A look into the former Johnstown Mafia

A look into the former Johnstown Mafia

[@andygluehere8266]

This is a little off, there were 2 crime family's in the area. And still making moves up to the late 90s , every 2000s. And even now a small faction exists. If ya know then ya know.

[@bobbi8534]

It's very off. My great uncle was John Torquato. There was more than gambling here. Lol. You're right.

[@jagalasso]

No doubt

[@gregquinn7817]

My dad knew all those guys. Used to play the lotto through them even in the 80s and 90s because they paid for than the state.

[@willbygosh4887]

In the 2020 census Johnstown had a population of around 18,500 down from it's peak of around 67,000,so Johnstown must have been a hopping place back then.

[@DrQuagmire1]

well the Steel factories provided tons of work and opportunities back there, hence the booming business during that period

[@loadedfun4764]

Yeah… three floods might play into it being called “flood city”

[@professorjake8369]

Thank you for bring back the wonderful memories.

[@Ricopolico]

?

[@paulmercuri8108]

Why calling Johnstown PA Central PA? It's more western PA

[@TheRhNegative]

It is Central PA

[@jagalasso]

@@TheRhNegative No, no it is NOT

[@MoneyGrip2024]

Pittsburgh, Erie, and Johnstown are Western PA. Harrisburg, Carlisle, and York are Central PA.

[@DrQuagmire1]

@@MoneyGrip2024 technically Erie is Northwestern PA, but yeah, you're right

[@gregquinn7817]

Geographically it's close to either but I always considered it "culturally" more western.

[@jimlong527]

Oh the real stories….my family lived through it all, a great city of little crime at that time.

[@bobbi8534]

John Torquato was my great uncle. Look up John Torquato versus Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

[@loadedfun4764]

All I can say about flood city is “M’s” subs is the best thing that side of Pittsburgh.

[@Ricopolico]

I've always been led to believe that there is no statute of limitations on murder, Yet, with all the new insights which have been unfolded by "Smalltime", the JPD keeps DiFalco's murder at the bottom of the unsolved file. Johnstown Mentality, I guess.

[@gregquinn7817]

Anyone who did it is probably 100% dead. I'm sure these insights were known to the cops back then. But knowing something and proving it in court are too different things. And that would only be harder now

[@rodneybender6865]

Grew up in Johnstown pa my mother told me stories of the Blackhanders who were dominating in conemaugh borough. Pepe Di Falco was murdered in the early 60s.

[@jagalasso]

Very interesting look.... Not accurate. But interesting.

[@gregquinn7817]

Not trying to rude but how do you know?

[@hightops77]

The current members are in city hall right now . F johnstown

[@1989bccclasmate]

thats my uncle joe and aunt millie!!!!

[@nednoname9722]

If you think it ended then, think again. Explore trials and grand juries in Ebensburg.

[@phaedrabacker2004]

Central PA? really?

[@markantony3875]

Johnstown is closer to Pittsburgh (mileage and culture) than to rural central PA. Pittsburgh was a major mafia city, so it does not surprise me they had an operation in Johnstown. Besides, all those factory workers and miners loved playing the numbers racket because the payoffs were far better than the PA Lottery. The Pittsburgh mafia made huge amounts of money off of illegal gambling.

[@Paladin70]

@@markantony3875 There was no PA lottery until 1971, this story was several years before that.

[@commandosolo193]

the best part you never told... they refused to bring in prostitution because the wives said not in our towns. lul, thanks for the memories

[@nednoname9722]

There have always been prostitution in Johnstown on Frankstown Rd

[@Ricopolico]

It was already here.