Rudy Fratto
Hi everybody! It’s Mike Mags with ANP’s Sports Podcast for today, July 11, 2013. Unfortunately today’s show got a little heated as certain issues that have been quietly brewing “behind the scenes” among a couple of us came to a head.
In our “behind the scenes” segment today Joe Fosco sought out Hollywood’s Johnny Fratto via the internet after bringing up my friend Rudy Fratto. Johnny seems like a great guy. I remember meeting him years ago with his cousin Rudy. I hope you enjoy today’s show.
We’ll be back next Monday, July 15, 2013. Have a nice weekend everyone.
8 Comments
A technical problem caused an issue where the wrong Podcast was
uploaded. The matter will be rectified in a few minutes. Sorry for any inconveniences.
I am happy to announce that our audio problem has been
corrected. Please enjoy the show.
I think Frank needs to lay off Mike. He’s gonna piss him off and leave the show. That would be a big loss. It’s like Frank expects him to turn informant on the show and risk going to prison and getting killed. In my opinion it should be enough to let him tell his stories and talk about things that were before his time.
A,
I am satisfied with Michael’s stories.
Agreed. Let’s continue to enjoy them. He loves golf and knew Joe B., so maybe Joe B. told him some stories about Jack McGurn. He came close to going pro. Have to wonder if McGurn and Joe B. ever played golf together. That’s probably something he’d enjoy talking about. Maybe stories about Golfbag Hunt. All sports related stories.
Wow intense show!
Here is another comment from MT, who has trouble using our comment system.
From: Merlin Tenderpony
Message Body:
Still not sure how to post comments on ANP anymore. Can you streamline it, Joe,
so users can go back to posting the old-fashioned way? The last podcast made for
some incredible listening. What was most fascinating, though, is the dynamic
between the three hosts: Joe (the moderator), Michael (the star), and Frank (the
grand inquisitor). Michael’s relationship with ANP is unclear and inconsistent.
He participated in some pretty damning interviews a year or two ago, and,
judging from those “behind the scenes” transcripts, he disclosed some extremely
sensitive and topical information. Immediately following publication of those
transcripts were accusations that Joe Fosco fabricated the interview because
Michael had “not seen him in over a year.” If there was any truth to that, and
Joe did fabricate those interviews, then Michael would certainly not be
participating in ANP’s podcasts now, so it is now indisputably clear that
Michael really did give those interviews. So,
previously, Michael was willing to acknowledge and discuss current Outfit
activities with ANP and will now reveal things (some amusing) about the
Accardo/Cerone era on the air, but he is adamant that he will not take it any
further than that. I find that very interesting. I honestly believe Michael is
trying to go legit and that his criminal past is behind him, but it is clear
that someone “got to him,” and it is impacting his relationship with ANP.
Perhaps he received some threats or something. I accept Michael’s position that
he only agreed to a sports segment (and I do genuinely hope that he is able to
parlay this podcast into something more lucrative in the way of sports radio),
but I would like to learn more about Michael’s former-associates feelings (and
communications with him), regarding his relationship with Joe Fosco and ANP. I
admire Frank Coconate’s bravery. Maybe you could have some episodes of the
podcast in which only Joe and Frank discuss organized
crime and corruption in Chicago. Since Michael will not discuss any of that
anyway, by not having him on those shows, there would be nothing impeding the
discussion. Maybe you and Frank could have guests, etc., who will add to the
discussion. The last thing I wanted to mention is an apparent but significant
change of attitude on a two topics. Did Michael refer to Rudy Fratto as “his
friend” near the end of the segment, or am I hearing things? It is hard to tell
since there are at least two people talking over each other at that point in the
show. If Michael did refer to Fratto as his friend, what explains Michael’s
change of heart since the “Behind the Scenes” transcript in which he asserts
that, “Rudy is nothing to me anymore?” Also, Joe, you said something about
Fratto running things for DiFronzo at McCormick Place. Is that your new
perspective on it? Because, as I recall, one of the stickier aspects of the
McCormick Place caper for Fratto was that he was us
ing DiFronzo’s name, but the scheme was not actually an approved-Outfit racket.
The words, “outfit,” “mob,” and “mafia” were not used in the indictment or
trial. Why the (apparent) change in your point of view? Not to be rude, but I
look forward to a thorough response from you and/or Frank and/or Michael. (PS:
Can you fix the comments?)
—
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Dear Merlin,
The Magnafichi interview (a couple of years ago or so) included a portion of what I call compilation pieces of genuine content that Michael gave me. The thing is that despite the fact that Michael revealed secrets, he refrained from authorizing me to publish any of it. And he was very mad at me over my betrayal when I published everything behind his back. However, in time he forgave me. My betrayal of Michael was a calculated risk. I knew his reputation as an Outfit Guy was already compromised, which he did not realize at the time because he was in denial. So, I gave him a clear dose of reality by releasing the Magnafichi Interview. I finished him off in a way where he could finally see that he needs to go into a better direction. Now he has nowhere to go but on the right path. I was confident that he would forgive me because I know that deep down he is a good guy, and he appreciates people who help him.
As he often puts it, I was one of the few in his life who helped him when he
really needed help. Now that Michael is doing the right thing, my dream for him has a chance of coming true. I want to see Michael’s name in prominent, positive and productive ventures, not in the police blotter. Michael is taking some big steps right now. Sometimes he tries to give ANP what she wants, other times, after receiving phone calls from important people in his life who try to discourage him from working with ANP, he shuts down a little. This is some serious stuff. One wrong move and Michael could be the Outfit’s next murder victim (if he is not already on a hit list). One line he (and I)hear from time to time is “Your father is rolling over in his grave.” That comment sometimes brings Michael down. However, I pick him back up when I tell him, “Michael, if we have our fathers exhumed, do you honestly think they’ll be faced down when the casket is opened?” Bottom line, it is a struggle for Michael to do what he is doing with ANP.
Funny you should mention Frank and I doing a Podcast, because we have recently been discussing this idea. We will probably start doing one soon.
As for Michael’s thoughts and feelings about Rudy Fratto, it’s all very simple. It’s a love hate relationship and right now with Rudy in prison, Michael is very sympathetic to his situation.
As to my comments about Rudy running things for DiFronzo. Things change. I know some things today that I did not know a week ago, or one-year ago. What I do know now is that Rudy was running some things for Johnny and was also pretending to be running other things for him. Therefore, I am right on both fronts. The fact that Rudy’s bid-rigging case was not designed as an Outfit case by the U.S. Attorney’s Office (despite their ridiculously stupid and feeble 11th hour attempt to make it one) shows me that Rudy is a dry snitch. After careful consideration over a long period of time, I have come to the conclusion that the Governments 11th hour attempt to have Rudy sentenced as a gangster was a bizarre but clever
dog-and-pony-show designed to keep Rudy’s position as a dry-snitch protected. No way, no how could the Government ever have expected to win that 11th hour motion. I did not immediately believe what I now believe about his sentencing situation.