With the exception of David Duvall Orr, Romie personally knew every Chicago mayor from Kelly to Richard M. Daley. As the ABC7 I-Team first reported this. Mr. What's next for Mayor Lightfoot after election loss? Binder, a retired University of Illinois-Chicago professor and Ph.D., has studied the 1960 election and assertions that Outfit vote fraud carried the day for John Kennedy. His Honor admonished the bailiff for insulting the defendants. According to Wikipedia he also was a flamboyant entrepreneur, civil rights activist, and intermediary between Italian-American and African-American organized crime groups. Chicago Outfit labor union racketeer, Gus Zapas, circa early 1960s. Chicago Tribune. Romie Nappi and James Zafiratos grew up as boyhood friends. The guys hanging on to the carpet like a cat, one union member told the Tribune at the time. Of course, James and Romies longstanding friendship had created a powerful bond during their childhood that lasted for the rest of their lives. Typically they get into running restaurants and other legal businesses that they can use to hide money gained from their illicit activities, McNamara explained. Adam Fox was sentenced to 16 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to kidnap the Governor of Michigan and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction against persons or property. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Now that John "No Nose" DiFronzo is no longer running the Chicago Outfit, who will fill the void left by his death is an open question. Wacks prepared what was described as an independent report effectively clearing Stephens of any meaningful organized crime connections to DiFronzo or anyone else. Zafiratos immediately noticed Colins entrance into the courtroom. The woman explained that it was her husbands birthday and that she didnt have any money to buy him a gift. 31. r/Mafia. These judges elect the countys chief judge and vote on which lawyers will be appointed as associate judges. In years past, though, the files offer a sense of how much effort federal agents put into watching DiFronzo and his associates, including surveillance on an Elmwood Park delicatessen where they would regularly meet. New York gets most of the attention regarding LCN, McNamara said, but historically, going back to the days of Al Capone, Chicago LCN has always been a player, particularly in places like Las Vegas.. U.S. District Judge James Zagel sentenced Marcello to 8 years in prison. In addition to the prison time imposed by Kennelly, Matassa must also pay a total of $66,500 in restitution to the union and Social Security Administration. Oct 29, 2021, 3:30am PST SHARE Onetime Chicago Outfit boss's FBI files shed no light on why he escaped charges in 'Family Secrets' killings Pocket Flipboard A mug shot of a young John DiFronzo, from recently obtained FBI files on the late Chicago Outfit boss. Binder maintains that the mob has a working relationship with Chicago street gangs. Before I start sharing some interesting information about James Zafiratos, I will tell you a bit about my late step-uncle, Romie J. Nappi, and his role with the Cook County judiciary. By Megan Crepeau and Jason Meisner. If it werent for the bad cops in Elmwood Park, Illinois (who were eventually forced out of the Elmwood Park, Illinois, Police Department), that brought a bogus case against me in 1992, I probably would not have had the pleasure of knowing Judge Zafiratos. Among the companies Marcello claimed to have worked for was the Peanut Corporation of America, a peanut-processing business that collapsed amid one of the largest lethal foodborne contamination scandals in U.S. history. But his alleged mob ties were never alluded to in any public filings in the embezzlement case. The reason youre here right now is because you pleaded guilty to a felony to avoid going to trial, Kennelly said before sentencing Matassa to six months in federal prison to be followed by six months on house arrest. His ailments prompted Matassas wife to step in to help him with his union duties and could make any prison term dangerous for him, Giacchetti said. Okay, so the Judge wasnt a poet. The second in command of the Chicago Outfit, according to some mobwatchers, is convicted enforcer Albert "Albie the Falcon" Vena, 69. Lopez says Shady Acres is a nursing home that Rainone may be a model candidate for. Reputed Chicago mob figure John Matassa Jr. didnt exactly sound wracked with guilt when he was asked Monday if he had anything to say before being sentenced for a union embezzlement scheme. As the ABC7 I-Team first reported this week, DiFronzo died Sunday from complications of Alzheimer's. James mother was a major driving force behind her sons dedication to pursuing graduate school. Romies influence was mostly relevant to judges (or soon-to-be judges) of Italian and Greek descent (but not limited to those ethnicities). The Chicago Outfit has a long and bloody history of retribution for the screw-ups of its foot soldiers and bosses, from garroting to gunshots. 1996 Shooting of Anthony "Tony Machines" Milicia, A South Philadelphia Mob Associate Who Refused to Give Boss Ralph Natale a Cut of His Lucrative Video Poker Machine Operation - After Surviving the Attempt on his Life, Milicia Agreed to Give Natale a Part of the Proceeds. His wake was held Monday after he died this past Thursday at age 80. ", GOUDIE: "So you contend that if there is a Chicago Outfit it's an outfit of gamblers? What's next for Mayor Lightfoot after election loss? Regardless of what some see as an evolving line-up atop the Chicago mob, defense attorney Joe Lopez, who has represented numerous top hoodlums, says the Outfit is a thing of the past. DeLaurentis, 79, was released from federal prison in 2006 after serving a long sentence for racketeering, extortion and tax fraud. Joe "The Shark" Lopez, Attorney for Mario Rainone: "Well, I don't think he can be debilitated the rest of his life but in the future after his treatment is over and he receives whatever he's going to receive as a plaintiff then he will be able to do what he wants to do.". Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. In one infamous gangland meeting, the I-Team followed D'Amico to "Lunch with No Nose" in a suburban eatery in 2009. In this artist sketch, alleged mobsters Joey "the Clown" Lombardo, from left, Frank Calabrese Sr. and James Marcello sit in court on June 19, 2007, as jury selection begins in the city's biggest organized crime trial in years. Mafia Report: Chicago Outfit Addendum Nine, Mafia Report: Chicago Outfit Addendum One, Mafia Report: Chicago Outfit Addendum Two, Mafia Report: Chicago Outfit Addendum Three, Mafia Report: Chicago Outfit Addendum Four, Mafia Report: Chicago Outfit Addendum Five, Mafia Report: Chicago Outfit Addendum Six, Mafia Report: Chicago Outfit Addendum Seven, Mafia Report: Chicago Outfit Addendum Eight, Mafia Report: Chicago Outfit Addendum X, Mafia Report: Chicago Outfit Addendum XII, Mafia Report: Chicago Outfit Addendum XI. Palisades Tahoe reaches 500 inches of snow this season, At least 36 dead, 66 injured after trains collide in Greece: officials, Here's what the end of COVID -19 emergency means in San Francisco. I honestly dont understand what was meant by (that)," the judge said before calling for a recess. Despite Romie and James rich history dating back to somewhere around 1929, it was Gus Zapas that initially backed Zafiratos for judge. However, he was a phenomenal son, husband, father, grandfather, and a great judge. By now it should start making more sense to some of you how relevant Romies aldermanic influence was during his discreet meetings over the decades with any one of the eight Chicago mayors who Romie dealt with during his 40-something year run as a vitally important political and labor union racketeer in Chicago. . Members of the mob will go to almost any lengths to carry out their criminal activity, said Special Agent Ted McNamara, a veteran investigator who supervises the La Cosa Nostra (LCN) organized crime squad in our Chicago Field Office. Mario Rainone's official mob moniker is "The Arm" for his knack at muscling people. At this meeting, Daley asked why the judge decided not to recuse himself from the battery case. She once called her husbands habit weird, so he tried to repress it, but now wants to raise the subject again. A Roman Catholic priest and former prison chaplain who ministered to Chicago mob boss Frank Calabrese, Sr., was indicted earlier this month for illegally passing jailhouse messages from Calabrese and plotting with his associates on the outsidea sobering reminder of how deeply organized crime can reach into the community, even from behind bars. One of the reasons it is so difficult to completely stamp out mob activity, McNamara said, is that over time the crews have insinuated themselves into unions and legitimate businesses. When D'Amico died, mobologists considered him to be the No. Their current boss is Salvatore "Solly" DeLaurentis. Get the latest breaking current news and explore our Historic Archive of articles focusing on The Mafia, Organized Crime, The Mob and Mobsters, Gangs and Gangsters, Political Corruption, True Crime, and the Legal System at TheChicagoSyndicate.com Boost Your PC! In his active years, Romie had personal friendships and/or serious acquaintanceships with eight Chicago mayors. Despite my disappointment in Judge Stillos family members, again, I have decided to remain courteous to the Stillo family, solely because of my respect for the late Adam Stillo. That year the FBI was just starting to secretly listen to conversations in his office, where they had hidden eavesdropping devices as part of a new investigation. sentenced Marcello to 8 years in prison, New NCAA president says NIL rules could protect college athletes, Glencoe begins cost sharing program to combat lead pipes, Bill could open up pitches from different communities for a Lake County convention center, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. After Wacks retired from the FBI, he drew the ire of some former colleagues by going to work for then-Rosemont Mayor Donald E. Stephens, who was running into trouble bringing a casino to his northwest suburb because of allegations of mob ties. Chicago Outfit labor union racketeer, Gus Zapas, circa early 1960s Somewhere around 1963 or 1964 a Chicago area Greek labor leader, by the name of Gus Zapas, brought one of his wishes to the attention of Romie, Gus Alex, and Murray Humphreys. As I wrap up these stories about my good friend, I want to disabuse anyone from thinking that Zafiratos was a judge who conveniently found defendants not guilty because of who they were associated with, or related to, or because of other personal feelings he may have had. And, if he cooperated with the FBI, did he really cooperate big time?" The top two spots in the Outfit are now thought to be occupied by one infamous gangland name and one less recognized. Despite photo. That is the gurgling sound made by a decomposing corpse in a car trunk. The judge is going to ask is there a threat that would be posed to the community? Get FBI email alerts The early 1990s marked the time in which Romie groomed DeLeo for his job as senator. They go to the grand jury and they got amnesia, he said. Inendino's organized crime career spanned decades. Chicago Outfit-tied scammer Lee Anglin promised to make good to his victims. He doesnt talk to those people anymore, your honor.. "Now it's treated as some undeniable fact by a lot of people," he said. Which is certainly a great deal less than they once did, given how their world has changed over the last several decades because of law enforcement efforts against them and a long list of other factors. That book presents mobster Frank Sheeran's version of what happened to Hoffa, and even though the crime scenario has been discredited by federal investigators, it is nonetheless Sheeran's alleged insider take on what happened and the movie repeats that faithfully. ", Jurors to visit Murdaugh crime scene ahead of closing arguments, $1M winning Powerball ticket sold in Chicago. When his turn came to speak, Matassa, known as Pudgy for his considerable girth, rose from his seat, walked slowly to the lectern and said, The only reason that Im standing here is because my name is John Matassa.. He also acknowledged relaying payments of $4,000 a month to mob hit man Nicholas Calabrese in a bid to buy his silence. Flanagan was accused of battering a Chicago Sun-Times employee who was trying to help the Sun-Times write a story on clout-heavy people among the Daley familys inner circles whose reckless disregard for the law was well-known. I am having three trees planted in memory of you.". Although illicit businesses such as the Outfit don't have open meetings or put out annual reports, there are internal rules and succession plans in place to deal with the death of the boss-whether it occurs naturally or at the end of a gun barrel as was the case with Sam "Momo" Giancana in 1975. As a side note, Romies and my fathers Al Capone-style of education in government and labor relations was taught to them by Als men, Jake Guzik and Murray Humphreys. In the movie, Dorfman's character is shown with the on-screen title stating that he was "shot eight times in the head in a Chicago parking lot, 1979.". DeLaurentis has long been a mob-denier. FBI.gov is an official site of the U.S. Department of Justice. CHICAGO (WLS) -- For decades, Chicago mob boss Marco D'Amico was dogged by a bad mugshot depicting him with Coke-bottle glasses that magnified a pair of bulging eyeballs. Has he done everything he's supposed to do? An FBI record obtained by the I-Team may come as a surprise to those who knew Jimmy "The I" Inendino. The bosses had all gathered that March day to discuss business and pleasures, unaware that they were being surveilled by an ABC7 news crew. "The outfit is a criminal enterprise, it's still functioning" said John Binder, author of "The Chicago Outfit" book. You dont know their stories. Michael Mickey Marcello, 71, the half brother of imprisoned Outfit boss James Marcello, pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of theft of government funds, admitting he stole nearly $23,000 in Social Security distributions between September 2017 and May 2019. Does anyone want to try and explain it?. Jan 08, 2019 at 6:50 am. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. The I-Team asked for interviews with director Martin Scorsese, actor Robert DeNiro, who plays the lead gangster in the film, along with the screenwriter and the book author. The Chicago Outfit Today Lesson Summary The Chicago Mob The Chicago Mob can be traced back to when Italian immigrants made their way to Chicago; this branch of the American Mafia comprises. The Chicago mob expert said "The Irishman" just goes along with standard extreme-version conspiracy theories. The only way Romie could get into trouble for being a fixer would be if any of the power brokers within the old First Ward, my father or the top Chicago Outfit bosses, snitched on him. He gave his Social Security number and then he lied and said he worked some places when he didnt., But Assistant U.S. Attorney Niranjan Emani noted that Marcello, whod claimed to have learned his lesson when facing sentencing in the Family Secrets case, instead just found a new way to steal.. One day while on the bench, an elderly lady appeared in Zafiratos courtroom. He saw the ability to make a quick, cheap, easy buck and he went with it, Emani said. D'Amico's biggest clout, then-reigning boss John "No Nose" DiFronzo, died two years ago. "No. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. No Thanks If you can put in a couple of tablespoons of Marilyn Monroe and a half cup of Frank Sinatra, so much the better.". Romie also secured desired assignments for judges. In the roughly 20-year run that Jack . When Romie began working for his Uncle Tony Iorii (one of Al Capones most valued men) as an older teenager, James, who was 2-years Romies senior, went to school in pursuit of a law career. "I'm in the carpet cleaning business," DeLaurentis told the I-Team on Friday. You dont know why theyre here. Early in his judicial career, Zafiratos often told new professional acquaintances from the legal community, Remember, Zafiratos rhymes with arthritis.. All Rights Reserved. Matassas name surfaced in the historic Operation Family Secrets mob trial in 2007 when Outfit turncoat Nicholas Calabrese testified Matassa was a longtime member of the Outfits notorious Rush Street crew who reported to capo Vince Solano. Jurors to visit Murdaugh crime scene ahead of closing arguments, $1M winning Powerball ticket sold in Chicago. Get the latest breaking current news and explore our Historic Archive of articles focusing on The Mafia, Organized Crime, The Mob and Mobsters, Gangs and Gangsters, Political Corruption, True Crime, and the Legal System at TheChicagoSyndicate.com. A lock () or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. The newly released files make only passing reference to Anthony Spilotro, including this: Source information has recently indicated that DiFronzo is a frequent traveler to Las Vegas and at one point was considered as a replacement for Tony Spilotro to oversee mob activities in that city., Anthony Spilotro (left) was the Chicago mobs man in Las Vegas until his 1986 killing. Lopez told the I-Team Rainone wants to go to Italy but is now restricted to the Northern District of Illinois. Please leave all comments on our Facebook page. The elderly lady answered, If he needs a shirt, yes, Your Honor. Zafiratos laughed and allowed her to leave the courtroom without any further complications. Salvatore "Solly D" DeLaurentis is the best known, un-incarcerated Chicago mob figure today-and considered "consigliere" to the Outfit. Before His Honor allowed the court call to begin, Zafiratos ordered the bailiff to stand in front of his bench. A spokesperson for Netflix, that distributed the film, said that none of them were available. "He's a senior citizen, Chuck, I mean, aren't we all? Despite being an octogenarian, when D'Amico died on Wednesday night, multiple sources have told the ABC 7 I-Team that he was still assigned to one of the highest-ranking posts in the Outfit: consigliere. Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. She had then recently stolen a shirt from a department store and she was pleading guilty to the crime. 75. r/Mafia. However, Zafiratos also knew that the justice system depends on impartial judges maintaining the rule of law. 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