Long ago Tampa had a thriving Mafia. Led by the Trafficante family it involved hundreds of corrupt Police, drugs, loan sharking, prostitution, and murder.
Well there no longer is a Tampa mafia but we’ve been saying for years, “who needs a Mafia when you have local Government.” And boy do we have a local government! This story, centered around our local judiciary, has been evolving for some time and local blogger extraordinaire, Michael H., puts the hit on for ya…
“What I’m curious about is Detective Bartoszak’s implication of “arranged suicide” in his affidavit. State Attorney Harry Lee Coe III committed suicide July, 2000. Coe had run up a six-figure gambling debt. He has been accused of disrupting a police investigation into the Tampa lingerie modeling industry.”
July 22nd, 2005 at 2:04 pm
I was trying to get Tommy to blog about the Greg Holder story since he is Mr. Tampa Blogger. I felt the details of the story were so confusing that I didn’t know what to make of this. The more I researched the piece the weirder it got. F. Dennis Alvarez, Rocky Rodriguez and Hank Coe have so many scandals and rumors around them that it is hard to know were to begin. Some guy on the internet even accused Rodriguez of running drugs in his exotic dance club. This story is truly bizarre.
July 22nd, 2005 at 2:37 pm
Tommy is more of a G Rated (well, maybe PG) Tampa blogger.
This is obviously a job for “Last Day of My Life”.
http://sullivan40.diaryland.com/
July 22nd, 2005 at 9:12 pm
Speaking of Alverez and co., anyone see the piece in mother Trib talking about the “scandal” surrounding the Make-a-Wish foundation?
September 13th, 2005 at 3:15 pm
Mafia worship is alive and well on your website!
What does the term ‘ethnic slur’ mean to you?
Can you tell the difference between movies and reality?
Italian bashing is when you find things bad about Italians, but you can’t seem to find anything good.
Try getting a life!
September 13th, 2005 at 3:30 pm
I think spaghetti is good.
My wife is Italian, I think she’s good too.
Tampa did have a thriving Italian Mafia and this post is about corrupt locals of all creeds and colors and comparing them to the past. Next time I’ll just say “organized crime by Italians” when referring to Italian organized crime. I wouldn’t want to offend your really great life by using the word “Mafia”.
Oh, pizza, I like pizza too.
Have a nice day!
t
October 18th, 2005 at 10:10 am
Reading the comments posted here, it’s easy to see that people interested in glorifying crime don’t have much going for them. How pathetic!
January 21st, 2006 at 9:18 am
Tampa’ s Orginized Crme Is fine and well
The power to take out a State atty to a prez….
trust me…Alive and well
January 21st, 2006 at 9:58 am
With all the 50’s - 80’s Tampa Mafia to be put behind after the death of Santos Trafficante, New C.I.A, F.B.I, State Atty Office ( Florida) Have come
up with one of the big “who’s who of all time…whw is the Boss. Tampa Court papers state, A Stefano Trafficante, Born in the late 60’s, grandson of Late Santos Trafficante and Joe B From NY, was Hiden from the word.
Stefano, A.K.A Steven T. Bodnar / Stephen Yale Mcneal / Steve Bogner
Was the person to take the name Trafficante and Put it to rest. IRS File that are made public show him as a Top 10 Lawyer linked to Henry G , long time friend of Trafficante, Builder, Invester. A grad of Stetson Law Collage in St Pete Fl, Top of his class
This person grew up in north tampa and was worth Millions by age 20. His stepfather, A Thomas Bodnar Adopted him under the order of Trafficante when he married Trafficantes “Little Girl” this is when the store starts to go blank.
I tracked This “Bodnar” to be as of Late 2004 , From Tampa To V.A Beach.
Some State including his people that he is flat broke. some state he is ” Just waiting” and is Still one of the most powerful people in Florida that spans around the world.
Who is the person? People who talked to said in north Tampa, That “Bodnar” past away in 2001. IRS and FBI papers state he lives in Chesapeake Va., and walked away from a Billion $ empire…..
I found that TRUE he is the bastered son of Mobster Billy B and Patty Trafficante-Bodnar, Making him the grandson of Santos Trafficante and Joe B in N.Y…..
How do I know. Ive known him for over 20 years . BUT havent heard anything from him for 3..
February 2nd, 2006 at 6:04 pm
WOW…Not many people visiting. Makes you think the web site is put out by the Feds.
Im a 64 yr young Business man from Florida…Question? Why do people comment on something they no nothing about…Example;
Michael Hussey- you are naming names that dont need to be brought up…
Tiney - OK you loke italian food…So
Wazza..u and LiL Tiny - You people are real bold tossing the Trafficante/Bodnar around…
As a business man in Tampa and Miami, also an MB in Lit from U.M I can tell you all….Know one person is correct.
LiL Lucy - Mr Bodnar would love to meet you. I know Steven Bodnar….Yes he is the grandson of 2 of the most Biggest crime fams in the US, and by age 18 was worth allot. This KID at 19 was on a role. Was it due to Grandpa Santos Trafficante?..Yes. But he kept it. Mr. bodnar ( who hates being addressed by that) ” Steve..Thats it” Proved to BOTH grandfathers that he pcould double what they did in life. With there blessing, Steve Bodnar passed
up 5 STRONG people in the crime work and became the New BOSS OF BOSSES. But why do people not know of Steve Bodnar in the crime Life?
Because he wants it that way. NOTHING, NOTHING goes down in this US of A
with out his Knowing. Non violent unless attacked. more business like, to the point that bank go to him.
Luckey…Your the closer of all. Steven Bodnar AKA Stefano, The name McNeal, and stating IRS and FBI’s is the stupiest thing a person could do.
The bad part 1. Your very Correct. 2. Youll die in less then a year
I dont defend mr bodnar. he Joined, Bought, and Sold my brother and I out
left us for broke. I for one would love to see someone take him out….But im not that stupid… He’s alive and well. dont know what town, but is watching
Good luck my old friend. Tampa would be a nicer place with you running it.
March 14th, 2006 at 10:45 am
It’s easy to see mafia-worship types have very little sense of reality; they apparently need the alternate reality they get in mafia movies depicting violence and immorality as common every day normal life
August 31st, 2006 at 9:12 am
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September 25th, 2006 at 1:16 pm
obviously all of the small minded individuals who still look up to MAFIA figures and think that they are all powerful forget what Harry Coe did to thousands of people, many of whom were innocent and they also tend to forget cases such as Betty Lou Haber who’s daughter Lisa is married to a Traficante. Mrs. Haber did over 25 years in prison for killing her abusive husband and the Traficante’s did nothing for her. I myself am a victim of Coe who sentenced me to 27 yrs in prison for a crime I did not even commit followed by 10 yrs probation. After serving 13 yrs and 3 of my probation I am still being screwed by Coe and his people. I hope he’s burning in hell with the rest of his clan!
March 12th, 2007 at 6:42 am
Tampa Bay still has a thriving “crime family” although it’s not an italan mafia, just so no names are droped that shouldn’t be we will refer to them as “good ol’ boys” or what they are men of Business. the idea la Cosa Nostra is to conduct business secretly, the problem is movie,tv,news, books ext ext have marked the italan mafia so that anyone with an italan name is deemed la Cosa Nostra. trueth to modern day mafia is most “good ol’ boys” have no affiliation with a Crim family. (if you have a name you have a face)
local strip clubs, bars and night clubs would be ovious places to hide money on the other hand small businesses such as mom and pap stores ext ext would not be ovious to I.R.S. some one has to operate them, frount money to them “keep stock” and if you dig deep you’ll find that most are owned my the people that live in the big houses. example: in a small town just north of Tampa a small town called Dade City there are tons of small antique malls all owned by two men. to sum it up yes tampa has a crime family but you wont ever know who they are becuase there is no name to identfy them with. other than there just a cuple of good ol’ boys.
March 28th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Trafficante had a illgetimate son that is living in Northern Florida ,suppousedly waiting for the right time to take power.This guy has lots of horses and maids .He is a jerl though and a crack addict .He is sure to go places though once he gets of coke,he is strung out.HE declares to once worked with the family but left .
April 5th, 2007 at 12:10 am
Harry Lee Coe III was a self serving politician. He screwed many people over for his own personal political career. His hard line on offenders was simply a ploy for votes. He punished people for life for minor crimes, first (and only) time offenses. In Harrys mind there was no reabilitation or redemption or value for anyone who came before him. I think Harry killed himself when he was being investigated because he could no longer close his eyes and not see the hundreds of people he wronged in our judicial system. He could not live with his conscense. Harry was not a good man, maybe at some point in time he had good intentions but in the end, he was corrupt, greedy, dishonest and had no integrety.
April 29th, 2007 at 10:00 pm
This is 2007 Tampa Bay, the mob is not a Don or a capo, its TPD they have the market cornered.They are not as bad as the New Orleans PD(ever watch them on Cops?)they make the mob look nice.
June 18th, 2007 at 6:41 pm
I knew Steve Bodnar, I dated this guys and came about this by doing a paper for school.
I dont care what anyone said above, Steve was a VERY GOOD GUY too me for the year we dated. He worked his family businesses and his own. This guy was a work and sex freak. He could partey. When I first meet him I knew he was in the mob, but all that I meet Mom, Dad, freinds are so sweet.
I meet him going to Miami and he lived in the condo I did. He drove the nicest cars, and dressed well…and always had a girl or two, or three under his arms. we went out and he stopped for me
We flew in his plane,traveled the world with him.
he always had cash, and BIG friends around him sometimes, and when he was in court fighting, he would deal with “family biz” after that
What ended it was I wanted a life…He wanted power and had it. I had to go when his grandfather died and he was tossed the key to all. He was the new “BOSS” if that what you people call it. I left when he was up for three, four days, flying every place money was to be made and always carried two guns on each side, gun in the shower, next too the bed, and when he came in the door, with four large people behind him giving me a ticket home,
i knew the end of us ended.
In my findings for my law degree, I have found the Steve surrounded himself with important people, and made them all rich. They turned on him. Some are dead, some are poor, and I dont know what ever happened to Steve
June 19th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
c
August 19th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
‘dem mob boys is thriving-we ain’t profilin’
August 19th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
us mob boys is thrivin-we just ain’t profilin it!!!
September 5th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
My grandfather operated on a traficante after i beleive it was a car accident and im curious where i might be able to find information about it if at all possible?
September 5th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
Papers to look through archives, Tampa Tribune, La Gazzetta . Try contacting the guy who wrote “cigar city mafia”.
January 1st, 2008 at 9:40 pm
I lived in Tampa twice during the 80’s and found that in retrospect it is the most corrupt city there is outside of new orleans. I lived there too, pre Katrina and hated every minute due to its corruption.
While in Tampa I ran health clubs and met many of these mobsters, many of whom were nice guys but many who were just thugs. The thing I noticed that really set me on edge was how blatantly corrupt the cops were in Tampa. There was a brazen arrogance and integrity breach with every single cop I ever met there.
There is corruption everywhere: Bollito numbers being run out of a Ybor City cafe, speakeasy gambling trailers in front of a renowned car dealership straight out of a movie set, big time drugs being sold in all the clubs in the city–BIG TIME.
I once sold a car to a reputed mobster who took me to the Key bank to close the deal. There I met his cronies at the bank , all of whom tried to talk me down on my car sales price on behalf of the mobster.
the women of Tampa are a bit unusual too, in that they appear to be among the most submissive of women I ever knew and among the most willing to have sexual relationships for fun…The place is a mobster’s paradise the way i see it.
January 3rd, 2008 at 6:18 pm
You have fucking got to be kiding. La Gazzetta, H Coe, Scagllioni, Bonanno,
Key Bank, night clubs, law firms, HEALTH Clubs, titty bars..,
No PROFIT??? Then why do it? A basterd son in north florida.
Tampa PD corrupt?
He’s still watching and waiting. Dude., GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE AND DO WHAT YOU DO BEST! WHY walk away. You call, you keep in touch, But nobody, NOBODY, not even these ass holes… It will always be your. you will never lose waht is in your blood. Make Tampa what you grandfather made it 40 yrs ago. Time to come home, before there is no home.
I hope you see this my friend as we all are still here.
Note to above: Your ALL WRONG and CORRECT. But who is what???
January 27th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
I thought Vincent LoScalzo ran the Tampa mob.
February 8th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
You should be sued for slander. And arrested for being so stupid!
February 14th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
HA HAH HA , It started at the top wit ” Old habits die hard” Yes they do.
Let me say that I was an employee of Santos Trafficante then Loscalzo
and Bodnar that HAS a story to it. I am 78 years young, spent 4 years in prison and know all these people. I started in 1968 working for Trafficante as , a Lookout, a ” GO GETTER ” for Santos and did for years. Never made anything big from it. Saw allot. Did allot. Ah thats how it was. NOBODY will tell you what I know. I did my time, So Listen up.
EVERY last one of you are correct BUT… NOW THE TRUTH. And after 2 book, and these cable channels today.movies, A book from Frank Ragano that was more on Santos…But people don’t know all…well here it is. ( hey I’ll be dead of this cancer in a month. Whata I care) Santos had a bastard child. Pattie. Pattie
had Steven and Santos DIED folks in 87. LaScalzo was boss. I worked with people that that worked with LaScalzo and in 97 ( we all remember the trials…Key Bank) I was charged and looking at life..My people let me hang. Didn’t even offer help or offer to front a little cash. Im sitting in court and in walks Stevie. sits at the back of the room, when after him four lawyers I never saw looked at me and said ” we are here by Mr Bodnars request” and seven charges that got dropped, but one and I served 4 yrs. Now I new Stevie he was a good kid. Yes he is a Trafficante, Yes Santos is his LOST grandfather, and Yes was hidden from everyone..( There Mr Author, Didn’t do all your home work) . LaScalzo yes he is BOSS, but ran it into the ground. Titty bars, loans, drugs.. small times when put up to the old days. Steve made it with a name and low key deals. oh I could go on.
People the best part is BODNAR , S Trafficante III , and LaScalzo NEVER MET!!!! Steve went worked hard doing all that is above but had his own thing going and nobody knew…But the feds. Steve worked Tampa, miami, New York, Cleveland, Chicago, and so on with so called mob bosses with investments, hotels, charter services… It was like the kid was making them go straight by going BIG. All legal. LaScalzo never wanted to do investment . In and out of court. Key Bank issues with all. Steven Trafficante Bodnar NEVER served time. has yet to be ACCUSED of being a boss. Yes people remember him as a nice and mean guy. BUT, when mobsters are getting 25 to life and I get 4. Everyone in that room, Trafficante , LaScalzo , Dennis Alverez…all looked at Steve as if ” what the hell” . SO WHO IS THE BOSS!
I got out in o, 2001. Steve called me and said “Im flying in to miami and I want to see you before you die you old bastard” Big nice two engine plane and Stevie walk off by himself wearing jeans with holes in the knees, and polo shirt and tennis shoe. He walks up hugs me and says ” I want you to meet some people” we went to the Fontainebleau and Steve walks in, everyone looking at him and is seated the fastest ive ever seen, with four Cubans, And I end the story as its still in the works
Yes Steve is waiting, broke ? I say never two smart. Hiding ? Na. This was a tough kid. deals with movie stars, rock stars, business men from around the world. YES. he is steps above Tampa, NY, all.. and you say ” well what is he waiting for”? Who is he”
I’m an old man that lived it since back in the 50’s. JFK, Kings Court, Key Bank
I’ve seen it all . I’m real. I was there and will never forget a good friend that never looked away. Stevie. Mr. author, Go write a book on that. Look deeper, call Steve. This kid is about to make Las Vegas look like Lutz. He has people he’s with that want to build casinos and hotels around the world. you wish you knew him, you could write three books.
Ay one person ever ask each other…What happens when Castro dies. and who will have the upper hand
Nick
April 29th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Nick, real interesting! Thanks for the info
May 30th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Hey speaking of this Key Bank thing, does anyone know where I can get more information on the details of that? I was young when it all was going on, but I remember it being in the news. Please leave any info on here where I can get more information… Thanks in advance.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:16 am
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August 6th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
stevie you did it again. this 78 year old man knows. lascalzo your shit. let gotti tell you your friends and he moves in. and slaps you in the face. steven bodnat aka what ever steve trafficante bodnar - steven bodnar - you got them out. with only a small task force looking into org. crime you spoke german-russian-spanish and deal with the like of china - russia - japan. and always said keep an eye out for china. gotti will be in a fl. prision the rest of his life when all over.
just for stepping foot in tampa. steven bodnar deal with smart guys like anthoney salerno - gennaro langella - carmine pesico and walked away to build a smoother life. call an old man my friend before i die - i still never said thanks
as for the wise guy with key bank - santo III was involved with that - and nobody will talk of it.
August 8th, 2008 at 4:22 am
the little *itch with Jo-Jos’ son Jo’ Jo JR, are still living in st.pete. she runs a “matchmaking service” from flemmings, malios, the thitian inn (still) hangs with the owner of the dog track in st.pete R.W…. , her clients are going down hill fast, and theresa is still a coke head. hookers are the new speciality, oh and the classic “fishing clubs” for the local YC’s &CC’s are how they work their money. terry you said youve delt with 200 girls like me, well im #201 and Im singing like a bird.
September 19th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Well Nick I have seen alot of Mob guys killed in my life time many from cancer others heart attacks and other diseases and of course the many gunned down in their wars between Families as the public already knows Alverez, Coe, among many others have been mob connected. We all know the Tampa Courthouse is riddled with mob connected Judges as well as the US Dist Court. myself as a God loving and fearing man seems to be the right thing to forget the book writing for now given you have Cancer and are dying why not make it right with not only the Public here But with God your Maker. O yeah many don’t think there is a God I forgot, wonder why it is then All the Stars in the heavens resemble images of mankind must be some big mistake that only appears to us as we look up at the Stars. This is a new Era of Big Brother and a Newer one in the makings called A.I. While the Governments used the mob in the past for many of its dirty Task JFK, Hoffa,Cuba which once Castro is Dead nothing much will change there, his brothers and their son’s are ready to take over.Cuba will never trust the US Gov or the Mob again that I assure you and I’d bet if Stevie builds a empire of Cacinos there he’ll be just the Pawn Like Vagas wacked as soon as the empire gets underway. Not sure if you Love America as many of us do or that you have kids or grand kids. We all know that in the interest of National Security many things our Gov does or can do is kept hidden from us all.With this new wave and threat of terror in America its come to a point wherein if Americans don’t seekout and find the root of state and Gov corruption and expose these players publically perhaps in as little as the next three years you might not have a America anymore. Its long been predicted that world war,or new world order with society of Slaves ran by certain wealthy families which arent mob families will rule the earth.The next threat is the Earths changing course predicted by some to perhaps destroy the entire planet others say it will just shut all power down as we know it. Meaning anything ran by power will be useless. Whatever our fates about to be the evidence is clear and its near. And those at the vary top levels have and will use who ever or what ever to lay blame.As industry advances the need for human slaves becomes less needed industry takes your place and your job. To tell its near is the shifting of money, power to conceal thanks to GW BUSH jobs sent overseas and imported low wage labor.And to think democrats will change it all is a big joke. Freedom can still win God is on our side but the cost right now is vary high and its due to low level corruption bogging down our justice system by its corruption.While many think of mob as high level crime its not its med level. The High levels are the royal families in the making of the new world order. Hell Nick do the right thing use some other name here and just post the list of corrupt people here you know of no need to say anything else just list their names for the public to see so they can no longer hide and destroy our great nation and freedom as we have enjoyed because trust me in the NWO there will be no room for mobsters or anyone else who wants freedoms from Gov and the ability to make big money and have comforts in life.My father to was murdered with a cancer, I to am being murdered, look on the JFK home page look at all the witnesses who were murdered shortly after he was murdered and look at how the list of witnesses were murdered.I always respected that the Mob wasn’t communist but looking at the pattern in our history leading up to an now theirs a pattern our nation was soild out to the communist as JFK unfolded.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Thanks, twospooktwo.Glad to hear Mob’s not communist. Because the Communists are a threat to the American way of life even more so today. Eagles Up!
October 16th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Great blog. Both my parents are Sicilian and they can tell you why the mafia are evil. What kind of people like extortionists? Killers? Even in some ways terrorists. To think they have this rep of being religious, God fearing men in ludicrous. If there is a God, I am pretty sure I know where he is sending them.