Читать книгу Slaughter in the Streets. When Boston Became Boxing’s Murder Capital онлайн

20 страница из 34

Buccola's partner in bringing Bertazzolo to America was Frank Marlow, a high-rolling New York gambler, club owner, and fight manager. Just weeks after Bertazzolo's arrival, Marlow was found shot to death in a Queens gutter. Marlow's murder went unsolved, but there were plenty of lively suspects, including New York racketeer “Joe the Boss” Masseria and former middleweight champion Johnny Wilson of Boston, allegedly angry that Marlow owed him money. Even Buccola was wanted for questioning.

Buccola's shady side wasn't a secret. His rap sheet included a 1923 weapons charge and a bust for taking part in an illegal lottery operation. In 1935, he was charged with tax fraud. By 1947, authorities suspected Buccola was not only a high-powered racketeer, but that his reach extended all the way to Providence. Still, Italians throughout Boston had great admiration for Buccola. He wasn't merely a mobster; he was also available to give advice on anything from domestic problems to business investments. In the 1930s and 40s, Italians in Boston still faced prejudice and couldn't always find assistance in the accepted manner. As future welterweight champion Tony DeMarco once put it, “When we couldn't go to the police or to our local congressman, we went to someone like Phil Buccola.”