Louie Fratto approaches the FBI to cooperate

Forum rules

Post a reply

Confirmation code
Enter the code exactly as it appears. All letters are case insensitive.
BBCode is OFF
Smilies are OFF
Topic review
   

Expand view Topic review: Louie Fratto approaches the FBI to cooperate

Re: Louie Fratto approaches the FBI to cooperate

by Villain » Sat Oct 03, 2020 1:00 pm

Ed wrote: ↑Sat Oct 03, 2020 8:26 am Giancana was miserable guy, but certain underlings loved him and were loyal to him. Funny that.

As I understand it, Fratto and Alderisio were cousins (or something), and Fratto's brother was very close to Battaglia and Alderisio at the time, so I'm a bit surprised Louie Fratto didn't get a lifeline from the organization. But maybe they did help out over the years and they had had enough of the handouts. Mobsters are human like all of us and we fabricate self-serving stories to "justify" our choices.
I agree on every point.

The Frattos were also married into the Daddono family and Frankie One Ear (or Half-Ear) had almost the same role as Joe Fischetti by controlling many celebrities and being big in Cicero and also on Rush St.

Also, you are right about they having enough of the handouts like for example in the Capone family case. Al died in 1947 and his family received cash from the Outfit until the early 60s or when Giancana and the guys nixed the deal (Capones bro Ralph didnt care about the family). They also used to help the Nitto, Capezio and Campagna families and i think it was the Campagna family that wasnt able to find a dime after Louis' death.

As for Giancana, he was loved because he knew how to make the big cash and hung around only with the guys who were able to bring him even more. The ones who brought the thinnest of envelopes were simply ignored, besides some being his childhood friends. He didnt care to the point when he had multiple affairs with other members wives while being boss and after that.

By the mid 60s Frattos business wasnt going well and thats why only Battaglia allegedly remained his "friend", at least for some time.

Re: Louie Fratto approaches the FBI to cooperate

by Ed » Sat Oct 03, 2020 8:26 am

Giancana was miserable guy, but certain underlings loved him and were loyal to him. Funny that.

As I understand it, Fratto and Alderisio were cousins (or something), and Fratto's brother was very close to Battaglia and Alderisio at the time, so I'm a bit surprised Louie Fratto didn't get a lifeline from the organization. But maybe they did help out over the years and they had had enough of the handouts. Mobsters are human like all of us and we fabricate self-serving stories to "justify" our choices.

As an aside, Joe Gurera's reasons for cooperating intrigue me. Most mobsters do it for the money or because of legal or underworld pressures. I've never seen FBI documents explaining the circumstances for Gurera's flipping, but those close to him report that he had changed sometime in the 1960s after he had heart trouble. His wife and family were devoted Catholics, and their prayers may have also had an effect.

Re: Louie Fratto approaches the FBI to cooperate

by Villain » Sat Oct 03, 2020 2:12 am

Thanks Ed.

I think Frattos son once said that during his final years his dad was desperate, and it is interesting that Battaglia was also against Fratto since they had meetings until the end. Battaglia was known for helping broke Outfit members or their families, while Giancana was quite the opposite.

Re: Louie Fratto approaches the FBI to cooperate

by PolackTony » Fri Oct 02, 2020 6:34 pm

Ed wrote: ↑Fri Oct 02, 2020 6:00 pm We've "known" for some time that Louie Fratto was informer "OM 148." This FBI document gives more background on how is cooperation unfolded.

https://archive.org/stream/LewFarell/13 ... 5/mode/2up

In March 1967, Fratto approached the FBI through a former agent, turned media publishing bigwig in Des Moines, to make a deal. Fratto was dying of cancer, broke, and angry at his Outfit associates for not helping him out financially. He was especially ticked at Giancana, Battaglia and Alderisio.

In exchange for significant financial compensation, Fratto was prepared to give up everything he knew about the Outfit, LCN members nationwide, and Jimmy Hoffa and the Teamsters. Fratto said he had "canceled checks" and other incriminating documents that would substantiate his claims.

Fratto intended to use the money to pay his outstanding bills including his children's university tuition. (In a way, he wanted to set up his family financially a la Frank Sheeran before he died. The difference of course was Fratto was telling the truth.)

Fratto wanted to deal exclusively with a particular FBI agent (name withheld) but I think it was the local SA by the name of John Anderson. His first debrief lasted 4.5 hours.
This is great, thanks Ed.

Louie Fratto approaches the FBI to cooperate

by Ed » Fri Oct 02, 2020 6:00 pm

We've "known" for some time that Louie Fratto was informer "OM 148." This FBI document gives more background on how is cooperation unfolded.

https://archive.org/stream/LewFarell/13 ... 5/mode/2up

In March 1967, Fratto approached the FBI through a former agent, turned media publishing bigwig in Des Moines, to make a deal. Fratto was dying of cancer, broke, and angry at his Outfit associates for not helping him out financially. He was especially ticked at Giancana, Battaglia and Alderisio.

In exchange for significant financial compensation, Fratto was prepared to give up everything he knew about the Outfit, LCN members nationwide, and Jimmy Hoffa and the Teamsters. Fratto said he had "canceled checks" and other incriminating documents that would substantiate his claims.

Fratto intended to use the money to pay his outstanding bills including his children's university tuition. (In a way, he wanted to set up his family financially a la Frank Sheeran before he died. The difference of course was Fratto was telling the truth.)

Fratto wanted to deal exclusively with a particular FBI agent (name withheld) but I think it was the local SA by the name of John Anderson. His first debrief lasted 4.5 hours.

Top