by PolackTony » Thu Sep 15, 2022 7:34 pm
Pretty certain that I met Jimmy Cozzo, suspected Chicago member, back around 2001. Believe that I ran into Joey Lombardo back in the 90s/early 2000s on occasion, as my family ate regularly at Bella Notte on Grand Ave, which was a restaurant that Joey frequented. Grew up in the immediate vicinity of the Huron Social Athletic Club and saw guys who very much looked the part there frequently in the early 90s as I walked past the club all the time going to Smith Park. All I knew was that everyone said those guys were in the mob and people minded their own business. I was a kid then and didn’t know anything, but I have little doubt that I interacted with guys who were somebody. Knew a few kids growing up who were related to big names and bragged about it (Sarno, Calabrese). Only found out years later who those names were. Couple of family friends were connected, but nothing major — only name of note was Joe Giacchino, alleged Elmwood Park associate best-known for running a big pill mill operation out of Melrose Park. Worked tradeshows at McCormick Place back in the 90s. Place was stacked with outfit guys and relatives via the Teamsters and forklift etc companies. Interacted with lots of guys who were almost certainly connected. Was told by people that the mob had a major presence there. Again, didn’t know anything beyond that till years later. Guys at work talking about shipments of stolen merchandise, gambling, etc. Very typical Chicago shit. If I knew then what I know now…
Have been to a number of places in NYC that are connected in both the Bronx and Brooklyn, but just by looking at them would have no idea if some of the guys I run into are connected. Lots of guys who look the part, so who knows. I live in a hotbed area and some of my fellow neighbors are very well-known people but I’ve never interacted beyond pleasantries.
Pretty certain that I met Jimmy Cozzo, suspected Chicago member, back around 2001. Believe that I ran into Joey Lombardo back in the 90s/early 2000s on occasion, as my family ate regularly at Bella Notte on Grand Ave, which was a restaurant that Joey frequented. Grew up in the immediate vicinity of the Huron Social Athletic Club and saw guys who very much looked the part there frequently in the early 90s as I walked past the club all the time going to Smith Park. All I knew was that everyone said those guys were in the mob and people minded their own business. I was a kid then and didn’t know anything, but I have little doubt that I interacted with guys who were somebody. Knew a few kids growing up who were related to big names and bragged about it (Sarno, Calabrese). Only found out years later who those names were. Couple of family friends were connected, but nothing major — only name of note was Joe Giacchino, alleged Elmwood Park associate best-known for running a big pill mill operation out of Melrose Park. Worked tradeshows at McCormick Place back in the 90s. Place was stacked with outfit guys and relatives via the Teamsters and forklift etc companies. Interacted with lots of guys who were almost certainly connected. Was told by people that the mob had a major presence there. Again, didn’t know anything beyond that till years later. Guys at work talking about shipments of stolen merchandise, gambling, etc. Very typical Chicago shit. If I knew then what I know now…
Have been to a number of places in NYC that are connected in both the Bronx and Brooklyn, but just by looking at them would have no idea if some of the guys I run into are connected. Lots of guys who look the part, so who knows. I live in a hotbed area and some of my fellow neighbors are very well-known people but I’ve never interacted beyond pleasantries.