I know a man by the name of Michael. He can golf better than anyone I’ve ever met. According to many women, he is a very handsome fellow. I think he has a great sense of humor and can be very charming. He can certainly be the life of the party without even trying. He has been a dear pal of mine for a number of years.
Tragically, Michael was affected by negative influences early in his life. The root of this negative influence is the late Chicago Outfit Boss Jackie Cerone. Michael, who already had a wonderful dad of his own, came to think of Jackie as a second father figure. Jackie loved Michael as if Michael was his own son.
Michael served Cerone as an apprentice. The two were together night and day for nearly 10 years. This makes for an extraordinary circumstance. Jack Cerone is one of the most powerful Mob Bosses of all time. Michael experienced first-hand what mob-watchers could only dream about. During those years Jackie and Michael spent together, it was a common occurrence for Michael to find himself among people that most others could only read about. Some of these people include, Joe B (Anthony Accardo), Joe Aiuppa, Gus Alex, John DiFronzo and Willie Messino, Sr. In 1981 Michael even had a chance to meet Meyer Lansky, courtesy of his patron Jackie.
300 Comments
Mr Fosco, in an earlier comment that you made in one of your other blogs, you mentioned that you regret knowing people like Magnafichi. Why are you changing your tune? Seems strange.
Dear Bob C,
I still regret knowing people like Magnafichi, for many reasons. However, Magnafichi has been very decent with me, so I pay him compliments by saying that I am proud to have him as a pal. In fact, I am very proud that Magnafichi stood up for me in a civil matter recently. It took courage for him to face some seriously intimidating circumstances; I just hope he remains strong. Please keep both of us in your prayers.
Ah I have stumbled upon your site here Joe. Just an old friend passing through who just also happens to know your old pal Mike Mags. Two different points in my life intersect here. I like your blogs and articles. Interesting. I respect your opinions and applaud your bravery. It seems you have fallen out of grace with certain people of a life once attractive to you and I. Whether this has been by choice or out of survival necessity I applaud you for your writings and truthfulness in knowledge and feelings. I do however question wisdom of it. You, like I know how it and they work. What does surprise me however, is that having partaken and indulged in this life to some degree in your past, why you would be at all surprised these same men whom you once believed to be honorable men, would purportedly attempt to and from what I gather from your writings successfully extort you Joe. They are I know from my own experience creatures of habit and opportunists who will turn on each other when there is money to be made. There is no love or loyalty to brother, son or friend Joe you and I both know this. It is all a facade. You once invited me into your world knowing I had been around my shares of crews in my life. I at that time entertained that offer. We even shared a sandwich or two in a deli with an old man now gone. By all accounts not a good man and most likely burning in hell. My relative had worked for this man so I knew of him and his importance when you brought me to him. There was once a favor you asked of me on behalf of this old man. A favor I had to deny as I by that point in my young life had too many of my own demons to live with, without adding to them. Too much darkness in an already dark life I could hold no more. I was on my way out by then just trying to figure out which door to use to a new life. I walked out the door of the saloon on ‘that great street’ and never looked back. I was attracted as at that point the street was all I had ever known in my life. Still, somewhere inside I knew there was another life for me out there. One away from the streets and jails and semesters in ‘college’ so to speak. Though it has not been easy and I have at times yearned for some of the fun from back then I also know it was all at the expense of others. These days I try to live a decent life in hopes I may be looked upon as a decent man who tried to change when that time we all face comes to meet our Maker. It’s probably better you never returned my calls and we never said ‘take care’. It seems your life whether by choice or necessity has changed or at least is on the way to it. I live my dreams now. The life always lures young men such as us with promises of wealth, power and fulfillment of ego. That is until the few fortunate of us see it for what it truly is. Destroyer of your soul. I still have a hard time cleaning the blood and grime from my hands I build up long before I met you. I still have nightmares at times. But everyday that passes they dissipate a little more. There is no need you remember me but if you do know I wish you the best in your quest. But don’t ruin them to satisfy your own ego. Do it because they have ruined so many others and it is the right thing to do. We were never like them Joe as much as we might have wanted to be. If we were we would be sitting by their side now. Good luck, God bless and be safe.
A Rush St. Actor
what happened with the villaggios arrest? i heard you where there, or at least i thought i read that somewhere. did the whole thing get dismissed?mr. fosco, why do you know so much about lee magnafichi? he’s never been mentioned in any books, and there’s only two thing on the internet that i can find about him, one of which is from the 1960’s.
Dear Barry,
The arrest you are referring to was totally dismissed for both defendants. I was not only there at the scene of the alleged crime, but I was present for both defendants court cases. According to my understanding, Magnafichi and the co-defendant were wrongfully arrested.
I know a great deal about Lee magnafichi because my late father and Lee had a number of mutual contacts that happened to confide in me about various matters.
Joe,
“On that great street,” could the street that ‘anoldfriend’ is referring to be Harlem Avenue? Do you think that Michael Magnafichi could be the next boss some day? Speaking of Harlem Ave., did you hang out at the HIP shopping mall back in the day. I remember when I was a kid, it was a real Italian area around there.
Thanks.
Dear Harlem,
I have been to the HIP many times to shop several years ago.
If you would have asked me 10-years ago if Michael could have been the next boss, I would have said, ‘could’. However, today I would say, no.
Thanks
Dear Joe,
I know this may sound like an odd question, but did you and ‘mikey mags’ ever cruise Harlem avenue together back in the day? Do you remember how kool it was to cruise Harlem back in the eighties and even in the early nineties. Did you guys wear the white Italian jackets with the boot on the back and the I.O.U. ZCavaricci combination? You never answered my question about ‘the great street.’ Maybe it’s too personal. I’m guessing it was Harlem avenue. Those were the good old days, all the way from Lawrence to North Ave. It was jumping. Your from that area so you must remember. I’m full Italian so I can talk this way. I even met Nick Gio once or twice in his Ferrari. Back then you would find many nice cars on this popular strip. Joe, please just tell me if I’m right about the street. Thanks.
Dear Joe,
I apologize in advance for this lengthy but important comment.
I have noticed some very strange commentary on your blog recently. Two examples would be the very close and careful analysis of the late Joseph Aiuppa’s appearance, which was prefaced by a comparison between his nose and a flaccid penis, or something to that effect. (Please forgive me for being too lazy at the moment to go back and check the precise language.). Another example that is perhaps even more disturbing is some of your audience’s bizarre preoccupation with Nicholas Gio.
But while disconcerting, the Aiuppa comment was at least semi relevant, as you set a precedent by including a very humorous yet somehow helpful description of Mayor of Des Plaines, Martin J. Moylan’s age-inappropriate, perhaps even ill-advised dental braces.
The Gio obsession, however, is unrelated to any of the articles that you have published on your website. In your Topic Cloud, I see that “Aiuppa”, “Cerone”, and “Melrose Park” are recognized as being subjects of interest, and I am sure that it is not out of the question that at some point in the future, you may consider inserting “Des Plaines” as being a Topic, as well. But, Joe, I am sure you do not need to be reminded that “Nick Gio”, “The Great Street”, “White Italian Jackets with the Boot on the Back and the I.O.U. Z-Cavaricci Combination”, and so on, are NOT included in this Topic Cloud.
The persistent questioning focused on Gio and his Italian panache, taste in automobiles, sartorial preferences, and street reputation is becoming extremely ANNOYING. (I noticed the other day that you were put in a position where you overlooked other relevant questions because a bunch of weirdoes vandalized your blog with a great deal of Gio commentary.)
Joe, by my lights, there are three possible explanations for the interest in Nick Gio.
First is the possibility that these inquisitors are actually your enemies who are trying to execute switch tactics and create distractions in order to divert attention from your main focus: corruption and organized crime. In this case, they have decided that Gio material is their best option in achieving their goal.
Second, is that these inquisitors are what I will refer to as ‘Nick Gio pervs’ who have gravitated toward your website because there is general lack of interest about Nick Gio on the worldwide web. For some reason they assume that you will entertain their Nick Gio obsession for an interminable amount of time. God help us if this is the case.
Finally, and perhaps most ominously, I checked with the Federal Bureau of Prisons (via its interactive website) and have noticed that Nicholas Gio was released from prison on April 25, 2006. Therefore, judging from his apparent constituency on KTF Media Group, I believe it is possible that Nicholas Gio has dispatched his comrades to promote his reputation on your threads, or that it could even be Nick Gio himself contributing remarks that are favorable to his own legacy.
Joe, are you aware that these distractions have been taking place?
Please advise.
Dear Joe,
Why are you ignoring me? I visit your site and am a dedicated reader. Even though I don’t know you personally or anything, I feel like we have become friends just by following your story and reading your articles.
Sincerely,
A Harlem Playboy
Harlem and Joe, please see my 10:43 p.m. post. Harlem, please stop bringing up Nick Gio. No offense, but no one cares how Italian you are.
Dear Joe and Teets,
I don’t think there is any obsession with Gio. I think his name came up because there isn’t a whole lot on him out there on the web and people ask Joe about him for the same reason why they ask Joe about a lot of other gangsters. That is, Joe always brings great perspective to the table.
The only difference with Gio is that Joe is completely uninterested in him. Moreover, Gio was linked to LaValley who might have been recently murdered and was brought up during previous threads which is another reason why someone might be interested.
Maybe it’s true that Gio has nothing to do with the main topics on this site, but I think a lot of guys discussed here having nothing to do with it either. Basically, my guess is that some people are interested in discussing guys like Gio for the same reason they are interested in discussing sny imprisoned outfit guy. For the NOVELTY. And that is why I visit Joe’s site. For the NOVELTY. It’s also good reading material. Thank you.
i hate to burst yer bubble mr. harlem playboy — but while nick gio may have made $$$ to buy the cars you are obsessing about by doing outfit stuff, none of the crimes he was convicted of were “outfit” (though he went down via RICO). this he was involved in wasn’t outfit related, so your best bet is to check the microfilm at your local library.
there is an obsession about gio on this website. if you google “nick gio” two of the hits on the first page of results are for joe’s ktf media articles.
if you want to read about a guy who was heavy in the outfit at a young age, read about michael sarno–he was definitely involved in the robbery of a porn shop in 1979 that resulted in the murder of its owner. he was only 21-years old at the time.
i meant to say …
“this MURDER he was involved in wasn’t outfit related, so your best bet is to check the microfilm at your local library.”
the other outfit guys who were in on the porn shop caper with the 21-year old mike sarno were all “Made” guys: Bobby Salerno, Solly Cautedella, Jerry Scalise, and Gerald Scarpelli
Dear Harlem Playboy,
I recall Harlem Avenue being a strip for people to cruse. I never visited that strip very much. Michael never visited it.
I am not interested in Nick Gio. I am sorry.
Perhaps you can start your own Nick Gio website. I will visit it.
Dear Joe, take a look at this: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3549/3547234784_fa62c59bf4.jpg
Is this from the Villagio’s arrest? What was the arrest for? I understand that the charges were dropped and that in your opinion MM was not guilty of perpetrating any crime. But what was the arrest for? Were you guys drunk? I read that a man was beaten and that Magnafichi & Daddano III were involved.
Dear Joe,
I love your sense of humor. I’m not interested in Gio either. It’s like I said, his name came up and I commented. No big deal. I definitely won’t start a Gio site.
Anyway, which crew did ‘mikey mags’ belong to? I’m surprised you guys never drove through Harlem back in the day. I thought that ‘mikey mags’ was part of the Elmwood Park crew and I thought you were from that area as well. Am I right?
Dear Teets,
I am aware of the distractions you have taken the time to indicate. It does not bother me.
Dear Harlem Playboy,
Michael belonged to his father and old man Jack Cerone, until Joey A took him under his wing, after Lee’s death and Cerone’s incarceration. Joey A fulfilled Lee’s deathbed wish, which is why he took Michael as his own. I never belonged to the Outfit as Michael did/does. My parents had homes in Oak Park and Elmwood Park, which is where I grew up.
Dear Mr. Fosco,
Regarding the 11:57 comment with the photo of Michael, I was just curious to know if he ever did any time in prison. In the article, you’ve glamorized him as sort of a ‘nice guy gangster,’ however he was listed as a top gangster in the 1997 Chicago Crime Commision’s organizational chart.
Was he ever imprisoned? The photo posted during the 11:57 comment is very intimidating looking. I mean he looks like a gangster. No matter how nice you say he is, I know I would be scared of him just from the looks on his photo.
Furthermore, you mention that he really fell for a tall wealthy blonde. Could you go into a bit more detail on this. You sort of left me curious when you said that her father is really rich. Lastly, I was curious as to why you wrote this article on him. Is it a protection tactic for him since he fell out of favor with the bosses.
Could it be your trying to protect your friend in the same way your protecting yourself. That is, by shedding light on things and placing enough attention on the ‘outfit’ so that they won’t come after you guys. This was an interesting article and I was just curious, thanks.
Dear Nick,
The mug shot of Michael that you included with your message pertains to a traffic offense, not the Villagio caper.
Regarding the Villagio caper, both defendants were arrested for allegedly punching someone. No one was drunk. The man was not beaten BY MICHAEL; he exaggerated the story and misidentified the suspects, resulting in a swift dismissal.
Dear Paul,
Yes, Michael spent a number of ‘weeks’ behind bars for two different traffic related offenses, which were both consolidated for purposes of sentencing. In one case, Michael was issued a citation for driving too slaw and the officer believed he smelled alcohol on Michael, resulting in a DUI. In the other case, Michael was taking a nap in the back seat of his car, during a road trip, when a police officer checked it out. During the confrontation, the officer believed he smelled alcohol. During one of the incidents, Michael failed to prove he had auto liability insurance, which raised the misdemeanor charge to a felony. Michael did not submit to any kind of testing during the arrests.
I believe that DiFronzo and Andriacchi’s decision to suspend their ‘crews’ street activities in Chicago, which affected Michael’s income, is one of the contributing factors Michael wound up in the slammer for a couple of traffic infractions. The photo you are referring to was taken after Michael was shipped from one facility to another, without him having the opportunity to shave for a few days. Apparently, they woke him earlier than expected to photograph him. Let me get one thing strait, Michael has helped me. He has been nice to me. I understand that other people view him differently then I do. I am not arguing with anyone about his or her opinion of Michael.
As to the blonde-haired woman that Michael loves with all of his heart, as much as I would like to share the story behind it, I cannot. Michael has asked me to stay off the subject. He is not happy about the things I say about the Outfit, but he does not care about the Outfit. He cares about the blonde-haired woman.
I wrote the story on Michael because its true and I wanted to tell the story – if it serves as a protection mechanism, great.
Dear JF,
Lee Magnafichi didn’t do his son any favors be leaving him in the care of Joey Aiuppa. Does Michael have any thing in the way of fond memories or adoration for the late Aiuppa, or does he corroborate what is widely speculated about him–that he (Aiuppa) was a vicious man who loved to kill people?
Dear Binny,
Allow me to clarify; I am referring to Joey Andriacchi as Joey A. In fact, Joe Aiuppa was commonly referred to as Joey O, relating to his longtime alias name Joey O’Brien.
Joey A and Lee were best pals. Lee knew that Joe would treat Michael like a son, and he did. That is probably why Andriacchi did not orchestrate establishing business relations between Sarno and Magnafichi, because Joey A does not want to see Michael go away to prison like Sarno.
For the record, Michael hated Joey O – although Michael admits that he would never admit it if Joe were alive because he was deathly afraid of him.
did lee magnafichi ever meet joe batters? i hope you see that lee magnafichi was involved in a robbery with peter difronzo and joe andriacchi from the 1960’s. did lee ever meet joe batters?
lee kept a low-profile correct?
was “the android” a bad ass? did he ever fight anyone while he was a made guy?
Dear Peeps,
Of course, Lee met Joe B – Lee knew him well. Michael knew Joe B well too. Yes, I would say Lee kept a low profile.
You know more than I do, I do not know who ‘android’ is. I think I could guess whom, but I would rather not.
“the android” was the street name for andriacchi, wasn’t it? joe “the android” andriacchi?
Did andriacchi ever fight anyone while he was a made guy? i wonder if andriacchi ever fought anyone while he was a made guy. i wonder if he ever fought aiuppa, rustling up his silly clothing which resembled a crazy person or a fisherman, as you said.
did andriacchi ever fistfight aiuppa?
What “Peeps” said about, “lee magnafichi was involved in a robbery with peter difronzo and joe andriacchi from the 1960’s” is actually true (surprisingly):
http://cases.justia.com/us-court-of-appeals/F2/448/110/100635/
The men were involved in a robbery. Are you sure Lee was a Capo? There’s no information about him anyhwere. If he was a Capo, was he the guy who sponsored Michael to be “made”?
PS_Andriacchi was not known as “the android.” That’s ridiculous.
joe,
is the robbery thing about sarno true? if yes, that puts him at an outfit murder (though i’m NOT SAYING he pulled the trigger), which means he could qualify to be a Made Man in the Chicago Outfit.
sarno (among others) was implicated in the robbery of a pornographic bookstore, which resulted in the shooting death of Michael Oliver. he was never charged with murder or even the robbery as far as i know.
Dear Joe,
Is the Outfit keeping tabs (a close eye) on the Marcello’s? I ask because you speculated that there could possibly be a deal in the works.
I ask because Mickey Marcello is currently not being held in a prison, per se. He is being held in The Federal Medical Center (FMC) in Rochester, MN (an administrative facility specializing in medical and mental health services to male offenders).
Mickey was reported to be going absolutely crazy in prison. It was affecting his health, apparently; though, I’m not sure if that means mental or physical or both.
If I was in the Outfit, I’d be worried about the Marcello’s.
Dear Peeps,
If Joe Andriacchi was referred to as the ‘android’ this is the first I have heard of it. I am not disputing you. Who knows how many nicknames exist about people that most others have never heard. I was having a drink one night with one of the ‘Germans’ partners (about 3-years ago), who told me him and the German used to refer to old man Cerone as the ‘eagle’ (as in Bald Eagle, for obvious reasons). I never heard of before that nickname.
I cannot think of any fights Joey A had with anyone notable. I will double check with my source. Joey A used to argue with old man Cerone quite a bit. In fact, that is why Cerone skipped Joey A when he made Lee a Capo before going to prison. Lee always felt that Joey A was more deserving of it. Joey A never once raised his hand to Jack – he would have been killed immediately.
Joey A never fought Aiuppa, especially in a fistfight. You are funny. Just the thought of that makes me imagine the physical torture Joey A would have suffered thru before being killed if he would have raised his hand to Joey O.
Dear Justia,
Lee was definitely a Capo – not one for long. He died a couple of years afterwards.
Dear Justia,
I have no idea who sponsored Michael. I would assume it would have been Joey A. I doubt Michael was ‘made’ when his dad was alive.
Dear Ron & Raleigh,
I am aware of Mike Oliver who was accidentally murdered in the late 1970’s during a territory war created by Joe Nick. He was called Ollie (I do not know if I spelled his nickname correctly?). He left behind 3-beautiful daughters and a beautiful wife. I always appreciated his youngest daughter – she is a cool pal.
His name surfaced in the late 1980’s when a suspected Outfit burial place was discovered. I do not remember the details.
Oliveri was Oliver’s original last name.
I am unsure of who was present at the time of the Oliver shooting. Obviously the person (or people) present at the time of the shooting would be in serious trouble. I believe I know someone that could shed some light on it.
Dear Meebo,
I have heard some chatter that suggests some doubts are forming about the Marcello’s. However, the majority of the peanut gallery thinks they will hold up. I will see what I can uncover on the matter.
Using the OED, I took the liberty of of checking the etymology of the word “android.” It turns out that as it is used and understood today, the word “android” did not even exist until 1977 and wasn’t used widely until well into the 1980’s. So, it’s hard to imagine that “android” was Joe A’s nickname. The reader probably confused it with another name, or assumed it could have been his nickname because there is a phonetic similarity in the first syllable of “android” and “Andriacchi.”
Joe
In one of Bill Roemer’s books, there’s a pretty accurate account of Willie Messino. I know how you feel about Roemer, but he (accurately) describes Messino as a trusted, feared Made guy who had close personal relationships with the Outfit bosses.
He also discusses Chris Cardi who was a relative of Messino’s. Cardi got involved in narcotics and had to serve a prison sentence because of it. Accardo let him serve his whole prison sentence out and then had him killed when he was released. Did this upset Messino? (I believe Cardi was his nephew.) Did you ever meet Chris Cardi?
I noticed that some has created a distraction on another thread. Please don’t forget my question!
Dear Arthur,
How few of times we actually get to know the reason someone is murdered. Only when the victim leaves behind a note a person in fear may leave, or a suicide, or when we have a credible eyewitness, etcetera. I believe the death of Mr. Cardi is not well understood. Assumptions have been made. The assumptions seem logical, but how do we really know unless the killer comes forward and confesses, which is not the case in the Cardi murder. I do agree with Romer (if what you state is in his books) that Messino was ‘made’ and trusted, having close relationships with top Outfit bosses – these things were common knowledge. Willie sat at the Onion Roll in Oak Park with Joe B once a week. He and Johnny DiFronzo greeted each other almost every morning at the old Gene’s Deli in Elmwood Park. For forty years, Willie could be observed by passerby’s entering and exiting old man Cerone’s Elmwood Park home. One does not have to be a Bill Romer to know most of the information in his books.
I do know that Willie loved Pat Cardi very much – Pat and Chris were brothers. In the nearly 10-years that I saw Willie on an everyday basis, for several hours a day, we discussed a great deal of topics, however, never once did the name Chris Cardi ever come up. I never met Chris Cardi. I used to visit his brother Pat and his friends every Sunday for meatballs and good conversation – with Willie, of course.
What a favorable turn of events for Misters Magnafichi and Daddano! It was all a misunderstanding! hahaha. Well, well, well, ob-la-di, ob-la-da.
For the rec, I read an article that said the man was beaten outside of the restaurant by these two individuals, and you’re saying that the violence was perpetrated by two other patrons at the restaurant, but definitely not the mobster and his sidekick.
Dear Fifi,
I did not witness a beating take place that night, which I have said before. I was in misdemeanor court with both defendants and witnessed the judge dismiss their cases because the alleged victim could not identify Daddono as the alleged batterer, and he failed to show at the Magnafichi hearing, which is an automatic dismissal. Make what you want of it. However, please know that when I saw the alleged victim in court, he did not appear injured – he was in great shape.
Joe
No offense, but
a while back in the comments of another article, I asked you about James Marcello’s character and whether was as ruthless and feared as the FBI made him out to be to the public. The reason I asked is because John Kass brought up some courthouse chatter about Marcello being a total pussy because he couldn’t stomach the heavy work. In the murders he was party to, he was always the driver. Now, I realize that that makes him just as much of a murderer as the people who actually did the beatings or pulled the triggers.
but, I got the feeling that either you or your source are insulating (protecting) Marcello as far as questions on your blog are concerned because there have been a fair amount of questions, and you always seem to skirt the issue. I assume magnafichi is friends with Marcello or had some dealings with him, and that’s why he doesn’t want to provide you with any information him.
Either that or I think it’s possible that you don’t want say anything about him because he’s related to your good buddy Joe Anndriacchi.
Dear Brian,
I have no respect for the Marcello’s. I do not protect them. I tend to shy away from questions that I feel have been answered before. Sometimes I overlook a question. Please cut and paste the questions you want clarification on, I would be glad to look at them.
Please understand, Joe Andriacchi is not my good buddy. Thank you.
Dear Joe, I am deeply sorry if I offended you.
Dear Brian,
No offense taken. Thank you for being kind.
The thing about James Marcello is that he was a big name in the news for the last few years because of the trial, and he’s been in the papers as a made guy since the 90’s, but almost nothing is known about him.
My questions were all basically to see if your source could provide any insight into what he was really like. The judge in the trial was especially disapointed in Jimmy because he thought Jimmy had a conscience and knew better than to be a gangster, but let himself get sucked into the life because of his father, and because he grew up with people like Matassa.
So there’s 2 jimmy marcello’s.
The family man who was good to his kids and his mother. He had a mistress, but was good to her family too, and even took care of her special needs child.
But also was the Jimmy who was reported by the FBI to be a ruthless killer who even tried to kill Nick Sarillo who was a good friend and who he had no problems with, personally. He had access to dynamite, and could’ve been behind the disappearance of Zizzo and probably ordered the murder of the Hatch.
Which was the real marcello? I figured I’d ask someone who might know him, or at least know people who do.
I also lived not to too far from his Lombard residence. He was a non-entity in Lombard except for his arrest at the Carlisle a long, long time ago.
thanks.
Dear Peeps,
I had a chance to talk with my source today. I asked him if Joey A had it out with another Outfit guy or affiliate. According to my source, Joey A had a fight at the Twist Lounge in Elmwood Park in the late 1960’s with Frank Cullotta (now government informant). Apparently, Frank was getting the best of Joey when Joe’s friend the now late Rich Penachio took Joey A’s place in the fight – Penachio destroyed Cullotta. I was told Cullotta had to crawl under a car in the parking lot to escape the brutal force of Penachio’s blows of his fists.
Others in attendance at the Twist Lounge during the rumble were Lee Magnafichi and Noochy Lombardo (Joe Lombardo’s brother – I have know idea how to spell his first name/nickname correctly).
I was informed that Joey A also had engaged in some ‘words’ over the years with Milwaukee Phil because Joey A was fooling around with Phil’s girlfriend Nan.
I hope I have addressed your concerns.
There was a guy named “Blackie” that was supposedly killed because he married the ex girlfriend (Nan) of Milwaukee Phil. Is there any truth in that? “Blackie” was the nickname for a juice collector named Cesario.
Dear Dom,
I will ask a couple of sources. Thanks.
Dear Brian,
All I can say is that I will go over it with three of my sources and get back to you. Do not expect to hear from me on this until tomorrow.
Dear Joey,
I started paying attention to the mob during the family secrets mob trial. What do you think goes through some of the other gangsters minds when all of this is going on. Do you think guys like Michael M. are worried that they might be indicted in the future if there is ever a family secrets part 2?
carmella – good question.
i wonder the same thing. can n. calabrese hurt anyone else on the street? steve w. from the suntimes wrote an article about outfit members who would be good candidates to try to murder nick. m. magnafichi was mentioned. so was toots and mike sarno. interesting that difronzo wasn’t on the list.
Dear Joey,
I am a really nice person. Why aren’t you answering me?
I know this guy from my bar
Joe,
Just to head off any potential questions. I didn’t write the 5:25 p.m. comment. Though, I’m sure Mr. Giannotti is a nice and honest man.
Dear Carmela,
Sorry, I am not ignoring you. Michael has expressed concern about the idea of being framed in a Family Secrets II.
I know Vic, thanks.
Dear Cartoon,
I am afraid the good candidates are probably people that we never heard of before.
Joe,
Thanks for saying you’ll get back to me about my questions. You are a very kind man.
dear brian eno,
where did you used to live in lombard? i live there now, not far from where i understand the marcello family lives. that was interesting information about james. i hope joe gets back to you.
joe,
why would magnafichi be worried about getting framed in family secrets 2? he’s part of a criminal enterprise, so i’m sure no one needs to frame him for him to go down. he should probably be worried about his own real-life misdeeds coming back to haunt him. (i’m not accusing him of anything.)
you have said yourself that “made” status should itself be a crime (i.e.,
criminal conspiracy).
i’m curious if michael’s point is that nick calabrese can’t really “hurt” him, but if nick’s going to be the star of family secrets 2, he could very well fabricate some information in order to take him down, too.
Joe, I love that story.
Andriacchi got his ass handed to him by Cullotta of all people, huh? Wow. He talks pretty tough when he’s on TV. Supposedly Frank Calabrese was scared shitless of him.
I’m not so sure there’s going to be a Family Secrets 2. I’m expecting a series of smaller indictments and subsequent trials. Sarno’s case is pretty tiny compared with Family Secrets. Is Magnafichi prepared for the unkown as far as a legal strategy, or is he going to skip town like “Pagliacci”?
mr fosco i give you credit for your balls i personally cant stand john difronzo i first met him in 1985 personally i hate to burst your bubble i know your golf buddy hes a great guy and everyone should believe what you say he was one of the up and comers he was on his way to legendary status i dont know what happened life can be rough but hes still a gentleman and a man coulve been a movie star back in 1990 i walked 18 with him 4 guys i knew were playing a 5 man best ball with him he stiffing 3 irons from 230 yards he could literally put the golf ball wherever he wanted no for the part your not gonna agree with b cuz all everyone believes what you say about these guys and i know you dont like them and i shouldnt say this but john difronzo was NEVER and never will be the boss joey a is a man everyone else from that part of town especially john d are f’in broads john d i believe is a ratwhen the time is right i will tell him to his face but THIS is a fact and all of you believe this john difronzo is scared to death of marcello those guys are all wealthy but thats it and dont compare difronzo to marcello as far as family secrets evidenc compare difronzo to schiro there was a ton more evidence on difronzo,hes a rat and all marcello only talked about what they said in the papers he never said he did anything to those guys
Dear Brian,
Sorry, I will need another day.
Dear Bill,
Michael did not elaborate on his fear of being framed and refused to discuss his logic behind it.
I believe he is worried about a Family Secrets II.
Dear Proviso,
I have no idea what Michael would do if he were indicted in a Family Secrets II case.
Dear T-Bone,
I feel like we are in a ‘my dad’s tougher than your dad’ argument. I certainly appreciate your feedback and I thank you for your readership. Please come back soon.
hes a nothing ,thats a fact, you like facts right f’in rat zero
Joe, thanks you for the 5:23 comment.
Can I ask a question about t-bone’s comment. (for you or him, whoever can answer it)? Why is difronzo scared of Marcello? I read that in the papers too, during the trial. DiFronzo was rumored to be overjoyed at the imprisonment of Jimmy. The other Family Secrets defendants were chatting in prison that they were convinced difronzo had beefed.
joe, do you know if there’s any truth to this?
Is t bone saying that andriacchi is the boss, or marcello is the boss. it’s hard to understand because he didn’t use punctuation.
neither, marcello is in prison ,i dont think he can be, joey a is not either ,im just saying hes a man ,and petes a man too, i dont need to be in the know to figure this out, accardo gave it up and theyll never get it back ,sorry about grammar
T Bone,
In your opinion, who is the boss if not DiFronzo, Marcello, or Andriacchi?
none, two elmwood park guys,cant be either of them.marcello in jail but not for long he has a real strong appeal wait till you guys see grown men pissing and craping themselves nothing is gonna happen to anyone, there will be a real man on the street again
dont get me wrong difronzo is no short stop ,just an informant ,i think you guys talked about a meeting two days b4 the spilotros disappeared, they say it was marcello carlisi ferriola infelise and someone else, but the agent said he didnt know who it was, gimme a break, guess who?
he has elmwood ,thats it.
So, are you saying no boss right now, until Jimmy Marcello gets out of prison?
T bone, I’m not sure if you’ve read it, but Joe Fosco puts Mike Sarno as day-to-day boss, and that seems like a pretty good theory given the attention he’s received from law enforcement lately.
i dont know who, ill tell you who isnt, i’ll never say who is,marcello will live his life without any worries from the likes of them ,believe me no one will go near him
T Bone, how do you know this stuff about Marcello? Someone on this thread says there was “courthouse chatter” that Jimmy couldn’t stomach “heavy” work. A Tribune reporter basically called him a pussy. (These are NOT my words–I’m just repeating what I’ve read other say about him.) Maybe his brains got him high up in the organization. What are your thoughts on this, and how do you know so much about Marcello?
ill call sissies out ,but not talk murder etc, by the way you did call him a pussy ,thats not true, those were your words
“A Tribune reporter basically called him a pussy. (These are NOT my words–I’m just repeating what I’ve read other say about him.)”
John Kass, Chicago Tribune:
“Around the federal building, I heard a story that James Marcello, a grown man and mobster at the time, didn’t personally avenge his father. It was done by others who could stomach the heavy work.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-090206-kass,0,5079592.story
I don’t know him, so why would I make a claim as to how tough he was. And I’m NOT asking you to discuss “murder.”
I was trying to have a discussion. Again, Kass’ words not mine.
I was curious why you know so much about Marcello. That’s all.
i know what kass said, it wasnt pussy, and it seemed like you were askin me if he was brains or brawn
he also said he was a front boss for guys who wouldnt fuck with him even when hes in jail
Listen, t bone, another reader on this thread used the word “pussy”, and he was one of the people I was repeating. Go back and check if you don’t believe. I would never call someone I don’t know names. Joe Fosco’s source already said that Jimmy is known to be “a man” but didn’t go as far as to say he was a tough guy.
Brains or brawn is a good way of putting it, yes. What would you say?
and
Was he #1 in Chicago at the time of his indictment and arrest?
if you repeating what someone else said i apologize ,i wont say anything like that about him the #1 stuff, i say hes smart and no one fucks with him ,if i knew about brawn i wouldnt say it thats for the informants
DEAR-KNOW-IT-ALL’S
WHO IS MICHAEL MAGNAFICHI, WHY IS HE IMPORTANT, AND WHY DO PEOPLE CARE THAT JOE FOSCO KNOWS HIM???
Dear Brian,
DiFronzo is not afraid of anyone that lives and breathes – no matter what anyone says or writes to the contrary.
I am not sure what t-bone means. However, I am grateful for everyone’s participation including his.
Dear Brian,
My main source told me that Jimmy Marcello is reasonably smart – however, not ruthless – not ruthless like Cerone and Aiuppa. He was capable of anything, however Jimmy would rather avoid violence if he could, unlike guys like Aiuppa that would rather kill to send a message. My source regards Jimmy as a reasonable person – he listened to reason – although; my source could see Jimmy being behind the Zizzo disappearance.
No way did Jimmy have anything to do with the attempted hit on Nick Sarrillo. Nick belonged to Nigger-Joe in Lake County.
Dear Joseph,
Just an observation from visiting this thread. I think ‘anold friend’ = ‘t bone.’
if mike mags is on ‘bad paper’ with difronzo and andriacchi and despises jack cerone, are him and fratto each other’s best buds nowadays? i ask b/c see that fratto himself is on ‘bad paper’ with difronzo, too.
who is in deeper sh*t with the old guys, fratto or mags?
Joe,
Do you know who “Singing Joe” Vento is? Also, is your reader “Vin” crazy?
Dear DuPage,
I am not sure that I would refer to Michael’s status with DiFronzo and Andriacchi as “on bad paper.” Yes, he despises Cerone, Esquire, and his son Jack. I think Michael does not trust Fratto enough to be best buds with him. Fratto is definitely on “bad paper” with DiFronzo. I would say Fratto is in a worse situation than Michael is.
Dear Sidney,
I heard of Joe Vento. I have never expressed an interest in him; therefore, I am not aware of any significant information on him.
As to Vin, I do not form opinions on the commenter’s.
Dear Joe,
It is my understanding that among the requirements for someone to become a ‘made member’ in the outfit, they would have to of participated in at least one mob slaying. I think I heard this during the family secrets mob trial. Is Michael M. a made man. And if so, do you think that he participated in a mob slaying or do you think that he achieved ‘made’ status by being a good earner or in some other way. Maybe it’s not true what Nick Calabrese said during his testimony. If I remember correctly, I think I read somewhere that he said that to become made, one would have to participate in at least one slaying and be full Italian. I thinking there must be exceptions especially nowadays since the outfit doesn’t wack people anymore.
Dear Willie,
There have been ‘made’ guys that have never killed anyone. These individuals were ‘made’ because they held important positions that required them to meet with a number of Outfit bosses, and having the person ‘made’ worked out better. I do not believe that the Outfit ‘makes’ people based on their earning potential. Marco is living proof, big earner – not made.
I believe that Michael is ‘made’.
I hope he did not kill anyone, if it is proven to me that he has committed murder, I will disassociate with him and expose him for being a murderer.
Based on what I’ve read, there has only been two Outfit figures to become ‘made’ without having been responsible for murder: Dominic Cortina & Donald Angelini. (Keep in mind, I’m not in the Outfit, so I’m not claiming bsolute knowledge.)
Willie and Joe, let’s not forget either that to be guilty of murder or to be a coconspirator one does not have to be the actual person who does the strangling, pulling of the trigger, stabbing with a knife, etc. Being party to a murder (like being a driver), makes a person a murderer, too. Frank Calabrese Sr. is guilty of the Ortiz murder because he was in a lookout vehicle–not because he shotgunned the man to death. Monteleone is guilty of the Fecarotta murder just as much as Nick Calabrese even though he just sat in a car listening to a police scanner.
I know nothing of Michael Magnafichi, but it’s hard to imagine his being “made” is attributable to patronage or because it made some illicit “business” dealings “work out better.”
(Although, it just as well could be. I’m not in a postition to claim certainty.)
The bottom line is that it takes some serious suspension of disbelief to imagine that even one “made” member of the Outfit has not been party to some specific events that resulted in someone’s death.
Rereading this thread, I’m reminded that Marcello is an example of a member of the Outfit who was a coconspirator in three murders though in all three (Spilotro, D’Andrea) he played the role of driver.
As everyone knows (thanks to Calabrese’s testimony) Marcello went through the Outfit’s elaborate initiation rites, becoming “made” in the early 1980’s.
Being a mere driver in these murderous events apparently was enough to fulfill the “at least one murder” criteria on the Chicago Outfit Human Resource Department’s membership rubric.
Dear Kazuo,
Yes, according to the Outfit and the law, if someone acts as a ‘lookout’ or a ‘driver’ in relation to a murder, the person is considered as responsible for the murder as the triggermen. With this logic in mind, I was further inspired to write articles such as these:
http://www.ktfmediagroup.com/home/2010/01/04/gacy-dahmer-and-difronzo-%e2%80%93-which-serial-killer-had-a-senator-in-his-pocket/
And
http://www.ktfmediagroup.com/home/2009/12/21/outfit-killerextortionist-rudy-fratto-on-the-wrong-side-of-the-law-and-the-outfit/
Take the Giancana hit; Cerone and Turk’s crew were on it (according to my source). Johnny DiFronzo was Cerone’s main guy. Therefore, DiFronzo’s lack of involvement in the hit is virtually impossible (in addition, my source has indicated DiFronzo was involved in it).
if were come into some incriminating information about magnafichi you’re saying that you’d expose him as a killer? i assume that’s what you’ve attempted to do with fratto too. all you do is kill him an “outfit killer” with no explanation. that’s tantamount to name-calling, and it doesn’t seem to be damaging to fratto’s image or rep.
“call” him an outfit killer
sorry
Dear Rain,
Thank you for your question.
If you recall, I said, “If it were proven to me that Magnafichi is a killer,” or anyone for that matter, I will expose them as such, as I have Fratto.
I have learned from major sources that Fratto is a killer, which is why I have exposed him. My information on Fratto has been corroborated more thoroughly than the government’s evidence in the Family Secrets case against Calabrese. Meaning I did not rely on the bias testimony of a victims daughter that claimed she accurately recalled the sound of someone’s voice over 20-years ago when she was a child, which still does not prove the caller is the murderer.
If Fratto disagrees with my articles about him, he is free to file a libel claim against me in an attempt to prove his innocence, which is what I would do if someone printed something about me that I contend is false. However, if the writer printed the truth (as I have), I would ignore it as Rudy seems to be doing.
no, calling someone a killer with no explanation doesn’t expose them. it’s name calling. do you see what i’m saying. you’ve done a better job with difronzo, with reference to giancana’s death.
given the total lack of real evidence against marcello, do expect him to win his appeal, as many do?
Dear Rain,
I know that it came out somewhere, perhaps in one of the threads that I charge Fratto with participating in the death of Outfit member, Chuck English (according to my sources). Does this make you feel better know?
i don’t care about that, i’m just saying that saying “rudy fratto is X” accomplishes the same thing as saying anyone else is X. it’s name calling. thank you for providing an example.
do you think marcello will win his appeal because of the total lack of evidence against him? (you just pontied out the stupid voice-lineup evidence)
Dear Rain,
‘Rudy is X’ also accomplishes establishing an appropriate title for a killer in the community.
No one wins in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, except that Government.
oop’s, “… except THE goveernment.”
That’s great a great story about Andriacchi against Cullatta. Sorry to hear that the Builder got the worst of it. I can’t imagine Johnny No Nose in a fistfight. He’s too sly. I guess he probably turned the other cheeck, but then made more dangerous plans for revenge. No way would No Nose engage in a fistfight.
Joe, I wonder if Lee or Michael M. ever got in a fistfight why they were made guys on the street. Joe, did Lee ever stomp anyone’s sh*t? I also wonder if centraccio ever beat down someone while he was a made guy running a street crew in DuPage and melrose park clinic.
Joe, great stories.
Dear Butch,
We can safely assume almost every ‘made’ member has engaged in a fistfight. Unfortunately, I am not aware of all the stories.
Dear Butch,
I know a story that you would find interesting.
Buddy Ciotti was in a fight (one of many) at Aurie’s Restaurant in Melrose Park, Illinois. The fight was between him and an unknown fellow. The unknown fellow was going toe to toe with Buddy. The fight wound up outside in the street. Somewhere along the Melrose Park Police were notified. Upon the arrival of the police, they noticed it was Buddy who was ‘getting the best of’ the unknown fellow, so the police decided to wait until Buddy finished. As soon as Buddy stopped punching the unknown fellow, Melrose Park’s finest finally stepped in by handcuffing the unknown and charging him with battery.
I was not a witness to this story; however, several reliable sources informed me of it – one of my sources on this story is a Melrose Park Police officer.
I find such story somewhat troubling because I never experienced my friend Buddy behave that way.
DEar Joe,
Point taken. Do you see what I’m saying about No Nose? He’s way too smart to get in a fist fight. He plans his revenge for a far more diabolical scheme. See my point?
Joe,
THere’s no information about Lee M. on the interent or in any books. Please post a picture of him, seeing as he was a Capo. Maybe you could get one from your source, scan it in, and post it. Joe, there are people who doubt Lee was as big of a deal as you make him out to be. But Joe, I definitely believe. Please put a picture of lee on the blog.
Joe, I gaurentee that Lee kicked some major ass when he was a ‘made guy’ on the street. i know it sounds stupid.
i won’t bother you again about this stuff.
just read the story about ciotti. totally awesome.
i think we did our comments at the same time.
you’re the man
Dear Butch,
I am afraid the only photo I had of Lee I gave away. In the photo was Lee, DiFronzo and Lee’s son Michael. It was taken in the late 1980’s, several months before Lee’s death. Yes, Lee was a tough guy. However, he never told stories about it.
Oh, I might have another photo of Lee. I will look for it.
Joe,
i dont’know what happened to my other message, but i said that it sounds like a cool photo, but that you probably gave it away because you couldn’t stand the sight of your extorter, No Nose. (personally, i would’ve burned it or handed it directly over to the cops.)
joe, that would be awesome if you could find that other picture. it would validate your theory that lee was a real person who was a capo in the outfit ( i already believe this). joe, there is no question about it–lee probably was very feared, unfortunately.
Dear Butch,
I found the other photo of Lee. Pete DiFronzo is in it too. The photo I gave away had Johnny in it.
Go here for the photo:
http://www.ktfmediagroup.com/joefosco/clip_image002.gif
Dear Butch,
The photo I made available for view is 28-years old.
Actually, 27.5 years old.
Joe,
Thanks a lot! Lee was a pretty handsome guy. I would definitely not F with Lee. Juding from the picture, Lee could probably handle himself really well. Lee probably would have kicked Cullatta’s butt if he was challenged–if he wasn’t distracted by Cullatta’s afro that is.
Joe,
Listen. THere’s something that I find very creepy about peter difronzo. I can’t put my finger on it, but he gives off a vibe that he is a dangerous person. He seems like a very dangerous person, in fact. I notice he doesn’t get very much attention on here from readers. Did you ever have words with him? I surmise that lee Magnafichi could have wasted him if they ever got into it, but i know they were friends.
Joe, did you or Mike M. ever have words with peter? I hope you and Mike M. know how to handle yourselves around a guy like peter.
Thanks again joe.
Dear Butch,
Peter threatened me in the past. However, he is very careful about his behaviors in public. In public, he is a pussycat – when he is in private (or when he believes he is not being watched), he could be nearly as psychotic as his brother Johnny could.
Michael has engaged in heavy words with Peter, I am not sure if it could be considered a serious argument.
I can handle myself with a guy like Peter. That is done by simply staying away from him.
Hey Joe,
In your blog, there’s that thing about John DiFronzo having very little respect for MM’s father. How did he demonstrate his lack of respect for Lee?
Also, from the mug photo, Michael looks like a a guy who doesn’t take crap from anyone, and if he’s half as solid as Lee appeared to be, I curious why he didn’t slap Peter around a little bit. He’s got thirty years on him for crying out loud.
Joe,
Tonight at 8 p.m. on Biography Channel is a documentary about the guy who “stomped” more people’s “sh*t” than anyone in the history of Chicago. Tony Accardo.
This will probably give “butch” (above) a boner.
Dear Joseph,
I have to say that I am pretty darn impressed with that photo. Unlike most people who follow the mob it appears that you were truley an insider.
I just hope that you remain safe. Most people that turn against the mob and start revealing and showing and writing things do so because they are in the witness protection program.
But the guys you write about are still very much alive and not in prison and as for as I know your not working with the government.
I’m sure you’ve heard this before and I do not want to beat a dead horse, but the only logical conclusion that I can draw is that the mob no longer exists. I’m convinced of it. You are living proof that the mob in Chicago no longer exists.
This, of course, is only my opinion. Only time will tell and I just hope that I am right. Your either a genious or a very risky gambler.
Just one more thing, how long has Michael’s father been deceased now?
Thanks.
Joe,
Fratto threatened to kill you last month, according to your account of the courthouse confrontation. (Be advised that I believe your version of what happened.)
A threat like that is as blunt as it gets.
But Joe, what was the nature of Peter DiFronzo’s threat, and how do you know that he can be a psychopath in private? I supposed I’m more curious about the words that were exchanged with Peter. I imagine it was related to his brother’s opinion that you should pay the Outfit the non-existent “skim” money your late father was believed to have left. I’ve read where you seemed to have spent a good amount of time in Melrose Park, so it’s likely that you ran into the bro’s there.
Do you consider the DiFronzo’s more dangerous than Fratto, or the other way around?
Dear Nokia,
Johnny made a rude remark about Lee, after his death, to Michael. Michael will never forget the comment. I am sorry; I would rather not say what it was.
Michael would never raise a hand to his elders.
Dear Ice,
Michael’s father passed away in December of 1989. I am almost certain he passed away on the 29th or 30th. He was waked at Galewood Salerno funeral home and Johnny DiFronzo paid for the services, according to Joe Salerno. Lee had lung cancer.
I am sorry you are incorrect. The Outfit is not nonexistent – I wish.
Dear One,
I am sorry; I would rather not go in to details on Pete DiFronzo’s threat. I might pursue legal options, therefore do not want to compromise anything. I consider the late Mrs. DiFronzo (their mother) more dangerous than Rudy Fratto, Jr.
Dear Colo,
That list is exhausting. We have done something similar before on one of the other threads. If you are willing to resubmit the list, but number everyone from 1-100 or however many people are listed, I would be willing to simply say ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘dead’ next to the number. ‘Yes’ meaning ‘a serious guy’ – ‘no’ meaning ‘not a serious guy’. And I will double check it with my best source, however, I know this stuff well enough that it is unnecessary for me to bother him, but I will. I will say this much, the list is filled mostly with guys that are not considered serious Outfit operatives.
Dear Colo,
On second thought, please do not resubmit the list. I will take care of it and answer your question very soon.
I am sorry, I had to remove your comment, and however, I will respond to it.
Be advised the size of your comment was too large for some of our computers to accept.
Again, please do not resubmit the list.
Than you.
Joe,
Sorry about that. I didn’t know it would be too large. What I did was copy and paste from another site. I won’t do it again. Lesson learned. Once again, sorry.
Dear Colo,
No harm, it was an innocent mistake. Thank you.
Let me voice my opinion on Marcello, so everyone can take note and move on with their lives.
James Marcello definitely won’t flip because his family is firmly planted in Chicago. For instance, his 28-year old son runs his own successful trucking company in Brookfield. And so on. He won’t flip because he’d be too scared that someone will do to him what he did to Mario Rainone in the 80’s. (When he found out Rainone was beefing, James blew up the front part of Rainone’s mother’s house. Guess what? It worked.) Someone like Sarno or DiFronzo probably wouldn’t hesitate to use this same tried-and-true tactic on Marcello. Mickey Marcello is the one to worry about. The news said he was rattling around in his prison cell, going crazy. He’s now in a prison hospital for some reason.
Joe, rumor has it Marcello could win his appeal. Any idea how he’d be received upon his release if the cards fall in his favor? How would Mike Mags feel about it? Are him and James pals?
Dear Joe,
It seems odd that Johnny DiFronzo paid for Lee’s funeral expenses but then also ripped him in front of his son. I’m not asking you to repeat the comment, but maybe he just had mixed feelings about Lee. DiFronzo might be a killer, but he’s still human. All in all, as the Irish say, it’s not proper to speak ill of the dead, especially in front of the deceased son.
Why did DiFronzo pay for the funeral expenses, anyway? Did he do it to make a big self-gratifying show out of it, or was he Lee’s pal?
Dear Jimmy,
I learned a long time ago not to predict who will flip and who will not. Sometimes the person you least suspect flips and the one you would bet on as being a turncoat, turns out to stand strong.
Maganafichi gets along with both Marcello’s. However, he spent more time with Mick.
Dear Jimmy,
In the old days (I cannot believe I am referring to the 1980’s as the old days), the Outfit paid the burial expenses for their capos and other bosses, unless they were knocked down, (I just realized I have misspelled ‘knock’ in several comments and articles – excuse me).
Johnny and Lee were very close.
Dear Joe,
Did you know an Outfit guy by the name of Chris Messino? I read a book that gave mention to him. Was he Willie Messino’s brother?
Joe,
Who is Sam Urbana?
Judging from his appearance it looked like he probably stomped some serious ass in his day. I won’t ask you for any stories though because it is clear that Mr. Urbana most likely put some individuals in the hospital because of a problem with rage, sorry to say. Yes, many poeple were definitely scared of him, unfortunately.
I bet that Urbana was scared of Lee Mags, though. I’m guessing that Lee might have had to straighten him out of a couple times, but probably nothing that required hospitalization. I guarantee that Lee would have kicked around Ciotti like an empty milk carton or something. I’m not bad-mouthing Ciotti. Keep in mind that the only person who wasn’t scared of Lee was most likely Accardo. But who knows?
The more I think about it, the more I can imagine Accardo sleeping with one eye open because of Lee. Lee probably caused a lot of guys to have sleepless nights. I’m glad I didn’t run afoul of him ever, good thing too.
Joe, thanks for putting up that link. That was a very interesting photo. I never doubted you, but thanks anyway for that photo. Don’t hesitate to do more.
Dear Joe,
Mickey Marcello cried at his sentencing when his son submitted a statement about how he was a very good father who had his faults. The judge said Mickey’s biggest personal failing was being too good of a brother to James. I’m not minimizing Mickey’s life as a gangster, I’m just saying that by all accounts he is supposed to be a good man–deep down. (Now, typically this is where you step in with your Gacy analogy, and rightfully so.)
Now, the FBI surveilled Mickey engaged in a serious argument with Hatch Chiaramonti, and less than a week later he, Hatch, was shot. They have recently apprehended the perpetrators (an Outfit associate and his buddy). My question is: what light your source might shed on this with regard to James Marcello’s role in orchestrating the incident? Marcello was heard saying that he was disappointed in how the hit was “done”, but he certainly did not protest the fact that it transpired. Your source suspects that it’s possible he hand a hand in Zizzo, but how about the Hatch?
Also, what of Mickey Marcello, in general? Gentle giant, or secret psychopath in the mold of Peter DiFronzo?
Dear Joe,
I’ve been following your story and I really feel bad for all the pain that you and your family have gone through. I read that Fratto recently threatened you and in the past the FBI informed you that other ‘outfit’ members had threatened your life. This obviously is enough to scare the daylights out of anyone.
Most people say that the ‘outfit’ is still alive and well and that it’s just not as powerful as it used to be. I tend to agree with this theory somewhat. However, I really think that the threats are exactly that. That is, they are just threats. Other than a few instances over the last several years the outfit is no longer violent. It seems like they stopped wacking people since the early to mid ninties. Over the last 15 or so years, they have not been very violent. This seems to be the case all over the country where any LCN organization exists.
I’m just saying that I highly doubt that the threat that Fratto made to you is anything more than just a threat. I think that the worst possible thing that a person can do is commit the act of murder. It just doesn’t get any worse than that. The ‘outfit’ has become nothing more than a business(albeit sometimes an illegal one). The Italians have moved up in the world and as we evolve as a nation and as a universe we tend to advance our ways of thinking and we tend to learn from past mistakes. I’m sure this goes for the ‘outfit’ as well. The bottom-line is that people, in general, are smarter nowadays.
Worst case scenario, lets say there are some ruthless, evil guys left at the top that want you gone. Who’s gonna do the job? I personally feel that the kind of guys that want to join the ‘outfit’ are the type of guys who are smart enough to know that if they commit the act of murder that they are eventually going to get caught and go to jail for the rest of their life. Furthermore, they will spend eternity in H*LL which is even worse than a life sentence. I don’t think anyone wants to face all that just to impress ‘no nose.’
But who am I? I could be wrong. Apparently, crime has always existed and will probably always exists. This is probably because people have to be young before becoming old and young people almost always make mistakes. Therefore, I really admire what your doing. Also, the historical aspect of organized is interesting.
Lucky,
Joe has already hinted that he has knowledge of Outfit murders that the general public is completely unaware of. That would include you and I. Also, ! made some remarks about 2 murders, and though they are totally unsubstantiated, they raise some good points about what corrupt law enforcement officials can do to squash and obscure would-be murder investigations.
I don’t know how powerful the mob is, but there’s a reason why Jow, an insider, is taking Outfit death threats seriously.
Deli – I’m not sure how Joe will address your question, but I once read on the Suntimes blog about how the scariest thing this one guy had ever seen was Mickey Marcello get angry. I assume Magnafichi has had different experiences with him. Maybe Joe will elaborate.
Joe, without getting into specifics, was Peter’s threat scarier or more ominous than Fratto’s. I’m asking because Fratto’s threat is about as serious and direct as it gets. Thanks.
Joe, by the way, does Michael Magnafichi know that his late father, Lee, has a groupie who comments on KTF Media Group?
ie, 6:21 & 6:40 p.m. comments by “butch” L O L !!!
Dear Joe or Deli,
I’m not familiar with !. Could you please tell me more about the alleged murders. Also, what murders did Joe bring up that we wouldn’t know about. I guess I missed some stuff on here somewhere. I thought that the last hit was on a guy named Ronald Jarret in late 1999 or early 2000. His name came up during the family secrets trial. I think there was also someone named LaCoco or something like that. He was a bookie who died while riding a horse, during an NFL Sunday. Do you guys know anything about that. Also, the only other thing I heard of was Anthony Zizzo. But who knows about him, he could be sitting on a beach somewhere sipping on a Mai-tai taking in the tropic sun. With Zizzo, it could have been a premature escape from indictment. On the hand, I heard that it could of been another crew behind his disappearance because they knew that with ‘Jimmy the man’ going away to jail that ‘little tony’ would be the only one with the stature to stand in the way of them taking over that territory. Who knows?
Dear Frank,
There was never an Outfit guy in Chicago by the name of Chris Messino. The book you read is dumb. Willie was related to several individuals named Chris – his brother, his son, and some nephews. As I said, there has never been an Outfit guy in Chicago by the name Chris Messino.
Dear Frank,
I honestly do not remember the name of Willie’s father; however, it might have been Chris Messino. Nonetheless, there has never been an Outfit guy from Chicago.
Dear Butch,
Sam Urbana was well connected. He lived in Florida in recent years. Lee loved him. I will ask someone tomorrow if Sam is still alive.
The idea of Mr. Accardo not sleeping with both eyes closed because of Lee Magnafichi is ridiculous. Lee respected Accardo like a father and older brother all in one. And Accardo was well aware of it.
An impossibility is your idea about Ciotti and Lee rumbling – impossible. Buddy Ciotti was not the kind of person to upset the higher-ups; therefore, a rumble would never be a thought.
Dear Deli,
My source simply refers to the Hatch as a man with many enemies, in other words, a case of “Who shot JR.” My source hated him too.
Mickey is a gentle giant; however, he will kill if his brother tells him to. In addition, Mickey was a heavy cocaine user and drinker. I believe he kept the extent of his drinking from his brother, and every bit of the cocaine usage from his brother.
I do know that Vito Scavo was selected as the Melrose Park Police Chief because he agreed to fix cases and arrests and protect the Outfit in every way possible, which he did.
Dear Lucky,
Threats are a crime alone, if not carried out. Imagine hearing a real gangster tell you “your dead.” Do you call his bluff and act as if it is not real? Want to start my car in the morning if you really think Fratto’s threats are just that.
Much less than 15-years ago Zizzo vanished from the face of the Earth.
The Outfit has become nothing more than a business?
Lucky, it has always been a business. Sometimes and illegal one? Come on Lucky – whom are you kidding?
Italians have moved up in the world?
Oh really? The way I see it, because of the Outfit and other Italian Mafias, the Italians have moved down in the world.
In the days of Leonardo da Vinci (1400’s), Italians were as high-up in the world as ever – Italians have been falling ever since – thanks to Italian Mafias and the lowlife followers they breed.
Anyone that wants to join a Mafia is someone that is a murderer or is open to committing murder; otherwise, the individual would join the Boy scouts of America.
Hell does not exist in the minds of a large number of killers.
Thank you for admiring what I am doing.
Dear Lucky,
Can someone inform Lucky what thread ‘!’ wrote on? I do not remember, sorry. Lucky, I am going to insist that you read the comments. I do not have the time to repeat them, I am sorry.
Lucky, you are correct, Zizzo is on a beach rubbing sun-lotion on Helen Brach’s back, discussing how much fun they had at Jimmy Hoffa’s 97th birthday party last week.
Here’s the link, Mr. Lucky Luciano:
http://www.ktfmediagroup.com/home/2010/01/27/mobster-extortionist-tax-evader-and-murderer-rudy-fratto-is-sentenced-to-prison/comment-page-5/#comments
(FEBRUARY 3, 2010 AT 8:59 PM)
It’s somewhere on that thread, but you might have to go back a ways. You get a gold star if you don’t laugh at the Tom Selleck thing.
Dear Robert,
My source has had a much different experience with Mickey Marcello than most people. My source sees Mickey as a nice guy, not a threat. Unfortunately, my sources are in a position that most others in society are not – to see these scary people as if they are ordinary individuals.
I remember having lunch with Frank Mancari (the Dodge dealer) and Michael Magnafichi one afternoon, and Frank brought up the Hatch. Frank would not stop going on and on about how rough he was. Michael Magnafichi told one of his stories about the Hatch. Apparently, Michael’s former wife had a run in with the Hatch back when Michael was only dating her. Michaels then fiancé mentioned her experience with the Hatch to Michaels father, Lee, explaining how scary he seemed. According to Michael, his father asked the young woman whom she was referring to – Michael’s fiancé told him ‘the Hatch’. Lee’s response was, “oh, do not worry about him, I will have a talk with him.” In other words, Lee could regard a person like the hatch as if he were a child – an ordinary person would be frightened to even think of it.
Robert, both threats are frightening – from Rudy and Peter. However, Peter frightens me more than Rudy does.
I made Michael aware of the ‘Lee Magnafichi groupie’. His response was, “what a creep.” Please be advised, it was not my response – please do not blame the messenger.
Thank you very much Ric.
butch, man, you need to calm down! i’m reading your comments, and you know nothing about these men, yet you’re clearly fantasizing about them.
in the first one, you start out by asking who urbana is, but then not even two sentences later you say, ‘it is clear that Mr. Urbana most likely put some individuals in the hospital because of a problem with rage, sorry to say. Yes, many poeple were definitely scared of him, unfortunately’
how do you know he hospitalized people because of his problem with rage, or that many people were scared of him?
i see why michael, who is a “made guy on the street,” called you a “creep.” get over it.
Sheesh, butch.
Do us all a favor and keep it in your pants, ok? You don’t know the men you are talking about. they are probably all deceased and would’ve done well if they made better decisions while they were alive. Don’t glorify beatings and violence, creep.
Dear Joe,
Check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEQ6V-PDQpI
What do you think?
Harlem Playboy,
Good to have you back. Drop the new handle, though — it’s not as becoming. So you know, I polished off an entire glass of red wine while watching that video. By the way it’s 3:20 in the afternoon on a Wednesday during Lent.
Dear Lake Street,
I checked out your link. Seventeen seconds in to it my phone rang (saved by the bell) so I paused it. After my call ended, I wanted to close out the screen. However, I decided to give a chance to play out. At the 48-second mark, I had to turn it off.
However, thanks for the thought.
joe,
i’m revisiting some old threads [bored at work]. i know you said he’s not your source, but you said you talk to michael mags. i just now noticed mag’s take on butch being a ‘creep.’
anyway, do you know if mags comes to this website? you said his son does, correct? does michael know about posts from guys like “vin” or “harlem playboy” or “maury” (or however you spell his name. i’m referring to the guy who is scared of everything)? i’m curious what a real-life (reputed) outfit guy thinks of ridiculous outfit related comments on the web. ———thank you.
i meant, do you know if mags comes to this website personally?
Dear Joe,
Regarding the 4:38 comment. Please add the commentor named ‘longtime reader’ to the list.
Keep in mind, this is guy who belittles others and reads your site on his company’s dime.
Thank you.
joe,
disregard doe’s comment. he has absolutely no idea what my internet privileges are at work. nor does he know what i do for a living.
“vin”, “harlem playboy”, and “maury” are responsible for the dumbest comments on this website–you can add the horse fart guy, too–and i don’t apologize if i offended them.
joe, if you get a chance, please address my question. thank you.
dear doe, whoever you are:
you’re obviously one of the readers i mentioned, otherwise you wouldn’t have taken exception to my characterization of your comments as being “ridiculous”
if you don’t like being called out for being a moron, then don’t contribute moronic statements. is that so hard to grasp?
Dear Longtime,
Michael does not come to the site personally. People read him the threads while he plays cards with them. Michael does not voice his opinion to me about the site. He knows about it – we discuss it and he keeps his feelings to himself. I would assume he would rather I not have such site, but he does not say so.
interesting.
does michael think any of the comments are interesting, or does he thinks it’s mainly speculative b.s.? i’m just curious.
if he read any of vin’s narratives or any of harlem’s nick gio material, michael magnafichi was probably dying of laughter.
i think i remember “harlem playboy” asking if michael wore z-cavaricci clothing in the 1980’s. i wonder what he made of that.
I agree with longtime reader. Horse fart guy, LOL.
Joe, in one thread you said you had notes from some old Outfit guys that are deceased? Can you tell us who they were?
Dear Joe,
Does the ‘silent treatment’ mean that you are not going to answer my questions regarding the incidents from ’98. I totally understand if you don’t want to talk about it. Please just respond to let me know that your not going to respond on the subject. This way I won’t bug you with it.
Thank you.
” the Terpening-Messino shooting in 1998, or an earlier incident involving the investigation of John DiFronzo in a criminal damage to property allegation. ”
Yes please elaborate. It would be disappointing if you threw this out there as a attention getting scheme, only to dash down your rabbit’s hole when you are asked for more information.
Hey bobby and Just Wondering:
“Can you see Mike Leddo
In the rearview mirror?
My hairy ass
Pouncing the ho.
chuggalugga
chuggalugga
chuggalugga
chuggalugga”
* * *
RING A BELL? You are as unbelievable now as you were back then.
Dear Joe, please do not delete or be offended by the doggerel verse I just typed. If “Just Wondering” is who I think it is, then they wrote the above little jingle about me on a tavern wall a long time ago. (This happened in Melrose Park, and it was a few years before the word ‘ho’ became “fashionable.) I won’t get into the circumstances, but it ruined my life for about 3 years.
PS – Please don’t demand an explanation. We don’t need take a lengthy trip down that particular memory lane, do we?
Dear “longtime reader”
You’ve got it backwards. If you don’t like our participation, ignore our remarks or go to another blog. Don’t dismiss our comments as moronic. Also, my name isn’t “the horse fart guy”, it’s “fart on a horsey boner.” If you happen to have a problem with that, take it up with my parents because they’re the ones who named me. They gave me a silly name to toughen me up, but it backfired because the all years of ridicule ended up turning me into a total coward who shields himself with the anonymity of the internet and hides behind his computer all day long.
Dear Mr. (or Ms.) M. Leddo,
There’s something I like about you. Please write a poem targeting “longtime reader” — a new commenter and stuck-up snob.
Dear Mr. Magnafichi,
Please do not commit any of the content of my remarks to your memory if you happen to be reading this. It’s just a couple of guys sorting things out amongst themselves. Nothing to concern yourself with. God bless you.
Respectfully,
Mr. fart on a horsey boner
Sorry, wrong blog. It won’t happen again.
There is NO PROOF that “THE LARGE GUY” is in the mafia PERIOD.
Dear Longtime,
Michael seems interested in hearing about the comments at times, and at other times does not want to be bothered by them. Michael does not have an interest in Nick Gio – same with me.
Dear Joe and Dick,
My inability to be on line 24-hours a day in not the ‘silent treatment’. I have responded to your question on the shooting and criminal damage in the appropriate thread.
Dear Fat Boy,
There is no proof that he is not in the mafia PERIOD PERIOD.
well, i see that i have successfully incurred the indignation of some of the idiots on this thread. good! i don’t want to be on the side of idiots.
joe, be advised that “fat boy” = “harlem playboy” = “johnny apple seed” = “john doe”
this person is baiting you by making an obviously false statement because he has grown bored that you will no longer entertain his nick gio obsession. the gio material started with “johnny apple seed” back in january on the “rosemont thread.”
interestingly, on that same thread is the thoroughly asinine statement:
“There is no proof that John DiFronzo, Jack P. Cerone, or Rudy Fratto are in the mafia. Period.” made by “big fella” on 1/10/10 @ 5:37 p.m.
joe it isn’t even funny how obvious it is that this is “harlem playboy” — the biggest moron on that list of morons from earlier. bigger then vin marron and horsie dick or whatever.
that’s how bored i was today, “harlem”. i virtually memorized the “rosemont” thread and traced some of your activities across all of your various fake names via the unifying theme of nick gio.
joe,
it’s actually me, “longtime reader” who “john doe” (aka “harlem”) tried castigate earlier today for using my computer at work to read your threads.
harlem, why don’t you change your screen name to ‘gio lover’? then get his image from the inmate locator and make it your avatar? maybe you can photoshop lipstick marks all over his face. you have a serious problem in this gio obsession.
The only thing that going to put this bedbug to sleep is a porn movie starring Gio!
The infamous beard & long hair photo of Mike “Large Guy” Sarno is from the mid 1990’s when he was indicted for racketeering, running an illegal gambling operation, and extortion. I just found that out from an email from Mr. Warmbir.
Sarno is now a clean cut, predictable well attired, middle-aged mob heavy, or as Joe argues, the Boss.
Personally, I don’t give two shits what Sarno looks like, but I know some mafia romanticists were worried that the Outfit was going the way of the Outlaws. Not the case.
Joe,
I agree with F*rt on a Horsey B*ner,
“LONGTIME READER” has it backwards.
Joe, could you advise this troubled soul to stop discouraging some of your readers from contributing.
In the meantime I will pray for him.
Thank you Joe and God Bless.
Readers,
Please do not be discouraged from participating in the conversation.
Dear Mr. Fosco,
In regards to the commentor named “longtime-reader,” not only is he unoriginal but he appears to be an angry person.
Stop trying to throw guys like Vin and Harlem under the bus and go back to moonlighting at work.
Couldn’t you come up with something more original than “longtime-reader?”
Oh, and one more thing, stop trying to play Butt Detective and have a good night.
By the way, nobody cares what you think anyway.
it doens’t take any kind of a detective [butt or otherwise] to connect the dots here, everyone.
joe, i’m not sure what is going on here.
i’m also not sure what the hell that is even supposed to mean.
butch’s comments were very weird, but at least they were relevant. harlem or vin or whoever you are, you need to grow up.
Dear Joe, Lake Street Player, and readers;
Please watch this video (linked), which shows the only known publicly available footage of Joe Ferriola.
In the title he is incorrectly called a “reporter”, but this is obviously an FBI video recording of Ferriola.
Enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytd9q06pmrw
(No one appears to have been injured in this video.)
Dear F***…,
That was hilarious.
Joe,
Tell Mr. Long Term Reader not to take this so seriously.
I think that some of these other people are just teasing him.
Besides, who really cares anyway?
PEACE!
L O L –> 8:32 am video!!!
it sorta looks like ferriola waving around some betting slips or flash papers
joe,
are you the same age as michael magnafichi?? if not how much younger or older than him are you? it might sound weird, but i’m trying to get a sense of the ‘dynamic’ of the relationship.
Wow, is it really true that Michael G. Magnafichi got 7 DUI’s and went to prison for it, too?
Dear Vin,
I want to put a couple of questions to you, pal…
–What do you know about skipping out on bar tabs in Roselle and Hoffman Estates?
–What do you know about a stupid ass blog about the Outfit that I recently came across? (Why did you remove your first article, and why are you deleting my comments?)
–What can you tell us about some fantasy Outfit mob charts you drew in a spiral notebook four or five years ago with “Vincenzo Marone” as top banana?
Vin, you used to wish you were in the Outfit, but now you think you are Joe Fosco.
Oh, and I just remembered, Vin can you tell us about the time you got in trouble for accosting that deaf man outside Valli produce on Roselle Rd?
Thank you very much for your time, Numbnuts.
Yes, Michael was pinched at least 7-times for DUI. The entire city knows this stuff.
I thought he said I was the love of his life………
Dear Mr. Fosco,
Did you hear about the recent add-on to the indictment. Szaflarski was just added to an indictment that, I believe, already has “The Large Guy” on it. He is rumored to be the king of Video Poker in Chicago and I think I remember reading that he is the son-in-law of “Shorty” Lamantia.
Do you know anything about this guy? Is he a made guy? Is he friends with Michael Mags? Do you think that the outfit will control video poker once it is legalized. Sorry to bug you, but I had enough of the Jerry/Maryann soap opera drama.
Dear Shangra,
I have not heard of the add on. I will check on it and talk to some of my sources and get back to you soon. Thank you.
Dear Shangra,
I have been very busy. Therefore, it took me until this morning to look in to the ‘Szaflarski’ matter. If you would have used his first name “Casey,” I would have been able to respond immediately. Casey is very close to Sol and Fat Mike. I have been in his company approximately 100-times. He hangs with Sol quite a bit and frequents a couple of different establishments located near Grand Avenue and Halstead. I never knew his last name. I remembered it was a long polish name – I simply knew him as Casey. He is one of those pinstripe-suit wearing bozo’s like Rudy Fratto – except Casey really has money.
I doubt Casey is ‘made’.
Dear Shangra,
I do not believe Casey and Magnafichi know each other. Magnafichi and Sol know each other.
When video poker machines become legal in Illinois, the Outfit will have an upper hand because they have existing relationships with bar owners.
Dear Mr. Fosco,
Who is Sol?
Dear Shangra,
I am referring to Solly Cataudella. Solly is extremely close to Fat Mike.
is cataudella considered a “heavy” guy?
as in, i’m not referring to his weight.
Dear Dell,
In my opinion, I would say he might replace Sarno as day-to-day boss, if he has not already.
Is Mikey the Mags pals with Sarno or Solly?
Michael Magnafichi knows both of them. He is closer to Solly because Solly was one of Michael’s players several years ago (football book).
Joe, I noticed that you write negatively about the people that Buddy Ciotti, Michael Magnafichi and Willie Messino disliked. Are you seeking vengeance on behalf of them?
Ciotti disliked Scavo & Fratto. Messino disliked Dote & Fratto. And Magnafichi dislikes the DiFronzo’s & Fratto.
Dear Living,
No vengeances here. I am simply a hard working journalist.
Dear Joe, I recently was introduced to the KTF site and I am currently going through your comments and stories. I was also a very good patron of a certain Italian rest. on Division st. in Melrose Pk. So I do know a little about you and know a few people who know you pretty good. I also have had the pleasure of Michael Mags company. You are right, he is a hell of a golfer. But it seems to me you are a little biased when it comes to your friends. People are, what they are. You call yourself a journalist. I would think that there should be no bias in your reporting. If you want to go after “gangsters” that’s fine, but when there is someone that you know and like that might be a so-called gangster, well my friend like Bill O’Reilly say’s, you report and we decide. Be fair and balanced.
Dear Nick,
If you are referring to my friendliness with Mr. Mganafichi – unlike Bill O’Reilly – I have a particular ‘gangster’ to be thankful for in terms of being alive today. In other words, Mr. Magnafichi has helped me in various ways address the “Outfit” hit on my life, therefore, in my opinion; he is partially responsible for my existence on this planet today.
Despite Mr. Magnafichi’s good deeds concerning me, I have indicated via KTF (in various threads and articles) that he is an alleged gangster, and I have cited his criminal record. However, I have decided to pardon him in a sense for his good deeds relating to me, by not slamming him as I have other criminals. Again, he helped save my life – that counts for something. Most importantly, I do not believe that he has murdered anyone and that counts for something too.
I am confident that a reasonable person could understand my position and would see that I am extremely fair and balanced.
Thank you for your comments.
Joe, I now know we’ll never see eye to eye. I am a dinosaur, an old school guy and from now on I’ll keep my comments to my fellow dinosaurs at the old school.
Take care. Nicky Z
Harlem Playboy,
As I scan the comments on this site, I see that you have brought the reputation of being a Nick Gio fanatic, a horsey fart, and a funnyman on yourself. You have no one else to blame, sir. You made your bed–now sleep in it. I will pray for you.
Dear F*rt on a Horsey B*ner,
Thank you, you are a kind soul. By the way, I’m not sure if you are more fanatical about gio or me!?!
I think that you kind of like my nick name a little.
Have a wonderful evening and stop blaming other people for your problems.
PS – Get over your obsessions.
PSS – When it comes to a battle of wits, you are completely unarmed.
this is for ‘gentle peacemaker’
i’m not sure if you caught it, but, on another thread, this guy (harlem “playboy”) was caught in the act of intimating violence against other readers. then he accused me of persecuting him, then went on a weird rant, only to immediately apologize and inform me that i would not encounter him on here anymore. normally when people engage in this type of misbehavior in reply-threads, they are banned/blocked by the newsgroup. ktf isn’t a subscription news service, so i’m not sure if that’s an option. my advice to you is to leave this troubled maniac to alone, but do not hesitate to submit an email if he begins to creep you out, or if he starts implying threats.
Dear Scared,
When people misbehave on my thread, I usually issue a gentle reprimand. If they are vulgar, I remove the post. If they make threats, I refer the matter to law-enforcement. So far, I have not had to block anyone or contact the authorities for threats on the thread. However, I will gladly do so if necessary.
There’s something way, waaaaay “out there” about Harlem Playboy.
I’m half-expecting his name to pop-up in an “Attention Public” article sooner or later.
Joe, Are you ever going to do a sequel to this article? This was your most amazing work yet!
Apparently, this man (Michael) really has a ‘flair for the dramatic.’
This article really provides your audience with an outstanding view of the inner-workings of the mafia in Chicago.
This man, in particular, sounds like he could be the star in one of the many Hollywood portrayals of mafia life.
He definitely has what they call “it.”
His name, his looks and his past just scream “celebrity/Hollywood.”
I’m tempted to say he is Chicago’s very own version of New York City’s John Gotti (minus a lot of the really bad stuff).
Only my opinions. Thanks, keep up the good work.
Oh, almost forgot . . . do you think there will ever be another one in Chicago quite like Michael? I ask only because it seems highly unlikely due to the diminishing status of the organization.
Dear Cermak,
I will think about it.
After giving it a little thought, I am unable to get past my dislike for promoting gangsters. The article on Michael was meant more on a personal level – I believe that his personal actions might have contributed to my life being preserved, despite the Outfit hit issued on it. I do not believe that I could promote gangsters in general.
Dear Kid,
A man that researches the Outfit quite deeply made the new chart. However, I found the chart to be partially accurate. In my opinion, Magnafichi is not an Outfit boss today.
I was impressed with all the nice photos on the chart.
Dear Mr. Fosco,
Are you aware of the new book entitled “Family Affair” by Sam Giancana & Scott M. Burnstein? Are you aware that you, your late father, and your civil RICO case are mentioned/referenced in it?
Let me ask you something else, sir. If you have read it, how accurate do you consider it? Please be advised that the authors assert that M. Magnafichi is currently an active member of the Outfit and that Rudy Fratto is in charge of operations in Iowa.
There seems to be a lot of information in this book that conflicts with some of the your information from the threads. For instance, Marco D’Amico is named as “consigliere” and former “capo,” while on here you said that he’s not even a made member. There’s also mention of a Marcello-DiFronzo rivalry, which sounded a bit suspect.
What is your opinion on these matters?
Dear Feech,
Some call Michael Magnafichi the nickname ‘Feech’ – mostly the kids he went to grade school with.
I did not hear about the book until now. Therefore, I did not read it, of course.
How they shoehorned the piece about my late father and me in the book in such a short period shocks me. Did they write this book overnight? In addition, I do not believe Michael is an active member of the Outfit today. And, Rudy cannot control his wife and daughters, making it laughable to hear that he is accused of running an entire state (is this a joke? If so, I could use a laugh).
Marco is NOT ‘made’. However, I would agree that DiFronzo and Marcello’s do not share any love for each other. Nonetheless, I would put my money on Johnny DiFronzo if it came down to it.
Giancana says that your RICO case may be the first flecks of a legal tidal wave that is headed in the direction of the Outfit. It’s near the end the book. I can’t remember if he mentions the “Fosco” name specifically. The book just came out.
(I’ll dig it out this weekend and post the quote on here.)
There’s not a whole lot of new information in the book for anyone who read Coen’s book or who reads this blog. He co-wrote it with Scott M. Burstein. Burstein is the person responsible for that very specific 2010 Outfit Chart that has all the mug shots on it.
(btw, You should contact Giancana and see if you can co-write a book with him. It was published by Penguin Press. Who the heck is Scott M. Burnstein, anyway? It seems like you have sources that would make it worth his while!)
Giancana estimates that there are 50-80 “made” members of the Outfit nowadays.
There are some details in the book that, as far as I know, were not made available by the mainstream media. I’m not talking about dialogue; I’m talking about stuff like how The Hatch shoved Mickey Marcello in the parking lot of a restaurant a day or two before The Hatch was murdered.
…makes you wonder who HIS sources are.
Dear Feech,
If you are unsure if the name Fosco is in the book, how did you conclude they were referring to my RICO suit?
I am in the middle of writing a book, with the help of some very capable people in the media world. Unfortunately, I am not at liberty to divulge details. However, I can say that we should be published in less than one year from now.
As far as the Hatch, his murder reminds me of ‘who shot JR’.
Someone purported to be involved in designing the new Outfit chart that I believe sounds like the one you described in the book (based on the name of the person that made it), sent a copy to me a while back for my critic. I passed on it.
However, I did look at it – I found it to appear as a nifty scrapbook. The pictures were nice. One nickname of someone on the chart made me fall on the floor laughing. Unfortunately, I am not at liberty to say whom.
It’s unmistakably you.
The passage specifically talks about the son of a mob-connected union official who recently filed the first civil RICO suit against the mob in the Outfit’s history…for matters relating to extortion, threats, etc. There’s probably other telling details that I can’t recall right now because I don’t have the book in front of me.
I’m just saying, Giancana’s last two books are, in my opinion, of questionable veracity. But his first one (“Double Cross”) moved some serious units (I mean, sold a serious amount of copies). Maybe think about contacting him, and get going a project. Recoup some of that $ that was lost in the extortion matter.
There’s a LOT in the book about DiFronzo. About how he’s low key and thinks in all directions, and how he’s been able to thwart the Feds. One of his sources says that while DiFronzo is not flashy and not “active” (per se), he’s definitely concerned about how is perceived by the mafia bosses in other big cities. Supposedly, DiFronzo has some emissary that represents him to the Big Guys in OH, WI, MI, CA, and NY, and makes sure that they know who’s the boss in Chicago. I guess DiFronzo is the most senior boss in the US.
Dear Feech,
I admit it sounds like the book is referring to me with respect to the lawsuit.
I happen to know the people that I am working with pretty well regarding the book I am currently working on. I am content for now. And, the authors of Family Affair seem to have several books out already; it would not make sense to me if they authored another book so soon, considering their books are on the same subject.
There’s some small metion of Sarno, too. Scalise, Joe Kong, and a few of the other guys. Oh, and Marco D’Amico’s “lieutenant”, Anthony Dote–brother of Carl, the Danny’s Deli guy.
They have Joe Kong photo wrong – they have the wrong Joe.
Cha Cha Cha
Cha Cha Cha
Dear Joe,
I just wanted to know if you and Mags ever hung out at the old 13 colonies?
Dear Joanny,
I did. Michael did not. Michael is slightly older than I am and the 13 Colonies was not his thing at the time it was popular.
Joe,
We also called him Fichi, (feechie). He was a good friend through grade school and H.S.. Heck a baseball player before golf. Didn’t see him after NIU golf team. I sometimes would ride back and forth between Bensenville and DeKalb. Tell him an old friend from about 30 yrs ago says Hi and wishes him the best.
Dear Bak,
Who shall I say you are (Bak)? Do you know Ricky?
Tell him kubes said Hi. I was just screwing around on line and found your sight. Mike was a good guy. I guess he has been plenty busy in the last few decades. He was always a good friend. I new his Mom and sisters. Lost touch and wondered how he was doing.
Dear Bak,
He is doing good. His mom passed about 10-years ago, and his sisters are all well. I will say hi for you tomorrow.
I am sorry to hear about his Mom. I remember her back when we were at Mohawk. Tell him Hi and to take care of himself. Maybe I will run into him some day. I still see a couple of the guys from High School and keep in touch.
Thanks,
B
Dear B,
Will do.
Dear BAK,
Michael said he did not see you at the 30-year reunion a couple of months ago. He remembers you well and had all the same nice things to say about you. He remembered that your father passed away in one of the wars several years ago and that you were a great football player. If you want to exchange phone numbers, let me know privately at jfosco@AmericanNewsPost.com.
Thanks,
JF
…just did an image search for “Lee Magnafichi” and all I got was thumbnails of the ghost of f. on a horsey b.’s avatar. LOL!
Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL ) – June 3, 1998
Deceased Name: Geraldine A. Magnafichi
Prayers for Geraldine A. Magnafichi (Nee Tomaselli), will be said at 9 a.m. Friday, at Salerno’s Rosedale Chapels, 450 W. Lake St. (3/4 mile west of Bloomingdale/Roselle Rd.), Roselle. Mass will follow at 10 a.m. at St. Isidore Church. Interment will be in Queen of Heaven Cemetery.
She was the beloved wife of the late Lee; devoted mother of Michael (Karyn), Lee Ann (Donald) Yario, Carrie Lynn (Jack) Buttita and Jolene Magnafichi; dear sister of Marlene Stallone, Mary King, Bebe (Mickey) Ventresca, Jo Ann (Robert) Poole, Carol (William) Ventresca, Joseph (Patti) and James Tomaselli; fond grandmother of Carli, Jimmy and Nicholas Yario, Michael Magnafichi and Gabrielle Buttita.
Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday, at the funeral chapel.
For information, (630) 889-1700.
Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL )
Date: June 3, 1998
Edition: Cook
Page: 10
Record Number: 184309
Copyright (c) 1998 Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL )
Why this?
It proves that Lee existed–which some people on here doubted. And it shows the link with the Tomaselli’s. Didn’t you say it was at one of their homes in Bensenville where that bad thing happened to the Spilotro’s?
(Remove the obit. if it bothers you. I meant no offense.)
Dear Merlin,
Jimmy Tomaselli owned the home that served as the slaughterhouse where the infamous Spilotro brothers were sadistically tortured to death. Thus far, all the Spilotro family has done was turn in a man (Lombardo) that had nothing to do with it.
Joe,
Was Lee complicit in the demise of the Spilotros?
According to OFS trial testimony, those present included: James LaPietra, John Fecarotta, John DiFronzo, Sam Carlisi, Louie “The Mooch” Eboli, James Marcello, Louis Marino, Joe Ferriola, and Rocky Infelice. But, it also surfaced that there were 3 additional “made” guys present (who Nick Calabrese was not acquainted) with who participated in the killings.
(Everyone present was definitely “made” because the Spilotros were lured there under the pretext of Michael being made and Tony being upped.)
I wonder if Lee was involved.
Also, if Lee was involved, it would be interesting to know who the other two “made” killers were, as well. Accardo was living part-time in California at the time and Cerone, Aiuppa, and Angelo LaPietra were in prison, as was Lombardo. But all of them would have been to old to have participated, anyway. Calabrese was acquainted with Peter DiFronzo, Joe Andriacchi, Solly D, Bobby Bellavia and Mike Sarno at the time, so it couldn’t have been any of them; he would have recognized all of them and identified them in court, as he did with Marino and DiFronzo.
Al Pilotto’s Chicago Heights “made” guys were tapped to do the burial.
Perhaps it was some sleepers or out of town guys?
This is an interesting mystery. It would be great if you shared any stories or information you have concerning this matter. Maybe you should consider writing an article about it.
Do you think it is possible that Rudy or Pudge Matassa were involved? Matassa is known to have been “made” in the late 1980’s, so he was probably too young and too low on the totem pole. How about Rudy?
Dear Merlin,
Lee was very much complicit in the demise of the Spilotro’s. Heck, his brother-in-laws home was used as the location for the murders. My Uncle Romie and Lee Magnafichi worked together to save Jack Duff Jr’s life for innocently appearing at the front door of the house while looking for his friend Jimmy (Lee’s brother-in-law). It is purported that Duff encountered Lee at the house during his brief visit at the wrong time. Since then, Duff has told a dozen people about it, which is why I am shocked that it took all the years for the case to go to trial.
What I am about to disclose will seem to some as one of the most self-serving statements that I have ever made. To others like me, it will be difficult because I truly do not find anything impressive about what I am going to say. More than one person has brought to my attention that my father was a likely participant in the Spilotro murders. Let me say that I do not completely trust this information; however, I would be fibbing if I told you that it is impossible. My father knew Michael and Tony very well. My father used to own a coin shop in Oak Park next to the Onion Roll. My fathers shop was there from roughly 1970 to 1976, it was called the Franklin Coin Shop. Michael and Tony would sell my father whatever precious valuables they would come in contact with. Tony was impressed with my father’s massive gun collection, as well as my father’s history with men like Teets and Joe Shine, which a number of people were aware. Tony looked up to my dad in a sense. On a couple of occasions Joe Nick had my father go to Vegas to try to talk some sense into Tony, suggesting that he should calm down because there was too much heat on him and that it was creating problems in Chicago. Joe was aware of my father’s rapport with Tony, obviously. A source close to Joe Nick told me that Joe was also very impressed with my father’s history with Teets and Shine. According to this source, Joe indicated that my father was a ‘made’ man and a retired hit man from Teets’ crew, which Joe found very interesting. Apparently, Joe liked to know whom he thought he could count on for committing murders.
It is no mistake that Joe Nick and my father were tightly connected. In addition, Al Pilotto, my Uncle Romie and my father were also tightly connected, especially regarding union dealings. Furthermore, my father was tied in with Pilotto a great deal on various street matters over the years in relation to business in the Heights. Pilotto even called my father at home many times over the years under a disguise as the “insurance man,” which my oldest brother told me years later. In 1986, my father suddenly rekindled his old connection with Louie the Mooch (my dad was close with Louie’s dad Tommy Ryan). In fact I was introduced to Louie thru my father in Rochester Minnesota, while Louie, Charlie Nicosia and my father were at Mayo Clinic undergoing various testing and treatments for cancer (all three had cancer, or the onset of cancer). At times, they would have me run an errand while they discussed things. I had no idea what they were discussing. We ate at the restaurant at the top of the Kahler Hotel.
My father’s cancer was under control until October of 1986, which means that my father was in reasonable health at the time of the Spilotro murders. My father died the following February. Louie died a number of months after my father. As I think back, I am not entirely sure if Louie was sick in 1986, however, he was certainly at the dinner at the Kahler Hotel. For those of you unaware of Charlie Nicosia’s lineage, he was a cousin and confidant of Sam Carlisi.
Aside from the coincidences that I have shared, a source close to Joe Nick insists that my father was one of the people involved in the Spilotro murders. All I can do is wonder if it is true or not. I suppose that a photo of my father could shed some light on the matter if the cooperating Calabrese’s would agree to review it and say if whether they could recall if my father was one of the missing links. It would be nice to clear my father.
I would be more inclined to think that the two missing links were Cardinal Bernardine and Harold Washington before I would suspect Solly D, Bellavia, Sarno, Mattassa and/or Fratto.
Joe,
Let me tell you something: Joe Ferriola wasn’t the kind of guy who would go around saying that a guy was made if he wasn’t made. So, it appears as if your dad most definitely was.
It’s not surprising. I always heard that aside from the notorious Angelo Fosco there was another Fosco who was heavy and involved with the unions. (I believe this was mentioned in a book, in fact.) I assume that this other Fosco would have been Armando. You should post a picture of him.
If it is true that he was involved in this homicide, I feel bad for you and your family. That has to be a burdensome thing to carry that around with you. It was a different time back. I just hope he made his peace with himself and, if he was a religious man, with God before he passed.
Are you considering doing an article about this bombshell?
Dear F@…,
I will not do an article on my father’s potential involvement in the Spilotro murders because I do not trust the information. If something should change, I would reconsider. If one of the cooperating Calabrese’s would confirm that they saw my father, after seeing his photo, I would publish something about it.
There are/were several Fosco’s heavy in the unions besides Angelo and my father. My father got involved in it much later than the others did. I would not expect that the other Fosco you are referring to was my father. My dad did a very good job of not being noticed. Obviously, I do not take after him. If he were alive today, he would be the one that would have killed me for writing these articles. However, I would never be writing these things if her were alive. I would not be writing these things if Willie Messino were alive.
I pray that my father did make peace with God before he died. My dad had a rough side that was a lot like the way Frank Calabrese Sr was depicted in the Family Secrets trial. However, he had another side that was very gentle, loving, and humorous. I mostly experienced seeing his good side, which makes me very fortunate. He used to carry a rosary in the last year of his life. I think he made peace with God.
My father had bad luck. He lost his only grandchild that he knew, his grandson died in 1983. Armando III was 14-years old when he died. The little boy was sick with epilepsy. Because of his illness, the other kids in his school teased him. He only had one friend from school, who was a little girl his age. She was the only child from St Giles in Oak Park that attended his wake. My father was deeply touched by the little girl and he reached out to her family and befriended them quite closely. For the rest of his few remaining years, my father kept that little girl and her family near to his heart.
I believe that my father made peace with God.
That is a touching story.
Dear Merlin,
Thank you.
Joe–very touching and very revealing. Thank you for sharing.
Dear Logic,
You are welcome.
Joe–do you think Bobby Bellavia is a dope too? His restaurants Bella Via (Highland Park) and Bella Notte (Grand Ave.) are actually quite good. You may have known his nephew Dane Passo from your union days.
Dear Logic,
My stepmother and Bobby’s late mother were good friends (I think his mom is deceased). I never met Bobby. I have met his son. I did not know that Bobby owns Bella Note, I thought Ramón and his father did. Did they sell it?
This is a bit of a mystery but I must say if your a betting man…more than likely your father was probably involved. Your father seems like a major sleeper to me.
Other people who may been involved is Joey DeVita but the problem is Nick Calabrese said Rocky Infelise was their. When that was virtually (95%) impossible.
What about the death of Harold Washington lol. You really think a healthy man like that just died on his office desk. What did Remo Nappi and the 1st ward have to do with his death.
Even though Harold and all the 1st ward was part of the Democratic machine they oppossed him on everything and wanted him out. Was he poisoned Joe ? and why did Nick say Rocky was their !?!?
Dear Black,
I remember my father telling someone how much he and his friends (including Romie) liked Harold Washington; apparently, Harold let the First Ward do anything they wanted to do without any complications.
Harold Washington might have had AIDS.
Joe,
There was something that you wrote that didn’t make sense to me, but now I realize that it was probably just an error. Did you mean 1986 when you typed, “My father’s cancer was under control until October of 2006, which means that my father was in reasonable health at the time of the Spilotro murders?”
I also have a point. If there was an Outfit edict that the children of deceased made guys cannot be extorted (stemming from the Cerone Esq. vs. Paul “the Anroid” Ricca Jr. incident), then that edict was violated when Fratto and DiFronzo decided to go after your money.
Dear F@…,
You are correct, the date should read October 1986, and I will fix it. I am sorry.
The Outfit rule is that the children of deceased bosses cannot be extorted. My father was not an Outfit boss (however, he certainly had the power of a boss thru his brother-in-law Romie Nappi who bossed guys like Marcy, D’Arco and Roti).
Does anyone know where Harry Aleman was when the Spilotro’s were murdered? Harry was in and out of jail a lot. Does someone know if he was in or out at the time? I could see Joe Nick relying on a guy like Harry for the Spilotro matter. Again, we have to figure out if Harry was in jail or not at the time.
I believe that Harry had a close relationship with Tony Spilotro, which could have given Harry the opportunity to make a move on him. Again, was Harry in or out then?
Harry was in prison from 1978 till 1989. Jimmy Inendino was in prison from 1978 till 1990 (the first person in America to be hit with the “dangerous offender” act)…
and yes JF Harold certainly let the 1st ward do what they wanted (like Jane Byrne) … but I recall Harold having trouble with Fast Eddie Vrdolyk and Ed Burke.
But Harry Aleman was certainly not at the Spilotro murders.
Dear Black,
Thank you.
Salvatore DeLaurentis and Louis Marino were partners (under Infelice), though DeLaurentis enjoyed slightly higher stature. If Marino was involved, I don’t see why DeLaurentis couldn’t have been, as well.
Dear Merlin,
Cerone did not care for Solly and I believe that would be the reason that would have precluded Solly from being there. Remember, Aiuppa and Cerone where the driving forces behind those hits. Of course I could be wrong, however, I doubt Solly will argue with me. LOL
Joe, who were some of the other made men in Teets Battaglia’s crew during the 1960’s besides Joe Shine & your Father? I believe Rocky Pranno, Rocco Salvatore & Rocky DeGrazia were with Battaglia.
Dear The Don,
Aside from those you have mentioned, I suppose we could say everyone, at least during the short time that he was boss of the entire Outfit. However, to better answer your question, only two other men come to mind. One was murdered by someone in a non-Outfit matter. His name was Art Papa. My father brought him in. Art was a rough guy. Although I do not believe that he was ‘made’. He was half-Italian and half-Greek. Another fellow that Teets used for beatings was a guy by the name of Jimmy Nuzzo. Jimmy was a lot like the German. He once broke a mans neck by punching him in the face once. My father had to bail him out of the police department in Norridge (or a surrounding suburb) about 30-years ago because he beat up 5-police officers over a routine traffic stop. Of course, he never spent a second in prison over it.
Joe–
Curious…how did your father come to know Tommy Ryan Eboli? Eboli was in New York and your father Chicago, correct? Also, was your father a product of Grand/Ogden neighborhood or Melrose Park?
Dear Logic,
My dad was from Taylor Street. I believe it was through Teets that my father connected with Tommy Ryan, which occured in the 40’s. I have no other details to share, unfortunately. It was around the time my father was connected with old man Louis from New York. I am sorry to say that I do not recall if old man Louis’ first name was Ed or Sam. However, old man Louis had two sons, Ed and Sam that I have met and come to know. Although Sam is now deceased, both were Chicago Police Officials from the 40’s through 80’s.
Joe, I didn’t know your father was from Taylor st.! No wonder he was solid and belonged to Teets.
Dear The Don,
Thank you for the kind words.
Joe, did you ever attend any of those 4rth of July street parties that old man Cerone used to have in the neighborhood on 77th St.? I had another aunt & uncle who lived two doors down from Cerone for many years. He had nothing to do with the Outfit but used to tell me about the ‘block’ party.
Dear The Don,
I was not at any of his July parties. I know all about those parties. Red had a few after Jack went away. I went to one of his parties with my dad.
Dear Mr. Fosco,
I’m trying my damnedest to pry into the private life of Mr. Michael G. Magnafichi. What else can you tell us abou him? I think I saw him grocery shopping at Caputo’s on Lake St. out in Addison. In fact, at one point he was sipping espresso with some old guy near the bakery counter. Are you familiar with Caputo’s?
He lives in Bloomingdale, I think. I was thinking about approaching his residence to get an interview or an autograph, but then I decided that it might be best to check with you via your blog.
Thank you.
I will get my revenge in VEGAS!
Dear I will get…,
I can get you a black and white autographed photo for $1,000.00, color photo is $1,200.00. Deduct $750.00 if you are not interested in an autographed photo. Locks of hair from his head are $200.00, and if you buy the whole package with a colored photo, he will throw in his shorts.
Cash only. Let me know. Fathers Day is around the corner – it makes a nice gift.
Joe,
What do you make of comments by “I will get my revenge in VEGAS![?]”
It would be interesting to hear your opinion on how Mr. Magnafichi would respond to someone who approached his residence after exciting himself with ANP’s articles and threads.
“I will get my revenge in VEGAS!” seems to be all riled up about Michael.
Dear Merlin,
In my opinion, whoever wrote that comment is a crank. Thank you.
What do you mean by crank? An enemey or someone who is just screwing around in the threads?
Dear Merlin,
I mean somebody who is malicious or playing a prank.
Joe, you once said that there are some gangsters who are compassionate and giving, while others are stingy. Who are the good bad guys, and who are the bad bad guys?
(PS: I’m thinking of shortening my name to just “Horsey” to spare everyone the discomfort elicited by “f@rt on a horsey b*ner” or even “the ghost of f@art on a horsey b*ner.” Let’s see how it goes.)
Dear Horsey,
Mooney was very giving. JB did not give ice away in the wintertime. Jack and Joey O were stingy as well. Teets was very giving. My father stopped complimenting him on his jewelry because every time he did, Teets would take whatever piece off he was wearing and give it to my dad. Johnny is a generous gift giver to the right people.
Joe, I agree with you 100% about the generous versus stingy comments. Without sounding a bit prejudice, the Taylor St. Bosses did seem to be more giving than the Grand Ave. Bosses. Several years ago my uncle showed me a gold watch that had been given to him by Mooney. Apparantly sometime back in the 1960’s, Ralph Pierce had some kind of difficulty collecting a rather large gambling debt from a customer. The complaint went up to the Top Boss, Mooney, who called in Joe Gags and asked him to help out.( Sometimes when Mooney called upon Elmwood Park to do something, he would discuss it with Joe Gags instead of Cerone). The assignment was given to Willie who used one of his soldiers, my uncle, to do the collection. The debt was successfully collected and Ralph Pierce was very happy. He offered to give some collection money but my uncle refused to accept anything. Mooney later heard the outcome and was told my uncle was born and raised on Taylor st. Upon seeing my uncle one time at the Forest Park hangout, he gave him the watch and told him it was too bad that he hadn’t originally hooked up with one of ‘HIS’ people.
Dear The Don,
Did you ever hear of Little Five?
Joe, was the Little Five the name of a bar/tavern? I remember hearing of the Armory Lounge in Forest Park. I think that was one of Mooney’s headquarters were Capos, Made men & high level associates would go see him.
Dear The Don,
Little Five was a man that worked for Gags and Willie.
I never heard of anyone with the nickname Little Five. Are you at liberty to tell me his name? If not, that’s okay I understand.
Dear The Don,
I forgot his name. All I know is his nickname.
Joe, I don’t talk to my uncle anymore because of personal reasons. I do not want to say his name on this thread. He has been deactivated since 1993. He grew up on Taylor St., and his branch of the family was close to Willie’s family. He worked under Willie and was almost 20 years younger than him. Sometimes, he referred to him as his cousin. He showed me a newspaper article from a long time ago where he was referred to as ‘Pretty Boy’. He was ordered to apologize to Willie about an arguement between them. He sent Willie a basket of fruit to make amends but Willie refused it. Do you have an idea who I’m talking about?
Dear The Don,
Is your uncle’s first name Joe?
Yes.
Dear The Don,
To tell you the truth, all of this time I thought you were he and not a nephew of his, which could still be the case. No offense.
Joe, no offense taken. Believe me, he would never go on any of these threads and talk to you or anyone else. He’s old school and in addition to that not computer literate. However, I take what you said as a compliment.
Dear The Don,
You have a good point – old school.
Joe,
This is going to seem like a weird question, but what was Michael Magnafichi’s reputation on the street?
On those DOJ prison tapes (1999 – 2001) Michael’s name would come up in conversations between Calabrese Sr. & Jr.
At one point, Jr. told Sr. that, upon being released, he was thinking of opening up a small bookmaking operation to supplement his legitimate income. He mentions specifically that the players would be from the Elmwood Park area and downtown. Michael’s name then comes up and Calabrese Jr. says that “no one respects Magnafichi,” implying that he could get away with undercutting Michael’s operation.
Calabrese Sr. then tells Jr. (twice) to not get involved in Magnafichi. He also says that Jr.’s operation would have to be approved first, but that Chinatown (Sr.’s crew) could give the OK.
Michael’s name comes up a few times, and at one point, while they’re discussing possible dry snitching, it is implied that he might be a problem because, while drinking, he told someone that he could never do time.
I’d be interested to hear what you might have to say about the subject.
Dear Merlin,
There is a great deal of bad news that has been spread around Chicago about Michael over the last 10 or 12 years and some of it is true. However, before it was true, most people who spread the bad news about him were jealous of him (in my opinion). Today, in some ways Michael has sunk to the levels that his accusers have initially placed him. Could Michael do prison time? I do not know. I am not a mind reader or a fortuneteller. We will see when the day comes, if the day ever comes. He has done a couple of small stretches in prison for DUI’s. Big deal. Right? Personally, I do not think prison is an appropriate place for anyone that has not committed violent crimes. I will end my remarks about Michael by saying this, I know of at least 4 major players that I believe Michael could put in prison in a second, who are not even under indictment today. In other words, if Michael is a snitch, he is not an effective one (in my opinion).
Can you provide an example of bad news? I know that he has the reputation as a person who drinks too much, but that’s not that big of a deal. Could you elaborate on, “in some ways Michael has sunk to the levels that his accusers have initially placed him?”
Dear Merlin,
I am primarily speaking about the drinking. As to the other things said about him, I am not going to give those who bash him a platform here. I am sorry.
Thank you.
Michael drinks a little too much and is generally depressed about a couple of things. One thing is personal and the other is that his crew has been deactivated for at least 10 years. He’s a good guy like his father and in NO WAY is he a dry snitch. However, maybe one of his two Bosses may be a different story.
Such as the one who came up at trial and was not indicted?
Joe, remember in one of the other threads you said that Willie helped Mikey when someone made some kind of inaccurate or false statements about him to Johnny? Were there also negative comments made to Johnny about Joe & Spizzirri?
Dear The Don,
I am sorry, I do not recall.
Joe, for your own enjoyment, I will give you someone’s feeling (not mine, but you know about whom I’m refering)towards certain made men from Elmwood Park. Jack Cerone (basically didn’t like him and called him a cheapskate & a phony politician several times), Joe Gagliano (loved him, thought he could do no wrong. Mentioned many times Joe Gags should have been the Capo instead of the Underboss). Willie Messino( at first for many years admired him very much because Willie brought him into the picture as a soldier working directly under him. Was really upset about going away for 7 years and was resentful that Willie’s family was looked after but the same was not done for him. Had a major falling out with Willie in the late 1980’s. After that, he belonged to a different made guy in the crew. He actually ended up hating Willie and refused to even acknowledge that he was a made guy). Lee Magnafichi( liked him very much and thought he was a powerful gentleman. Mike Castaldo( liked him but became upset with him and pretty much everbody else in the mid 1990’s). Pete DiFronzo (disliked him and thought he abused his brother’s power). John DiFronzo (Loved him and once said that if a builing was burning with Johnny inside, he would run into the building to help him and either they would escape together or die together). This last one had nothing to do with Elmwood Park but had a lasting impression upon me. Sam ‘Momo’ Giancana( loved him, thought he was the greatest Top Boss ever in the entire country. Loved the fact that Mooney came from Taylor St. & secretly wished he had been taken into that crew instead of Elmwood Park. One time when we were downtown, pointed to the Sears building and said Mooney’s balls were bigger than the building and that he was a real gangster, a true Mafioso, unlike anyone else. Was very upset when Mooney got knocked down). Well, there you have it. I could continue but it would take too long!
Look at the comment I posted at the same time you posted yours. I posted mine on the ‘To be under the outfit’s thumb’. Our comments are not very similar, but they both relate to Mooney. lol
Thanks for sharing.
Dear The Don,
I believe that almost every boss after Mooney was jealous of him and wanted to be him, but could never fill his shoes.
Joe, The Outfit, which centered around the extended Taylor St. Crew, when Mooney was the Top Boss and Paul was right there with him, will NEVER be repeated or equaled in our life time. They were THE BEATLES of Organized Crime.
Did Lee school Michael at all, or was that left to Joey A?
Lee, Joey A, Wille, Johnny, Petie and Jack Sr, and JB.