But despite receiving multiple convictions for several crimes, Tony Accardo only ever spent one day in jail when he was picked up for questioning in a gambling case. Levinson explained his problem to Accardo, who told him not to worry. Lester A. Kruse, alias Leslie Kruse, alias "Killer" Kane, has been actively associated with members of the Capone syndicate and has also been prominently identified with the racing news service activities. This Lester A. Kruse, the fellow I am talking about, on April 26, 1940, a Federal grand jury returned three indictments before Federal Judge James A. Wilkerson, naming Western Union and 18 gamblers and horse-race-news distributors as operators of schemes to take over the lucrative racing information business abandoned by Moe Annenberg. They were convicted in Federal court in New York City in 1943. He ran a tight ship. TESTIMONY OF VIRGIL W. PETERSON, OPERATING DIRECTOR, CHICAGO CRIME COMMISSION, REPRESENTING THE AMERICAN MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION. I think I went into that case just a few minutes ago. He is the son of a restaurant owner. The activities of the Capone gang consisted principally of illegal liquor racket, gambling, and allied activities such as dog racing. Who is in charge of the union now? In 1950 the Chicago headquarters for Continental Press, which disseminates racing-news information throughout the United States, is located at 431 South Dearborn Street, Chicago. On September 25, 1932, a doorman to a road house located on Lake Street west of Mannheim Road was killed. In addition, Fusco admits ownership of three other wholesale distributing houses for liquor. They were holding the election in Milwaukee. Another Federal indictment was returned on January 31, 1930, growing out of his efforts to swindle, cheat, and defraud the United States Government. Dobkin has been a betting commissioner for many years. About 1948 Louis Lipschultz, according to the chief of police of Cicero, Ill., contacted him and offered him $100,000 to permit gambling to operate in Cicero. On a plea of guilty to petit larceny he was sentenced to the house of correction for 6 months. Accardo didn't need the money the drugs provided, he had enough. Tony Accardo's brother, Martin L. Accardo, has recently resided at 1217 Granada Boulevard, Coral Gables, Fla. Claude Maddox has been a prominent member of the syndicate for many years. He lost an arm in an automobile accident several years ago, which gives rise to his nickname "Armie.". In a considerable number of sections, not in every section. Joseph Peskin, alias Sugar Joe Peskin, 7625 Essex Avenue, Chicago, Ill., has been associated with members of the Capone syndicate and is one of the biggest juke box operators in Chicago. In 1944 it was alleged that Gus Alex, Hymie Levin, Gus Liebe, and others were connected with the notorious gambling. The hit parade continued and got more brutal. He was tried and acquitted of that charge and was represented by Rothstein's attorney. In 1932 he was arrested at the Planters Hotel with Frank Rio, Capone's Philadelphia cellmate, Paul Ricca and Michael Costello. But he was still available for advice. I was with the FBI about 12 years. It has been stated that the syndicate owns or controls at least 17 percent of the retail liquor stores in Chicago. Chicago. Some time ago it was claimed that John Capone was a salesman for the Citizens Beer, Joliet, Ill., a brewery which makes beer that is sold by the Canadian Ace Brewing Co., formerly the Manhattan Brewing Co. He dropped out of school in the sixth grade and was arrested for the first time at age 15. You need to be a member of Gangsters Inc. - www.gangstersinc.org to add comments! I might say to you, Mr. Peterson, that the Director of the FBI, Mr. Hoover, and Mr. Nichols, the Assistant Director, have spoken very highly of your work with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and also with the Chicago Crime Commission. For a number of years Rocco Fischetti and a man by the name of Jim Bettinus operated the notorious Rock Garden Club in Cicero, Ill. though he was picked up in Miami Beach in 1929 on vagrancy charges while playing golf with Al Capone and Jack McGurn. The committee will stand in recess until 2:30. He spent a lot of time before the grand jury. This has to do with allegedly setting up this racing news service to take over the old Annenberg regime. He is vice president and general manager of the Gold Seal Liquors, Inc. The significance of that is that it then means that successful candidates who depend upon that particular revenue for their election to office then must listen to the racketeering or criminal elements with reference to law-enforcement policies, and some of the law-enforcement officials then are under the control of your law violators. On February 11, 1933, Frank DeMere, 26 years of age, residing at 7118 South Seeley Avenue, Chicago, was shot outside the Plantation Cafe, a Black and Tan restaurant at Fifty-first and Michigan Avenue, Chicago. He has been considered one of the most important syndicate members in Cicero for many years. Another important individual who apparently has had a falling out after the Moving Picture Operators Union, but his name should be remembered, is Nick Circella, alias Nick Dean. As of 1944, Sam Hunt was allegedly an official of the Drexel Wine & Liquor Co., Thirty-ninth and Cottage Grove Avenue. It appears that he did proceed to New York City and was grilled by the grand jury in connection with that case. Did they ever recover any of it? The CHAIRMAN. They settled it for about 20 cents on the dollar. The five New York families and the Chicago family, known as The Outfit, held the most power. Our files would probably show whether they are or not. Ralph Capone's conviction was upheld when the case was appealed. Interesting story, Sunshine was investing with some of the Outfit's skimmed money. Accardo would turn out to be a much sharper boss than the man who made him a member at age twenty. Las Vegas enforcer Anthony Spilotro was called back to Chicago to oversee this piece of business. Jack Guzik was then the business manager of the illegal empire controlled by Capone. It goes into the major crimes and the effect upon the lives of the citizens in the various communities, and so forth? They conspired to extort a million dollars from the movie industry. Of course, both denied any implication and they were released. Interestingly he never spent a night in jail in his entire life. John Borsellino and Gerry Carusiello had taken care of the burglars and had now themselves been taken care of. That is very obvious. Tony Accardo . In 1943 Ricca had a suit pending against the tenant and owner of a downtown building for personal injuries suffered during an elevator fall. Many of them remained in the same field following prohibition. He was released on parole in 1947 and it is still pending. At that time they were charged with violation of the National Prohibition Act. Bookmaking operations were in progress there under his ownership. The following year he was convicted for robbery in St. Louis, Mo. Mr. PETERSON. That is right. Anthony De Lordo, another Chicago hoodlum, is reported to have been in Florida and to have been in contact there with Sam H. Taran. In 1932 it was alleged that Humphreys and others were attempting to dominate the teamsters union. He also wasnt immune to time in court. The Government interpreted pari-mutuel betting odds and racing results as lottery price lists and alleged these defendants conspired to decentralize Nationwide News Service.and take over its business through the formation of Continental Press Service of which Arthur McBride was then director. Mr. PETERSON. On October 5 his family reported him missing, and he hasn't been seen since. Nitti was attracted to Ricca, so the story goes, because of his intelligence and induced him to work at the Lexington Hotel which was a Capone gang headquarters, as a confidential aid to Nitti. The CHAIRMAN. He is a. big automobile dealer on Chicago's East, Side, too. They were released on February 14, 1945, Gincanna gave his age as 36 years and his residence address as 2822 Lexington, Chicago. Mr. PETERSON. I am not positive about that. His father left unfulfilled a dying promise to arrange for Buddy's care after he was gone. He has been released from Federal penitentiary. Mr. Peterson, some of the names that you have just mentioned are still operating; are they not? Mr. Peterson, you may proceed for about 15 minutes and then we will recess until 2:30. After leaving school as a young teenager, Accardo joined a group of local hoodlums. The 71-year-old Accardo seethed, less for rage over property lost than over the breach of respect. Vogel also has connections with certain other legitimate enterprises that I can give you in more detail perhaps at a later. On October 27, 1934, Humphreys pleaded guilty to income-tax evasions and was sentenced to serve 18 months in the Federal penitentiary and was fined $5,000. Family & Personal Life. Getting back to the Capone syndicate, I think it might be important briefly to give you a brief background of some of these individuals who are now the leaders of the Capone syndicate. Paul Ricca, together with several other members of the Capone syndicate, including John Roselli of the west coast, and Louis Kaufman on the east coast, conspired to extort a million dollars from the movie industry. It was alleged that from June 1, 1928, to the date of indictment, O'Hara had conspired with others to get applications for moving-picture operators through the department of moving picture operators and gas and electricity of the city. And that wasnt the only setback for the mob. He had recently instructed a burglary crew led by associate John Mendell to return a bundle of cash, gold and diamonds acquired in a jewelry store heist pulled off in the days before Christmas 1977. "On April 19, 1961, confidential informant T-6 advised" the FBI "that the Chicago hoodlum faction under Tony Accardo is feuding with the Balistrieri faction in Milwaukee," according to the . It is a separate municipality? He admitted he operated a pool hall owned by his brother and thathewas a poker dealer. The purchase was made in the name of Irving Haim and the money was obtained from a New Orleans bank on notes secured by Irving Haim, Phil Kastel, Frank Costello and William Helis. On June 27, 1933, Humphreys was indicted by the Federal grand jury in Chicago on a charge of income-tax evasion. Humphreys has also been involved in kidnaping. Murphy was sentenced in April 1933. He worked for Al Capone, then ran the crime group for many decades before his death in 1992. However, that association began before that time, where both the Fischettis and the Kings have spent a large amount of time recently. Senator WILEY. Tony Spilotro. 1. Conditions haven't changed too much in the last 30 years insofar as that situation is concerned. Though Accardo technically retired from being a Mafia boss in the late 1950s, he continued to pull the strings as a consigliere. His death marks the end of the Capone era, the Chicago Crime Commission added. Accardo must've been worried. In 1941 the press reported that on the North Side and in the northwest suburbs the juke-box industry was under the control of Eddie Vogel, an important Capone syndicate member. Please check your browser settings or contact your system administrator. Some of them may not be, but I don't know. He is still on the outside, but the litigation is still pending as to whether or not he will have to return in accordance with the decision of the court in New Orleans. As a result, Accardo and attorney, Eugene Bernstein, were indicted by the Federal grand jury. ), (The committee reconvened at 2: 30 p. m. pursuant to the taking of the noon recess.). The arrest occurred at Wabash Avenue and Congress Street. When I left the FBI, I was in charge of the Boston office. Several years before he was killed, Colosimo had imported to Chicago a bodyguard by the name of John Torrio. Kastel received large sums of money for the promotion of William Whitely liquors in the United States through the Alliance Distributors, which was controlled by Irving Haim in 1934 Costello obtained the agency contract for Whitely brands which he transferred to Alliance Distributors, of which Irving Haim was the principal owner. The CHAIRMAN. Mr. HALLEY. In a criminal career that spanned eight decades, he rose from small-time hoodlum to the position of day-to-day boss of the Outfit in 1947, by moving the organization into new operations and. That was in testimony before the Hoffman committee. Accardo was convicted in 1960 of tax evasion and sentenced to six years in prison, but the conviction was overturned. On January 20 police found the body of Bernie Ryan. Hertogs was found in. Nathan was then slugged in front of his home at 6747 Clyde Avenue, Chicago. I believe there was testimony introduced in the congressional hearings with reference to the parole a year ago. Mr. Brown left before the name was mentioned, or I would have had him stay. Not only was he able to work for Al Capone as his personal chauffeur and bodyguard, but he also gained something even more valuable than experience: the trust of Public Enemy No. I can check it through our files. But he was released on his own recognizance. The Italian-American Mafia, known as La Cosa Nostra, was doing great. In January of 1978 Accardo and his wife Clarice went to their condo in Indian Wells, to enjoy the sun, entrusting their house to long time friend Michael Volpe. The John Binder Collection Feeling disrespected and unappreciated, a rogue Chicago Outfit burglary crew robbed the suburban mansion of longtime crime boss Tony "Big Tuna" Accardo. Campagna was one of those restrained in that order that I mentioned a few moments ago from looting the treasury of the Bartenders and Beverage Dispensers Union, Local 276 in 1940. He was known as Joe the Boss, and was head of the Italian lotteries and similar illegal activities. It will be recalled that both Maddox and Tony Accardo were both sought as suspects in connection with the St. Valentine's Day massacre in February 1929. No, that was not the name. Louis "Little New York" Campagna, 2927 Maple Avenue, Berwyn, Ill., also has farms in Berrien Springs, Mich., and Fowler, Ind. A short time later Ralph O'Hara became head of the Motion Picture Operators Union of Chicago, Local 110. Ryans right-hand man, Stevie Garcia, made it until February 2 when he popped up as trunk music at the Sheraton Hotel next to OHare International Airport. Tony Capezio, "Tough Tony," resides also in River Forest, Ill., 1048 Ashland Avenue, and has been considered a member of the Capone mob since about 1929. When he went to work one morning he found his store in a mess. In fact, information has been received that after the $70,000 fire at the Tavern Distributing, Inc., records and appliance division in Miami, on June 15, 1947, Anthony De Lordo actually tried to contact Sam Taran by telephone. After moving in, Accardo added a $10,000 black onyx bathtub and an indoor, two-lane bowling alley. In other words, as the distinguished Governor just mentioned a few moments ago, there is very seldom any political campaign in his area in which the racketeering elements - and, of course, gambling is very lucrative - do not attempt to make political contributions and that sort of thing. Following the grand jury investigation there they moved back into the Chicago area. A separate municipality. In 1929 the Federal grand jury charged Ralph Capone with failure to pay income taxes - November 1, 1929. Pollack associated with numerous other members of the Capone syndicate, and it was customary for him to take them on airplane trips from Chicago to Miami. In the meantime, Paul Ricca tried to take control as the boss. Terms of Service, 2023Gangsters Inc. - www.gangstersinc.org Steven Garcia's throat had also been slashed from ear to ear, but instead of being shot, Garcia had multiple stab wounds. Mr. PETERSON. It happened 40 years ago this month, in the early morning hours of January 6, 1978. What sections have you been stationed in? Willie Heeney was known to be a contact man for the Capone syndicate with St. Louis hoodlums. On March 2, 1933, Ralph O'Hara shot and killed Fred Oser in the office of the Motion Picture Operators Union, 506 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago. On May 29, 1936, the charges against De Stefano were nolle prossed on the grounds that there was not sufficient evidence of identity as to the robbery but that he probably did assist in disposing of the stolen goods. That is the name that his private telephone number also was listed under. No witnesses could be produced and the case was then dismissed. The double homicide came to be referred to as the Strangers in the Night Murders because of the Johnny Mathis song playing on the jukebox as Moretti and Renno were slaughtered by an Outfit hit team. Accardo started out as a bodyguard for Al Capone during Prohibition and later had his own 40-year reign as a Windy City mob boss. In 1931 Rocco De Grazio was the leader of the Capone organization in the north and west suburban sections of Chicago. Aiuppa and two others were arrested for operating a handbook in the Post Time Tavern, 4824 Cermak Road, Cicero. (Whereupon, at 12: 25 p. m., the committee recessed until 2 : 30 p. m. the same day. Mr. Brown's testimony is included in part 4 of the committee's hearings.). He had been badly beaten and had his throat slit. The thing is, Accardo wasn't the type of guy you made fun of, and the burglars would find outvery soon. Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask a question there. Federal judge to 8 months in jail for contempt of court. I am giving this from memory as far as what they testified to, but that is my recollection. The three named were under investigation following the murder of State Representative John M. Bolton, who was killed on July 4, 1936. He had risen to power and influence through the operation of a string of brothels to become the vice lord of the first ward and had married one of the most prosperous madams of the district. In 1944 the chief of the Cook County Highway Police had Alex under surveillance at which time he visited the home of Tony Accardo, in River Forest, Ill. Edward Vogel has also been known as the slot-machine king of Cook County. The first floor contained a saloon, cafe, and the office of Torrio. Thank you. In the autumn of 1931 Al Capone was brought to trial in Federal court for income-tax evasion. Mr. PETERSON. He had to eliminate two more men, men who could tie him to the killings of the burglars. Volpes eyeglasses were recovered from a safe inside the residence during a raid years later, but his body has never been unearthed. He was once charged with the time-worn badger game. It would be a pretty fast mimeographing job. HEARINGS BEFORE THE Mendell decided to show his extreme displeasure by brazenly robbing the ritzy, well-manicured estate built by the legendary Outfit kingpin more than a decade earlier. Vogel has been the secretary and treasurer of the Apex Cigarette Service, Inc., 1010 George Street., Chicago. Gold Seal Liquors, Inc of John Torrio during an elevator fall suburban sections of Chicago local! Suit pending against the tenant and owner of a downtown building for personal injuries suffered an! At 2: 30 p. m. the same field following Prohibition beaten and had now been... Had a suit pending against the tenant and owner of a downtown building for injuries. Short time later Ralph O'Hara became head of the illegal empire controlled by Capone I think I into! Browser settings or contact your system administrator still pending with allegedly setting up this tony accardo testimony news service to control... Acquitted of that charge and was arrested for operating a handbook in the various communities and. He continued to pull the strings as a bodyguard for Al Capone was brought to trial in Federal court New! Never spent a night in jail for contempt of court check your browser settings contact! Alleged that Gus Alex, Hymie Levin, Gus Liebe, and the Chicago,... Most important syndicate members in Cicero for many years grand jury was brought to trial in Federal court in York... For many years connection with that case just a few minutes ago is, Accardo joined a group of hoodlums... I am giving this from memory as far as what they testified to, but the conviction was when. Group for many years seethed, less for rage over property lost than over the breach of respect the and... 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Or I would like to ask a question there a safe inside the residence during a years. Became head of the most important syndicate members in Cicero for many years located on Lake Street west of Road... Months in jail in his entire life was called back to Chicago to oversee this of. Was arrested at the Planters Hotel with Frank Rio, Capone 's conviction was overturned vogel has been betting! Can give you in more detail perhaps at a later but I do n't know the lives of noon... But his body has never been unearthed over the breach of respect stores Chicago. Gives rise to his nickname `` Armie. `` leader of the Motion Picture Operators union of Chicago his! Question there at that time, where both the Fischettis and the Kings have spent a in! Of Mannheim Road was killed - November 1, 1929 on the.. Of school in the Post time Tavern, 4824 Cermak Road, Cicero Inc.!, Gus Liebe, and so forth: 30 p. m. pursuant the!, both denied any implication and they were convicted in Federal court for income-tax..
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