by cavita » Wed May 13, 2020 4:09 pm
Patrickgold wrote: ↑Wed May 13, 2020 12:38 pm
cavita wrote: ↑Tue May 12, 2020 3:40 pm
Patrickgold wrote: ↑Tue May 12, 2020 10:09 am
Cavita, very interesting read. I had no idea the depth of Rockford’s involvement. Question, any connections to the last remaining strip clubs in Rockford? Bigfoot and tiger tail? I saw that the state street station was tore down recently. Was surprised by that because it was a big place in a prime location. But I heard that it was the same owner as tiger tail and he wanted it torn down bc he didn’t want competition. Also, I have heard numerous rumors about Rockford having operations in Beloit and Janesville. Any truth to this?
To my knowledge the strip clubs in Rockford are on the up and up. Bigfoot is owned by a guy I believe who is eastern European and I can't remember the guy's name that owns Tiger Tail, and yes he owned State Street Station as well which was razed recently. Back in the day Rockford did have numerous operations in Beloit and Janesville to a lesser extent. Beloit had many taverns under their control and a couple bookies in Janesville. I will tell you that the last time I was in Rockford I was introduced to a younger Sicilian gentleman who has a business in Beloit. The person who introduced me to him later told me he was mafia. So, take that for what it's worth.
Cavita, interesting about the zip but I’m not surprised. With how small Rockford is, Rockford is tightnit and has always been connected to the motherland. Question, Alfano’s in Oregon, IL was involved in the Pizza connection case. Oregon is about a 30 minute drive from Rockford. I know the restaurant is still there and the old man was deported after his sentence. Was Alfano brought over by Rockford? If so, who sponsored him?
I don't think Alfano was ever a mafia member but was an associate, though I'm unsure if he was affiliated with a family when he came over in the 1960s. It seems he was hooked up with Phil Priola of Rockford early on but after that it and during the Pizza Connection he was doing what his Uncle Gaetano Badalamenti told him to do. The following is an excerpt from Phil Priola's FBI file on Alfano and how he came to the U.S. I've included names in brackets where I can identify the people:
CG T-2 advised that PHIL PRIOLA frequents the Twinspot Tavern on East State Street, Rockford and also Alfano’s Pizzeria, which is located next door. She said the Twinspot is owned by [PASQUALE AND JOE GUCCIARDO] “who also owned Twins Disposal and the Town and Country Motel with PHIL PRIOLA.” In addition, informant stated that on the evening of January 12, 1967, she observed PRIOLA together with FRANK BUSCEMI, underboss Rockford LCN family, and four other Italians who were unknown to the informant in serious conversation with the operators of SAM and JOE’S Pizzeria, Belvidere, Illinois. Informant stated that the conversation was in Italian, which informant does not speak.
CG T-3 stated that he had heard that PHIL PRIOLA is in some way involved in the operation of the Alfano’s Pizza chain and has frequently been in the company of [PETER ALFANO] who recently moved to Oregon, Illinois, where he is opening a pizza parlor.
Detective [REDACTED] stated that it was his understanding that [PETER ALFANO] came from Chicago to Rockford and is a partner of PHIL PRIOLA. He said that it is his understanding that [PETER ALFANO] has sold the pizza restaurant at 212 East State Street, Rockford, to [VITO GABRIELE] of South Beloit, son of [PIETRO GABRIELE].
Detective [REDACTED] said that he had interviewed the owners of JOE and SAM’S Pizzeria in Belvidere and determined that the owners are [GIUSEPPE CUCINELLA] and [SALVATORE VITALE] who reside in Room 302 at the Chandler Hotel, Rockford, Illinois. He said that these individuals speak English very poorly and he had difficulty conducting the interview, but determined that [CUCINELLA] was born [REDACTED] at Fiumicino, Italy, and entered the United States in February 1964. [VITALE] was born at Cinisi, Palermo, Sicily on [REDACTED] and came to the United States from Salvi Badalamenti, 137, Fiumicino, Italy. He entered the United States November 20, 1966, via Air France and his address at time of entry was Box 26, Ringoes, New Jersey.
[REDACTED] stated that [REDACTED] when he first entered this country he had become acquainted with one [REDACTED] in New York City, and when he came to Belvidere, he accidentally bumped into him again. He said he purchased the pizza parlor from [REDACTED] who moved to Rockford and opened a new pizza parlor on South Main Street in the latter part of November 1966.
[REDACTED] stated he made inquiry in Rockford relative to this pizzeria located in the 200 block of South Main Street and determined that it had closed about two weeks earlier that [REDACTED] had left town and that a waitress, [REDACTED] who was employed by him, disappeared at the same time.
[REDACTED] stated that he had been in touch with Sheriff BILL SPENCER at Oregon, Illinois who told him that [PETER ALFANO] was setting up a pizza restaurant there.
On January 19, 1967, [PETER ALFANO] was contacted at his place of business, Alfano’s Pizza Restaurant, 801 South Fourth Street, Oregon, Illinois.
He stated that his name in Italian is [PIETRO ALFANO] and before coming to the United States he had been an independent dealer in cheese at Palermo, Sicily. He made available Italian Passport Number [REDACTED], which reflects that he was born at Cinisi, Palermo, Sicily, on [REDACTED] and has brown hair and brown eyes. He is married to [MARIA CRISTINA TRUPIANO] and has two children, a girl, age five, and a boy, age seven months, and residence is via [REDACTED] Palermo, Italy. He arrived in New York on January 3, 1967 via Al Italia Airlines.
[PETER ALFANO] stated that he came to the United States originally on April 1, 1964 and had gone to work for one [PIETRO ALFANO] at Alfano’s Pizzeria in Ottawa, Illinois. This [ALFANO] had a father, [PROCOPIO ALFANO] who lived and had a pizzeria in Spring Valley, Illinois. The [ALFANO] in Ottawa also operated an Alfano Pizzeria in Seneca, Illinois in which the interviewee was employed.
He said that after learning the business from these [ALFANOS], he moved to Belvidere, Illinois in June 1965 and opened a pizza restaurant there which he operated for 13 or 14 months.
He said the [PIETRO ALFANO] in Ottawa came to the United States about 18 years ago and for a period of about 3 ½ years he owned a pizza restaurant in Rochelle, Illinois which he never personally managed and which he eventually sold to an Italian, name unknown, who operated it under the name Alfano’s Pizza until recently when he closed it and left town. In June 1965 he returned to Italy with his wife and sold his restaurant business to (Salvatore “Sam” Vitale) who comes from the same town in Sicily and is supposed to marry (Alfano’s) wife’s sister, [REDACTED] partner in the purchase of the restaurant from the interviewee who was the interviewee’s uncle, who came to the United States 10 or 12 years ago and was employed in Chicago by the Salerno Biscuit Company. This is the [SAM] and [JOE] currently operating the Belvidere Pizzeria.
He was asked about the [REDACTED] who was interviewed by Detective [REDACTED] and he said that [REDACTED] must have been confused by his inability to understand Italian. He said that the [REDACTED] in Belvidere is [REDACTED], a brother of [REDACTED] who is visiting in Belvidere on a tourist visa and will soon be returning to Italy.
(Alfano) stated that Maria’s Pizza in Belvidere is operated by (Lorenzo Palazzolo) an uncle, and (Santina Palazzolo), a cousin by marriage. (Alfano) said that when he had owned the restaurant currently operated by [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] had been his partner but because of a disagreement decided to move across the street.
[REDACTED] said that his father, [REDACTED], came to the United States about one year ago. At this time [REDACTED] opened the place in Rockford, at 212 East State Street and his father ran it and continues to run it. He said that his father is unhappy in this country and is returning to Italy probably in one week and the restaurant is being sold to “some Sicilian from Beloit, Wisconsin,” whose name is unknown to [REDACTED].
He said that the restaurant in the 200 block of South Main Street, operated by [REDACTED] is now closed and [REDACTED]’s whereabouts is unknown to him. He suggested that [REDACTED] might know [REDACTED]’s whereabouts, inasmuch as [REDACTED] had worked for [REDACTED] for a period of time.
He [PIETRO ALFANO] said that he met PHIL PRIOLA under the following circumstances. He said while operating his restaurant in Belvidere, he did business with a juke box company “Lundberg Music Co.” from Cherry Valley, Illinois. He indicated an intent to open a place in Rockford. The serviceman [PAT C. GUCCIARDO] from the juke box company suggested he contact the GUCCIARDO’S at the Twinspot Tavern in Rockford, who were cousins of his. He accidentally met PHIL PRIOLA in the Twinspot, told him of his plans to open a business in Rockford and PRIOLA suggested that he might be able to help him.
PRIOLA made the arrangements for renting the building at 212 East State Street and paid for the repairs and decoration of the restaurant, about $1,400. He paid PRIOLA this money back but PRIOLA charged him no interest and in fact was merely buying PRIOLA out because the business did not make out and he did not want PRIOLA to be hurt financially because he had done [ALFANO] a favor. He said PRIOLA was in the restaurant frequently and in fact sometimes helped with the cooking.
When he was questioned about how he paid PRIOLA back when the restaurant was losing money he said that he did this using the profits from his restaurant in Belvidere.
He said he is not related to PRIOLA, had never met or heard of PRIOLA prior to the accidental meeting at the Twinspot and that he himself was not now, nor had he ever been a member of the Mafia.
He was asked if PRIOLA was helping in any way in the current sale of his business and he replied that PRIOLA was not.
On January 23, 1967, Attorney [REDACTED] advised that he had handled the sale of Alfano’s Pizza Restaurant at 212 East State Street, Rockford, for the current owner [VITO GABRIELE]. He said that [REDACTED] had been accompanied to [REDACTED] office at the time the transaction was closed by PHIL PRIOLA.
[quote=Patrickgold post_id=151444 time=1589398713 user_id=6577]
[quote=cavita post_id=151378 time=1589323241 user_id=72]
[quote=Patrickgold post_id=151356 time=1589303341 user_id=6577]
Cavita, very interesting read. I had no idea the depth of Rockford’s involvement. Question, any connections to the last remaining strip clubs in Rockford? Bigfoot and tiger tail? I saw that the state street station was tore down recently. Was surprised by that because it was a big place in a prime location. But I heard that it was the same owner as tiger tail and he wanted it torn down bc he didn’t want competition. Also, I have heard numerous rumors about Rockford having operations in Beloit and Janesville. Any truth to this?
[/quote]
To my knowledge the strip clubs in Rockford are on the up and up. Bigfoot is owned by a guy I believe who is eastern European and I can't remember the guy's name that owns Tiger Tail, and yes he owned State Street Station as well which was razed recently. Back in the day Rockford did have numerous operations in Beloit and Janesville to a lesser extent. Beloit had many taverns under their control and a couple bookies in Janesville. I will tell you that the last time I was in Rockford I was introduced to a younger Sicilian gentleman who has a business in Beloit. The person who introduced me to him later told me he was mafia. So, take that for what it's worth.
[/quote]
Cavita, interesting about the zip but I’m not surprised. With how small Rockford is, Rockford is tightnit and has always been connected to the motherland. Question, Alfano’s in Oregon, IL was involved in the Pizza connection case. Oregon is about a 30 minute drive from Rockford. I know the restaurant is still there and the old man was deported after his sentence. Was Alfano brought over by Rockford? If so, who sponsored him?
[/quote]
I don't think Alfano was ever a mafia member but was an associate, though I'm unsure if he was affiliated with a family when he came over in the 1960s. It seems he was hooked up with Phil Priola of Rockford early on but after that it and during the Pizza Connection he was doing what his Uncle Gaetano Badalamenti told him to do. The following is an excerpt from Phil Priola's FBI file on Alfano and how he came to the U.S. I've included names in brackets where I can identify the people:
CG T-2 advised that PHIL PRIOLA frequents the Twinspot Tavern on East State Street, Rockford and also Alfano’s Pizzeria, which is located next door. She said the Twinspot is owned by [PASQUALE AND JOE GUCCIARDO] “who also owned Twins Disposal and the Town and Country Motel with PHIL PRIOLA.” In addition, informant stated that on the evening of January 12, 1967, she observed PRIOLA together with FRANK BUSCEMI, underboss Rockford LCN family, and four other Italians who were unknown to the informant in serious conversation with the operators of SAM and JOE’S Pizzeria, Belvidere, Illinois. Informant stated that the conversation was in Italian, which informant does not speak.
CG T-3 stated that he had heard that PHIL PRIOLA is in some way involved in the operation of the Alfano’s Pizza chain and has frequently been in the company of [PETER ALFANO] who recently moved to Oregon, Illinois, where he is opening a pizza parlor.
Detective [REDACTED] stated that it was his understanding that [PETER ALFANO] came from Chicago to Rockford and is a partner of PHIL PRIOLA. He said that it is his understanding that [PETER ALFANO] has sold the pizza restaurant at 212 East State Street, Rockford, to [VITO GABRIELE] of South Beloit, son of [PIETRO GABRIELE].
Detective [REDACTED] said that he had interviewed the owners of JOE and SAM’S Pizzeria in Belvidere and determined that the owners are [GIUSEPPE CUCINELLA] and [SALVATORE VITALE] who reside in Room 302 at the Chandler Hotel, Rockford, Illinois. He said that these individuals speak English very poorly and he had difficulty conducting the interview, but determined that [CUCINELLA] was born [REDACTED] at Fiumicino, Italy, and entered the United States in February 1964. [VITALE] was born at Cinisi, Palermo, Sicily on [REDACTED] and came to the United States from Salvi Badalamenti, 137, Fiumicino, Italy. He entered the United States November 20, 1966, via Air France and his address at time of entry was Box 26, Ringoes, New Jersey.
[REDACTED] stated that [REDACTED] when he first entered this country he had become acquainted with one [REDACTED] in New York City, and when he came to Belvidere, he accidentally bumped into him again. He said he purchased the pizza parlor from [REDACTED] who moved to Rockford and opened a new pizza parlor on South Main Street in the latter part of November 1966.
[REDACTED] stated he made inquiry in Rockford relative to this pizzeria located in the 200 block of South Main Street and determined that it had closed about two weeks earlier that [REDACTED] had left town and that a waitress, [REDACTED] who was employed by him, disappeared at the same time.
[REDACTED] stated that he had been in touch with Sheriff BILL SPENCER at Oregon, Illinois who told him that [PETER ALFANO] was setting up a pizza restaurant there.
On January 19, 1967, [PETER ALFANO] was contacted at his place of business, Alfano’s Pizza Restaurant, 801 South Fourth Street, Oregon, Illinois.
He stated that his name in Italian is [PIETRO ALFANO] and before coming to the United States he had been an independent dealer in cheese at Palermo, Sicily. He made available Italian Passport Number [REDACTED], which reflects that he was born at Cinisi, Palermo, Sicily, on [REDACTED] and has brown hair and brown eyes. He is married to [MARIA CRISTINA TRUPIANO] and has two children, a girl, age five, and a boy, age seven months, and residence is via [REDACTED] Palermo, Italy. He arrived in New York on January 3, 1967 via Al Italia Airlines.
[PETER ALFANO] stated that he came to the United States originally on April 1, 1964 and had gone to work for one [PIETRO ALFANO] at Alfano’s Pizzeria in Ottawa, Illinois. This [ALFANO] had a father, [PROCOPIO ALFANO] who lived and had a pizzeria in Spring Valley, Illinois. The [ALFANO] in Ottawa also operated an Alfano Pizzeria in Seneca, Illinois in which the interviewee was employed.
He said that after learning the business from these [ALFANOS], he moved to Belvidere, Illinois in June 1965 and opened a pizza restaurant there which he operated for 13 or 14 months.
He said the [PIETRO ALFANO] in Ottawa came to the United States about 18 years ago and for a period of about 3 ½ years he owned a pizza restaurant in Rochelle, Illinois which he never personally managed and which he eventually sold to an Italian, name unknown, who operated it under the name Alfano’s Pizza until recently when he closed it and left town. In June 1965 he returned to Italy with his wife and sold his restaurant business to (Salvatore “Sam” Vitale) who comes from the same town in Sicily and is supposed to marry (Alfano’s) wife’s sister, [REDACTED] partner in the purchase of the restaurant from the interviewee who was the interviewee’s uncle, who came to the United States 10 or 12 years ago and was employed in Chicago by the Salerno Biscuit Company. This is the [SAM] and [JOE] currently operating the Belvidere Pizzeria.
He was asked about the [REDACTED] who was interviewed by Detective [REDACTED] and he said that [REDACTED] must have been confused by his inability to understand Italian. He said that the [REDACTED] in Belvidere is [REDACTED], a brother of [REDACTED] who is visiting in Belvidere on a tourist visa and will soon be returning to Italy.
(Alfano) stated that Maria’s Pizza in Belvidere is operated by (Lorenzo Palazzolo) an uncle, and (Santina Palazzolo), a cousin by marriage. (Alfano) said that when he had owned the restaurant currently operated by [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] had been his partner but because of a disagreement decided to move across the street.
[REDACTED] said that his father, [REDACTED], came to the United States about one year ago. At this time [REDACTED] opened the place in Rockford, at 212 East State Street and his father ran it and continues to run it. He said that his father is unhappy in this country and is returning to Italy probably in one week and the restaurant is being sold to “some Sicilian from Beloit, Wisconsin,” whose name is unknown to [REDACTED].
He said that the restaurant in the 200 block of South Main Street, operated by [REDACTED] is now closed and [REDACTED]’s whereabouts is unknown to him. He suggested that [REDACTED] might know [REDACTED]’s whereabouts, inasmuch as [REDACTED] had worked for [REDACTED] for a period of time.
He [PIETRO ALFANO] said that he met PHIL PRIOLA under the following circumstances. He said while operating his restaurant in Belvidere, he did business with a juke box company “Lundberg Music Co.” from Cherry Valley, Illinois. He indicated an intent to open a place in Rockford. The serviceman [PAT C. GUCCIARDO] from the juke box company suggested he contact the GUCCIARDO’S at the Twinspot Tavern in Rockford, who were cousins of his. He accidentally met PHIL PRIOLA in the Twinspot, told him of his plans to open a business in Rockford and PRIOLA suggested that he might be able to help him.
PRIOLA made the arrangements for renting the building at 212 East State Street and paid for the repairs and decoration of the restaurant, about $1,400. He paid PRIOLA this money back but PRIOLA charged him no interest and in fact was merely buying PRIOLA out because the business did not make out and he did not want PRIOLA to be hurt financially because he had done [ALFANO] a favor. He said PRIOLA was in the restaurant frequently and in fact sometimes helped with the cooking.
When he was questioned about how he paid PRIOLA back when the restaurant was losing money he said that he did this using the profits from his restaurant in Belvidere.
He said he is not related to PRIOLA, had never met or heard of PRIOLA prior to the accidental meeting at the Twinspot and that he himself was not now, nor had he ever been a member of the Mafia.
He was asked if PRIOLA was helping in any way in the current sale of his business and he replied that PRIOLA was not.
On January 23, 1967, Attorney [REDACTED] advised that he had handled the sale of Alfano’s Pizza Restaurant at 212 East State Street, Rockford, for the current owner [VITO GABRIELE]. He said that [REDACTED] had been accompanied to [REDACTED] office at the time the transaction was closed by PHIL PRIOLA.