December 28, 2019 — The city of Springfield (MA) is threatening to pull licensing for the historic Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Society Social Club due to its alleged connection to the Latin Kings street gang. Springfield Latin King Michael (King Merlin) Cecchetelli and several dozens others were indicted in a federal racketeering indictment dubbed Operation Throne Down earlier this month. The indictment alleges Cecchetelli, 40, is the boss of all Latin Kings activity on the east coast and used the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Society Social Club in the city’s South End as a location to hold business meetings, including one where a murder was plotted. Mayor Domenic Sarno announced plans to discontinue the club’s liquor and entertainment licenses in recent weeks in response to Operation Throne Down dropping. Cecchetelli’s uncle, David (Fat Chicky) Cecchetelli, is a convicted bookie and Italian mob associate connected to the Genovese crime family’s Western Massachusetts wing and a longtime staple at the club. The Latin Kings are primarily a Hispanic organization. Fat Chicky Cecchetelli, 52, was arrested on illegal possession of ammunition the same day his nephew got pinched. Slain Springfield mafia capo Adolfo (Big Al) Bruno headquartered out of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Society Club until he was gunned down in the parking lot in November 2003. The crew’s reputed current leader, Albert (The Animal) Calvanese, an enforcer and loanshark under Bruno, reportedly makes the club the base of his operations as well. MassLive’s brilliant crime reporter and resident mob expert Stephanie Barry penned a story on the history of the club and its current woes this week. The club traces its’ founding all the way back to 1897 and the settling of Southern Italian immigrants from the town of Bracigiliano in the region, according to Barry’s piece. Barry broke the news of the club’s licensing issues.
