Reputed Former Genovese Crime Family Boss Arthur Nigro Indicted

From the New York Post yesterday evening:

A reputed former acting boss of the Genovese crime family was indicted today on racketeering charges that include the 2003 murder of [Springfield] Massachusetts mob captain who was believed to have turned rat.

Arthur Nigro, who's currently doing time for extortion, could face the death penalty in the gangland slaying of Adolfo "Big Al" Bruno.

MassLive.com, the online arm of the Springfield Republican newspaper, takes a look back at this infamous murder with a photo gallery.

Nigro is alleged to have ordered the hit on Bruno (pictured at left with his son in 1993), that was carried out by Frankie Roche in the parking lot of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Springfield MA. Springfield's ABC 40 has more details on today's indictment, reporting that five others were named in the 40 page document; Anthony Arillotta of Springfield and Steve Alfisi, Marcos Caio, James Coumoutsos, and George Coumoutsos of New York. (Read the indicment here: PDF)


For countless decades, organized crime activity and political corruption were par for the course in Springfield's daily life. According to a 1991 article in the Valley Advocate which is no longer online, a law enforcement official who keeps tabs on Organized Crime alleged that Hampden County "has more made men than any city or county of its size."