Raised in Canarsie, Brooklyn, Lastorino soon joined the Lucchese crime family under Anthony Corallo in extortion, loansharking and illegal gambling operations during the 1970s, and was recognized as one of the most notorious hitmen from the Brooklyn faction of the crime family. He was formally inducted into the crime family in 1987. Lastorino reportedly achieved great friendship and partnership with Anthony Casso and Vittorio Amuso during the mid 1980s, as the family leadership was turning in another direction.