Mike Coppola
"Trigger Mike"

Coppola became a major figure in the New York Mafia upon the death of Joe Masseria in April of 1931. A highly regarded gunman to that point, Coppola was given control of many of the Bronx and Harlem rackets formerly controlled by Ciro Terranova, who slipped into retirement.

Coppola is believed to have taken part in the armed robbery of Magistrate Vitale's Bronx banquet in 1928 - a banquet some say was hosted by Terranova. That robbery and the subsequent recovery of all items taken exposed city government connections with the mob.

© 2007 T.Hunt
The American "Mafia"