “Made Member” of the Ciaculli Clan, a powerful faction within the Sicilian Mafia based in Palermo. The Ciaculli Clan was notorious for its role in the global narcotics trade and its violent enforcement of Mafia codes. Ignazio’s upbringing in this environment ensured that he would be deeply entrenched in the Mafia’s operations from a young age.
Ignazio’s connections to the Mafia were not limited to Sicily. His uncle, Giuseppe Ingrassia, had emigrated to Brooklyn, New York, where he became a soldier in the Gambino crime family under Captain Olympio “Lilo” Garofalo. Giuseppe, like many Sicilian immigrants of his generation, maintained strong ties to his homeland while establishing himself within the American Mafia. This transatlantic link between Sicily and New York would play a significant role in Ignazio’s life.
In a move that was common among Sicilian Mafia families, Ignazio married his first cousin, the daughter of his uncle Giuseppe. This marriage further solidified his connections to the Gambino family, and when Ignazio arrived in America, he quickly became affiliated with the Gambino’s Sicilian faction. In the mid to late 1990s, he transferred his Sicilian Mafia membership to the Gambino family, integrating into the organization’s powerful Sicilian wing.
Criminal Activities in America: In New York, Ingrassia was placed in the crew of Jackie D’Amico, a high-ranking Gambino captain who would later serve as the family’s acting boss. Ingrassia was particularly close to Frank Cali, a rising star within the Gambino family who would eventually become the family’s boss. Cali, like Ingrassia, was part of the Sicilian faction, which maintained strong ties to the old country and was deeply involved in dope.
He was a feared hitman within the Gambino organization, known for his loyalty. His involvement in dope was extensive, leveraging his connections in Sicily to facilitate the importation of dope into the United States. This operation was part of a larger network controlled by the Gambino family’s Sicilian faction, which had long been a key player in the global trade
Downfall and Deportation: In November 2008, Ignazio Ingrassia’s criminal activities caught up with him. He was arrested in the United States on dope and subsequently deported back to Italy. Despite his attempts to start a new life in America, his criminal past and ongoing connections to the Mafia made it impossible for him to escape the consequences of his actions.
Back in Sicily, Ingrassia resumed his involvement in organized crime. By 2021, he had risen to the rank of Consigliere within the Ciaculli Clan, a position of significant power and influence. However, his return to Sicily also brought renewed law enforcement attention. In 2021, he was arrested once again, this time alongside members of the Brancaccio and Ciaculli families, for extortion and other Mafia-related activities.
Death and Legacy: Ignazio Ingrassia passed away in 2022 in Torino, Italy, from natural causes. He was 72 years old. His death marked the end of a long and tumultuous criminal career that spanned continents and decades. Ingrassia’s life is a testament to the enduring connections between the Sicilian Mafia and its American offshoots, as well as the challenges faced by those who try to escape their past.
Conclusion: Ignazio Ingrassia’s story is a vivid example of the transnational nature of Mafia operations and the strong familial ties that bind members to their criminal organizations. His journey from Sicily to America and back again highlights the deep-rooted connections between Mafia families on both sides of the Atlantic. Even in death, Ingrassia remains a symbol of the Mafia’s far-reaching influence and the inescapable nature of its code of loyalty and silence.
#ignazioingrassia #frankcali #gambinofamily
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