Italiano was a friend of Profaci family boss Joseph Profaci, they were from the same town of Villabate in Sicily. Ignazio was a produce salesman's and the uncle to Tampa mob underboss Salvatore "Red" Italiano. Italiano was one of the largest buyers of Profaci's imported olive oil. During the time Italiano operated in Tampa, the fledgling mafia was just getting their bearings under Italiano and other early Tampa mobsters' guidance. Charlie Wall was the boss of Tampa's underworld at this time. Italiano was involved in bootlegging which was big business, especially in Ybor City.