THE BLACK HAND FORUM

Coloboy wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 5:58 pm

Snakes wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 5:55 pm

Coloboy wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 5:39 pm If you add up all of the names that are floated, you can definitely come up with 40 to 50 guys. It’s certainly possible that there are that many inducted, but the real question is how many are actually active in any type of illegal rackets.

I'd say a realistic estimate is 30 to 35, leaning towards the lower end. They barely had 50 to 60 guys in the 80s, so assuming they have the low end of that in 2025 is a bit generous. I do think it's realistic that Sarno had some sort of recruiting drive considering the age and incarceration of many members at that point in time, but it's hard for me to accept two dozen guys.

The other big question mark for me is 26th St. or any type of southside crew. Very hard to tell if that is still an active group in anyway. We have plenty of tidbits over the last decade from the other groups, but virtually nothing from them.

Snakes wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 5:55 pm

Coloboy wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 5:39 pm If you add up all of the names that are floated, you can definitely come up with 40 to 50 guys. It’s certainly possible that there are that many inducted, but the real question is how many are actually active in any type of illegal rackets.

I'd say a realistic estimate is 30 to 35, leaning towards the lower end. They barely had 50 to 60 guys in the 80s, so assuming they have the low end of that in 2025 is a bit generous. I do think it's realistic that Sarno had some sort of recruiting drive considering the age and incarceration of many members at that point in time, but it's hard for me to accept two dozen guys.

Coloboy wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 5:39 pm If you add up all of the names that are floated, you can definitely come up with 40 to 50 guys. It’s certainly possible that there are that many inducted, but the real question is how many are actually active in any type of illegal rackets.

RushStreet wrote: ↑Thu Apr 17, 2025 8:47 am In defense of Scott he does have many people in law enforcement who he speaks to on a regular basis for information. So take it for what it is.

Maybe blame the police next time if you think his sources are bullshit.

NorthBuffalo wrote: ↑Tue Apr 15, 2025 3:21 pm Nikolas 'Snuffy' Stravapoulos, longtime Chicago greektown gambling figure who co-owned Snuffy's diner in McCook, IL, which served as a gambling establishment. He is also the father of current Outfit figure Demitri 'Jimmy' Stravapoulos, the same individual targeted by Mandell a few years ago - I think that is Jimmy in this photo as a kid.

NorthBuffalo wrote: ↑Wed Apr 16, 2025 5:52 am You gotta be a stunad of the first magnitude to pay for that website.

aray22 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 15, 2025 8:28 pm

InCamelot wrote: ↑Tue Apr 15, 2025 8:22 pm

RushStreet wrote: ↑Tue Apr 15, 2025 8:35 am https://youtu.be/32YG6v9qGjA?si=-DxiCGtgB23TXTbx

Doesn't mention Rainone I think? Whatever Rainone's last interaction was with Scott, it seemed to have worked.

What happened?

InCamelot wrote: ↑Tue Apr 15, 2025 8:22 pm

RushStreet wrote: ↑Tue Apr 15, 2025 8:35 am https://youtu.be/32YG6v9qGjA?si=-DxiCGtgB23TXTbx

Doesn't mention Rainone I think? Whatever Rainone's last interaction was with Scott, it seemed to have worked.

RushStreet wrote: ↑Tue Apr 15, 2025 8:35 am https://youtu.be/32YG6v9qGjA?si=-DxiCGtgB23TXTbx

JoePuzzles234 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 15, 2025 8:54 amNotably, he also says there are 50-75 "buttons" in Chicago today which I guess is keeping in line with the whole 24+ members made by Sarno notion