John Morales (Bonnano crime family)

John Morales, also known as "Johnny Burns", was a Castellammare del Golfo, Sicily born Bonnano crime family underboss and relative by marriage to Bonanno don Joseph Bonanno.

Biography

John Morales was related to Bonanno crime family founder Joseph Bonanno through marriage and his right hand man, Carmine Galante was official Bonanno crime family underboss from 1956 to 1962, but Morales was the de facto underboss who was more trusted by Bonanno. John Morales also served as underboss to future Bonanno boss Frank Labruzzo for a brief period and later as "acting boss". John Morales was the family member who appointed Joseph Bonanno's son, Bill Bonanno as consigliere to the family. John is credited as being part of Frank Labruzzo's loyal faction in trying to take over the crime family which had sunk into turmoil in 1965. The Cosa Nostra commission then stepped in and took order of the family. After don Frank Labruzzo was forced to resign as leader of the Bonanno crime family, his father John Morales, and Bill Bonanno were removed from the family completely. John Morales was replaced by Paul Sciaccia.

References

• Bonanno, Joseph. A Man of Honor: The Autobiography of Joseph Bonanno. New York: St. Martin's Press, 2003. ISBN 0-312-97923-1