Greek-American organized crime

enicko · 10-20-2006, 05:22 PM

Greek-American organized crime is fairly recent in the United States, mostly located on the east coast in New York and Philadelphia specifically. Spiros Velentzas, who held control over Greek-American neighborhoods in Queens during the 1980s and 90s, ran a highly lucrative horse racing parlors using satellite dishes to pick up racing results throughout the country (an innovative alternative to the News Wire service of the early 20th century) as well as running high stakes "barbut" dice games.

The "Five Families" of New York made no attempt to move in on Velentzas operations however, as one mobster was said to have stated those "...rotten Greeks know the game so damn good they'd cheat us blind."

Working with the Lucchese crime family, who offered protection in exchange for a percentage of their gambling operations, Velentzas was able to keep out recently arriving Greek immigrants threatening to muscle in on his gambling operations. Although attempting to expand operations in areas controlled by the Gambino crime family, Greek criminals retreated into their enclaves after warnings from the Gambinos.

During the 1970s, Chelsais "Steve" Bouras headed Philadelphia's "Greek Mob" until his death in 1981, gunned down at a South Philadelphia restaurant by gunmen (supposedly ordered by New Jersey mobster Nicodemo Scarfo).

Within major organized crime groups, syndicate mobsters such as Gus Alex and Albert Tocco were high ranking members of the Chicago Outfit.

References

* Sifakis, Carl. The Mafia Encyclopedia. New York: Da Capo Press, 2005.

Psaltis · 10-29-2006, 04:22 PM

Ax katalava eisai gangster na'oume? Min mou les oti tha mou kaneis da da.... Ox tremo....

enicko · 10-29-2006, 04:30 PM

ελα ρε μαλακα. Αντε σκασε ρε μαλακα

Δικο σο τραγοδι δεν εινε ;

Prokomenos · 10-29-2006, 05:09 PM

Nai re afto to tragoudi tha to xeri poly kala o Psaltis. Re Psalti akoma malakies kaneis re? Ta se valoume ta dio podia se ena papoutsi karagiotzi. LOL

pankration · 11-08-2006, 01:44 AM

As a law teacher I study many types of organized crime. Most ethnic groups have a sizable presence in illegal activities; Greeks really don't. Why is that? Are we more honest? Not likely. Greeks have an inherent distrust of the government. Do we have a higher moral compass? I don't think so. A stronger familial structure? stricter parents? an influential church? All, some or none but the fact remains, we don't turn out criminals at the same rate as others.

I would love to see more evidence on this subject.
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Prokomenos · 11-08-2006, 04:46 AM

These are some articles I was able to browse through on the net off NYtimes....

A man identified as the boss of a Greek organized-crime group based in Queens has been convicted of racketeering, gambling, loan sharking and tax-fraud charges. The 57-year-old defendant, Spyredon (Spiros) Velentzas, was found guilty on Thursday night of 10 charges in his trial in Federal District Court in Brooklyn. ...

To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

PHILADELPHIA'S UNDERWORLD WAR: 2 IN 'GREEK MOB' FALL

Two members of this city's little-known ''Greek mob'' have become the latest victims of the organized crime warfare that has shaken Philadelphia for more than a year. Chelsais (Steve) Bouras was killed by two masked gunmen Wednesday night in a South Philadelphia Greek restaurant. His companions included Raymond Martorano, ...

To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Megale · 11-09-2006, 09:29 PM

Oh come on, give the Greeks a bit more credit than that (on not commiting much crime).:) I do think most people know whats wrong and whats right. Even though Greeks are intense people, they now when to hold back impulses (at least criminal ones).

Prokomenos · 11-14-2006, 08:31 PM

Yes Megale Greeks are not really not known for being criminals anywhere they go. Their are always a few though...

AgriosEllinas · 12-04-2006, 04:54 AM

Thats some great shit how about posting some more on Greek gangstas.

enicko · 12-04-2006, 06:36 PM

Im trying to find some more material on greeks. Not too much written on us. i guess they are really applying the black hand or they have left the game alone.

If you hapen to find anything online feel free to post

10-20-2006, 05:22 PM	#1
enicko GR Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Astoria NY USA Posts: 113 Total Points: 36,025.28 Donate	Greek-American organized crime Greek-American organized crime is fairly recent in the United States, mostly located on the east coast in New York and Philadelphia specifically. Spiros Velentzas, who held control over Greek-American neighborhoods in Queens during the 1980s and 90s, ran a highly lucrative horse racing parlors using satellite dishes to pick up racing results throughout the country (an innovative alternative to the News Wire service of the early 20th century) as well as running high stakes "barbut" dice games. The "Five Families" of New York made no attempt to move in on Velentzas operations however, as one mobster was said to have stated those "...rotten Greeks know the game so damn good they'd cheat us blind." Working with the Lucchese crime family, who offered protection in exchange for a percentage of their gambling operations, Velentzas was able to keep out recently arriving Greek immigrants threatening to muscle in on his gambling operations. Although attempting to expand operations in areas controlled by the Gambino crime family, Greek criminals retreated into their enclaves after warnings from the Gambinos. During the 1970s, Chelsais "Steve" Bouras headed Philadelphia's "Greek Mob" until his death in 1981, gunned down at a South Philadelphia restaurant by gunmen (supposedly ordered by New Jersey mobster Nicodemo Scarfo). Within major organized crime groups, syndicate mobsters such as Gus Alex and Albert Tocco were high ranking members of the Chicago Outfit. References * Sifakis, Carl. The Mafia Encyclopedia. New York: Da Capo Press, 2005.

10-29-2006, 04:22 PM	#2
Psaltis GR Elite Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Outer space Posts: 375 Total Points: 51,573.49 Donate	Ax katalava eisai gangster na'oume? Min mou les oti tha mou kaneis da da.... Ox tremo.... __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

10-29-2006, 04:30 PM	#3
enicko GR Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Astoria NY USA Posts: 113 Total Points: 36,025.28 Donate	για ρε πσαλτι ελα ρε μαλακα. Αντε σκασε ρε μαλακα Δικο σο τραγοδι δεν εινε ;

11-08-2006, 01:44 AM	#5
pankration GR Elite Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 282 Total Points: 28,197.06 Donate	No Greek Sopranos? As a law teacher I study many types of organized crime. Most ethnic groups have a sizable presence in illegal activities; Greeks really don't. Why is that? Are we more honest? Not likely. Greeks have an inherent distrust of the government. Do we have a higher moral compass? I don't think so. A stronger familial structure? stricter parents? an influential church? All, some or none but the fact remains, we don't turn out criminals at the same rate as others. I would love to see more evidence on this subject. To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

11-09-2006, 09:29 PM	#7
Megale GR Untouchable Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,102 Total Points: 137,900.13 My Mood: Donate	Re: Greek-American organized crime Oh come on, give the Greeks a bit more credit than that (on not commiting much crime).:) I do think most people know whats wrong and whats right. Even though Greeks are intense people, they now when to hold back impulses (at least criminal ones).

10-29-2006, 05:09 PM	#4
Prokomenos The Big Boss Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: In your head Posts: 4,223 Total Points: 422,792,322.68 My Mood: Donate	Nai re afto to tragoudi tha to xeri poly kala o Psaltis. Re Psalti akoma malakies kaneis re? Ta se valoume ta dio podia se ena papoutsi karagiotzi. LOL

11-08-2006, 04:46 AM	#6
Prokomenos The Big Boss Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: In your head Posts: 4,223 Total Points: 422,792,322.68 My Mood: Donate	These are some articles I was able to browse through on the net off NYtimes.... A man identified as the boss of a Greek organized-crime group based in Queens has been convicted of racketeering, gambling, loan sharking and tax-fraud charges. The 57-year-old defendant, Spyredon (Spiros) Velentzas, was found guilty on Thursday night of 10 charges in his trial in Federal District Court in Brooklyn. ... To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. PHILADELPHIA'S UNDERWORLD WAR: 2 IN 'GREEK MOB' FALL Two members of this city's little-known ''Greek mob'' have become the latest victims of the organized crime warfare that has shaken Philadelphia for more than a year. Chelsais (Steve) Bouras was killed by two masked gunmen Wednesday night in a South Philadelphia Greek restaurant. His companions included Raymond Martorano, ... To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

11-14-2006, 08:31 PM	#8
Prokomenos The Big Boss Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: In your head Posts: 4,223 Total Points: 422,792,322.68 My Mood: Donate	Re: Greek-American organized crime Yes Megale Greeks are not really not known for being criminals anywhere they go. Their are always a few though...

12-04-2006, 04:54 AM	#9
AgriosEllinas GR Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: California Posts: 103 Total Points: 19,846.35 Donate	Re: Greek-American organized crime Thats some great shit how about posting some more on Greek gangstas.

12-04-2006, 06:36 PM	#10
enicko GR Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Astoria NY USA Posts: 113 Total Points: 36,025.28 Donate	Re: Greek-American organized crime Im trying to find some more material on greeks. Not too much written on us. i guess they are really applying the black hand or they have left the game alone. If you hapen to find anything online feel free to post

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Greek-American organizations	Prokomenos	Diaspora	2	07-31-2007 11:57 PM
Greek goes to an American cafe	Ellinas	Humor, riddles, games and brain teasers - Αστειάκια, γρίφοι και σπαζοκεφαλιές	2	03-07-2007 06:28 AM
American Idol	Prokomenos	Movies, TV - Ταινίες, τηλεόραση	8	01-31-2007 04:53 PM
100 ways to be a cool Greek American	Prokomenos	Humor, riddles, games and brain teasers - Αστειάκια, γρίφοι και σπαζοκεφαλιές	1	01-23-2007 10:12 PM
Greek American experience	Prokomenos	Diaspora	2	11-30-2006 04:51 AM