Scotto (right) and his daughter Elaina (left) attend Rosanna Scotto’s birthday in Southampton, NY, on June 20, 2008
Anthony Scotto – at one time one of the most powerful union leaders in the country before being convicted as a Gambino crime family capo – has died at the age of 87, according to his daughter.
The Brooklyn-born Scotto rose from working on the docks to taking charge of the International Longshoreman Association 1814, making him one of the most influential leaders in the nation.
Politicians from former presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Jimmy Carter to ex-New York Governor Mario Cuomo sought his support.
However, Scotto fell from the heights of power after he was convicted of being a top capo in the Gambino crime family, which ran the docks in New York among its many rackets.
Scotto was sentenced to five years in federal prison in 1980 and fined $75,000 for racketeering and income tax fraud.
According to Department of Justice documents, the nine-week trial ‘historically may be considered one of the most significant investigations and prosecutions undertaken by the FBI at that time.’
Anthony Scotto (far left) Roseanna Scotto (2nd left) Elaina Scotto (right) and Marion Scotto (far right) attend the Museum of the Moving image Dinner in Honor of Katie Couric and Phil Kent at the St. Regis Hotel on May 5, 2010 in New York
Scotto’s daughter, Rosanna, posted the news on Instagram Sunday, writing that her and her family are ‘broken-hearted’ over the news, leaving out her father’s precise cause of death.
Anthony Scotto, (right) leaves Federal Court with his lawyer, James La Rossa (right)
Scotto, who always maintained his innocence, served three years in two separate prisons and was released in October 1984, according to reports from the Associated Press.
Scotto was born in Brooklyn in 1934 and married Marion Anastasio in 1957, whose father was capo Anthony Anastasio, of the infamous Anastasia crime family.
Marion’s uncle was Albert Anastasia, the infamous mobster, hitman and crime boss, who was one of the original founders of the modern American Mafia.
Anastasia was murdered in 1957 and underboss Carlo Gambino succeeded what became the Gambino crime family.
Scotto maintained an excellent relationship with Gambino, and was made a ‘made man.’
When Anastasio died in 1963, Scotto assumed power as head of ILA Local 1814.
It wasn’t long before Scotto became one of the most powerful mob lieutenants in New York on account of his dynamic political connections.
He even befriended the mob’s most feared enemy, U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy.
In 1969, while head of the longshoremen union, the Justice Department exposed Scotto as a member of the Gambino crime family.
Scotto’s daughter, the longtime journalist Rosanna Scotto, posted news of her father’s death on Instagram Sunday.
Scotto’s wife, Marion, was the niece of Albert Anastasia (pictured) who was an Italian-American mobster, hitman, and crime boss. He was one of the original founders of the modern American Mafia
Theresa Scotto, Anthony Scotto, Elaina Scotto, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, Anthony Scotto Sr., Marion Scotto, Lon Trost, John Scotto, Rosanna Scotto, Randy Levine and Dan Faucetta attend FRESCO Restaurant at Yankee Stadium at Yankee Stadium on August 15, 2006 in New York City
Fox anchorwoman Roseanna Scotto (center) stands outside Cipriani’s restaurant with her father Anthony Scotto (far left), mother Marion Scotto (2nd left), daughter Tenna Scotto (2nd right) and husband Louis Ruggiero (right) March 31, 2002 in New York City
‘We are broken hearted to share the passing of Anthony M Scotto 87 years, beloved husband of Marion Scotto and father of Rosanna, Anthony Jr, John, and Elaina, and grandfather to Jenna, Louis, Anthony, Gabriella, Danny, Julia, Bianca and Andrew,’ Rosanna – a ‘Good Day New York’ anchor – wrote.
Her father attended St Francis Preparatory School in Brooklyn and studied pre-law and political science at Brooklyn College. He later taught labor relations at Harvard University.
‘He enjoyed golfing with his friends, loved a good cigar, and relished making Sunday Sauce with his family,’ Rosanna Scotto’s tribute concluded. ‘He was loved by everyone and will be missed dearly.’