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Unlike Hannibal Lecter, Chicago Mob Boss John DiFronzo Doesn’t Have To Hide

Posted on 07. Nov, 2009 by in Organized Crime

Johnny DiFronzo is a killing machine, one like no other. Shockingly, this killing machine is above the law. There seems to be no doubt about it.

DiFronzo is a very creepy figure, even down to his looks. His build is anorexic. His stubby finger, the permanent gash on his nose and his long horse face are topped by his Palmade cream hair style. He disgustingly slurps when he drinks his alcohol before he drives home illegally from the Loon Café in River Grove, Illinois, almost every day. He sounds like a character from the movie Hannibal Lecter.

Unlike the movie character Hannibal Lecter, DiFronzo seems to have immunity. Take the landmark “Family Secrets” trial. Nick Calabrese, the witness who’s testimony helped convict a number of the co-defendants, swore that DiFronzo was at the Spilotro murder scene. Despite this, the U.S. Attorney’s office has allowed Difronzo to live his life peacefully, at least so far. The testimony of Calabrese was good enough to convict the indicted, so why was it not good enough to indict the unindicted? What we have here in Johnny DiFronzo is a man that is capable of killing human beings and capable of being invisible to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has a reputation for possibly being the toughest prosecutor in the country, just ask the following individuals:
John Gambino
Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman
Former Illinois Governor George Ryan
Antoin Rezko
James Laski
Lewis “Scooter” Libby
Media mogul, Lord Conrad Black
Nick Calabrese (Chicago Outfit hit man who helped Fitzgerald’s administration convict several other Chicago Outfit hit men)
Jon Burge
Former Illinois State Governor Rod Blagojevich

I find it remarkable that Johnny DiFronzo has escaped prosecution from the Fitzgerald Administration. What does DiFronzo have that some of the aforementioned powerful and wealthy defendants do not? We know it is not his good looks. It is certainly not his twisted personality. Is it luck?

Some say its DiFronzo’s smarts which saved him from prosecution. I do not buy it. Footage of DiFronzo on the news with Chuck Goudie, which can be found on the internet, shows me a dumb man. Anyone of his caliber is dumb to speak to the media.

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  • Nick

    Joe Fosco should be in a mental hospital on suicide watch.

  • Joseph Fosco

    Dear Nick, Thank you for your concern. DiFronzo decided to murder me long before me publishing this article. Why should I be nice to him? On behalf of KTF Media Group, I thank you for your readership. Sincerely, Joseph Fosco

  • Anthony Anonymous

    Dear Joe,

    I find your articles interesting. Do you think the mob still operates here in Chicago or do you feel it is a thing of the past. What do you think happened to “Little Tony Zizzo,” and are you at all concerned about your own well-being?

  • Joseph Fosco

    Dear Anthony,
    On behalf of KTF Media Group, I thank you for your readership.
    I do believe the Mob is currently active in Chicago, however at a diminished rate compared to its halcyon days.
    As for Little Tony Zizzo, I honestly do not know what happened to him. My hunch tells me that he is dead. I hear some people suspect that he is in the witness protection program. I could probably find out more on the subject, assuming my hunch is correct. However, in order for me to start researching the matter, I would want the feds to make me happy by lawfully prosecuting Dr. Joseph Giacchino. When Giacchino is brought to justice, if the FBI informs me through my attorney that my research abilities would be appreciated, I would gladly roll up my sleeves to see what I can do to help them. I am not looking for money from the government; all I want is Dr. Joseph Giacchino to be brought to justice. The FBI could start with the HIPPA breach that Giacchino used to target me for the purpose of extortion. I have Giacchino dead-bang on that. Heck, I have him dead-bang on several things.
    As to the concern for my well-being, yes, I am very concerned. Some ask, “why are you risking your life doing what you are doing against the Mob?” My answer is simple. The Mob made the decision to murder me long before my decision was made to target them with lawsuits and articles. What difference does it make now.
    Sincerely,
    Joseph Fosco
    Publisher of KTF Media Group

  • Joseph Fosco

    Dear Anthony, after giving a bit of thought to your question about Zizzo, my feeling would be that “Outfit guys” from Cicero killed him on orders from Jimmy Marcello. Thanks for your readership.

  • NW SIDE GUY

    I love your web site!!!!
    Is it possible he is an informant (RAT)?

    Also all the media attention to his garbage company over the years gave them free advertising which in turn makes them more money!!!!!! They are laughing all the way to the bank.

  • Joseph Fosco

    Dear North Side,
    A double agent would be my guess.
    JF

  • http://www.nevo.no/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=29532 Flahloops

    Thank you! just what I need to read right now…

  • http://www.spike.com/blog/my-first-entry/80478 Forrest Lidder

    Fairly great article, genuinely helpful stuff. Never ever thought I’d discover the information I need in this article. I have been hunting throughout the net for some time now and had been starting to get disappointed. Fortunately, I stumbled across your page and got precisely what I was looking for.

  • Joseph Fosco

    Dear Forrest,

    Glad to help. Please search this site for other articles on DiFronzo.

  • Mark

    I think it is possible your conclusion is correct but it should be noted that in Family Secrets, Nick Calabrese’s testimony alone wasn’t enough to convict anyone of murder. It took either supporting physical evidence or Frank Calabrese Sr.’s wired conversations supporting Nick Calabrese’s testimony to convict the defendants of murder. In the instances where the jury was asked to rely solely on Nick’s testimony, the jury acquitted the defendants on those particular charges. Sorry I don’t have time to go through all of the cases but that was the conclusion Jeff Coen drew in Family Secrets.

    Any guess where JD and the crew are hanging out now that the Loon is gone?

  • The Don

    Joe, I think your article is excellent. To my recollection, and I could be wrong, there was no physical evidence proving Marcello was at the scene of the Spilotro Brothers murders. There was also no hard evidence from the Frank Calabrese wire taps either except for the fact that Marcello paid Nick Calabrese’s family $4,000 a month for his silence. They still convicted Marcello based mainly upon Calabrese’s testimony and the fact that Micheal Spilotro’s daughter said he had called the house a couple of times. Sam Giancana had a lot more power than Johnny DiFronzo 45 to 50 years ago and the government eventually turned on him (Mooney) and forced him out of power. DiFronzo doesn’t have that kind of power with the Fitzgerald Administration. THE REALLY ONLY LOGICAL ANSWER is that DiFronzo is probably a double agent.

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear The Don,
      I cannot disagree with you.

  • Father Guido

    on Zizzo, does anyone know if Zizzo could be an informant and is alive? is there precident in any case where the G lies about a missing OC guy and then they testify? What was Zizzo’s relationship with John D? Any info would be appreciated. Could Lombardo or Marcello order DiFronzo to be knocked down?

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear Father,
      I do not recall a situation where an informant was presumed dead and came out of nowhere to testify at a trial, not in the real world. Maybe on Days of Our Lives?
      Why would anyone want to knock down DiFronzo? He does not bother any of the other Outfit guys. Are you asking because of the speculation that Johnny might be a double agent? If that is why you are asking, I would say that his life would not be in danger unless he actually testified or is scheduled to testify against someone.

      • dom

        Days of Our Lives, LOL

      • Father Guido

        JF, days of our lives..funny. I didn’t think it ever happened but thought I would ask. As far as to why would anyone want to knock down Difronzo?
        I suspect if the right gangster suspected it, then it could happen. I think Jimmy Marcello could be entertaining the idea along with Lombardo at this time based on recent events. The speculation I’ve heard was that the G didn’t want to risk loosing a case to Difronzo, but that doesnt hold water because the G takes weak cases to trial all the time and they have Nick C. willing to testify. Who was Frank Calabrese Sr.’s boss in the outfit? Is there any chance that Nick Calabrese was not involved first hand in the Spilotro murders and that he lied on the stand?

        • Joseph Fosco

          Dear Father,
          Aiuppa was the guy that killed people based on hunches. In my opinion, doing anything serious because of a hunch is not reasonable thinking. However, in the world of gangsters I suppose it is a good way to be cautious and protective.
          Frank Sr belonged to Jimmy LaPietra.
          I believe that one of the cooperating Calabreses had indicated a very detailed description of the house and basement where the murders took place, which was accurate. Does anyone recall if it was the younger Calabrese?

          • dom

            Nick Calabrese the brother gave the description, he was there. According to the Tribune Calabrese testified that the subdivision was located off of Rt 83, turning left before Irving Park Rd. There were homes and brick walls, he said he remembered.

          • Joseph Fosco

            Dear Dom,
            Thank you for the clarification on which brother recalled the layout of the house.
            Yes, I know the house well. It is just west of 83 on a street named Bryn Mawr. It is on the south side of Bryn Mawr, approximately 4-houses west of 83. Actually, Bryn Mawr is closer to Thorndale (just a little south). The house is a bi-level. There is a little pathway right next to the house on the east side of the house that leads to a little park that is positioned behind the house and the other houses nearby. A brother-in-law to Lee Magnafichi owned the home that the Spilotro’s were murdered in at the time.

          • dom

            Joe: Yes, I remember you saying that in an older comment. I actually went by there one time out of curiosity, except I thought it was the second home. It’s the fourth? Maybe Nick Calabrese made a mistake between Irving Park Rd. and Thorndale, or maybe the Trib printed it wrong? Did the brother-in-law continue to live in the house after the Spilotro incident?

          • Joseph Fosco

            Dear Dom,
            It is approximately the fourth house; however, I am quite sure it is not the second house. The correct house has a pathway adjacent to it on the east side of the home. The pathway goes to a park.
            Yes, the brother-in-law continued to live in the house for sometime after the brutal murders took place. The brother-in-law quickly realized that something serious occurred in his basement because of the condition it was in when her returned. And days later when the Spilorto’s turned up in Indiana, Lee’s brother-in-law immediately concluded that it was his home that was used as the location for the beatings and/or murders. In fact, within a few weeks of the murders Lee’s brother-in-law openly discussed the situation with a minimum of six different people who all shared the secret with him until it came out publically in the “Family Secrets” trial. To this day, I am shocked that it took law enforcement all the years it did to solve the case. And in the brother-in-laws version, Johnny DiFronzo was present.
            Speaking of Johnny, I am just thinking back to a lesson he once gave me on secrets. He asked me if I have a close friend that I could trust a secret with. I said yes. And Johnny replied by saying, “and your friend has a close friend that he can trust with your secret; and that person has a friend; and so on and so on.” At the time I could not help but think of Lee’s brother-in-law and Johhny’s secret.

          • DOM

            Joe: Yeah, he’s right. There is an old saying, How can we expect someone to keep our secret if we are unable to keep it ourselves. Makes sense.

          • Joseph Fosco

            Dear Dom,
            Right.

          • Logic

            Joe–Magnifichi’s brother in law was an Eboli? I had thought the Spilotro murders occured in the house of Louie Mooch’s son or brother. If Magnifichi is married to an Eboli, thats another major Outfit marriage and something that I’ve said numerous times is a trend.

            The FBI has stated that the Tocco’s in Detroit operate so well and with so few rats because the entire family is intermarried (a lot harder to testify against your blood family than criminal associates). Therefore, one would conclude the Outfit has done this exact thing…wonder whether DiFronzo encourages that.

          • Joseph Fosco

            Dear Logic,
            You had thought wrong. The murders did not occur in an Eboli owned house. And, Lee was not married to an Eboli.

  • Black Angelo

    “The Don” and JF I beleive Jimmy Light will probably win his appeal. His bad luck he got stuck with a very conservative judge (Zagel) who was appointed by Raegan and let the prosecution due as the pleased.

    He was a prosecutor himself as he presided over the case. Their is no difference what happen with Lumpy and Jimmy than what happen with John Gotti jr.

    In Jimmy’s, Lumpy’s and Gotti jr.’s cases they (the G) basically took a RICO case that had already been served and slapped a murder in their to retry these guys on crimes they already served time for (besides the murder).

    The big difference I saw was Gotti got a more liberal minded judge that did not allow the gov’t to railroad him. He was still pro-prosecution leaning (but nothing like Zagel).

    Besides the fact none of the jurors believed the informant in Gotti jr’s case John Alite (In 4 different trials and re trials). The jurors in the Family Secrets case gave Nick Calabrese the benifit of the doubt. But Marcello should of never been convicted.

    As I said before I beleive he’ll be back on the streets real soon. Lumpy I dont know. His case is a tad bit different. But his case should of went state anyhow
    (like Harry Aleman’s murder) not Federal.

    By the way no one believes DiFronzo is a double agent. Their is no evidence but speculative b.s. I will say Frank Calabrese does not suspect this “even on wire taps Frank just knows Johnny DiFronzo is just a really smart guy.. very clever” and when Marcello was out in 2003 – 05 he never once suspect Johnny Bananas being a double agent or what happend to LT (Tony Zizzo) would of happen to Bananas I surmise. I’m not saying LT was a double agent though.

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear Black,
      How do you purpose the State of Illinois could have indicted Lombardo on a RICO related murder conspiracy charge?

      • The Don

        Black Angelo, Lumpy is never coming back. They had physical evidence to convict him on the Seifert murder. I agree that Marcello could possibly win his appeal. I agree with you that there is no hard evidence that DiFronzo is a double agent, yet. However, I disagree with you that nobody is entertaining the thought that DiFronzo is a double agent. If Lombardo is at least entertaining the idea, then you know other younger less experienced Oufit guys are at least speculating secretly about it. DiFronzo is the only Boss ever to have completely divided the Outfit into two separate entities.

        • Joseph Fosco

          Dear The Don,
          I agree with everything you have said.

  • Black Angelo

    JF, I know since 1992 (when Lumpy was released) there is no way for the G to prove he is apart of organized crime. All the guy did was work, be with his family and take trips to Paris, Italy and Switzerland. So if they in 2005 indicted him essentially on a murder case from 1974.. I would have to see if the RICO predicate could be used on him.

    Obviously they could of proved Harry Aleman was in organized crime in 1972 when he committed the murder that put him prison for the rest of his life in 1997 (when he finally got convicted). But Harry did not get prosecuted federally for some reason. The G tied in Lumpy’s organized crime activity of the 1970s to link RICO with the murder. So at the end of the day JF they could of went both ways (State and Federal).

    About Johnny Bananas I agree some might suspect he is a double agent. But he’s not like any other Outfit guy. A lot of guys (and I mean a lot) are very loyal to this man. Even if he was a double agent they would probably care less and or give him a pass. He made a lot a guys a lot of money. Even dumb guys are making alot of money (like Carl Dote) by putting them in legitimate businesses. And most importantly he SAVED A LOT OF LIVES throughout the years. These guys don’t forget that no matter what people say about him.

    If there is a true double agent a la Dick Cain type it would be Pat Spilotro. Yeah he seems very legitimate (he’s a dentist) but know one has benefited more from Organized Crime than him. And the money deals his brother Tony and Johnny Bananas set up for him. The buildings he owns, restaurants, and all the clients the Outfit got for him in decades pass is beyond extordinary.

    I see Dr. Pat on the news being a advocate of Anti Outfit affairs and trying to get Johnny indicted on his brothers murders. Also It was very ironic when Dr Pat was reading a victim statement to Jimmy Light and Lumpy.. When the families that where affected (the Seiferts) by his own brother was in the courtroom looking at this guy like he was nuts.

    Also another ironic twist if his brother Tony was alive he would of most definitely been apart of Family Secrets. I mean is this Dr Pat guy a joke or is this one big game. Is he gonna donate his Outfit millions to charity.. I doubt it. He knows who he is. I know Johnny is not worried about anything.

    I will say if Johnny is a double agent who is he beefing on ? Is he helping the G put together the true hierarchy of OC in Chicago ? He sure as hell didn’t help Burnstein on that 2010 Outfit chart lol. Like I said there is no evidence this man is a beefer, stool pigeon, or double agent.

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear Black,

      Off hand, I would think that the RICO predicate could not be used against Lombardo, based on the information that you have submitted in your previous comment. Judge Leinenweber tossed out my civil RICO claim because I waited until 2009 to file my complaint on an extortion conspiracy that began around 2001 thru approximately late 2006.

      Pat Fitzgerald was not the U.S. Attorney in Chicago when Harry was prosecuted. If he were, Harry would have been a defendant in the Family Secrets trial (had Harry not already been in prison). Harry was already tucked away for many years; therefore, Fitzgerald simply concluded that it was not necessary to waste the extra ink to include him on the indictment.

      Pat Spilotro would have to be a gangster in order to be a double agent. He is not a gangster.

      I do not condemn Dr. Pat for the initiatives that he has made to avenge those he feels are responsible for the deaths of his brothers. However, I am disappointed that the government allows the death of a reputed killer like Tony Spilotro to be used to generate sympathy. And I believe that Dr. Pat is dead wrong for concluding that Lombardo took part in ordering the hit on his brothers.

      If you noticed, all I have ever done is raise the question, ‘is Johnny a double agent’? I am unable to declare that he is a double agent because I have not seen him in court testifying against anyone. However, a dry snitch is a person that explains who’s who and where certain people frequent and what rackets they are involved in. Johnny would be one of the greatest dry snitches ever produced against the Outfit . Dry snitching is a big help to the government. I suppose if one is dry snitching on key players that it could be worth it for the government to look the other way on a couple of old murders that involve victims that were unsavory.

      • The Don

        Joe, I agree with you completely about Dr. Pat Spilotro, the dentist. He is wrong in blaming Lombardo for the murder of his brothers. The murders were ordered by Auippa & Cerone before they went to prison and carried out under the the new regime headed by Carlisi & DiFronzo. IT WAS TOO LATE for Lombardo to try and save Spilotro. The son of Spiltro, who I personally know, TOLD ME his father belonged to Lombardo ( Grand Ave. Crew ) as a made guy. His uncle Mike Spilotro was a soldier in the Grand Ave. Crew working under some other made guy in Chicago. Pat Spilotro feels that Lombardo could have done something about it because he had saved Tony previously in the same way Joe Gags saved Willie. The son knows Lombardo could not do anything anymore. The two Top Bosses were really pissed off about a lot of things AND GAVE THE ORDER. The ruse was that Tony was told to come back to Chicago to take the heat off him in Las Vegas and Carlisi/DiFronzo were going to recognize him as the new Capo of Grand Ave because Lombardo was going to prison for at least 7 years. They also told him that his younger brother, Micheal, was going to be ‘made’ so he could manage his own franchise and would naturally belong to Tony. Obviously, this was all a lie to get them together in Chicago so they could be knocked down. I do not know why the younger brother, Micheal, was knocked down with Tony.

        • Joseph Fosco

          Dear The Don,

          Cerone harbored bad feelings for Lombardo for many years, which stemmed all the way back to the days that Lombardo was with Milwaukee Phil, of course prior to Lombardo being adopted by Cerone. Cerone recognized what Lombardo was worth to him. Cerone appreciated a tough guy. However, Lombardo stayed with Milwaukee Phil, despite Cerone’s request that Lombardo work for him instead. Once Phil went away (and later died while jogging in the prison yard of a heart attack), Lombardo finally made it over to Cerone’s crew. Again, Cerone harbored a deep resentment for Lombardo because Cerone felt that he was second fiddle to Phil. Cerone’s ego was too big for him to tolerate any form of rejection, or even temporary rejection.

          Now take my example of Jack’s resentment of Lombardo and add his outrage related to the Spilotro’s, because of Tony’s behavior in Nevada, which eventually caused Aiuppa and Cerone enough heat to be indicted, and you are left with a clear vision of Cerone’s thinking regarding Joe Lombardo (and keep in mind that Lombardo always saved Tony from danger, which Cerone knew well).

          I will give you another example of Cerone’s treachery and jealousy. Back when Cerone owned Rocky’s Restaurant in Melrose Park, there was a young man that lived upstairs as a tenant. The tenant was a rough young man and Cerone really wanted him in his crew. However, the young man told Jack that he could not work for him. When Jack asked why, the man told Jack, “Because if you ask me to walk your dog, I will tell you no.” The poor young kid had no idea that he was making an enemy when he slapped Cerone’s face with his not so well thought out and naive comment, which was taken as a huge insult by Cerone. Cerone played it off as if he understood and was okay with it. Although the insult served the young man well because it turned out as being dumb luck for him. If the young man had joined Jack’s crew, he would likely be in prison today for life as a defendant in the Family Secrets case. Getting back to my example of Jack’s treachery and jealousy – years after the young man turned down Cerone; the young naive man needed a favor and thought that he could rely on Cerone for it. However, Cerone was already in prison, so the young man contacted Cerone’s son at his law-office leaving a message in hopes to meet with him to discuss the favor he wanted from the old man. Young Cerone never returned the young man’s call and that was an order from the old man.

          • The Don

            Joe, any story about Cerone doesn’t surprise me. Mooney hated him and let everybody know it. Mooney had Cerone’s number. I didn’t completely understand your statement ” when Lombardo finally made it over to Cerone’s crew “. I always heard that Lombardo was the Capo of his own group which was the Grand Ave crew. I believe he was one of the 6 Capos directly under Auippa & Cerone. Please clarify?

          • Joseph Fosco

            Dear The Don,
            Prior to any significant elevation, Lombardo became property of Cerone shortly after Phil went away.

          • DOM

            JF: Interesting story about Cerone resenting Lombardo. Was there a beef between Milwaukee Phil and Cerone?

          • Joseph Fosco

            Dear The Dom,
            I would not say there was a beef between Jack and Phil. Cerone harbored various jealousies over Phil as he did with several of Mooney’s guys. One thing I did hear from a reliable source is that Phil was highly respectful to Jack.

        • Logic

          How can Pat Spilotro remain in the open like he is? He didn’t go into witness protection…he still practices.

          What always surprised me most about the Spilotros was that Victor continued working for these guys and so did Tony’s other younger brother (can’t remember name). Victor owned that restaurant on Grand Ave…Michael and Tony were the two smartest, that’s why they were killed.

          Victor used to come into Suzette Bellavia’s restaurant alone all the time and eat by himself.

          • Joseph Fosco

            Dear Logic,
            Pat is pretty much retired and spends a great deal of his time outside of the State of Illinois. I am worried about him because he crossed Lombardo in what Lombardo knows is cold blood – Lombardo had nothing to do with killing his brothers.

      • Father Guido

        like Whitey Bulger from Boston.

  • The Don

    Black Angelo, DiFronzo has divided the Outfit into two separate entities. We’ll call group #1 The Elmwood Park White Collar Elite Group. The Top Boss of this group is multi-millionare John DiFronzo. The #2 is Joe Andriacchi. Each of these two Top Bosses have ‘made men’ directly with them who are basically all legitimate business people making money from construction, union bids, waste management, off shore gambling. Group #2 we’ll call the Cicero Blue Collar Outfit Group who make their money from bookmaking, poker machines, loan sharking & collecting street taxes from independant operators in their areas. If Jimmy Marcello wins his appeal, he will definitely be the Top Boss of this group. The #2 was Mike Sarno but I don’t know as of now because of his recent troubles. Each one of these men have guys that are direct with them plus they have Capos of other groups under them like Cicero, Grand Ave., 26th Street, Chicago Heights. GROUP #1 HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH GROUP #2. This is how it has been for the past several years. I’ve never heard of the term ‘DRY SNITCH’ but fully understand the meaning of it and I do believe it applies to John DiFronzo. In return for overlooking some particular crimes in the past, it would be very logical & practical for the Boss of Group #1 to be a ‘Dry Snitch’ and give some useful information to the Government to do as they wish against Group #2. In return, Group #1 will be left alone to prosper legitimately. If someone from Group #1 f**** up like Rudy Fratto, they will be banished from the group and be on their own. This is the new ‘OUTFIT’.

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear The Don,
      I agree with you entirely. And, I wish to declare that the Outfit is no longer the Outfit. It has turned into a Mafia with two major families, the DiFronzo Family and the Sarno Family. Whether they realize it themselves or not, the Outfit is gone and Chicago now operates as New York does, with a number of different crime families. I would say the new change was made in the early 1990′s when Johnny was released from prison. In fact, it is smarter this way because the Outfit placed too much responsibility on one man – the boss. And, the government placed too much liability on one man – the boss.

    • DOM

      Is the Hts. still involved? I believe that they are. With the exception of Black Angelo, does anyone know more about it? Joe?.. The Don?

      • Joseph Fosco

        Dear Dom,
        I am not well versed on the Heights these days. I would imagine that video poker and other rackets exist there today. I will check with some sources to see what I can learn. Thanks.

  • Black Angelo

    I understand JF you have simply raised the question that Johnny Bananas is a double agent (you have raised this issue before).. I just respectfully disagree. I wonder what Magnifichi thinks ?

    And Dr. Pat may not be a gangster but Dr. Pat has benefited tremendously from the Outfit. I’ve already explained this in yesterdays 9.44pm comments.

    Dr Pat’s 5 brothers chose the street life and you live and die by that life. Dr Pat wants it both ways. His brothers Victor and John understood this. In 1986/87 or so Johnny DiFronzo sent Angelini out to Vegas and San Diego to collect all the money Tony Spilotro left on the streets with all those agents he had.

    They got back all that money (in the millions).. Instead of being greedy as a boss could of been in that situation. Johnny and Black Sam had every right to keep that money if they chose. Instead they gave John and Victor (Tony’s other brothers) all that money to invest in or put out on the streets.

    Even if Victor and John thought that Johnny was involved in their brothers murders they understood it was not personal but Outfit business. As you well know JF (well I imagine you know).. Teets Battaglia had 3 brothers murdered by the Outfit in the 1930s but he never made a beef about it or sought revenge (please correct me if I‘m wrong about how many of his brothers where actually whacked). Anyhow Teets understood the “street life”.

    Another good example would be Tony Borsellino.. His two sons Joey and Lewis are legit guys. But they aren’t going around lobbying for their dads 31 year old murder to be solved (even though they know who did it) or what Wild Bunch guy needs to be brought to justice for that incident. Who knows maybe he is being punished now (hint hint).

    But the point is they know but they understood who their father was. Even if Joey and Lewis are legitimately worth 40 million (combined) they still know the streets and that life. Tony Borse raised his sons right. Tony Borse would honestly be ashamed of them if he thought his boys where working with the G to solve his murder. Very strange some would say but that is what it is.

    And let me tell ya Tony Borse’s sons was old enough to seek revenge on their fathers death in 1979. But old man Obrien didn’t even think about doing anything to them. The same goes for Dr Pat and the surviving Spilotro brothers after Tony and Michael met their maker.

    If Black Sam or Johnny Bananas thought their was going to be any “revenge seekers” or beefers the Outfit would of wipe clean the whole Spilotro family just on a hunch. But they didn’t because that is not how you conduct Outfit business (well back then).

    Dr Pat is trying to double dip so to speak and he has benefited more from “Outfit perks” than Tony Borse’s sons. I take issue with Dr Pat in trying to seek justice for his brothers murders. I really do. I know we disagree with this JF but I’m standing by this.

    If Tony and Michael was law obeying citzens I could understand. But Dr Pat knew what his brothers was or about. By the way Jimmy Light’s father also was a victim of the street life. But I actually think he sought revenge lol. Different circumstances.

    Oh by the way the G is still at a loss on how many street crews the Outfit has or any new made members. I will say the Outfit is probably very much dangerous now because certain rules no longer apply.. Like hurting innocent people. So if Johnny is “dry snitching” he is having fun with them (at their expense).

  • Black Angelo

    What in the hell is going on here JF and The Don.. I agree with The Don’s 5.13 am comments and JF’s 7.36 am comments. If you recall about 2 weeks ago I essentially made this argument to the both of you’s (JF and the Don).

    I was basically saying Marco Damico for the sake of argument is not made, but is a Made guy in the DiFronzo Outfit. He’s with Johnny and who cares if he was never made. I believe If this is true about Marco (not being made in the original Outfit) and the rest of his large crew.. well Johnny was up to something as far back as late 1970s or so. He’s notoriously always protected his EP guys going back that far.

    And allegedly Marco just recently turned down Fat Sarno on being made. This must of shocked Fat Mike. Maybe Mike Sarno doesn’t get it yet. Maybe Marco feels sorry for Fat Sarno because he doesn’t get it yet. Maybe Johnny, Pete and Marco got a laugh about this at the Loon Café in 2009. That he’s of another crime family (Sarno).

    And Marco said “No” (to being made) for reasons Fat Mike has not yet understood sitting in his MCC cage. JF and the Don read my comments on 25 January 2011 @ 9.06 am and 7.18 am on “Third times a charm Fratto hits Ashland” http://americannewspost.com/?p=1393

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear Black,
      Thank you for your argument. However, I am not going to have a pissing match with you over who said it first. As a side note, I have said it repeatedly for a couple of years on these threads (two Chicago organized crime factions). I have simply declared today that Chicago is like New York now. I do not believe that that was ever mentioned on these threads prior to today.

      • Joseph Fosco

        Dear Black,
        And, I am saying that the Outfit is gone – I am not saying that we have two Outfits in Chicago. We now have the Mafia, which is made up of two ‘families’, not Outfits. You see, the Outfit was called the Outfit because it was one organization, unlike New York. Therefore, you cannot say that we have two Outfits. Again, we have two Mafia families, at least two. If there are more, I am unaware of them right now.

        • Logic

          Joe-

          The different Outfit crews have always acted as different families to a certain extent. And you definitely have guys in the Elmwood Park group under Feech and Petey who are sidewalk soldiers (loansharking, extortion, etc.) such as Angelo Cassano. Furthermore, a lot of the Cicero relatives(who you call blue collar) are married to the Elmwood Park faction relatives.

          In reality, I believe what we are seeing is instead of four dominant crews, we have seen Grand Ave. and Chinatown merge into Cicero/Elmwood Park.

          • Joseph Fosco

            Dear Logic,
            If you think Angelo reports to Petie you are sadly mistaken (he wishes he reported to Petie). And, Feech as you put it (Michael) has been retired from his work relating to Johnny’s faction for several years. You are about 14-years behind with your information.

          • The Don

            Logic, Noone has merged with the Elmwood Park faction, least of all Cicero or 26th street. Cicero & 26th street are blue collar COMPARED to Elmwood Park. However, Elmwood Park is blue collar COMPARED to River Forest. Everything is relative, except your relatives.

        • p

          I’d say that what Chicago had in “the Outfit” was “the mafia.”

          It has been reduced back down to “the Black Hand.”

          • Joseph Fosco

            Dear P,
            LOL – no. If it were the Black Hand, we would have many killings and other mayhem going on every day.

  • Black Angelo

    JF, It’s not a pissing match I didn’t look at it that way. I just know Marco was protected in the 1970s for a variety of reasons. He was respected like a made guy. And got away with ALOT.

    You see Joe Nick did not protect his guys. Alot of people look at old man Obrien as this blood thirsty savage that liked to kill in the 1970s and 80s but all he did was went with what his capo’s said. (he did however order personally the Spilotro brothers to be knocked down).

    So if Joe Nick or Angelo LaPietra or Vince Solano thought a guy should “go” they got knocked down. O’Brien never really veto’d anything. Basically what i’m trying to say is Johnny Bananas saw this and saw what was happening and how reckless the Outfit had become.

    The Tony Borsellino murder in 1979 was the straw that broke camels back for Johnny I believe. Joe Nick should of protected that guy. He was not with Johnny or he (Tony Borse) would still be alive today.. like Marco, Bobby Abbinanti, Tony Dote.

    Johnny kind of this created his own crime family then and made sure none of his guys where MADE (if they hadn’t been up to that point)..but MADE with him. That way he could really protect them. You could also get away with pushing dope that way.

    ps I’m finally glad you declared this. I agree 110 % with you.

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear Black,
      I do not believe that Johnny would push dope, despite his Brother Joe’s criminal history, the fatal drug overdose of his son and the rumors that his grandson is an addict.

      • Joseph Fosco

        Dear Black,
        Oh wait, do you mean the Sarno family is the dope pushers? Now that I can believe.

  • Black Angelo

    I can agree with that JF up to a certain extint. But their is more than enough evidence to support that Marco and his crew sold dope out of wirerooms. You mentioned Johnny’s brother Joe. All i’m saying is in the 1970s and 80s and early 90s Johnny DiFronzo gave a green light to that. After his sons death YES he changed his toon on dealing dope.

    I have no evidence to support rumors his grandson is an addict. He seems like a law obeying citzen married with two lil kids. But his father did die of a drug overdose in the 1990s.

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear Black,
      Trust me; I am the last person to defend John DiFronzo. However, you are greatly mistaken if you think John DiFronzo is or was a drug pusher.
      As to John’s grandson, what does being married with kids have to do with being a drug user or addict?

  • Black Angelo

    It doesnt have anything to do with it. I’m just saying i’ve never witnessed it or heard that until just now. So therefore I have no evidence to support the “rumor” Johnny DiFronzo’s grandson is a addict. I just know he is law obeying and works for his great uncle Pete.

  • p

    Dear Joe,

    The gov’t supposedly has not one but TWO “upper echelon” dry snitches. (But, as we all well know, the gov’t probably have many more than that because there is no honor among thieves.)

    Joe, do you think it is unreasonable to think that the they could be none other than John DiFronzo & Louis Marino, since they were both accused—in open court—of having participated in the Spilotro murders? Interestingly, neither was included in Family Secrets or otherwise charged in connection with these murders. (I know that Marino might not be considered “upper echelon” in today’s world, but, in his day, he was no. 2 under Rocky. Maybe the gov’t thinks he’s a big fish?)

    I know nothing of Joey A. But, how the guy was able to hold such a high-up position in the organization without doing a significant amount of time since his hijacking days is beyond me. I’ve wondered if he could be singer no.2, and that’s why he’s way out there in NY. I’m sure he’s sick with cancer, as you’ve reported, but I wonder if he’s also trying to stay out of (potential) harm’s way.

    Joe, do you think Joey A. could have been involved in the Spilotro murders? He wasn’t in prison in the 1980’s. Come to think of it: it wouldn’t make any sense if he wasn’t involved.

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear P,
      I am afraid that we could speculate until the end of time as to the identities of the dry snitches.
      I am confident that Joey A was not at the murder scene or involved with transporting the bodies to Indiana. However, I agree that it does seem odd that he was not mentioned. One of my very close sources insists that Joey A was not on that job. Although, I would not be surprised if Joey was in a parked car on the corner keeping a look out with a walkie-talkie. There are many different positions that conspirators hold when a hit is being executed. We will probably never know the true status of Joe Andriacchi’s involvement in the Spilotro hit, if he was involved at all.

  • p

    Joe,

    What do you know about Louis “Tomatoes” Marino?

    What do you think about my theory of him having the dry beef? That would make sense, wouldn’t it?

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear P,
      I do not know a great deal about Marino. I have sources that do. Again, we could speculate until the end of time on who the dry snitches are helping the FBI.

  • p

    We need to take Goudie with a grain of salt, but he floated the idea out there years ago.

    —

    “Lombardo is housed at the federal lockup in the Loop, where Operation Family Secrets defendants have been abuzz at talk that Difronzo may be cooperating with the government, an unlikely scenario that defense lawyers deny.”

    —

    http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=4022980

    • The Don

      Joe, how tight are Marcello & Sarno? I know they both basically came from the same lineage. Marcello was direct with Auippa/Carlisi. Auippa used to be the Capo of the Cicero group in the old days before he became the Top Boss. At some point, Ferriola became the Capo of the the Cicero group and Sarno worked under him & Infelice. If, Marcello wins his appeal, He will either be the Boss of the ‘Other Mafia family’ or he will have his own smaller but tight family. So, there could end up being a Third Mafia family in Chicago. Hell, for that matter, the 26th street group under Caruso, might actually be a separate Mafia family. In conclusion, If Marcello wins his appeal and cannot take over control of the remaining crews, there could end up being as many as 4 or 5 separate Mafia families in Chicago! But, do not forget, the Elmwood Park family is completely severed from the rest. I believe Marco turned down being ‘made’ into the Cicero family because why would he want to belong to an inferior group most of whom will end up in prison. He’s better off ‘belonging’ to the Elmwood Park family which is far more powerful, more legitimate and more insulated from Federal prosecution for al the reasons stated including the strong possibility that Marco’s Boss is a ‘Dry Snitch’ in order to further protect all the wealth accumalated.

      • Joseph Fosco

        Dear The Don,
        Marcello and Sarno are well aligned.
        I am not so sure that Marcello is a masochist. If he became an active boss in organized crime, his days would be numbered.

        • The Don

          I don’t think he can resist the temptation! Look at what happened when he got out around 2002 or whenever it was.

  • Father Guido

    I am not sure I buy all this two family stuff, in the heyday capo’s had beef’s all the time and were seperate to a degree. What held it together was the top boss or bosses made a decision and all honored it, and that usually was in favor of the crew that had the most muscle or which crew made the top bosses the most money. I do not know Difronzo like some of you like, Joe seem to, but him separating from guys who are being indicted is not a shocking revelation. Cicero and Melrose Park, the local goverment, police etc. have been hot beds of federal law enforcement attention for decades. Separating from this attention could be considered wise. What proof does anyone have that the outfit is dead? If Difronzo gave Jimmy I an order he would not follow it? Is anyone saying that? Also for some historical perspective, does anyone have the story about a rumored beef between fifi and teets in which milwaukee phil almost attacked joe nick for siding with fifi? Joe, have you heard the story?

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear Father,
      I agree with you that DiFronzo would be wise if he is distancing himself from the heat. However, Marco has heat in him and DiFronzo did not distance himself from Marco. Organized crime in Chicago is clearly not managed under the structure of the Outfit. It is what it is – it is now two or more crime families.
      You ask if Jimmy I would take an order from Johnny D? Twenty-years ago, I would say in a second. Today, I would have to ask what the order pertained to before I could intelligently answer you.
      I am unaware of the situation among Teets, Phil, Fif and Joe.

    • The Don

      Father Guido, I believe I also read that story previously in one of those bullshit mob books. The paragraph on it gave the impression that Phil Alderisio was with Teets Battaglia( which I do not think is accurate) and that Ferriola was above Bucciere & Battaglia( which I KNOW was inaccurate and that Ferriola ruled in favor of Bucciere. the whole story is full of inaccuracies and sounds ridiculous

      • Father Guido

        I didn’t read it in a book I think it was in an old magazine article or something. It was vague. Maybe Joe’s guys can fill us in on the Teets Battaglia and Fifi Buccieri relationship. Giancana would have decided any beef between the two capo’s if there was one, no? What the story indicated was that Ferriola seemed to side with Fifi in a sit down and that Milwaukee Phil jumped up dramatically and physically threatened Joe Nick. Maybe it was bullsheet and never happened. The point I was making is that Capo’s beef and step on each others toes like Zizzo and Marcello and that top bosses like Difronzo step away and isolate themselves to stay out of jail like Paul and Joe B did. In regards to Teets, Fifi and Milwaukee Phil, I understand they were all behind Giancana, and when they were dead along with Paul is when Giancana was knocked down. I have another question about the current outfit. Is Mike Spano retired and in Joe Fosco’s sources opinion would Mike Spano be in the Sarno family or the Difronzo outfit?

        • Joseph Fosco

          Dear Father,
          Spano is not with DiFronzo. I doubt that Spano would want any further involvement with the rackets, but I could be wrong.

          • Logic

            Joe-

            Any personal experiences with Mark, Mike or Paul Spano?

            I would assume that Spano, like most made members is a career criminal. Jail for these people never seems to do anything and both Spano brothers have made millions working for the Outfit. Furthermore, his son Mark is President of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), a post he obviously attained (and retains) on behalf of the Outfit. Mark’s wife Rona is also heavily involved in union affairs.

          • Joseph Fosco

            Dear Logic,
            I have a cousin that used to work for Mark. I have briefly met mike Sr and I do know Mike Jr. I have no information of any interest on them. I believe that Betty Maltese would have some information on Mike Sr. I would be glad to pass any questions to her.

  • p

    Why was an Elmwood Park guy, Fratto, meeting with Mickey Marcello and Matassa as recently as 5 1/2-years ago to “bless” the expansion of Marcello’s video poker operation?

    Also, was Jimmy ever big enough to “make” new guys? I ask because Mickey was #1 in Cicero prior to Jimmy being (briefly) released, so I assume Mickey is made. And on those DOJ wiretaps, Jimmy can be heard saying, “I met all them ‘new guys’ before I went away.” I wonder if he’s referencing having “made” some new, younger guys. (Lou Marino and Solly D’s kids are mentioned, as well.)

    Hatch was observed putting his hands on Mickey prior to being gunned down, and Hatch was definitely made.

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear P,
      If that meeting really occurred, and if it was for the sake of a blessing, the only reason Fratto could have been there would be in an attempt to get in on the action in some dishonest way.
      I would say that Jimmy had the ability to open the books.
      I am not sure if Mickey is ‘made’, I do not recall. I will double check. His raging cocaine habit could have (or should have) precluded him from being ‘made’.
      Hatch had upset a few different ‘made’ guys prior to being murdered.

      • p

        The meeting occured, as per an Fbi affidavit. Apparently it was held at a place called at D Graphics, an Elk Grove Village printing company that was a reuglar venue for Outfit meetings.

  • p

    Dear Joe,

    Unfortunately, James Marcello looks a little worse for wear at 0:18 in this little video:

    http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/marcello_life

    • The Don

      Joe, who is the Capo of the Chicago Heights crew? What is the relationship between Sarno & Caruso?

      • Joseph Fosco

        Dear The Don,
        I have no idea what is going on in the Heights these days, sorry. When my father was active in that area, Frank LaPorte, Al Pilotto and (in latter years), Al Tocco were they guys that were in charge. I will check with one of my sources to see if I could determine who might have the power in the Heights today. Sorry I am not up to speed on the Heights.

        • The Don

          Joe, do you think Sarno & Caruso are tight? Do you think Sarno supplied the poker machines to the 26th street crew for distribution in their area. Supporting the theory of there being at least two different Mafia groups in Chicago, you’ll notice there are no poker machines in Elmwood Park.

          • Joseph Fosco

            Dear The Don,
            Johnny had the poker machines outlawed in Elmwood Park about 13-years ago. Sorry, I have to check with one of my sources to determine the level of closeness between Caruso and Sarno.

  • Cousin it

    Dear Joe,
    Please explain what it means when someone says, “that town is all mobbed up.” Please don’t say that this simply means there are video poker machines in the establishments in that particular town. I understand perfectly that the presence of these machines is a good indicator that the outfit is in that town, however I always hear that places like E.P. is all mobbed up even though the machines do not exist there anymore. So when someone refers to E.P. being ‘all mobbed up,’ what does that mean exactly?

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear Cousin,
      I have never researched the subject that you are asking me. In my opinion, I would say that it means that the Outfit has control over the town’s administration and police.

      • The Don

        That is exactly what it means. It also can mean that Outfit guys live in the area. Melrose Park would be a classic example.

  • Black Angelo

    “The Don”, I have no idea how tight Tootsie is with Sarno. But I do know Tootsie is very-very tight with Bobby Abbinanti and Marco Damico. Bobby A and Tootsie used to be partners (i.e. they used to commit home invasions together and hang out on Rush together all the time.. Bobby used to beat people up for him and Tootsie was in the unions at the time and got him jobs like being a truck driver etc. before Bobby went into the window industry).

    Marco and Tootsie also went in together as partners in alot of hot dog stands and Italian beef stands throughout the southside and westside. The Caruso’s and the Barbara’s are heavies in the trucking industry. While the Lamantia’s was still active in Juice loans. Rocco doing time now for robbing a pawn shop owner that was into him for alot of cash. Joe Nick’s kid Nick was in charge of gambling or had got some rank before his gambling arrest.

    The Caruso’s was told by Johnny Bananas and Apes to move out of that area right around the time (1997.98) Tootsies kid Frank jr. was bringing heat because of that racial incident with the black kid. All the Caruso’s moved out to the western suburbs. Tootsie actually near his friend Abbinanti.

    Apes before he died called in alot of New York guys to do heavy work and also handle different affairs for his crew (oh around 1999). Apes had contacts out East (as well as his right hand Shorty Joe LaMantia).

    Tootsie is like Johnny Bananas in that he is well insulated and keeps a low profile for the most part. Those East Coast Fellas are still here (they hang out down at Chiams on Wentworth or used to).

    I believe the 26th street East Coast Outfit guys are responsible for the murders and disappearances of Ronnie Jarrett, Michael Cutler, Tony Zizzo, and Nick LoCoco and who knows who else.

    Alot of people/ media believe that Fat Sarno or Jimmy Light had something to do with Zizzo’s disappearance but I believe Tootsie did Casey (Szaflarski) a favor in late 2006 and knocked down Zizzo..

    So the 26th street crew could fully control the video poker racket. I would imagine Johnny is def getting a piece of this action (or was). Again these East Guys I believe (as well as others) came out of circulation and went into action for Toots and Bananas.

    But I reiterate the Elmwood Park (DiFronzo Outfit) and the 26th Street crew are very close. If only because Abbinanti and Toots Caruso are like best friends of 40 years. And a lot of Elmwood Park guys own a lot of buildings and restaurants in the Bridgeport area.

    Although I must say Tootsie’s guy Ray Tominello has vast vast real estate holdings and properties throughout the Bridgeport-Southside area. As well as Ray’s partner Tommy DiPiazza.

    I also heard maybe a year ago Johnny DiFronzo bought out his partner Jackie Cerone Esq. for the rest of the ownership of the Italian American Club in Chinatown. But Johnny held the majority of interest in the place throughout the 1980s and 90s anyway.

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear Black,
      Would you be kind enough to provide copies of the corporation and/or property transfer, which are public records, to support your claim that Johnny bought Jackie out of a legitimate business partnership in the last year? Thank you.

    • Green Angelo

      Joe,

      Black Angelo is either batsh*t crazy, or he is simply making things up at this point. Please keep an eye on this and, if need be, request that Black Angelo scale back his commenting activities. It’s becoming too weird to handle.

      Thank you.

      (PS–Short Lamantia wasn’t made, so the idea that he has the clout and contacts to import some NY mafia figures to commit murders for the Chicago Outfit is just plan stupid.)

      • Joseph Fosco

        Dear Green,
        Thank you.

  • Black Angelo

    JF, I “heard” this in about 2009. That is the key word “heard”. And I believe it was part of the building where the Italian American Club is. So Jackie Esq. and Johnny DiFronzo may still get a piece of the place.

    Johnny DiFronzo owns a lot of real estate, property, businesses (via juice loans) and has alot of assets. Trying to find his name or a “front” corporation on any of his assets or holdings is like trying to find a needle in a hay stack. But let me know if you find anything. Thank You

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear Black,
      I do not intend to search for evidence of what property Johnny owns or does not own. My question to you was loaded. I wanted you to admit that you have no idea of what you are talking about. Thank you.

  • Black Angelo

    You wanted me to admit I had no idea what I was talking about lol (Coming from the horses ass as they say). It’s no different then what you do on here everyday or claim you know with you ANECDOTAL stories from yesteryear.

    I will say this I believe you grew up in Elmwood Park. That I believe without a doubt. So your just like any other Italian kid in the nieghborhood. But do I believe you ever met John DiFronzo or Pete DiFronzo. I gotta tell yeah NO I dont.

    You dont have any EVIDENCE you met them (groupie pics w/ them, wiretaps etc.) And if you have met them I will be a man and apologize. But I dont think you can prove it. Even if you could prove you met them.. Their is no way in HELL Pete or Johnny would talk to you about anything Outfit related.

    Then you say off the wall stupid things like Johnny’s grandson is a addict. I mean really ? Can you prove this GOSSIP ?? your batsh*t crazy for saying something like that.

    And then you finally declare just this week that their is 2 Crime Families in Chicago. Why didn’t you declare this when I said it two weeks ago ?? I mean its laughable. And for the record All you’ve ever stated on here was Johnny DiFronzo was of a elite faction. That is a far cry from TWO different crime families. Hell an elite faction in the Outfit goes all the way back to the Paul Ricca days. But the Outfit was still one crime family or monopoly.

    When I declared their was two Outfit families. You decided to declare this 2 weeks later for your own shock value. A smart blogger would simply not alienate his readers (bad for business). Because a smart blogger knows more than anyone he will have to answer to this same credibilty issue some day.

    ps Your RICO lawsuit.. FYI the Federal Judge thought it was laughable that’s why it was thrown out in expeditous speed. So please prove to me and all your so called readers on here you know the DiFronzo’s personally. That is a loaded request by the way.

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear Black,
      Thank you for your opinions. However, I will not feed into your negativity. And, please be advised that I never once asserted that John DiFronzo III is in fact a drug addict. I merely indicated that such information is a rumor. I apologize for assuming that you understood the meaning of the word ‘rumor’. Again, thank you.

      • The Don

        Black Angelo, I know you’re going to get upset when I say this, but I can vouch for Joe Fosco’s knowledge about the Outfit and his relationship with Willie Messino, Lee & Mike, Cerone Jr., & Difronzo. I’ve even tested Joe by asking him a couple of obscure questions where I already knew the answers, and I have to say that he was very accurate with his responses. I’ve also found, that when Joe doesn’t know the answer to a question, he ADMITS IT, In particular, concerning questions about the other street crews like Chicago Heights or 26th street. He was tring to tell you in a non-direct way in the past, that there are indeed at least two different Mafia groups that are separate in Chicago. There may be more depending on how unified all the other street crews are under a couple of Top Bosses. Elmwood Park is a separate Mafia group. It has been for about 15 years. Elmwood Park is what I would call a ‘White Collar’ Mafia family. The Outfit that you and I knew doesn’t exist anymore. In conclusion, I would say Joe Fosco is very credible especially about the history of Elmwood Park crew and the crew of Sam Battagia from the past.

        • The Don

          Black Angelo, Joe Fosco never said that John DiFronzo discussed Outfit business with him. He merely stated that he was surprised that Johnny told him that Joe Gags brought him into Elmwood Park years ago. So what? That’s a very minor point of no legal consequences. If Joe said that Johnny told him about a couple of guys he murdered, then I would agree with you. However, that was not the case. My uncle said in front of different relatives on several occasions who brought him into it. Everybody already knew and just nooded their head and kept eating their ravioli.

          • Joseph Fosco

            Dear The Don,
            Johnny told me that Joe Gags brought him into “the picture.”

    • james meeeks

      black, did difronzo tell you that he never met joe fosco? the same way he told chuck goudie that he does not know marco… lol. Difronzo had this to say to goodie about marco, “i dont even know who he is.”
      see, http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/iteam&id=6705293

      • Joseph Fosco

        Dear James,
        The first time I saw the Goudie piece with Johnny lying about knowing Marco, after he was caught on tape having lunch with him, I decided to give Johnny the benefit of the doubt. I considered the possibility that Johnny might be senile. At which point I became concerned about his ability to drive safely in the community. Therefore, I wrote a letter to the River Grove Chief of Police, asking for an investigation into whether Johnny DiFronzo is driving the streets of River Grove plagued with senility as he leaves the Loon Café (which is now closed) after drinking several alcoholic beverages. Chief Loni never responded to my inquiry, which lead to me writing this article, http://americannewspost.com/?p=489.
        My article about Chief Loni leads to this article, http://americannewspost.com/?p=510

        • The Don

          Joe, I stand corrected. You did say ‘picture’. I guess from hearing about Joe Gagliano, Willie Messino, John DiFronzo etc. for so many years , the first words that come in my mind are ‘Elmwood Park’.

          • Joseph Fosco

            Dear The Don,
            I did not mean it in a harsh way that would cause you to feel corrected. I was simply clarifying it. Thank you.

  • Seamus McDoorknob

    Black Angelo said this:

    + + +

    “Alot of people/ media believe that Fat Sarno or Jimmy Light had something to do with Zizzo’s disappearance but I believe Tootsie did Casey (Szaflarski) a favor in late 2006 and knocked down Zizzo.. ”

    + + +

    One of the highly placed Outfit snitches revealed that Sarno was at loggerheads with Zizzo over video poker, and that it was Sarno who orchestrated his murder and disappearance. Supposedly, the feds are going to use this during his sentence. What gives you the idea that Toots was involved?

    You seem to believe a lot of outlandish things, such as, “Apes before he died called in alot of New York guys to do heavy work and also handle different affairs for his crew (oh around 1999). Apes had contacts out East (as well as his right hand Shorty Joe LaMantia). “

  • Jeffrey Mutt

    Joe,

    Wasn’t it that anonymous commenter with the handle “!” who introduced the idea that Johnny DiFronzo, the grandson, was into drugs? (Actually, I think that was about 1 year ago.) To my knowledge, it has never been stated with any certainty since that time. And to be honest, it’s really not that interesting of a topic.

    Black Angelo seems to be living in a fantasy world of obscurity and supposition. Frankly, it makes the threads difficult to follow. I can follow other readers’ postings and conversations just fine and without very much difficulty until I come across one of Black Angelo’s 2,000-word screeds about “Tootsie” and “Marco being ‘made’ WITH DiFronzo.” Then I usually give up.

    Anyway, moving on … Joe, in your opinion (if you have one), is Frank Caruso similar to D’Amico insofar as he’s a person who has significant name recognition but who, in reality, isn’t really that big of a deal? Caruso’s name pops up in the news from time to time, and I believe that he was mentioned, peripherally, in the Sarno trial–but isn’t the jury still out on whether or not Caruso is even made?

    I mean, everyone thought that Shorty LaMantia was “made,” too, and he was arguably an even more prominent figure than Caruso during Angelo Lapietra’s reign down in Chinatown. But, within the last few years, LaMantia was revealed to have only ever been a bit player or a gofer who made pick-ups and delivered bribes, and who only presented himself as being a made guy when he was out of an earshot from the real guys. He had powerful friends, at best. I wouldn’t be surprised to find that out about Frank “Toots” Caruso, as well.

    I got a kick out of this article a few years back: http://blogs.suntimes.com/mob/2007/07/the_humiliation_of_shorty.html

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear Jeffrey,
      Thank you for your comments about Black Angelo. In addition, I have received other complaints about him via email. Therefore, I will be restricting a great deal of the nonsense that he inserts into the threads on this site.
      In my opinion, I would say that the media hype about Caruso is similar to the hype about Marco – the media tends to make these fellows appear greater than they really are. In the past, I have been unsure of whether Toots is ‘made’; however, I tend to believe that he is ‘made’, based on more recent information that a source had shared with me.

  • Black Angelo

    You know Jeff Mutt. If you don’t like what I have to say. Then just move on and don’t read my comments or essays lol. That’s If I do decide to comment on here anymore. And if JF wants to modify me (like he’s the heavy hand of the law). Than so be it. I certainly and I mean certainly will not lose any sleep over this development if true.

    This will ultimately affect the integrity of this website if he does do that. If he does this a true reader on here will see JF is scared of me because he knows I’m the only one that will “check” him or his so called sources or anecdotal stories.

    This will also become a tyrannical run website (which is not good for a blogger to start doing). I normally would not start calling JF “out“ so to speak, but JF done this to himself by his name calling for simply somebody disagreeing with him.

    I can admit when I’m wrong. And sometimes my sources get things off a lil bit or my memory is not as sharp depending how far back a said incident happen. The Outfit and what’s left of it is very secretive and hard to figure out.

    But lets face it in and around Chicago and throughout the Chicagoland area. Or even in Miami, Vegas, or Phoenix areas there is a lot of guys that know about the Outfit or have anecdotal stories to tell about the Outfit. Inasmuch JF is no different than anybody else on here. Nothing special.

    FYI there are certainly East Coast transplants in Chicago. But their Outfit affiliated (a la Louis Eboli, Roy Carlisi, DiMaggio brothers just to name a few). I’m not saying Fat Sarno was not involved with the Zizzo disappearance, but I do believe the East Coast guys did the hit/disappearing act. The East Coast guys belonged to Apes and then Toots inherited them for most part. .

    And these East Coast guys specialize in disappearances from what’s been told to me. Now who ordered the 2006 Zizzo kidnapping or 1998 Michael Cutler murder (just to name a few) are up in the air ?? I believe it was Tootsie. As well as the “contract taken out” on the Cook County Judge in 1999 that presided over Frankie jr case.

    The FBI notified the Judge and told him straight up “your life is in grave danger and this is serious”. Toots more than likely was behind that contract. He is a very powerful man and swift with action, deadly action. Not only is he powerful in the Italian community but also in the African American Community (amongst the churches and lethal dope gangs).

    A good point of Tootsie’s vast power and respect would be when his son “The Prince of Bridgeport” Frank Jr. went to prison in 1998-2000 he was never once assaulted by any of the black street gangs (Black Disciples, Gangster Disciples, Vice Lords, 4 corner hustlers, Mickey Cobras, El Rukns etc. etc.) while in custody.

    When Frankie was in the Cook County Jail in 1998 ready to be shipped off to Joliet for processing. Word was put out on the street via Apes 26th street crew to all the black gang chiefs that Tootsie’s son was not to be targeted for revenge (for the people that read this and don’t know about this…Frank jr. was convicted of beating up a young black kid really-really bad).

    Anyhow the black gang chiefs in all the aforementioned gangs honored this and sent word to all the IDOC prisons to their associates if Frank Caruso jr. came to that prison he was to be respected and not harmed in any way.

    One gang (I believe Mickey Cobras) offered to watch over Frank jr. just in case another gang did not honor this request. Toots may look very unassuming (like a lot of the 26th street guys). But trust me Tootsie is not some kind of Joke. Or after-thought like some on here tend to think.

    If Frank Jr. had not been Tootsie son. And just some regular old white kid from Chicago accused of doing what Frank jr. did (a hate crime). That white kid would have been DOA once he hit Joliet or Statesville for processing and especially in 1998. Trust me.

    Toots is powerful, very-very respected amongst the masses but very low key type. However these Caruso’s and their “associates” can turn into ANIMALS in a minute if provoked. Is Toots Caruso a “big deal” ? unequivocally YES

    And it is most certainly a fact Toots Caruso and Bobby Abbinanti are very close friends. Shorty Lamantia was certainly no joke either (especially when Apes took over). Nice guy if he liked you though. East Coast guys loved Shorty especially Sonny Franzese who he did time with at Milan. Apes loved Shorty also.

    JF, Sorry this is so long. A lot to say. Anyhow JF what do you know of Angelo Cassano ? And who does he belong to as of now? I’m curious. All the Cassano’s are capable guys right ? Also what did your source say about Toots ?

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear Black,
      The issue that I have with you is that you have wrongfully called me a liar in response to me challenging your facts. Because I think your information is incorrect many times, does not give you the right to call me a liar. There is a big difference there.
      I appreciate your opinion of Toots. Keep in mind; I never referred to him as a joke. In the past, I commented that his and/or his families respect for Jackie Cerone, Esquire, seemed inconsistent to me with the treatment that DiFronzo gives Cerone. Therefore, I question the Carusos understanding on who’s who of the Outfit. However, I do realize that Toots is well respected and feared among a great deal of young people. I am aware of the rumored relation between him and Joey Andriacchi. I am not impressed with people that would attack a child with a baseball bat and stop at nothing in an attempt to manipulate justice on behalf of a child abuser. I am also not impressed with the three or four-on-one beating that they gave a senior citizen (who I know) a few years ago over something stupid.
      Based on my recent assessment of the Carusos, I will now – for the first time – refer to them as a bunch of jokers. I am not impressed with your allegations that Caruso has connections to criminals in New York, nor am I impressed that Caruso has connections with gang-bangers on the streets of Chicago. In fact, I would be embarrassed if I had connections to gang-bangers.
      As far as I am aware, Angelo Casano is on his own. The Casano brothers have always made money, not a lot of money, but they do make money. The last time I saw Angelo, he was hooked up to a department of corrections ankle bracelet and confined to his mother’s apartment building in Melrose Park (approximately 10-years ago). He had a mobile home in his mother’s backyard so he could have special meetings with a number of feminine individuals without having to disrespect his mother by bringing those people into her home.
      As far as your question goes about my sources opinion on Toots, why bother asking someone (me) that you claim is a liar? In fact, why read anything and comment on anything purportedly authored by a liar?
      Lastly, you should accept that if Caruso were truly as powerful as you suggest, his kid would not have gone to prison for one minute, no matter how much heat was on the case.

      • DOM

        Well put.

  • Black Angelo

    Information can always be incorrect JF. It’s like if you write an article about Dr Gaichiano being involved in murders or kidnappings. Is no different than me saying Toots has connections to some capable guys from New York.

    It’s all speculative and lacking HARD facts at the end of the day. But if the Dr is ever indicted or a bunch of guys with East Coast connections are ever indicted then now crediabilty will be established.

    Because if you had a shred of any evidence that DiFronzo and or Giachiano was a murderer they would be locked up. However that does not mean I think you are lying or that you information is incorrect many times. Sometimes all you have is a good source but no proof. So therefore its up to ones interpretation. If you write all these articles and nobody is ever indicted what does that mean??

    Actually I believe your Hannibal Lector story on DiFronzo. Only because I’ve heard from a very old source Johnny use to run around with William Heirens back in the mid 1940s. And your story coupled with knowing what Heirens was all about in terms of murder is to much of a coincidence. But again I have no facts and neither do you. Maybe you should interview Heirens he’s 82 and still alive. But he’s very hush hush I heard about his past and his connections.

    But you do know JF.. Cerone and Joe Gags saw something in Johnny Bananas at a early age that they thought would come in handy some day. And that was his ability to torture and kill. He most definatly earned his “Bananas” moniker. So your Hannibal Story I beleive to an extent.

    As far as Toots goes I’m not trying to boost up his street cred or how powerful he is (that speaks for itself). His son got put in a situation that involved a lot of media and race was involved. That is not a good recipe for getting anyone off scott free (even in Cook County). But I do know he is “alleged” to have murdered any witness to the crime his son was involved in.

    And even according to the FBI put a contract out on a sitting judge. Think about it JF in the last 30 years how many witnesses have been murdered before or during a Outfit related trial. Not many if just that one at all.

    And when your son is going to prison in the Illinois Dept of Corrections (a systeom that is predominately gangs and predominately black) for a hate crime against a black kid and he is white.

    You bet your ass you better have some connections to those black street gangs, because they run them joints with a iron fist and would of loved to kill or savegly give Frank jr a beat down for what he did.. Just to say they murdered a reputed mobsters kid or a rascist.

    Toots did what he had to do. And Frankie jr. was NOT in protective custody during his stay. A lot of people in Chicago was surprised when he was released that he came out just fine. But people that know Toots and his connections where not surprised by this. I’m sure he didn’t want to have to reach out to the black street gangs. But in that situation he did what he had to do for his sons survival. So I do not blame him.

    And you can be almighty powerful JF and still go to prison (sometimes it’s just out of your hands). Ricca went away at the height of the Outfits power and corruption in the 1940s. And Sam DeStefano who was known to corrupt any Cook County Judge went away to the IDOC in the late 1960s.

    Shorty LaMantia got his son Rocco off for a very-very blatant murder !! And he did a better job of getting his son off than Marcy and Cooley did for Harry Aleman. Because they cant retry Rocco. Does this make Shorty a big deal or powerful ?

    Toots is a very likeable guy, but at the flip of a switch he can become very sinister and evil. Especially when direct family is involved or his businesses. He’s kind of like a Pablo Escobar type in that sense. But not as flamboyant in his day to day life.

    By the way there is nothing wrong with challenging anyones facts, but only as long as they can challenge yours. That is fair I believe and anything else would be chalked up as hypocrisy. Thank you for your response on Angelo.

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear Black,
      The information that John Kass and I have written about Dr. Giacchino simply raises questions about his possible role in those murders. You are wrong to compare my questions to your incorrect information that you misstate as factual, just as you are wrong to call me a liar. Thank you.
      We have discussed evidence that Johnny DiFronzo was involved in murdering the Spiotoros. It was the same evidence that came out in sworn testimony during the Family Secrets trial, which convicted others. If you wish to make a point about DiFronzo not being locked up, please talk to the prosecutors about it, not me.
      I never suggested that the Caruso kid would have gotten off scot-free if his father were truly as powerful as you claim. There are alternative sentences, especially to first time offenders, than prison. You have probation, boot camp and home confinement. I will reiterate and clarify that a powerful man in Cook County would have been able to secure an alternate sentence to prison, no matter what heat or media coverage would bring (it was not a murder case).
      Again, I am not impressed by the assertion that you have made that Caruso has connections to gang-bangers. We all know that gang-bangers could be bought off by anyone with a little money and nerve to contact such an element.
      Again, your mistake was made by calling me a liar. Calling someone a liar is not challenging someone’s facts, its outright insulting.
      Lastly, Mr. Black Angelo, I have allowed your final comment to be shared on my threads. And do not try coming back as anyone else. Have a nice day.

      P.S.
      If you send me harassing messages again, I will work with the authorities to have you prosecuted.

  • RIP Black Angelo

    Joe,

    I think your assessments of the current status of and divisions within the Outfit are very interesting and very accurate.

    Perhaps another way—a broader way– to think about it is this.

    LCN has always been the “substructure” of the Chicago mob. The central figures have always been Italian or Italian-American and few in number. I’m not saying it hasn’t had some extremely important and very powerful Greek or Jewish figures; I’m just saying that the absolutely indispensable people were Italian (e.g., Capone, Ricca, Accardo, Mooney, and so on, plus their immediate advisers).

    The LCN substructure supported a “superstructure” of:

    -nationally dispersed soldiers, associates, connection guys of various ethnicity

    -gamblers

    -corrupt state and federal politicians

    -bureaucrats and civil servants on the take

    -union officials

    -Hollywood and other entertainment figures

    -legitimate business owners

    -restaurant and tavern proprietors

    … all of whom insulated the top guys extremely well–for a time, anyway.

    The big picture, the whole phenomenon WAS the Chicago Outfit, which, in an extremely perverse way, was a thing of beauty. I honestly believe that up until the 1960’s or 1970’s, the Outfit was the most powerful O.C. group in the history of the United States. It really was the “Supermob,” as one writer has referred to it. And there hasn’t been anything comparable since its heyday when it functioned like a well-oiled machine. Lumbo was once heard referring to it as “the system.”

    This “superstructure” has been whittled down to almost nothing because of deaths (natural and otherwise) and the efforts of law enforcement; as a result, the old-timers, the top guys who go back to Mooney & Accardo, are no longer as well insulated, so they keep their distance. And why shouldn’t they? They’re all millionaires many times over, legitimately. Why should they risk life imprisonment and their fortunes over a few measly poker machines sites or outstanding gambling debts from deadbeats?

    The “Outfit,” per se, is gone, as you’ve observed. This leaves two factions. The wealthy, privileged faction is retired but remains capable and therefore poses a threat. Remaining is the network of loosely-affiliated crews that eke out a living in the traditional rackets.

    This, you call the “mafia,” and I believe you are correct.

    If, in its glory days, the Chicago Outfit was a magnificent, ornately-festooned Christmas tree (to borrow Frank Sr.’s metaphor), all that remains now are the trunk and a few spindly branches.

    Do you think that my semi-historical, semi-structural description is accurate?

    It will be interesting to see what happens when the DiFronzo brothers and Andriacchi either die or go to prison. The Chicago mafia might then have a chance to shore-up what it is left and gain power. Obviously, however, it can never recoup what it once had during the Accardo era. Not even close.

    — — —

    As a side note, I might be a little worried if I were the DiFronzos. Remember, smaller grievances aside, Paul Castellano was murdered primarily because the rank-and-file Gambinos perceived him as an obscure ivory-tower elitist who was more focused on legitimate business than rackets. Castellano‘s attitude and business practices alienated the rest of the organization, bred resentment, and ultimately created a situation in which the common thugs couldn’t flourish as common thugs. The young turks, the street guys, knocked him down in the end.

    Sound familiar?

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear RIP,
      I believe that your description is very accurate. And under old-school circumstances, I would agree with your worry that DiFronzo could be knocked down for the reasons that you have explained. However, I am somewhat convinced that todays ‘young turks’ do not have the necessary ability to knock down someone of DiFronzo’s stature. Maybe?

      • The Don

        I also think that Castellano really only had one guy direct with him and that was Bilotti. He kept a distance from his ‘Captains’ as they call them in New York and essentially isolated himself. Difronzo, like other Bosses in Chicago, have their own crew. Giancana, Auippa, etc. have their own ‘made men’ That are direct with them for money making purposes and protection. DiFronzo is no exception.

        • The Don

          Joe, I read the article about DiFronzo having lunch at the Loon Cafe. Whoever wrote the article is an idiot. The guys that were there with DiFronzo were all HIS GUYS. There was no one there from Cicero, 26th street, Chicago Heights etc. Declaring him the ‘Undisputed Boss of the Outfit’ because he met with HIS GUYS is ridiculous. Also, saying that Marco D’Amico used to run The Elmwood Park crew is also ridiculous. However, the most stupid part of the whole thing was DiFronzo actually talking to the newsman telling him he doesn’t know D’Amico and then later saying he hadn’t seen him. Very entertaining!

          • Joseph Fosco

            Dear The Don,
            I agree with you on all points. I enjoy the fact that DiFronzo impeached his own credibility on video for the world to see.

  • Teets

    Hi Joe,

    Teets here. Good conversation on this blog today.

    Why do you suppose that Rudoplh the Rednosed Fratto and Mikey Magnafichi weren’t present during the Loon lunch? Surely, they’re DiFronzo’s guys, too, even though the whole crew has been deactivated.

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear Teets,
      Michael and Johnny have a rich history, no doubt. However, the two do not care that much for each other to make regular visits to see each other. And, Rudy is simply a nuisance to Johnny.

  • Teets

    Is Black Angelo really banned? He wasn’t even on my short list of troublemakers.

    In fact “horsey f*art” “Harlem Playboy” “Logic” and “the Don” were on definitely there, instead.

    Joe, can you share the details of the harrassing messages that Black Angelo was transmitting to you via wire, which, if persistent enough, is most defintely, definitely a crime?

    Joe, take care, and God bless American News Post, and may the wheels fall off of Mr. Messino’s white SUV!

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear Teets,
      Yes, Black Angelo is really banned. In three years, he is the second person that I had to ban. I will not be pointing a spotlight on his harassing comments. In fact, I threatened to have him prosecuted if he continues as a way to deter him from going too far. Truly, I do not want to have to prosecute anyone, if I do not have to. All I want is to have appropriate conversation.

    • The Don

      Teets, Why would you mention me on a short list of troublemakers? I only lost my patience with Black Angelo one time. I actually think I did very well with him.

      • Joseph Fosco

        Dear The Don,
        I agree with you.

        • Logic

          I also disagree with Joe from time to time, but I’m always respectful. Welcome to America, where people have different points of view.

          • Joseph Fosco

            Dear Logic,
            Exactly, thank you.

    • Not a big fan of TEETS

      Dear Joe,
      Please remove the comments made by TEETS!
      He is a windbag!

      • Joseph Fosco

        Dear not…,
        I will keep an eye on it.

        • Stop Teets a.k.a. Hitler

          Joe,

          Please closely monitor the commenting activities of Teets. He included me on his sh*t list.

          • Joseph Fosco

            Dear Stop…,
            I will keep an eye on it.

          • Teets

            Oh, I see. Internet tough guys, right?

            I’ll have you know that while I am not an Internet tough guy nor am I one of the publisher’s of this website, it is my habit to call ‘em like I see ‘em. Yes, you are all troublemakers, unfortunately.

            (YOUR COMMENT HAS BEEN MODIFIED – confidential matters are forbidden on the comment threads. Thank you, American News Post)

          • Internet Nice Guy

            Dear Joe,
            The comments posted by the reader known as Teets are very disturbing. He is falsely accusing some of your most prolific and interesting readers as being troublemakers, when in actuality, it appears that he is the only one causing trouble.

            I think I speak for many of the other readers in asking you to please ban him. This way we can all get back to some really good conversation.

            Thanks Joe, your the best!

            P.S. Can you expand on the ‘confidential matters’ in the above post and why they were not allowed.

            P.S.S. No offense Teets, but nobody really cares about your silly accusations
            anyway.

          • Joseph Fosco

            Dear Internet…,
            Unfortunately, I am unable to ban someone for the reasons you have described, although I can certainly apologize on behalf of American News Post for any discomfort you may feel. Thank you for sharing your concerns.
            Teets once participated in a technical issue with our administration, which is no big deal. However, our policy is to keep administrative matters off the comment threads. Thank you.

  • Guy from Bridgeport

    Dear Joe,
    Quick question for you. Do most guys who get out of the can go back to the outfit in higher statured positions?
    Mainly because they didn’t flip? Wouldn’t Marco be a good example of this? Also, Ronald Jaret before he died?
    In all seriousness, do you think that someone like Gio will come back to a higher position in the outfit if he wins his appeal? Was he ‘made’? Is the guy that threatened you (who you later got on video) a made guy or is he just a soldier?
    What about the policeman? I think his name was Scavi? Do you think that he is gonna be an outfit made man when he gets out?

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear Guy…,
      It is up to the boss who is promoted and why. There is no rule that mandatorily rewards people for doing their prison time. Gio and Scavo are not gangsters (meaning they are not ‘made’). I cannot speak for the boss, therefore, I cannot intelligently predict if Scavo will be ‘made’ when he gets out. Personally, I think Governor Ryan’s chances of being selected by an Outfit boss for being ‘made’ are greater than Scavo’s chances.
      The guy that I have on video is a soldier.
      As a side note, my sources tell me that Scavo is crying like a baby in prison, which is typical among high-ranking police officers.

  • Mr. Rubbishbeard

    Joe,

    There is a marked difference between being “wrong” and being “off-base.”

    An example of being “wrong” is the statement, “The Harold Washington Library Center is located in Rockford, Illinois” because, in reality, it is located at 400 S. State Street in the city.

    An example of being “off-base” is the statement, “The Harold Washington Library Center is not a good library because it serves the absolute worse cheeseburgers that I’ve ever tasted.” Obviously, this is off-base because the HWLC is a not a purveyor of burgers; instead, it is a disseminator of information and provider of various Internet and media technologies.

    For comments to be off-base, per se, there has to be a fundamental misunderstanding. In other words, the commenter has to have absolutely no idea whatsoever about what he or she is talking about.

    Unfortunately, Black Angelo was a purveyor of misinformation, AS WELL AS absurdly off-base information.

    Perhaps it is best for the ANP website and threads that you have given Black Angelo a little time to reflect on his behavior in the threads. Maybe after a while, after he has had a chance to reevaluate his approach to commentary, you could possibly consider reinstating his discussion privileges.

    Thank you.

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear Mr. Rubbishbeard,
      Thank you for the lesson. I appreciate it. And, I have considered your suggestion about making Black Angelo’s time off the threads temporary. He will be allowed a second chance to behave beginning on March 1, 2011. However, if he makes one more comment that is inappropriate, he will be gone for good.

  • M.T.P.

    Hey “The Don” ~

    It seems to me like it’s something of an honor to be in Teets’ crosshairs. His list of troublemakers comprises this site’s more entertaining and well-informed readers. Teets, himself, seems to be a total space case, as he has clearly made a hobby out of exploring the remote world inside his own head. Don’t sweat it.

    Joe, on another thread someone introduced the names John Rainone and Marco DeVito as being some seriously rough figures. Do you think they could have gotten their stripes under Sarno or Marcello? Who are some of the guys who might have been made recently?

    I’m also curious on the status of Joe DeVita. In the past, you characterized him as, “a low profile high-ranking boss of the Chicago Outfit (in recent years he is directly under Johnny DiFronzo), primarily involved in Chicago Outfit gambling enterprises abroad.” Do you still by this assessment, or do you now consider him to be a more independent player, seeing as there is no more Chicago Outfit, per se? (If he’s independent, it must be nice to have all that cash. And, as I understand it, the legality of gambling interests abroad is fuzzy, but it’s more or less legitimate according to what I’ve read.)

    Is DeVita made?

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear M.T.P.,
      I never knew Marco DeVito to be a gangster or a fighter. The last time I saw John Rainone was during one of my court dates on my civil RICO case. His father was in front of the same judge that day. He told me “Joe you have bigger b@lls than anyone I know,” as a reference to the case that I filed against DiFronzo. Before that day the last time I saw John Rainone was sometime in 2005 or 2006. I was at The Melrose Park Clinic eating a chicken leg in the kitchen when all of a sudden he came running up to me tackling me on the ground where we wrestled until a couple of women broke it up. lol. I was extremely worried that my $1,800.00 Cartier platinum framed sunglasses (that I replaced twice, though not for being assaulted) could have been damaged (good thing not). I got up (luckily I was not stabbed like the others that he jumped at the Super bowl party a year or two prior) and walked to my car; drove to the store and bought a new shirt because the one I had on got ripped; and I went on a date for the afternoon and enjoyed a nice cocktail on Rush Street. Apparently, Giacchino set it up because he was not really my friend. Of course, at the time Giacchino explained to me that he had no idea that John would jump me. I asked Giacchino, “What is the harm? I only paid $100.00 for the shirt.” I was relieved the sunglasses were okay.
      Apparently, Rainone jumped me because he was upset that I made a comment to someone weeks earlier that his father was a snitch, which he is.
      John Rainone is not a gangster.
      I updated my assessment on Joey DeVita somewhere in one of the threads, indicating that he is more of a retired person these days. I am not sure if he is ‘made’.

      • The Don

        Joe, I read in one of the earlier threads a short discussion on dope. I KNOW FOR A FACT, and I think you would agree with me, that being directly involved in selling dope was a big NO NO with the Outfit. The closest it ever got was in the form of ‘juice loans’ that were sometimes made to clients who then used the money to buy dope and sell it. Sometimes the borrower lied about why he wanted the money so it was a hard thing to control. On the other hand, sometimes Outfit made guys who approved the loans had a pretty good idea of how the money was going to be used. That being said, there was never any approved buying/ selling ‘hands on’ involvment with dope. I believe this rule applied to all Outfit members which included the soldiers who worked as the collectors for the made guys. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I remember hearing that Cardi, an Elmwood Park soldier, was dealing dope on the side and went to prison because of it. When he got out, he was knocked down.

        • Joseph Fosco

          Dear The Don,
          I agree with you across the board.

      • Logic

        Joe–

        Speaking of Rainone, rougher figures and Melrose Park, what is Rocco Circelli up to these days?

        • Joseph Fosco

          Dear Logic,
          I have not seen Rocky since the time we were at a wake in Melrose Park, right after he was released from prison. He appeared to have resentment toward me, which he truly has no good reason to be mad at me. I did him a big favor once. From what I hear, Rocky has worked as a limousine driver and a pawnshop attendant in recent years. He no longer has a place working for the Outfit.

          • Logic

            Joe–

            Thanks for the anecdote. He used to ride motorcycles with a childhood friend of mine, hence why I ask. Always knew he was a two-time crook…maybe he’s working for the Chiaramonte or Piscitelli limo companies that seem to hire all the ex-thugs when they get out of prison.

  • Logic

    Joe-

    You have stated numerous times that Magnafichi is no longer involed in the Outfit. However, if he was indeed a “made member” as numerous FBI reports have him, I don’t understand how he could simply walk away. The oath these guys take is meant for life…and while its somewhat of a joke in 2011, the Chicago Outfit obviously takes it seriously enough to still have only one made member who has ever flipped (quite impressive when compared with other borgatas). If Family Secrets happened in New York, we may have seen all of the bosses flip.

    Also, though Magnafichi is “done” as you claim, he can still be prosecuted and indicted for crimes committed in his years as a gangster. Therefore…he could easily flip, especially on those he no longer respects.

    So I guess my question is…how can this guy just walk away and still be alive? Obviously the Outfit is capable of killing in this day and age.

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear Logic,
      Michael is done simply because DiFronzo and Andriacchi are not active in Chicago. I suppose if a case were made to charge Michael with murder that he would be prosecuted; or if it could be proven that he operated as an Outfit guy in the scope of the Outfit in the last 10-years that he could be prosecuted; if a crime was committed.
      Michael is free to walk around and not be killed, again, because he has been deactivated. Michael did not resign; but nonetheless he is deactivated (not active). I think its dumb luck on his part. Because of the decisions of others, Michael (in my opinion) has not been active in roughly 10-years, which should put him in the clear; unless a murder could be proven; and in my opinion; I do not think that Michael ever murdered anyone; and I believe that he played a role in saving my life.

      • The Don

        Logic, Not only has Michael been deactivated from the Outfit for at least 10 years, ALL the made guys who are with DiFronzo & Andriacchi have been deactivated. In other words, The entire Elmwood Park lineage was purposely severed from the Outfit over 10 years ago. They are basically Legit. Michael & his father, Lee, are/were well respected men from what I always heard, similar to Joe Gagliano the old underboss to Cerone from years ago. When someone becomes a problem/ nuisance to the Elmwood Park ‘family’, they will be deactivated from Elmwood Park. Example, Rudy Fratto. In my humble opinion, IF Fratto is not cooperating with the Feds and is released from prison at a later date, he will either be on his own or maybe the Cicero group will take in as one of their made members. Joe, would you agree with all my points?

        • Joseph Fosco

          Dear The Don,
          You da man!

      • Logic

        Joe–

        I went back and re-read your story on Magnafichi…was this “blonde woman” the wife of another organized crime figure? Its rare to be “sheleved” as they say in the mafia. If he is indeed no longer active, I’m sure he looks behind his back. No one “cleans house” like the Chicago Outfit. Was Magnafichi listed as potential threat to Nick Calabrese by the FBI along with Pete DiFronzo, Mattassa, Caruso and others?

        • Logic

          Joe Magnafichi was listed as a threat to Nick Calabrese by the FBI in 2002:
          http://blogs.suntimes.com/mob/2009/04/who_were_the_biggest_threats_t.html

          I would assume the FBI were well-aware of Magnafichi’s status in the Outfit at that time, given their informants and surveillance. Was this right before he became inactive?

          • Joseph Fosco

            Dear Logic,
            I contend that Michael has been inactive for approximately 10-years. The article that you are referring to is only a few years old.

        • Joseph Fosco

          Dear Logic,
          No, the blonde woman is not the daughter of another organized crime figure. Yes, the media listed Michael as a threat to Nick Calabrese.

          • Logic

            Joe–to clarify, that was a list from the FBI and US Marshals Service that Warmbir had his hands on. It was to help the FBI make the case for Calabrese to be put in witness protection. Maybe Calabrese had been in prison so long that he was not aware Magnafichi was shelved, though wonder why Magnafichi and not other known killers like Gerry Scalise or the Spizziri brothers were not on the list.

  • f@rt on a horsey b*ner

    Joe, why is The Don, da man!?

    Hey, how do you think Michael M. makes his living? 10-years of “retirement” would certainly reduce who is living even a moderate lifestyle. Please explain.

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear f@rt…,
      The Don is ‘Da Man’ because he (as the Outfit would say) is ‘on the know’.
      I have no idea how Michael makes his living. If I had to guess, I would say that he is being romanced and showered with gifts by a beautiful woman.

  • f@rt on a horsey b*ner

    Sorry Joe. Allow me to clarify. I meant to type:

    “Hey, how do you think Michael M. makes his living? 10-years of “retirement” would certainly reduce the fortune of someone who is living even a moderate lifestyle. Please explain.

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear f@rt…,
      I have no idea how Michael makes his living. If I had to guess, I would say that he is being romanced and showered with gifts by a beautiful woman.

      • The Don

        f@rt…, I think you are WRONGLY assuming that the word ‘Deactivation’ means very little income. The Elmwood Park group makes their living from Construction, Waste Management, Off-Shore Bookmaking ( which is legal ), Union Contracts, Real Estate Investments/ Management etc. The way the businesses are operated on the top level & the way they are intertwined among the made guys who supervise them under the direction of DiFronzo & Andriacchi is very involved and would be too complicated to write down in a thread. But, make no mistake, there is a lot of money being earned, it’s just not coming in from street activities like Bookmaking, Loan Sharking, Poker Machines etc. DiFronzo, Andriacchi and their men (which would include Michael Magnafichi who is with Andriacchi) DON’T CARE ABOUT Cicero or 26th street or poker machines or street booking. The Cicero Group and whoever is under them run all that stuff.

        • Logic

          Joe-

          In your opinion, do the DiFronzo brothers take meetings at D&P/JKS? This video below clearly shows escalades and Range Rovers coming and going on a regular basis, which I can say from experience are not the typical vehicles favored by contractors and construction types.

          Also interesting that Joe DiFronzo appears older than both brothers…I would assume that’s from a decade spent in prison, given he wasn’t released until 2007.

          http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/investigative/Chicago_Mob_Construction_companies_contracts_West_Suburban_communities_John_DiFronzo

          • Joseph Fosco

            Dear Logic,
            According to one of my sources, the DiFronzo brothers have burned bodies in an incinerator, possibly on the grounds at D & P.
            I did not think Joey D did 10-years in prison.

            On an entirely different matter, a source told me recently that Johnny DiFronzo and Marco are the true backers standing behind Bobby Abbinati in his recent takeover and refurbishment of the Loon Café in River Grove, Illinois, which might be called My Way very soon. I wonder who will be fronting the place for the convicted felons. I doubt the liquor commissioner gives a hoot.

          • Logic

            DiFronzo seems to have a few Elmwood Park pols in his pocket. Senator DeLeo for instacne has done business with mobsters and JP Banks, yet continues to serve, as well as Skip Saviano. What are your thoughts on Silvestri and Mola? Obviously DiFronzo has some clout in these towns, hence the liqour liscenses I’m sure are easy.

            Interesting to hear Bobby bought the Loon…great info Joe.

          • Joseph Fosco

            Dear Logic,
            Well we know Silvestri uses D & P, however, I am not sure that he is a bad person. I have no idea about Mola.

          • Logic

            Also very creepy re: incinerator.

  • Mr. Rubbishbeard

    Joe,

    Thank you for making Black Angelo’s banning only temporary. You are a very reasonable man.

    Dear Not a big fan of TEETS and Stop Teets a.k.a. Hitler,

    Whether Teets is a windbag or not, he has not used offensive or inappropriate language.

    Let’s not get into vigilante justice in the threads, please.

  • Merlin Tenderpony

    Joe,

    Can you do an I.P. address check on “Teets” and “Black Angelo” and see if they are the same? Thanks.

    I have a second question. How do F@rt and some of the other readers get that little image/photo icon to appear next to their names when they post?

    • Joseph Fosco

      Dear Merlin,
      They appear to be different people.

      • The Don

        Joe, following up on the discussions about the Outfit being divided into two separate entities over 12 years ago, I believe Pudgy Mattassa and any made guys who remained from the North Side/Rush st. Crew are with Difronzo. I also believe any made guys left over from the Grand Ave. Crew are also with Difronzo. Matassa would obey DiFronzo & Lombardo was allied with DiFronzo/Andriacchi before he went down in the Family Secrets trial. So, in essense, DiFronzo(to the delight of the Feds) literally divided the Outfit in half. Mafia group #1 would include The entire North Side which would be the extended Elmwood Park group who run it along with leftover guys from the North Side & Grand Ave. crews. Mafia group #2 would include the extended Cicero group who run it along with the 26th Street Crew and the Chicago Heights Crew who are aligned with them. If you’ll notice, the only guys who have been indicted and/or convicted for the traditional street rackets like bookmaking, poker machines, loan sharking & street tax collections have been Mafia Group #2. The only person from Mafia Group #1 who has been convicted of anything has been Rudy Fratto which was for white collar crime offenses. Now I know what my uncle meant back in the very late 1990′s and also when Jimmy Marcello got out of prison when he said ” Elmwood Park doesn’t want to eat dinner with Cicero anymore”

        • Joseph Fosco

          Dear The Don,
          I agree with your assessment. And I would like to add that Rudy Fratto is not well liked by DiFronzo. I once witnessed Johnny making fun of Rudy’s wife Kim (behind her back) because of the various silly invitations and other cards that she would send to everyone. Keep in mind that my assertion that Johnny dislikes Rudy is not based on the comments he made to me about his wife.

          • The Don

            Joe, Fratto is a cybaby and not a real man like his other male relatives from the past. He will be banished from the North Side Mafia group run by DiFronzo when/if he gets out of prison. He will not be trusted and is a liability to DiFronzo. His only hope would be to move down to the south side and MAYBE the South Side Mafia group will accept him so he can live out his fantasy of being a Mafioso to the delight of his Mommy. By the way, I was reading some of the older threads from your articles, which I do enjoy, and you stated NUMEROUS TIMES that the Outfit has been divided in two and that DiFronzo, Lombardo & Capo Andriacchi are not involved with the extended Cicero group Marcello/Sarno. The problem was that nobody wanted to believe it.

          • Joseph Fosco

            Dear The Don,
            I agree with you on the Fratto matters.
            Thank you for reading the threads.

          • Chauncy Mcfly

            Are you guys not aware of how conected Fratto is??? LITERALLY, check his past.  More valuable then Difronzo.
            They would loose Cali, St loui, and for what>???   Now I do get that Tony Zizzo was capped, much of his crew was gone.  They moved Gill Valerio out to Cali with his cousin Fratto.  Not Rudy, but the dude running Cali and St loui for them.  Im sorry but a bit of friction with John and Rudy, aint breaking up the outfit.  They do love this talk, it keeps members not sure who to nark on, and it keeps feds not sure who #1-3 is

          • http://www.americannewspost.com Joseph Fosco

            Dear Chauncy,
            The feds do not care who 1-3 are. They could and will indict anyone they accuse of being a gangster, no matter the suspects rank.
            Being connected and powerful are two different things. Rudy may have connections, but he is powerless because the DiFronzos are no longer endorsing him in Outfit rackets. I take personal credit for the large-scale deactivation of Fratto. I contend that his extortion of me, which connected the DiFronzos and others such as Jack Cerone (Esquire), was the straw that broke the camels back for Fratto. Fratto’s shenanigans with McCormick Place, which included Cerone, served as another nail in his coffin as a gangster in Chicago.
            In addition, Rudy’s connections with the rest of the Fratto clan are meaningless, because Rudy is despised by them.

  • Anonymous

    How do you write letters to imprisoned mafioso?

    • http://www.americannewspost.com Joseph Fosco

      If the gangster you are looking for is in the federal system, the link below will direct you to him and indicate mailing instructions.

      http://www.bop.gov/iloc2/LocateInmate.jsp

      However, if your gangster of interest is in a state penitentiary, do an internet search on whatever state’s department of corrections. Today, most states have an inmate locater site as the government does. Good luck.

  • Madeguy1978

    maybe
    DiFronzo is feeding the feds selective information.
    someone should take off the rest of his nose

    • http://www.americannewspost.com Joseph Fosco

      I agree. He is not the only one.

  • Nickydeandre

    With your writing style you must have a sack of planters peanuts the size of basketballs. In the old day’s you would have been called to task for your comments. maybe times have changed so much that the outfit doesn’t dabble in the risky anymore.

    • http://www.americannewspost.com Joseph Fosco

      The Outfit still kills, just not as often as the old days.

  • Larry the Loop

    The dude who wrote this garbage is a loser, and doesn’t know anything about this person.

    • http://www.americannewspost.com Joseph Fosco

      Oh boy, let us get out a violin for Johnny DiFronzo.