South End Syndicate: How I Took Over the Genovese Springfield Crew

by Anthony Arillotta

"The last days of the Roman Empire, if it were populated by snitches, gamblers, mobsters, lowlifes, and homicidal maniacs. In other words, this book is entertaining as hell. In chronicling one small, parochial, though notorious faction of the American Mafia in Springfield, Massachusetts, Arillotta tells the story of the whole damn thing. South End Syndicate is a worthy addition to any organized crime bookshelf."

—T. J. English, New York Times bestselling author of The Westies, The Corporation, and Dangerous Rhythms

On a hot November day in 2003 in Springfield, Massachusetts, local Genovese family Captain “Big Al” Bruno got shot five times with a .45 caliber handgun as he walked out of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel social club—a lit cigar smoldering next to his lifeless body. Since Vito Genovese took his empire north from New York City, a string of mobsters dating back a hundred years have operated in the Greater Springfield area. With this migration came murders, mayhem, treachery, criminal trials, and constant corruption.

Not until 2010 did authorities charge new Springfield Genovese boss Anthony “Bingy” Arillotta with Bruno’s murder. At the time, Arillotta’s connections spanned the Northeast—from the Patriarca family in Rhode Island to the Angiulos in Boston to the Gambinos and Bonannos in New York, and from Billy Grasso and Whitey Tropiano in New Haven to Whitey Bulger’s Winter Hill Gang. During his seven-year reign, Arillotta had beautiful women, total power, and millions in cash. But it eventually came with a devastating price.

South End Syndicate tells the untold story of a young man infatuated with Springfield wiseguys who rose from being a street criminal to becoming his city’s Mafia boss. How did a young Italian-American kid from Springfield work his way up the chain to become a Made wiseguy in charge of Western New England? Arillotta, now a free man, tells a timeless tale of power, money, and murder.


More Praise for South End Syndicate

“As a crime reporter for twenty-five years in Boston, I'd known only the mythology surrounding Anthony Arillotta. But the greatest Hollywood screenwriter couldn't compose a story even close to the reality of his life inside the Mafia.”

—Dave Wedge, New York Times bestselling author of Hunting The Inside Story of the Capture and Killing of America's Most Wanted Crime Boss

“Part Shakespearean tragedy, part gritty gangster thriller, South End Syndicate reads like a movie turned into a book. On par with Nicholas Pileggi’s Wiseguy—and the timeless film it inspired, Martin Scorcese’s Goodfellas—Anthony Arillotta’s book is an instant classic that will be read by Mob fans for years to come. Spellbinding.”

—Bob Batchelor, author of The Bourbon The Life and Crimes of George Remus, Prohibition’s Evil Genius

“Delivered in straightforward language, this tale of mostly street-level mayhem and misdeeds reads nearly like a diary, taking the reader along page after page. Because South End Syndicate establishes its bona fides so viscerally, it is impossible to put down.”

—Charles Farrell, author of (Low) A Memoir of Jazz, Fight-Fixing, and the Mob

“The real deal from a real gangster.

Genres: Audiobook, Crime

248 pages, Hardcover

Published September 17, 2024

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

The timeline bounced around a lot for me. I’d be reading about early 2010s and then jump back to the 1980s without much warning, so it didn’t flow as well as it could’ve. I also wish there had been some kind of “family” tree or at least an index in the back so I could look up people’s names. A lot of nicknames and a lot of name dropping! A relatively easy read, but it could’ve used a good editing.

[Gerard Perri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to see the relationship of the Springfield crew to the New York families. The writing will not win a Pulitzer, but the story is fast paced although somewhat haphazard. It will be interesting to see some of these places next time I am in the Springfield area.

[Shayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, fast-paced true crime story, I'd be interested in seeing this turned into a film!

[Angela Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never finished a book so fast. I couldn’t read it fast enough and didn’t want it to end.

[Desiree · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed revisiting the local spots and players stories but overall was disappointed with the delivery.

[Jane Weisner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Storytelling

The history of Springfield, Massachusetts organized crime beginnings is fascinating. Bootleggers started it all, but that isn’t surprising.
The story is a bit disjointed hopping on from one place or time to another, but all and all it is a good read. As a Springfield native I recognize places and people throughout the book. The crooked District Attorney who played handball at the Y with the mafia boss is an amazing aside to the story. I can see a very good movie being made and hopefully filmed in Springfield, Massachusetts. I look forward to the film.

[Bill Hoyler · Rating 1 out of 5]

The tough guy is a rat

People like this guy make me ashamed I'm of Italian descent. He and his pals extorting money from other Italians who worked hard all their lives to build a business and bragging about it is nauseating. Funny thing is they all think they're tough guys. I spent 5 1/2 years in Leavenworth during the mid 70's. Every wise guy there save one were rats

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hard to believe this is true. I’ve listed to a podcast about this, don’t was familiar, and the Worcester, Boston Springfield connection was intriguing. But wow…. How do people like this survive. Makes me question everything. Is everyone on the take? Mafia life is nuts

[Russell Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book

Fast read but alot of info that was new to me and very believable overall would love him to write.more specifically about his rackets as more memories come back to him i guarantee he has another book in him somewhere I hope

[Ariana Buckley · Rating 3 out of 5]

All over the place - the timeline jumps around a lot and some parts are repetitive. Definitely needs to be edited, and a family tree or some sort of map/key would be helpful as there are a lot of names/nicknames to remember

[Kristin Munasinghe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never judge a book by it's cover

This was a very good book. I truly enjoyed reading this and learning the history about The Springfield Mafia back then and now And how it all started.

[David Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a good look from their world.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been curious about this story, heard tales from family and friends, but I enjoyed hearing it from the horses mouth.

[Alexzandria Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative & educating! Growing up in Springfield & knowing some people in the book made it much more intriguing!!

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy read but all over the place. It jumps from one thing to another and then back again.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Life stranger than fiction" or "you can't make this stuff up" never more true!
Unbelievable story about the history and demise of organized crime in Springfield MA led by Genovese NY family. Brutal, no holds barred, tell all

[Brooke Herlihy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick non fic book bc I know some of the main characters lolll. Very poorly written but cool if you live in the area and want some lore