by NorthBuffalo » Wed Apr 30, 2025 5:02 pm
Something very interesting for the true Outfit guys on Operation Silver Shovel in the mid 1990s - the Stier Malone Anderson report on LIUNA includes this anecdote making a connection to the infamous John Christopher being related to Anthony Centracchio- any truth to that?
Christopher was a major player who only cooperated against the politicians/alderman and a rival union delegate (Walter Hoff). If he had permission from Centracchio to wear a wire on a rival Outfit crew's union boss - that is quite interesting.
I also wonder where John Christopher is today - from what I've read, he was a former "Jouster" from the Taylor Street area who became a well-connected Outfit associate riding in limousines and dumping trash all over the west side. Curious if he's really related to Centracchio...
Hoff’s Fall and Mazzei’s Election
The influence of organized crime in the affairs of Local 786 continued after Cozzo was barred from the Teamsters. In fact, it continued through Hoff’s fall from power in 1996. During the mid 1990s, an FBI cooperating witness played the central role in a federal racketeering investigation in Chicago called “Operation Silver Shovel” when he wore a wire to gather evidence against politicians and labor officials he was paying off in order to conduct his illegal operations.34 In an incident that undoubtedly reflected organized crime’s role in Local 786, a confidential source stated that the cooperating witness sought and received permission from Outfit member Anthony Centracchio (an in-law) to wear a wire against 786’s Walter Hoff.35 As noted above, the IRB brought charges against Hoff and he was indicted and pleaded guilty to Operation Silver Shovel charges. If the confidential source’s information is true, then the participation of the Outfit in the fall of Hoff certainly raises the question as to whether Mazzei — Hoff’s “hand-picked successor” — is subject to the influence or control of organized crime.”
Several former Teamsters including two former officers stated that Mazzei’s rise to principal officer of the local was virtually over night. According to these individuals, Mazzei had no background in the industry, but was chosen because he was Hoff’s neighbor and because his sister was dating James Cozzo’s son (Phil). Santoro claimed that Cozzo directed Hoff to promote Mazzei to principal officer to continue his control of Local 786.37 Indeed, Mazzei’s alleged meeting with Bratko in 1997 shortly after Mazzei took office, as
Something very interesting for the true Outfit guys on Operation Silver Shovel in the mid 1990s - the Stier Malone Anderson report on LIUNA includes this anecdote making a connection to the infamous John Christopher being related to Anthony Centracchio- any truth to that?
Christopher was a major player who only cooperated against the politicians/alderman and a rival union delegate (Walter Hoff). If he had permission from Centracchio to wear a wire on a rival Outfit crew's union boss - that is quite interesting.
I also wonder where John Christopher is today - from what I've read, he was a former "Jouster" from the Taylor Street area who became a well-connected Outfit associate riding in limousines and dumping trash all over the west side. Curious if he's really related to Centracchio...
[i]Hoff’s Fall and Mazzei’s Election
The influence of organized crime in the affairs of Local 786 continued after Cozzo was barred from the Teamsters. In fact, it continued through Hoff’s fall from power in 1996. During the mid 1990s, an FBI cooperating witness played the central role in a federal racketeering investigation in Chicago called “Operation Silver Shovel” when he wore a wire to gather evidence against politicians and labor officials he was paying off in order to conduct his illegal operations.34 In an incident that undoubtedly reflected organized crime’s role in Local 786, [b]a confidential source stated that the cooperating witness sought and received permission from Outfit member Anthony Centracchio (an in-law) to wear a wire against 786’s Walter Hoff[/b].35 As noted above, the IRB brought charges against Hoff and he was indicted and pleaded guilty to Operation Silver Shovel charges. If the confidential source’s information is true, then the participation of the Outfit in the fall of Hoff certainly raises the question as to whether Mazzei — Hoff’s “hand-picked successor” — is subject to the influence or control of organized crime.”
Several former Teamsters including two former officers stated that Mazzei’s rise to principal officer of the local was virtually over night. According to these individuals, Mazzei had no background in the industry, but was chosen because he was Hoff’s neighbor and because his sister was dating James Cozzo’s son (Phil). Santoro claimed that Cozzo directed Hoff to promote Mazzei to principal officer to continue his control of Local 786.37 Indeed, Mazzei’s alleged meeting with Bratko in 1997 shortly after Mazzei took office, as[/i]