Anthony Scotto

Anthony M. Scotto (pronounced "SKOH-toh") (born May 10, 1934) is a New York mobster and labor union racketeer in the Gambino crime family who ruled the Brooklyn waterfront. Scotto achieved a high level of influence with several New York mayors and a governor before he went to prison.

Scotto grew up in the Red Hook Carroll Gardens section of Brooklyn. His father worked for the New York City Department of Sanitation and was a union organizer. Scotto attended St. Francis Preparatory School in Brooklyn. At age 16, Scotto started working as a longshoreman on the Brooklyn waterfront. Scotto studied pre-law and political science at Brooklyn College for two years, then dropped out.

In 1957, Scotto married Marion Anastasio, whose father was capo Anthony Anastasio of what was the Anastasia crime family. Marion's uncle was boss Albert Anastasia . As an officer of the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) Local 1814 in Red Hook, Anastasio used his position to control the Brooklyn waterfront. Scotto eventually joined Anastasio at the union local and became an ILA officer. In 1957, Anastasia was murdered and underboss Carlo Gambino took over what became the Gambino crime family. Enjoying an excellent relationship with Gambino, Scotto was soon inducted into the family.

Scotto rose to the job of clerk in the Local and then to recording secretary. In 1959, Scotto became the Organization Director at Local 1814.

In 1963, Anastasio died and Scotto succeeded him as head of ILA Local 1814. Called a "new breed labor leader" by the press, Scotto quickly rose into high level business and political circles. Scotto promised a new era of labor harmony on the waterfront:

"Who knows what you can achieve when there are reasonable men on both sides of the table?"

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