Friday, May 6, 2011

Mob Wives: Lewis D’Avanzo, Lee D’Avanzo’s Dad…


"Family" Ties

Also known as Drita’s father-in-law. When you decide to star in a reality television series you open up a can of worms, and bloggers take those worms and go fishing. That’s what we do. There was not much information out there on Lee because he has probably spent the better part of the last 12 or so years in prison. But, there is a wealth of information on Lewis, his father and Leo, his grandfather. Also, there is a surprise connect to Rudolph Giuliani, former mayor of New York City, that I did not expect.

Let’s begin with a look at the D’Avanzo family tree so we can get familiar with the key people in Lewis’ story. Lee’s grandfather was Leo. Leo D’Avanzo was married to Veronica and he had a sister named Helen. Helen D’Avanzo married Harold Giuliani. Leo and Veronica had a son, Lewis D’Avanzo. Harold and Helen had a son, two years later, Rudolph Giuliani. Lewis D’Avanzo and Rudolph Guiliani are first cousins. Lewis marries Lois and has a son, Lee D’Avanzo, Rudy’s second cousin.

Leo D’avanzo allegedly headed up a loan sharking and gambling operation out of a Brooklyn bar, called Vincent’s Restaurant (named after Vincent D‘Avanzo, a policeman). Harold Giuliani worked there as a bartender and an alleged debt collector. Leo would have Harold collect on unpaid loans for him. Harold reportedly used a baseball bat or his fists to inspire clients to pay their debts. Sometimes he would have to persuade them by breaking legs, shattering kneecaps, or breaking noses.

Leo and Harold were reportedly in a mafia shootout in Brooklyn, in 1962. This shootout involved another mob member and was over an issue they had regarding one of their loan sharking businesses. The mob was not too happy with Leo for shooting at another mob member. He got a stern warning. Leo left town and gave the bar to Harold.

Enter Lewis! Lewis went to school with his cousin Rudy. In the spring of 1960, Lewis dropped out of St John’s University to sign up with the draft board to go to Vietnam. Unfortunately, Lewis was rejected due to obesity, as he weighed in at well over 300 pounds. Having nothing but time on his hands, Lewis stole a car and immediately sold it to a woman. He also managed to steal license making equipment from the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles. Suddenly, he was facing grand larceny charges. Uncle Harold made a call to the boy’s former High School, Bishop Loughlin, and spoke to a Father O’Leary. He explained the situation regarding his nephew Lewis and asked if O’Leary would speak to the judge on his behalf. Father O’Leary agreed. When O’Leary went in to see the judge, he didn’t have to say a word. The judge was already prepared to suspend Lewis’ sentence, believing that the boy’s bad upbringing is what lead him to get in trouble.

Lewis moved on and allegedly started a major car theft operation. The FBI also alleged that he was also suspected of being involved in several murders. He was considered a dangerous criminal. Part of his criminal record includes a ten year Federal sentence that he received for an armed hijacking of a truck that contained $240,000 worth of mercury. Lewis D’Avanzo was also reportedly known as “Steve the Blond.“ In 1968, Lewis and his wife, Lois, attended Rudy’s first wedding.

In 1977, Lewis was killed by the FBI, in Brooklyn. He tried to run down an agent who had stopped him for a warrant for transporting 100 stolen luxury cars. After the shooting, he was taken to Maimonides Hospital where he was pronounced dead at the age of 36. On his body was found 3 envelopes containing over $8,000 in cash.

This is the rich, mafia tradition passed on to Lee D’Avanzo from grandfather to father to him. In 2001, Lee, who was considered the head of a mafia farm team called the “New Springfield Boys,” was indicted with “Fat Joe” Gambino for alleged drug deals and bank robberies possibly dating back to the 1980’s. He served eight years. According to Drita, he was released for a couple of years before going back to prison for another 2 to 5 years for similar crimes.

Much of the D’Avanzo family mob history is well documented in an unauthorized biography of Rudolph Giuliani, written in 2000, called “Rudy! An Investigative Biography of Rudolph Giuliani.” The author, Wayne Barrett, editor of the Village Voice, seems to have done a thorough job researching documents and interviewing numerous people. The two families are so interconnected that much of the book is devoted to the D’Avanzos. You can read about all this and more in his book.

Picture Credit: Wikipedia, public domain

14 comments:

Mob Mistress said...

What is this stEVE the Blond rumor floating around? You think there is any truth to it? They are quite a interesting family.

Chiara Soprano said...

Well, I don't like to deal with rumours, just the facts. But I will say I subscribe to the saying "where there's smoke, there's fire."

Mister Sister said...

Always a step ahead of me! Wonder if Rudy still has family get togethers with Lee's family, or has "distanced" himself.
I have to read more on this - but makes you wonder if Rudy didn't get all the mob votes, only to turn on them. (I know little on this, it's probably already been answered.)

Mister Sister said...

Interesting Read - I bet you guys can dig up so much more!

http://www.disclose.tv/forum/thug-life-rudy-giuliani-dad-harold-was-a-mobster-t38445.html

Mob Mistress said...

Sources basically give the impression that he has distanced himself. We are aware of Harold and the name change.

I don't think he is alone in the name change thing. I am researching now and coming across some brick walls which should be public information. Very interesting and only makes us dig harder.

Jnettemariee said...

I found this too Love but didn't read it yet. I also don't know enough to really have an opinion on Giuliani. So keep me posted ladies on all your findings.

Sarah said...

That is a lot of information but I don't scoop into everything even if it may be interesting. What they did in their lives they are now or did pay for. I have a co-worker at DISH that scoops a lot and you just aren't sure if it is true of just entertaining. I love the show Mob Wives though I watch it all the time on DISHonline.com. I hope they show it more after this season. http://bit.ly/dJzWgo

AmyC said...

Just FYI...it's "New Springville Boys".

Anonymous said...

I read somewhere that lee and his posse wore jerseys with "New Springville Boys" written on them, and that is how the Feds caught ID'd the Lee and his boys...If this is true, Lee has got to be one of the dumbest criminals incarcerated!!! LOL >.<

PAULA said...

whatever. I still like Rudy Giuliani.

Babs said...

Early in Rudy G's spotlight days Pat Robertson (700 Club) said a prominent NYC DA (obvious it was Rudy) was known for going after the Mafia, except for the one he had family ties with. Since it was aired it should be find-able.

Anonymous said...

First of all, the ex. Mayor. of. New York. has nothing to do with. their behavior. Nor violent. Acts. They were ignorant and stupid and got what they deserve. They. Should. Be ashamed. Of. Theirselves. I am italian. First generation and they took part in ruining. The italian name.

Anonymous said...

I AGREE WITH SHELLY AND ANONYMOUS..What made you think Drite he was not going to cheat on you because you were cute?? let me tell you what a beautiful face can get you..A beautiul face can get any man she wants, any man, oh yeah it will get his attention big time if you have a pretty face and a bonus if you have a nice body...Now I will tell you what a beautiful face cannot do, it cannot keep him if the inside is not as or more beautiful as the outside...sure beauty will get them but beauty will not keep them loyal and happy with you unless he falls in love with the inside too..There are a lot of respectable smart tough Italian women who would not take any of that crap from a man anymore. Maybe in our 20's and early 30's but after your early thirties if you are still dealing with a cheating man it's because you feel you deserve nothing better it's not because the kids miss him or because you saw you kids so happy with him that's how it should be not teaching your girls that it's alright to continue to be there taking back a man even if it is their father who has humiliated their mother so many times...You are the one that keeps falling for that crap, the kids will get over it and make out a relationship with their father that won't change, it's you who wants him back girl, talk that "I don't know what to do crap" you know damn well you should not take this man back and show self respect to your girls...DO IT GIRL AND DON'T LOOK BACK!!! DON'T BE ANOTHER HUMILIATED CARLA WHO WOULD TAKE THAT CHEATE BACK IF HE WANTED TO GO BACK BUT WHAT HE WANTS IS A DIVORCE TO GET AWAY FROM THE ICE PRINCESS, HORSE FACE LIKE RENE CALLED HER... COME ON GIRLS STOP TAKING CRAP AND BEING SELF DESTRUCTIVE. I KNOW WOMEN LIKE YOU AND MYSELF AND WE LOVE TOOO HARD WHEN IT CAME TO A MAN WHO DIDN'T DESERVE IT...GROW A BACKBONE, A REAL BACK BONE NOT A "DON'T FUCK WITH ME I'M TOUGH" BULLSHIT I MEAN, SELF SUPPORTED, SELF RESPECT AND WORTH AND TO DEMAND RESPECT FROM YOUR CHILDREN, STOP RUNNING ON GUILT..GROW A FUCKEN BACK BONE TO REALLY BE A TOUGH WOMAN NOT JUST THROW A COUPLE OF CURSE WORDS LIKE FUCK YOU! ANY WOMAN CAN TALK LIKE THAT BUT NOT EVERY WOMAN CAN TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR LIVES AND TURN THEIR BACKS ON DESTRUCTION EVEN IF IT'S FROM SOMEONE CLOSE OR FAMILY, IF THEY MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE SHIT STAY AWAY...MY DOCTOR'S ADVICE

DMG said...

Wow... who wrote that?!?!? "Anonymous 1/27/13" has words about Dritas relationships like Karen... Real women handle their own relationships as needed. Drita is very grown, she knows what is her business and prefers matters that involve her man, to not be discussed. If you a real woman who cares about Drita... TRULY... then you would've known that, as I do as a fan. Drita is a big chica and can handle her own. Don't come between what her daughter's should feel for THEIR FATHER, versus what you want!!! He loves his babies, and Drita respects him and their kids. Leave family and relationships out of the equations and just pray for her, wish her well, boost her up, but, with a fan like me... back the F*** up when it comes to anything negative against her!!! Drita is strong, beautiful, smart and loving!!! She is real, firm, and consistant!!! Good woman deserve good compliments!!! Keep it up Drita!!! LOVE YA CHICA!!!