Salvatore Todaro | |
|---|---|
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:SalvatoreTodaro.jpg) Police mugshot of Salvatore Todaro | |
| Born | Agosto Arcangelo[a 1] January 26, 1885 |
| Died | June 11, 1929 (aged 44) |
| Cause of death | Gun shots |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Other names | "Black Sam" "Sam Todaro" |
| Citizenship | American |
| Occupation(s) | Sugar merchant, crime boss |
| Predecessor | Joseph Lonardo |
| Successor | Joseph Porrello |
| Spouse | Carmella Todaro |
| Children | 3 |
| Allegiance | Cleveland crime family |
Salvatore Todaro (Italian pronunciation: [salvaˈtoːre ˈtɔdaːro]; born Agosto Arcangelo;[a 1] [aˈɡosto arˈkandʒelo]; January 26, 1885 – June 11, 1929), also known as "Black Sam" and "Sam Todaro", was a Sicilian emigrant to the United States who became the second boss of the Cleveland crime family. A friend and criminal associate of rising organized crime figure Joseph Lonardo, he rose swiftly in the Mayfield Road Mob and became manager of Lonardo's legitimate corn sugar and criminal corn whiskey operations. He was a well-recognized figure in organized crime circles, and became briefly involved with the Buffalo crime family.
After Lonardo organized the Cleveland crime family, Todaro became underboss. Lonardo briefly considered having him assassinated, but relented after pressure from other mafioso. Frustrated with the minimal profits he made as underboss, Todaro allied with Lonardo's emerging competitor, Joseph Porrello, in 1927. Todaro likely arranged for Lonardo's assassination on October 13, 1927.
U.S. federal law enforcement officials believe Todaro became the second boss of the Cleveland family, although there is evidence that he shared power with the Porrello family. He quickly became wealthy, even as revenues from corn sugar and corn whiskey declined due to changing consumer tastes. When word spread in early 1929 of his involvement with Joseph Lonardo's death, Todaro began to fear for his life. He was murdered by Joseph's son, Angelo Lonardo, in a daylight assassination at a Porrello-owned barber shop on June 11, 1929.
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