Francesco Cucola was known as the Artichoke King during the mayoral administration of Fiorella LaGuardia. In the 1930s he was half owner of a large New York City produce company. In response to this burgeoning monopoly Mayor LaGuardia had prohibited the sale of small artichokes. Years later Cucola served as a button/soldier in the Genovese crime family of New York City. He is noted for having lured Luciano caporegime Little Augie Pisano to his death. Aka Anthony Carfano, Pisano was killed in a 1959 hit while driving his Cadillac through Jackson Heights.