The family originated as a bootlegging organization headed by the brothers Pete and Sam Carlino, which was later taken over by Giuseppe "Little Caesar" Roma.
Roma's organization evolved into the Denver branch of La Cosa Nostra, which became known as the Smaldone crime family.
Roma expanded the family's criminal operations into extortion, loan sharking, drugs, bookmaking, and other rackets.
This event drew attention to District Attorney Carr, who faced public criticism for his perceived lack of action in prosecuting the bootleggers, a sentiment that was further exacerbated by Mayor Stapleton's response to the situation.
Federal undercover agent Lawrence Baldesareli informed police that it had been Pete Carlino himself who had planned the arson, in order to collect the insurance money for the blast.
When the trial approached, Colletti had fled the area and Mrs. Carlino refused to testify in court against Mauro for fear of her family's lives.
According to police testimony on an unrelated matter, Lucille Crupi claimed that she met Carlino while in Milwaukee in early June 1931.
Operating from his grocery store as a front business, Roma became the de facto boss of criminal activity in Denver.
The three brothers, Eugene, Clyde, and Clarence owned and operated Gaetano's Italian restaurant, a popular spot in North Denver, for years.
The rise of the family began in 1933 after crime boss bootlegger, Joe Roma, was found riddled with seven bullets in the front parlor of his North Denver home.
Three years later he served time for the attempted bombing murder of a local man named Leon Barnes.
His son told reporters that despite his father's criminal past, he had a soft side and donated to local orphanages, churches, and schools.
Eugene's arrest record showed entries for auto theft, bootlegging, and income tax evasion.
Eugene along with Clarence, and a nephew, Paul Clyde "Fat Paulie" Villano, pleaded guilty to the charges which also included illegal gun possession.
After Eugene's funeral, a relative wrote to the Denver newspapers complaining of the pain the media had caused the family and pleaded to be left alone.