Frank Calabrese, Sr./Jr. prison tapes notes

[Snakes]

I think I posted a few of these a couple years ago but thought I may share them again. Plenty of good stuff here.

Sr. wants Jr. to get word out through Angela [Calabrese; Kurt's wife] that he wants a letter from Nick Calabrese [currently incarcerated with James Marcello in Pekin, Illinois]

Sr. is pissed that Mike Talarico visited Nick in prison, as he was told to "stay the fuck away from him," as he tells "Uncle Joey" everything. [Not sure who "Uncle Joey" is]. Sr. does admit that Talarico and Nick "made a good team."

They talk about Michael [Ricci] knowing about the "G" [FBI] pulling files on the Fecarotta murder case. Sr. thinks it is James DiForti that is snitching [DiForti was facing murder charges at the time]. By coincidence, the FBI pulled those files a week after DiForti made bail. Sr. thinks it will be difficult to pinch Nick on the Fecarotta charge as DiForti was not a witness to the murder. He talks about the only

They talk about the FBI taking a DNA sample off of a glove found at the crime scene and that Nick may also be a suspect. Sr. doesn't think the gloves were Nick's; he thinks they may have been Fecarotta's.

Sr. talks about wearing a hat underneath his hood so loose hairs wouldn't come off when the hood was removed [hairs were gathered as evidence in the pre-DNA days]

They talk about Ronnie Jarrett and how the FBI was also going to visit him for a DNA swab. Sr. also mentions "the Bull" [Angelo LaPietra] wanting to "initiate" DiForti and DiForti's various nicknames and their origins.

Sr. mentions a contact in the police [unknown, either Doyle or Ricci] claiming he would have "glommed" [stolen] the Fecarotta evidence if he knew it was being pulled.

They discuss people who are on both Nick and Sr.'s visiting lists. Sr. does not want his wife relaying messages. Sr. wants to let Marcello know about the evidence pull so Marcello can watch Nick and gauge his actions, even though this may make Nick look "weak" in Marcello's eyes. Sr. still thinks DiForti is beefing and is afraid that Nick may also cooperate. Sr. talks about how many people this could hurt if Nick and DiForti cooperated. They mention four on the street and five in prison. Sr. also mentions (in code) that Nick and/or DiForti knew about five murders involving Ronnie Jarrett.

Sr. talks about potential defenses for Nick, including a self-defense scenario where John shot Nick in the arm first [Nick shot himself in the arm with his own gun struggling with Fecarotta] and Nick killed him in self-defense.

Sr. talks about DiForti potentially not informing the federal government about a murder he was involved in with Nick because he was directly involved [the Ortiz/Morawski murders].

Jr. talks about Shorty LaMantia claiming that he was made and that he was involved in killings but Frank thinks that was just to impress Rocky [maybe Infelise; he and LaMantia may have been imprisoned together and Rocky may not have known LaMantia wasn't made] and Jr. says that LaMantia only knows what he read about and that the FBI doesn't know anything about any murders beyond what Gerald Scarpelli gave them. Edit: I will have to go back and check the context but he may be talking about Rocky LaMantia, Shorty's son.

Sr. then goes into further detail about being made and how the initiates' fingers are cut and holy pictures are burned in their hands. The bosses wait until the pictures are almost burned to the palm before they take them out, to see if anyone winces. Sr. said one guy at a time was initiated and 9 people (bosses) were present and watching. Sr. says it was like in the Godfather book (although a making ceremony wasn't described in the book). Angelo LaPietra was indirectly mentioned as the capo who sponsored Nick and Sr. into the Outfit and now "didn't want nothin' to do with us no more." [LaPietra was still on parole]. Sr. goes on to say that he initially didn't want to be made because it would restrict his freedom and that "once you belong, you always belong". LaPietra retorted that he can still have freedom and Sr. goes on to say now that he regrets being made, which he would never tell LaPietra.

Sr. goes on to say that "innocent people" don't get hurt. Only people who were trying to hurt "our people" or "stool pigeons." Or when they tried "finger" somebody [rat] or ignored warnings to leave things alone. Sr. said you get two warnings for the latter but not a third.

[End recording]

Later, Sr. and Jr. have a conversation about how Nick first got involved. Nick approached Sr. in the late sixties about getting involved with Sr., who replied that this was a "rough life." Sr. then relates how he got Nick all of his jobs [Teamsters, unions, etc.]. Sr. implied that Nick should have been more honest about not wanting to be involved in murders and that he would have respected that decision, but Nick didn't make that request. Sr. mentioned Frank Furio came on like he wanted to be involved in murder but "when push came to shove," he didn't do it. Nick just went right along, according to Sr.

Sr. goes on to talk about how DiForti had talked in the past about the "farmer" [Billy Dauber] and his wife and how the wife was innocent and Sr. goes on to say that DiForti knew nothing about that beyond what he read in the paper. Sr. said if he wanted to talk about innocent he should talk about the double-murder he was involved in - the "half and half" [Richard Ortiz] and the "innocent Polish guy" [Arthur Morawski].

[End recording]

I will do some more tomorrow.

[Pete]

Thanks for breaking this down. It’s hard work going through all the recordings. I know he mentioned stuff At some
Point about the outfit hierarchy I’ve been meaning to go through the tapes again to see what he said

[Villain]

Good stuff and keep them coming

[Snakes]

Sr. talks about Harry Aleman [imprisoned at Pekin with Marcello and Calabrese] and his family not getting anything monetarily from the Outfit while Aleman is away; Sr. describes it as "fucking wrong," and since Ferriola is dead and everyone else from that crew was in prison (Infelise, et. al.) no one has stepped up to help. Sr. says it should be Monteleone since he is "runnin' the show." Sr. says if Monteleone dies, then Aleman definitely won't get anything and that Monteleone will probably do what he can. [Sr. used "Johnny" instead of Monteleone but I believe he is referring to Monteleone, as opposed to DiFronzo].

Talk about Tony Borsellino [murdered in 1979]. Sr. remembers talking with Nick about it on Nick's back porch the day Borsellino was going to be hit. Sr. said that he did everything he could to get them to not kill Borsellino, including going to Angelo LaPietra. Sr. insinuates that Butch Petrocelli had Ferriola's ear and that he influenced Ferriola to have Borsellino killed. Sr. calls Petrocelli a "no good motherfucker."

Sr. says that Petrocelli tried to set him up, too. He goes into a brief history of his interactions with Petrocelli, mentioning Petrocelli being part of the Wild Bunch with Harry Aleman, James Inendino, Borsellino. Sr. accused that crew of "fucking with almost everybody" although he claimed that they never got anything off of Sr. and his guys [presumably LaPietra's guys] or John DiFronzo's guys. Sr. said they were only "winning" against "nobodies." Sr. talks about a card game that Petrocelli tried taking away from him.

Sr. talks about a run-in he had with Petrocelli on Canal Street where Petrocelli was trying to buy some pot for Turk Torello, who had cancer at the time. Sr. described the meeting in a tense way, claiming Petrocelli accused Sr. of "sneaking up" on him. Petrocelli asked Sr. where he could buy some weed and Sr. claims he has no idea. Sr. expresses a low opinion of pot and accused Petrocelli of being a smoker.

Sr. goes on to say that Petrocelli was trying to get brownie points with Turk which basically meant brownie points with Ferriola since those two were very close according to Sr. Sr. claims that because of this, Sr. couldn't get any action [presumably bookmaking] at parlors, sports joints, horses, etc. as Petrocelli and the Wild Bunch took it all. Also at this time, LaPietra was still under Torello and Sr. goes on to explain that LaPietra wasn't getting along with Turk. [FBI reports from the time show LaPietra as being miffed that Turk took over after Buccieri died]. Even though they [LaPietra and Turk] used to be partners, they didn't really care for each other anymore. [This could also explain why LaPietra was sent to the Chinatown area as his guys couldn't get any action in Cicero from Turk or Ferriola and LaPietra wasn't getting along with them anymore].

Sr. goes on to talk about DiFronzo looking out for his guys [Elmwood Park] and setting them up in legit businesses. Sr. contrasts this with LaPietra who always talked his guys out of opening legit businesses. Sr. describes DiFronzo as "the smartest" out of "everybody." He specifically mentions Lefty Cacciatore ("who doesn't know his left hand from his right hand") and Gene's Deli, "the guy that died, Lee [Magnafichi]," the Dotes. Sr. goes on to describe DiFronzo as being involved in a "lot of shit," explaining that he owns tons of buildings and is partnered with Joey [Andriacchi] in a lot of it. Sr. explained that the two were partners and had buying old buildings and flipping them since before "that guy and his wife" [Dauber]. Sr. explained that DiFronzo was worth more than Andriacchi; Sr. estimated DiFronzo's worth at about 25 million dollars, just in assets. Sr. goes on to mention that DiFronzo owns two car dealerships, a lot of buildings on Grand Avenue in River Grove, and a place that fixes storm doors and window screens. Sr. describes Jack Cerone's son as "an idiot." There are some parts that didn't come through clearly but it seems that Cerone may be partners with DiFronzo on a couple buildings that are "on the arm," including a couple owned by a Nick Giordano.

Jr. mentions DiFronzo as staying "to himself" now and Sr. replies saying that DiFronzo "stepped down." Sr. again described him as "smart" and that Joe Andriacchi "has the spot." [maybe top boss, not "day to day/street boss"] Sr. says that there is friction between the groups, specifically north and south, despite it being "all one system." Sr. goes on to say that Andriacchi's guys are beefing with "Al, the old man" [Tornabene; Sr. can't remember his last name]. Trying to recall Al's last name, Sr. mentioned that he was a "sleeper" and owned a "pizza joint." Jr. seems to get him confused with Al Pilotto but Sr. mentions that it wasn't him as Pilotto was from the "far south" [Heights].

What follows is a bit confusing, as Sr. seemingly explains that Monteleone was "passed up" in favor of Tornabene even though Sr. described Monteleone as "running the show" earlier. Andriacchi, Monteleone, and Tornabene are all referenced as a boss (or a similar high spot) in some form or fashion during this one conversation. This may be before Andriacchi stepped down and let Monteleone take over as street boss and Sr. may be mentioning Monteleone as being passed over as far as running the west side was concerned, as geography was mentioned a few times, although not as clearly as would be hoped. Sr. next makes the "five strong guys" comment and seems to be indicating that six or seven guys could be knocked down and the "whole fuckin' show" taken over with "five strong guys." Sr. mentions Andriacchi as one of the guys who'd need to be taken out. Sr. mentions that DiFronzo is "out of it" and "wants no pinch."

Sr. hints at Tony and Michael Spilotro as being guys that may have done this as they had their hands in a lot of things behind the bosses' backs. Sr. also claims that he and Tony used to enemies but became friends and that Sr. suggested that he was responsible for Tony beginning to groom Michael as he told Tony that he thought really highly of him. Sr. said that Tony "ruined" him and said that Tony had Michael convinced that Tony was the boss. Sr. compared this to Butch Petrocelli and a Christmas Party that he threw one year where he bragged that he was going to be the "new boss." Sr. said that's the last spot anyone would ever say they wanted. He goes back to Tony and mentions that the "old man" [Aiuppa] was going away to prison and called a meeting before being sent to prison where he told the other attendees that he wanted Tony "knocked down" and didn't care how it was done. Sr. also seems to imply that this is because Aiuppa knew that Tony would be gunning for the top spot with a lot of top guys going away in the casino skim case. Sr. also says that DiFronzo was the one who told Aiuppa how they were going to do it and that he was the one who set it all up with Carlisi. Sr. also says that DiFronzo had the idea to hold the sham making ceremony to bait both of them. Sr. also says they had about fifteen guys show up to the house give the Spilotros the impression they [probably a slip up as Sr. says "they" but referenced only Michael earlier] were being made.

More to come.

[cavita]

Nice stuff. I love these in depth chunks of info that give a good feel as to what's going on in the streets.

[Antiliar]

Great summary, Snakes. There's a lot of material in these recordings.

[Villain]

Thanks again. This completely confirms that the Cicero and Chinatown crews were born from the same group and stayed in close connection by representing the south side faction. Also confirms that by the late 70s there was a tension between the two crews, and they allegedly continued until LaPietra went to jail. Story goes that after Torellos death, Ferriola shouldve been the boss of the south side but LaPietra prevailed since Nagal was allegedly accused about something. So theres possibility that during his reign, the crews were divided to an extent, but when Angelo was gone, Ferriola obviously became the boss of the south, and even the Heights mob possibly reported to him at the time. After Ferriola, it seems that Infelice and Monteleone kept the close collaboration between the crews and also kept the south faction in one piece, same as their legacy such as Sarno and Delaurentis.

It also shows that the south side mob wanted to knock off some of the top westsiders, although it seems that DiFronzo stopped the whole thing by retreating. Besides that, some Melrose Park west side crew members were still forcing their presence at the top, and thats why they killed Chiaramonti and Zizzo. It seems that the only westsiders who played it smart and remained on the scene were the Grand Av guys. So by the late 2000s or early 2010s we have the South Side mob/Cicero and Chinatown, followed by Grand Av and what was left of the former EP crew

[Frank]

Thanks again. This completely confirms that the Cicero and Chinatown crews were born from the same group and stayed in close connection by representing the south side faction. Also confirms that by the late 70s there was a tension between the two crews, and they allegedly continued until LaPietra went to jail. Story goes that after Torellos death, Ferriola shouldve been the boss of the south side but LaPietra prevailed since Nagal was allegedly accused about something. So theres possibility that during his reign, the crews were divided to an extent, but when Angelo was gone, Ferriola obviously became the boss of the south, and even the Heights mob possibly reported to him at the time. After Ferriola, it seems that Infelice and Monteleone kept the close collaboration between the crews and also kept the south faction in one piece, same as their legacy such as Sarno and Delaurentis.

It also shows that the south side mob wanted to knock off some of the top westsiders, although it seems that DiFronzo stopped the whole thing by retreating. Besides that, some Melrose Park west side crew members were still forcing their presence at the top, and thats why they killed Chiaramonti and Zizzo. It seems that the only westsiders who played it smart and remained on the scene were the Grand Av guys. So by the late 2000s or early 2010s we have the South Side mob/Cicero and Chinatown, followed by Grand Av and what was left of the former EP crew

I took the 5 strong guys taking out 6 or 7 guys comment as just Calabrese 's own theory, and not a definite plan.

[Frank]

Thanks again. This completely confirms that the Cicero and Chinatown crews were born from the same group and stayed in close connection by representing the south side faction. Also confirms that by the late 70s there was a tension between the two crews, and they allegedly continued until LaPietra went to jail. Story goes that after Torellos death, Ferriola shouldve been the boss of the south side but LaPietra prevailed since Nagal was allegedly accused about something. So theres possibility that during his reign, the crews were divided to an extent, but when Angelo was gone, Ferriola obviously became the boss of the south, and even the Heights mob possibly reported to him at the time. After Ferriola, it seems that Infelice and Monteleone kept the close collaboration between the crews and also kept the south faction in one piece, same as their legacy such as Sarno and Delaurentis.

It also shows that the south side mob wanted to knock off some of the top westsiders, although it seems that DiFronzo stopped the whole thing by retreating. Besides that, some Melrose Park west side crew members were still forcing their presence at the top, and thats why they killed Chiaramonti and Zizzo. It seems that the only westsiders who played it smart and remained on the scene were the Grand Av guys. So by the late 2000s or early 2010s we have the South Side mob/Cicero and Chinatown, followed by Grand Av and what was left of the former EP crew

But I'm not saying your wrong. Snr mentions problems between Andriacchi and Tornabene. Wasnt Tornabene Melrose Park? Ive also read that Andriacchi had problems with Monteleone and even DiFronzo

[Villain]

Thanks again. This completely confirms that the Cicero and Chinatown crews were born from the same group and stayed in close connection by representing the south side faction. Also confirms that by the late 70s there was a tension between the two crews, and they allegedly continued until LaPietra went to jail. Story goes that after Torellos death, Ferriola shouldve been the boss of the south side but LaPietra prevailed since Nagal was allegedly accused about something. So theres possibility that during his reign, the crews were divided to an extent, but when Angelo was gone, Ferriola obviously became the boss of the south, and even the Heights mob possibly reported to him at the time. After Ferriola, it seems that Infelice and Monteleone kept the close collaboration between the crews and also kept the south faction in one piece, same as their legacy such as Sarno and Delaurentis.

It also shows that the south side mob wanted to knock off some of the top westsiders, although it seems that DiFronzo stopped the whole thing by retreating. Besides that, some Melrose Park west side crew members were still forcing their presence at the top, and thats why they killed Chiaramonti and Zizzo. It seems that the only westsiders who played it smart and remained on the scene were the Grand Av guys. So by the late 2000s or early 2010s we have the South Side mob/Cicero and Chinatown, followed by Grand Av and what was left of the former EP crew

But I'm not saying your wrong. Snr mentions problems between Andriacchi and Tornabene. Wasnt Tornabene Melrose Park? Ive also read that Andriacchi had problems with Monteleone and even DiFronzo

Tornabene was Aiuppas legacy meaning MP and southern Cicero, and also interests around the south.

I also believe that both Monteleone and Andriacchi shared the top spot while No Nose had problems, which explains the tension to an extent

[Frank]

Thanks again. This completely confirms that the Cicero and Chinatown crews were born from the same group and stayed in close connection by representing the south side faction. Also confirms that by the late 70s there was a tension between the two crews, and they allegedly continued until LaPietra went to jail. Story goes that after Torellos death, Ferriola shouldve been the boss of the south side but LaPietra prevailed since Nagal was allegedly accused about something. So theres possibility that during his reign, the crews were divided to an extent, but when Angelo was gone, Ferriola obviously became the boss of the south, and even the Heights mob possibly reported to him at the time. After Ferriola, it seems that Infelice and Monteleone kept the close collaboration between the crews and also kept the south faction in one piece, same as their legacy such as Sarno and Delaurentis.

It also shows that the south side mob wanted to knock off some of the top westsiders, although it seems that DiFronzo stopped the whole thing by retreating. Besides that, some Melrose Park west side crew members were still forcing their presence at the top, and thats why they killed Chiaramonti and Zizzo. It seems that the only westsiders who played it smart and remained on the scene were the Grand Av guys. So by the late 2000s or early 2010s we have the South Side mob/Cicero and Chinatown, followed by Grand Av and what was left of the former EP crew

But I'm not saying your wrong. Snr mentions problems between Andriacchi and Tornabene. Wasnt Tornabene Melrose Park? Ive also read that Andriacchi had problems with Monteleone and even DiFronzo

Tornabene was Aiuppas legacy meaning MP and southern Cicero, and also interests around the south.

I also believe that both Monteleone and Andriacchi shared the top spot while No Nose had problems, which explains the tension to an extent

Yes thats where we and I have had Tornabene, basically in charge of the Melrose Park-Cicero while Carlisi and Marcello were doing time and probably an administration member at some point.

[Frank]

What puzzles me is Marcellos time as boss in between the 2 murders of his crew members.

[Villain]

What puzzles me is Marcellos time as boss in between the 2 murders of his crew members.

It seems that he was ok with the first one but im not sure about the second or Zizzo

[Frank]

The reason I was kind of confused with Tornabene is that I thought his crew would be North or West and Frank Sr indicated problems between North and South. So I thought Tornabene might have moved to lead a different crew.

[Confederate]

In the Tape summary given earlier in this Thread. It is very clear that Auippa wanted Tony Spilotro killed & DiFronzo came up with the idea of how to do it. This is in direct contradiction of Cullotta's video where he claims that the Spilotro Brothers were not killed on the order of Auippa. Also, according to Frank Sr., Tony had his brother Michael convinced that he was the Boss. Tony Spilotro is probably the source of where Cullotta got some of his big exaggerated grandeur beliefs about him.