THE BLACK HAND FORUM

It wasnt all fun and games for Battaglia, since when he went to prison, one of the most terrible things occurred to him.

You see, on February 25, 1944, Sam and Angela Battaglia brought another child to this world, but this time it was a son. As any Italian father, Sam was very happy that he got a son and so he named him Sam John Battaglia or simply Sam Jr. And so down the years, like any other family, Battaglia’s family also had its ups and downs. During the early 1960's, Sam Jr. was having marriage problems and divorced his wife Elaine Ruane Battaglia and in 1966, he was arrested by the feds on charges of violating the selective service act or in plain English he was brought up on draft dodging charges. Sam Jr. was arrested in his home at 7321 Fullerton Avenue in Elmwood Park, as he prepared to leave home to make his rounds as a collector of coins deposited in amusement and vending machines which were controlled by the Chicago Outfit. Junior’s mistake was he failed to notify the draft board that he had been divorced bi his wife back in November, 1964. By failing to notify the draft board of his change in marital status, Junior had retained his 3-A classification, which is granted only to married men with children. Sam Jr. also applied for marriage license to Kari DeOrio two days after he received a notice asking about his marital status. Sam Jr. was convicted and was sentenced to four years in jail. On December 27, 1967, Sam Jr. and his father’s lawyer Maurice Walsh appeared in the federal District court on motions to reduce his prison term or get a new trial on the charges. The judge advised Sam Jr. to look into a federal statute which enables prisoners to obtain parole and possible elimination of any record by joining the armed forces. Junior’s lawyer said that he was waiting for answers to letters that Sam Jr. wrote to try to get the armed forces to change its mind. His lawyer also added that the navy, air force and marines, all have turned down Sam Jr. on grounds that he had two small children and also had a criminal case pending. Then the judge continued the hearing motions to reduce the sentence to January 15, 1968. On February 7, 1968, Sam Jr. four year prison term was reduced to two years.

On January 2, 1970, the two-year prison sentence of Sam Jr., was lifted by Judge James Parsons and placed the young Battaglia on three years probation, instead. The judge ordered Sam Jr., as conditions of the probation, that he must submit to his draft board for induction, would order the draft board to accept him, and if the board refused, Sam Jr. must once each month during his 36 months probation attempt to enlist with some branch of the armed forces. This was a big relief for the Battaglia’s because only one family member, meaning Sam Sr., remained in jail.

The biggest problem for Sam Sr. was that eventually all of that pressure got to his son Sam Jr. and his wife and mother Angela. On August 7, 1971, 27 year old Sam Jr. Battaglia died of a heart attack at his home. Two days later on August 9, his mother and Sam senior’s wife Angela also died of a heart attack probably because she couldn’t take the death of her son and all of the publicity made by her imprisoned husband. Two days later, Sam Sr. came home from prison to attend the wake for his wife and son at the stately Montclair Funeral Home, at 6901 W. Belmont Av. The funeral parlor was ringed with unmarked police cars. The intelligence detectives who manned them weren't especially subtle. As the people walked down Belmont, they could hear the two-way radios crackling with the voice of the police dispatcher. If there were police inside, they weren't obvious. Sam was brought in a wheel chair, accompanied by a prison guard and a male nurse. He was so broken and destroyed by the deaths, that many people at the funeral weren’t able to recognize him. Among the nearly 100 persons who were still at the wake at 10:30 p.m., were the full range of young men and women in mod dress to the grandmotherly types. As they milled and chatted, the common questions were: "Where's Sam? Has he been here?" "Is that Sam?" a girl in her twenties asked her escort. She was pointing to a mortuary staff member. A Chicago Tribune photographer entered the visitation room and made a photograph of several onlookers. Hearing the click of his shutter, a dozen of the men converged on him from three sides. The mourners were yelling “Smash his Camera". "Smash his camera, take his film," screamed one man. "Call the police" shouted another. After a few moments discussion, during which the photographer explained that he would not give up his film unless the police were called, the angry men gave up their demand. "That's what killed them!" screamed one middle aged mourner, "All this damn publicity."

Battaglia could have been an opening act for the Rat Pack.

Lol

In addition to Battaglias criminal career, i find it quite funny one part from the questionings in 1958, when in July the committee called for him to answer their questions and judging by his answers, he obviously played them lol: 

The Chairman: State your name and your place of residence and your business or occupation. 

Mr. Battaglia: My name is Sam Battaglia. I live at 1114 North Ridgeland Avenue, Oak Park, 111. 

The Chairman: What is your business or occupation? 

Mr. Battaglia: I refuse to answer on the ground that my answer…wait a while…I refuse to answer on the ground that my answer may tend to incriminate me. 

The Chairman: I suggest you change that word "refuse" to "decline." 

Mr. Battaglia: I decline. 

The Chairman: Will you make that change as you read your statement? 

Mr. Battaglia: I don't understand. 

The Chairman: I said, instead of using the word "refuse," will you say you "decline"? 

Mr. Battaglia: Do I have to do that? 

The Chairman: Well, you may have to. I think "decline" shows a little more respect for your Government, don't you? 

Mr. Battaglia: O. K. decline, then. 

The Chairman: Proceed. 

Mr. Kennedy: Could you tell us, Mr. Battaglia, a little bit about your background, as to where you were born? 

Mr. Battaglia: I decline to answer on the ground that may tend to incriminate me. 

Mr. Kennedy: Just where you were born, Mr. Battaglia. Can't you tell us that? 

Mr. Battaglia: I answered already. 

Mr. Kennedy: I am asking you again to reconsider your answer. Could you tell us where you were born, and the date of it? 

Mr. Battaglia: I answered it. 

Mr. Kennedy: I would like to have you reconsider it, and what is your answer on reconsideration of my question? 

Mr. Battaglia: I answered it. 

Mr. Kennedy: You haven't answered this question. I want to have the date and the place of your birth. 

Mr. Battaglia: I decline to answer on the ground that may tend to incriminate me. 

Mr. Kennedy. You were born in Chicago, were you, in 1909, is that correct? 

The Chairman: Let the Chair make a record here, please. We are going to test out some of these instances. The Chair will ask you the question "Where were you born? 

Mr. Battaglia: I refuse to answer…decline to answer on the ground that that may tend to incriminate me. 

The Chairman: With the permission of the committee, with its approval, the Chair orders and directs you to answer the question. 

Mr. Battaglia: I answered it. 

The Chairman: Is that your answer? 

Mr. Battaglia: Yes, sir. 

The Chairman: You understand that you are being ordered and directed by this committee to answer the question as to where you were born? 

Mr. Battaglia: I just told you where I was born. 

The Chairman: You did? 

Mr. Battaglia: I just told you. 

Mr. Kennedy: Is that correct? 

Mr. Battaglia. I answered the question. 

The Chairman: Now, I asked you the question, and I have ordered and directed you to answer, and state where you were born. 

Mr. Battaglia: I answered it. 

The Chairman: Is that your answer? 

Mr. Battaglia: Yes, sir. 

The Chairman: That is not an answer. That answer will not be accepted. Do you still refuse to answer? 

Mr. Battaglia: I answered it. 

The Chairman: I said: Do you still refuse to answer and state to this committee where you were born? 

Mr. Battaglia: I answered it. 

The Chairman: Is that the answer you want to give? 

Mr. Battaglia: Yes, sir. 

The Chairman: Your answer is that you refuse or decline on the ground that to answer it might tend to incriminate you? 

Mr. Battaglia: Yes, sir. 

The Chairman: Do you honestly believe if you told this committee where you were born that a truthful answer to that question might tend to incriminate you? 

Mr. Battaglia: One answer leads to another, and I am not answering. 

The Chairman: I asked you if you honestly believed that, if you gave a truthful answer to the question: Where were you born? a truthful answer might tend to incriminate you. 

Mr. Battaglia. I answered it. 

The Chairman: You haven't answered this question, and, with the approval of the committee, the Chair orders and directs you to answer the question as to whether you honestly believe that, if you gave a truthful answer to the question: “Where were you born?” a truthful answer might tend to incriminate you. 

Mr. Baitaglia: I answered it. 

The Chairman: You have not answered it, and the Chair holds you have not answered it, and you are under orders and direction of the committee to answer it. 

Mr. Battaglia: I just told you; I read this off this paper, and I answered you. 

The Chairman: You haven't read off that paper when I asked you if you honestly believe. 

Mr. Battaglia: I refuse to answer on the ground that it may tend to incriminate me. Does that answer your question now? 

The Chairman: That doesn't. 

Mr. Battaglia. That is my answer. 

The Chairman: All right, let the record stand. Proceed, Mr. 
Kennedy.

Mr. Kennedy: Have you ever been arrested? 

Mr. Battaglia: I refuse to answer on the ground that it may tend to incriminate me. 

The Chairman: The Chair, with the approval of the committee, orders and directs you to use the word "decline" instead of "refuse." 

Mr. Battaglia: All right, decline. 

The Chairman: Can you say it with any more contempt? 

Mr. Battaglia. What is the matter with "refuse", that is a word too, isn't it? 

The Chairman: Proceed. 

Mr. Kennedy: As we understand it, Mr. Battaglia, your specialty is armed robbery, is that correct? 

Mr. Battaglia: I refuse to answer on the ground…on the ground it may tend to incriminate me. 

Mr. Kennedy: You are back on "refuse." 

Mr. Battaglia. What is the other word? 

The Chairman: The other word is "decline," and it is a little more respectful. 

Mr. Battaglia: All right, decline. 

Also here are some other documents regarding the underboss position after Ferraros death and also the alleged conflict between Cerone and Battaglia and this also explains Cerones position as boss after Battaglias imprisonment:

Two which state that in 64 Battaglia was the next in line, even possibly for Giancanas position, and Cerone being described as a drinking problem:

https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.htm ... _battaglia

https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.htm ... _battaglia

In 1965 Battaglia was offered the boss position and at first he allegedly refused it:

https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.htm ... _battaglia

But later accepted it and Cerone allegedly felt even more envious about it:

https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.htm ... _battaglia

https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.htm ... _battaglia

Battaglia being boss until 67

https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.htm ... _battaglia

cavita wrote: ↑Sun Feb 04, 2018 6:39 am

Snakes wrote: ↑Sun Feb 04, 2018 3:36 am Cerone once made a comment in an FBI wiretap between he and Ferraro that he couldn't get ahold of Giancana so he went to "the next man in line" (or something to that effect), meaning Ferraro.

Yes, I have an FBI doc supporting this that is dated October 1960.

https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.htm ... _underboss

Snakes wrote: ↑Sun Feb 04, 2018 3:36 am Cerone once made a comment in an FBI wiretap between he and Ferraro that he couldn't get ahold of Giancana so he went to "the next man in line" (or something to that effect), meaning Ferraro.

Yes, I have an FBI doc supporting this that is dated October 1960.

In addition, there were more than one specific periods for the Outfit, like for example the first one was at the beginning or during the late 20's and early 30's since they started as a crew under one or two Sicilian bosses and later transformed into a separate family, or the second which occurred during the 1940's when the whole top leadership was imprisoned and war broke out, and the third during the first half of the 70's when a lot of top and important guys went to the graveyard. Or we can also consider the situation during the 1980's when the boss and underboss went to prison, but still Accardo was free and they were quickly replaced by their underlings, so I dont think that period was too specific

Snakes is right regarding Cerones statement and yeah Demaris gave one helluva good info, judging by the time period in which he wrote his book.

The year of 1972 was quite specific for the Outfit since three of its top leaders died including Ricca, Prio and LaPorte, followed by Buccieri the next year. At the same time Battaglia, Cerone and Alderisio were all in jail, which i believe were the main reasons for Alex being the replacement for some of the big shots. Even though he was at the top, still he wasnt able to make anyone in the organization and if a ceremony occurred, some high level Italian member usually replaced him.

Also Im not trying to stir shit up but I also think that those were the same main reasons for Nicolettis rise during the early 70s and stood next to Aiuppa. Theres one memo in which Nicoletti complains to Accardo that Alex wasnt around and he was needed by Nicoletti to act as a protector on the North Side. So if Nicoletti was only a captain in the Melrose Park area, why he would care about the situation on the North Side and Alexs First Ward activities?!

Demaris did the best with what he had but he didn't have access to many of the resources we do as he published his book in, I believe, 1970 or '71.

Cerone once made a comment in an FBI wiretap between he and Ferraro that he couldn't get ahold of Giancana so he went to "the next man in line" (or something to that effect), meaning Ferraro.

Frank wrote: ↑Sun Feb 04, 2018 2:29 am Thats interesting. I wonder if Ricca death had anything to do with the switch to Elmwood Park ,with Cerone becoming underboss.

That could have been true. Giancana & DeStefano were Ricca's guys and Cerone was Accardo's guy. After Ricca died in 1972, there was a huge power shift to Auippa/Cerone. Also, DeStefano & Giancana both got killed. Some of the other Giancana loyalists were already dead even before Ricca died.

Thats interesting. I wonder if Ricca death had anything to do with the switch to Elmwood Park ,with Cerone becoming underboss.

Confederate wrote: ↑Sun Feb 04, 2018 1:42 am Very good as usual. When do you think Ferraro became the underboss of the entire Outfit? According to Ovid Demaris, Battaglia was the #2 which makes sense because Battaglia was more powerful. However, you guys say it was Ferraro. I'm not disputing it, just wondering about the time frame. Maybe Battaglia became #2 in 1964 after Ferraro died?

It was politics meaning Roti Sr was also still very powerful individual and the so-called First Ward and Loop crew were previously connected to the South Side "Mafia". So it was important for the Outfit to include someone from these factions at the top. Also the number two spot was already once held by the First Ward and South Side with Phil D'Andrea and later Ferraro simply inherited it in 1956/57 from Sam Giancana by previously becoming the capo of the First Ward and Loop, as a favour for the previous case.

Rocco DeGrazia was simply pushed away and Battaglia received a larger crew and territory such as MP Park, Stone Park, Nothlake and Franklin Park and also received jurisdiction over other Italian and non-Italian crews. So this means that he was also greatly awarded by Ricca and Giancana for being loyal to the West Side. In other words it was too early for Battaglia in 56/57 to become the underboss and thats why he didnt receive the First Ward, not until 1964 when he placed Alderiso there.