Rockford LCN Associate Sam Lazzio - A Profile

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Rockford LCN frontman and associate Salvatore “Sam” Lazzio was born July 3, 1911 in Convent, Louisiana to Giovanni and Rosa Lazzio and by 1918 the family had moved to Rockford, Illinois but Giovanni had died that year of influenza and Rosa had remarried Mike DiGiovanni of Sambuca, Sicily. It was on January 10, 1931 that Lazzio took his first arrest with stepfather Mike and Louis Capriola for operating a bootleg alcohol still at 1201 Corbin Street in the heart of Rockford’s “Little Italy” section.

Just a month later on February 20, 1931 Lazzio was involved in the holdup of R.R. Vierck. Lazzio, Vito DiGiovanni, 21, Joe Bonavia, 24, and Sam Giovingo, 26, used their vehicle and forced Vierck’s car to the curb at Morgan and West Streets and robbed him.

In just a few short years Lazzio would become more involved with the Rockford LCN and his arrest on September 3, 1937 showed just that. On that day Lazzio was arrested with Charles Vince for hijacking eight cases of cigarettes from a freight car in Elgin, Illinois valued at $500. According to later FBI files that stated “in January, 1938, information was received from the Rockford, Illinois Police Department that a number of individuals, all residents of Rockford, are allegedly engaged in a highjacking business under the direction of [GEORGE SALADINO.] [SALADINO] was described as the operator of the Rockford Macaroni Factory and it was thought that this factory was possibly being used as a drop for the stolen merchandise.” Saladino, at the time, was described as having a well-organized gang operating in Rockford and that Tony Musso was the boss. This lends support that Saladino was an early capo of the Rockford family directing members and associates and it seems clear that Vince and Lazzio were part of this “gang.”

On June 28, 1945 Lazzio married Gladys “June” Blakesmith in Belvidere, Illinois and he stayed married to her until her death in 1965. Lazzio’s brother Charles had operated Spotty’s Tavern at 322 South Main Street for years and it was notorious for bookmaking and gambling raids over the years but in 1946 along with Frank Maragi, Sam Lazzio and him were listed as the proprietors of the tavern.

It was in relation to this that around 1946 a source had indicated to local police that there was a local syndicate that controlled gambling in Rockford and that it consisted in part, of Charles Dursch, Joe “Blackie” Calderotta, Francis Croon, Rubin Croon, Thomas Pendergast, Frank Maragi, Alfred J. Millot, William V. Morris, Charles Lazzio and Sam Lazzio. It was said in FBI files that “this group owns, controls and subscribes to a wire service for horserace booking operated by Chuck Dursch. It was further indicated that this service goes to Spotty’s Tavern, South Main Street, Rockford, which is operated by Sam Lazzio and Frank Maragi.” This operation was being overseen by Rockford LCN boss Tony Musso, Gaspare Calo and Joe Zito.

By 1961 Lazzio and his wife June were operating June’s Lounge at 3201 Auburn Street which was rumored to be another front for gambling and bookmaking.

In 1964 Rockford Police were investigating organized gambling operations and one of their reports noted that “the most obvious indication of a big (gambling) game was in the rear of Joe’s Sandwich Shop, 1016 South Main Street, which was operated by JOE LAZZIO of 2908 Charles Street, Rockford, Illinois.” The report went on to say that a game is not held nightly nor on what might be called a regular basis. It was observed that the coffee shop was frequented by well-known gamblers who retired to the rear of the coffee shop after which the door would be closed. Joe’s brother Sam, as well as other Rockford CLN members such as Joe Marinelli and Phil Emordeno were observed entering this business.

Another arrest for Lazzio followed on March 10, 1971 while he was the owner of Sammy’s Bar and Grill at 3411 Auburn Street. Lazzio and Michael Bedin, 27, had beaten up Melvin Jackson inside the bar. Just a few short months later on August 8, 1971 Lazzio was arrested for gambling at 1017 ½ South Main Street when police raided the second-floor game. Also charged with gambling was James E. Blue, 41, James J. Ciaccio, 23, George W. Coffey, 36, Leo Palmeri, 79, Dale L. Garard, 23, Phil F. Graceffa, 39, John “Tiger” Frisella, 22, Joe S. Lazzio, 58, Theodore J. Misuraca, 45, Carmelo Orlando, 25, Leo L. Palmeri, Jr., 37, James F. Sansone, 59, James R. Spataro, 23, Michael A. Wells, 26 and James E. Wright, 30. Police confiscated $144 from a cigar box, $1,982 from those arrested, a large quantity of beer, three firearms, a can of mace, poker chips, cards, a police radio monitor, four poker playing machines and four cushions used to convert a pool table into a dice table. Frisella was charged with being keeper of the gambling house.

After the 1971 arrest, Lazzio either was not caught anymore relating to illegal activities or he retired from them as no arrest could be found for him and he eventually passed away on September 28, 1985 in Rockford at the age of 74.