The Baltimore Crew was an Italian-American
organized-crime group that ultimately became a faction of the
Gambino crime family
The Gambino crime family (pronounced ) is an Italian American Mafia crime family and one of the "Five Families" that dominate organized crime activities in New York City, within the nationwide criminal phenomenon known as the American Mafia. ...
operating in the
port city
A port is a maritime facility comprising one or more wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can also be found far inland, such as Hamburg, Manche ...
of
Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland. With a population of 585,708 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census and estimated at 568,271 in 2024, it is the List of United States ...
, from about 1900 until the 1990s. It was originally an independent organization, led by the D'Urso family until the Corbi takeover in the 1920s. In 1955,
Vincent Mangano of the New York–based Gambino family moved in and installed Louis Morici as the reigning ''
caporegime
A ''caporegime'' or ''capodecina'', usually shortened to ''capo'' or informally referred to as "captain", "skipper" or "lieutenant", is a leadership position in the Mafia (both the Sicilian Mafia and Italian-American Mafia). A ''capo'' is a "made m ...
'' over the area. The Corbi family acquiesced to the Gambino relationship, but maintained local leaders, simply answering to and accessing support from Morici and his New York Gambino connections. Throughout most of its existence, after 1920, "The Baltimore Cosca" was functionally headed by members of the Corbi family: Vito, and then his sons, Pasquale "Patsy" and Frank.
History
Rule of the Corbi brothers
In the spring of 1923, Patsy Corbi was sentenced to
life imprisonment
Life imprisonment is any sentence (law), sentence of imprisonment under which the convicted individual is to remain incarcerated for the rest of their natural life (or until pardoned or commuted to a fixed term). Crimes that result in life impr ...
for the murder of local barber Frank Naples, a reputed
member.
Antonio "Tony" Corbi went into hiding in 1923, and reportedly traveled to Mexico and Italy, attempting to evade charges for the murder of Belle Lemons. He did not resurface publicly until the 1930s in Youngstown Ohio where he ran the Yo Hio Social Club.
Under Gambino leadership
In 1966, Lou Morici stepped down from the role of capo due to ill health.
During this time, the crew was put under the management of the then-capo
Joseph N. Gallo. Frank Corbi assumed the position of acting leader of the Baltimore operation, reporting directly to Gallo. Eventually, Corbi was promoted to official captain of the outfit.
By the 1980s most of the known membership had died or retired.
Historical Leadership
* Luigi Morici
* Frank Corbi
Historical Membership
*Vincent Coronna
*Frank Dabenne
*Thomas "Reds" Aversa
*Benjamin "Benny Trotta" Magliano
Historical Associates
* Joseph Nunzio Corbi (1911–2001)
* Joseph Tamburello (1906–1983)
* August "Nick Trotta" Magliano (1917–1998)
* Angelo Munafo (1927–2001)
* Mario Orazio Anello (1905–1972)
* Joseph Gigliotti (1903–2001)
* Frank Malvaso (1904?-1991?)
* Angelo Perrera (1912–1972)
See also
*
Crime in Baltimore
*
History of the Italians in Baltimore
The history of Italians in Baltimore dates back to the mid-19th century. The city's Italian-American community is centered in the neighborhood of Little Italy.
Demographics
In 1920, 7,930 foreign-born white people in Baltimore spoke the Italia ...
References
{{Baltimore
Gambino crime family
Former gangs in Baltimore
Italian-American culture in Baltimore
American Mafia crews