Rockford LCN & Control of Coin Operated Machines

[cavita]

The coin operated machine business in Rockford relating to La Cosa Nostra has been hard to track since there have been really no informants on its early operations but most assumedly their control extended back to the 1940s. While the Rockford LCN took over gambling after Prohibition ended, they moved wholeheartedly into legitimate enterprises which included the ever-popular pinball, slots and vending machines at the time so it would only make sense they moved in on these lucrative coin operated businesses.

FBI files from March 1958 stated that Rockford boss Tony Musso was “supposed to be the numbers and policy man in Rockford” and that “if an individual wanted to place an illegal machine for betting purposes, he would have to pay TONY MUSSO $90.00 per machine and that TONY MUSSO would see that the machine was placed. Further that MUSSO would make payoffs to county officials, but the informant did not know who these officials were or how they were paid off. He added that he did not believe MUSSO had any Chicago or Milwaukee tie ups and that all was handled on a local level.”

As for vending machines go, the same file noted that in 1955 and 1956 Rockford consigliere Joe Zito co-owned the Ace Vending Machine Service along with Anthony Vella. Anthony Vella was the nephew of Phillip Vella, a trusted associate of Zito and possible early Rockford LCN member. Now, the Ace Vending Machine Company was located at 3009 11th Street in Rockford and to back up a bit, in the early 1950s the location was the home of the Illinois Amusement Company which was a jukebox, vending and pinball company owned by one William F. Morris. Morris was arrested along with his father, William V. Morris in some gambling busts in the 1940s and the elder Morris was mentioned in 1960s FBI as follows: “Unidentified sources in 1946-47 stated that gambling in Rockford, Illinois is under the control of a local syndicate consisting of CHARLES DURSCH, TONY MUSSO, ALF J. MALLOT, JASPER CALO, CHARLES LAZZIO, JOHN CALDEROTTA, also known as “Blackie” CALDEROTTA, THOMAS PENDERGAST, FRANCIS R. CROON, RUBIN A. CROON, WILLIAM V. MORRIS, SAM LAZZIO and FRANK MARAGI.” It appears that the Rockford LCN had their hooks into Morris and his company as far back as the 1940s.

So, after Morris “sold” his Illinois Amusement Company to Zito and Vella in 1955 it appears that according to the December 9, 1956 edition of the Rockford Morning Star, Zito and Vella sold the company to Mid-West Distributing Company and that they had 250 machines at their disposal. Mid-West Distributing was located at 208 N. Madison Street and would figure prominently in FBI files for 25 years to come. President of Mid-West at the time was Lou Casola, who had come to Rockford in 1935 from Birmingham, Alabama and had taken a gambling arrest in 1946 when he was the proprietor of the Victory Penny Arcade. By November 18, 1959 the Rockford Register Star reported that Casola was now the president of a newly formed firm called Midwest Automatic Vending Company along with former Winnebago County sheriff, Leonard A. Friberg. Friberg was listed as vice-president and general manager and the offices were located at 208 N. Madison Street. It is interesting to note that Friberg worked as deputy chief from 1950-1954 during the tenure of former sheriff Kirk King who FBI files stated was “in the pocket” of the Rockford LCN starting in the 1940s. The newspaper reported that Casola still operated the Mid-West Distributing Company and that the offices of his two businesses were right next to each other at 208 N. Madison Street but there would be “no connection between the two establishments.” It would appear that Casola at Midwest was really a front for the interests of the Rockford LCN but in reality, it seemed they were a competitor as later findings will show.

Now, a curious thing was happening in Rockford at this exact time and that is the arrival of Frank Buscemi from Chicago. After the death of Tony Musso in May 1958, Joe Zammuto took over as boss and one thing he wanted to do was described in part by this FBI file: “Source stated that ZAMMUTO had contacted the (Rockford LCN) members locally about forming a new business in the jukebox-vending machine field. Source said that a number of the local members put up money for shares in this company. He said that when BUSCEMI came to Rockford from Chicago, ZAMMUTO decided that he would permit BUSCEMI to run this company and all of the shares that were purchased by other members were returned to them.
This informant stated that as a result of the two incidents, that is the turnover of the jukebox-vending machine business to BUSCEMI and the naming of BUSCEMI as the new underboss, there was considerable hard feelings in the Rockford family. He said that PHIL PRIOLA and PHIL CANNELLA were particularly upset by this.”

Buscemi arrived in Rockford in late 1958 and his sister was married to Joe Zammuto’s son. Buscemi had come up as a bookie under the tutelage of Jimmie DeGeorge of the Chicago Outfit and he had taken arrests in Chicago under the alias Frank Montana and Frank Bonteno. The vending machine company that Buscemi formed was called Stateline Vending and it had its offices in the basement of the Aragona Club, which later FBI files stated was the weekly meeting place for the Rockford LCN.

Pinball machines were a lucrative racket for the Rockford LCN going back to the 1940s as well and a 1953 expose in the newspapers related how Mayor Henry Bloom wanted to bust those businesses that made payouts in relation to pinball winnings. Many Italian-owned businesses were exposed in the news that year but this didn’t stop the money from rolling in. In early 1960 another drive was started to halt these payouts and again, from South Beloit all the way down into Rockford many Italian-owned businesses were again raided. One of those officials in the probe had reported getting an anonymous phone call at his home with an implied threat that pinball devices were not to be investigated. Whether as a result of the raids or not it didn’t matter- by September 1960 all pinball payouts were banned in Winnebago County.

Also beginning in February 1959, the same time Buscemi was just getting started in Rockford in the vending business, something strange was happening in Rockford- from February 9th to May 20th there were seven reported incidents in Rockford where vending trucks were looted. In most cases it was cash and coin taken and in others it was a combination of goods and cash. On May 20, a truck for Rockford Vending Sales Company was parked in the 100 block of S. 1st Street. The driver, James O’Keefe, went into the First National Bank for about five minutes and when he came back to his truck, he found that about $900 was stolen. In virtually every case, the thieves moved fast in the late afternoon and looted the trucks after the day’s collections had been made. These thefts clearly indicated that someone was following the victim vending trucks around and targeted them specifically. Perhaps the Rockford LCN was behind this in an attempt to force these competitors out of business to ensure the success of Stateline Vending.

In mid-February 1959 hearings were being held by the U.S. senate rackets committee researching the possibility that hoodlums were forcing their way into the jukebox business and threatening operators. This “muscle type” action was already being felt in the Chicago area with the Outfit taking over the jukebox business in the city and suburbs through threats and intimidation. When the Rockford Register Republic asked jukebox operators in Rockford if they had been subject to any hoodlum threats and pressures, they responded by saying no. The newspaper did an extensive interview with Louis Casola, who was president of the Illinois Amusement Association and was also president of Mid-West Distributing Company at 208 North Madison Street. The newspaper specifically asked if any Chicago hoodlums were pressuring him or anyone in the area and Casola indicated there were no threats. He was also asked if he did any business with Lormar Distributing out of Chicago as they were under the ownership of Outfit lieutenant Chuckie English and Casola said no. Ron Meline, who was the operator of Star Music Company at 616 7th Street, was also asked the same questions and he replied in the negative. However, when Meline was asked who he bought his jukeboxes from he said he did business with Atlas Music Company in Chicago which is interesting and will be mentioned shortly.

It didn’t take long for Frank Buscemi to start flexing his muscles and attempting to squeeze out any competitors in the coin-operated business. An informant stated in a January 1960 report; “Chicago T-2 advised that the Midwest Distributing Company had been instructed by six customers to remove their vending machines during a three-week period inasmuch as they were putting in machines from the State Line Vending Company operated by FRANK BUSCEMI. These individuals refused to state why they were accepting the vending machines from BUSCEMI and when they were offered a better commission by Midwest than State Line was offering them, they were not even interested in returning Midwest machines to their places of business. Chicago T-2 stated that in contacting business establishments relative to accepting his machines, BUSCEMI was being accompanied by another individual named [REDACTED] and was also accompanied by CHARLIE VINCE.”

Charles Vince and Frank Buscemi at the time were described as “button men” for the Rockford LCN so it was easy to see why these businesses were bowing to State Line Vending. The other redacted individual I strongly believe was Tony Basile, another tough made member who was always close to Charles Vince.

In October 1967 a Springfield, Illinois informant told the FBI that Rockford underboss “FRANK BUSCEMI, in the latter part of October, 1967, brought [REDACTED], Atlas Music Company, 2122 North Western Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, to the Humphrey Agency for the purpose of purchasing three Cadillac automobiles. Arrangements were made for a sale price of $5398.44 each. [REDACTED] indicated the three automobiles would be used for some sort of a sales contest or for a drawing for vending machine operators who purchase from Atlas Music Company. This source stated it was subsequently that FRANK BUSCEMI “won” one of the Cadillacs; a second car was won by [REDACTED], a Chicago company at 1234 West Street, Morris, Illinois. The third vehicle [REDACTED] kept for himself, with title issued to Atlas Music Company.” Now, Atlas Music Company was mentioned in the 1959 Rockford Register Republic article as one of those companies that Ronald Meline of Star Music Company bought his jukeboxes from. A September 25, 1967 FBI file stated that Edward Ginsburg is “a millionaire affiliated with the Atlas Music Company of Chicago, (who) operates as a front for CHARLES ENGLISH, top lieutenant of the leader of organized crime in Chicago, SAMUEL GIANCANA.”

By July 1961 Lou Casola and his Midwest Distributing Company had merged with Northern Illinois Music, Inc. Casola was to be the chairman of the board of the new corporation with Reno Sandona of Northern Illinois Music as president and William F. Morris, also of Northern Illinois Music as secretary-treasurer. Casola said the merger will allow him and Leonard Friberg more time to devote to Midwest Automatic Vending Company. Sandona and the elder William Morris were both arrested in August 1962 on charges of having numbers tickets and a gambling wheel in their Roundup Tavern in Morristown, Illinois. Both men were found guilty the next month and fined $200 apiece. So, was this Northern Illinois Music Company the very same one that was owned by the Chicago Outfit’s Willie “Potatoes” Daddano in the 1940s or did it just happen to have the same name? I could never confirm this and no mention of it being the same or the Rockford one being under the control of Daddano could be found in the Rockford newspapers.

Curiously, in Joe Zammuto’s FBI files it references a July 1, 1966 meeting that Zammuto had with Charles “Chuckie” English of the Chicago Outfit. Zammuto had brought along his underboss Frank Buscemi to this meeting which took place at the Lormar Distributing Company in Chicago which was owned by English. It is unclear why the three were meeting, but it could very well have had something to do with the vending machine business and distributorship in and around the Rockford area. Given Buscemi’s ties to Chicago this connection is not surprising in the least.
As the 1970s dawned and automated devices increased in popularity, so did the need for the Rockford LCN to try and control all of this. By 1977 Bruce Chaput, manager of ARA Services estimated there was probably $10 million a year of vending business in the Rockford area. In addition to gambling, prostitution, pornography and later narcotics, the Rockford LCN was doing what they could to get their hands in it all. It would also seem by the following that they were taking a piece of Servomation as this FBI file explains:

“During June, 1971, VINCENT MANIACI, a Milwaukee tavern operator, was telephonically contacted by [KENNETH F. ZISKE], Branch Manager, Servomation, Inc., 2014 Oxford Street, Rockford, Illinois. [ZISKE], a coin machine operator, evidently had been a long-time associate of VINCENT MANIACI. [ZISKE] advised MANIACI the Chicago “Outfit” had chased him out of Chicago about two months ago, and he was no longer permitted to operate his business there. [ZISKE] requested MANIACI to arrange possible contact with the Rockford, Illinois, Outfit in an effort to get some assurance from them he will be able to operate his coin machine business in Rockford without interference.

On 6/12/71 [AUGIE MANIACI] contacted Rockford LCN member PHIL PRIOLA, regarding [ZISKE], and PRIOLA immediately asked if [ZISKE] was an “FBI plant.” PRIOLA indicated that he would contact [ZISKE] to determine what his problem concerned.

[AUGIE MANIACI] was contacted on 7/16/71 and 8/4/71 during which time he furnished the following information:
The informant advised [KENNETH ZISKE] had been acquainted with VINCENT MANIACI, a Milwaukee tavern owner for over a year. The informant did not know the extent of their acquaintance or how [ZISKE] became acquainted with MANIACI.

According to the informant [ZISKE], who had been a coin operated machine operator working in Chicago, had evidently been cutting into the territory of another Chicago vending machine company. He “got the word” and was subsequently scared out of town. The informant surmised that the Chicago outfit made him leave Chicago.

The informant said evidently [ZISKE] had no good contacts within the Chicago “outfit” or he would not have been scared out of town. During [ZISKE’s] contacts with VINCENT MANIACI it appeared to the informant that MANIACI mentioned that he had connections with the “right people” in Rockford, Illinois, and may be able to help him. It was most likely after these statements that [ZISKE] requested VINCENT MANIACI to put him in contact with the right people in Rockford, Illinois, so that he could operate his vending machine business there without interference.

[AUGIE MANIACI] said he contacted PHILIP PRIOLA on behalf of [ZISKE], even though PRIOLA had no affiliation with the coin machine business in Rockford as the informant felt PRIOLA could arrange contacts with FRANK BUSCEMI, Rockford LCN member who is in the coin machine business. [AUGIE MANIACI] usually made contact with PHIL CANNELLA whenever he was in Rockford, Illinois, having been told to do so by JOE ZAMMUTO. After CANNELLA’s death, the informant decided on his own to contact PRIOLA.

The informant now understands PRIOLA has made contact with [ZISKE] but did not know what transpired during this contact.”

It would seem logical that if the Rockford LCN allowed Ziske and Servomation to operate in the Rockford area they would have taken a piece from him but there is no further mention of this in any FBI file and Servomation appears to have disappeared from Rockford after 1981.

By 1980 the FBI began investigating the murder of Rockford LCN member Joe Maggio and although they developed some good leads regarding this, the bureau fell into information that the Rockford LCN had control over the vending machine business in the area. An undercover FBI agent had gotten to know Rockford LCN member Frank Correnti and the undercover stated he desired to possibly open a vending machine business. A May 19, 1981 FBI file on this stated: “Group II Operation has produced conversation between LCN members re (the murder of) MAGGIO, however, it has resulted in accomplishments far superior to original expectations regarding LCN control of vending machine business. CHARLES VINCE has been established as ranking member of Rockford LCN group, possibly acting in capacity of boss in absence of JOSEPH ZAMMUTO. Rockford LCN member FRANK CORRENTI advised UCSA that VINCE controls Rockford vending machine operation and VINCE has confirmed this by advising that he can obtain vending machines for UCSA by directing BUSCEMI to supply same.”

The file goes on to say, “In view of opportunity offered by Group II Operation to penetrate LCN control of Rockford vending machine industry through Vince’s control of Buscemi’s operation, Group II Operation being transferred to Chicago Case 183A-542 (BUSCEMIS) from Chicago Case 183A-1154 (MAGGIO). Group I Proposal will be submitted by Chicago regarding opening of video tape business and attempt to buy into State-Line Vending in immediate future.”

According to Charles Vince’s FBI files, in February 1981 while the undercover was trying to get a business going with Vince it was noted that Frank Buscemi was attempting to “squeeze” the current owner of Midwest Distributors vending operations. The file reads: “On February 9, 1981 [RENO SANDONA, President of] Mid-West Distributors (vending company), advised subject BUSCEMI and [his son FRANK A.] who also own State-Line Vending, Rockford, had advised him to remove his vending machines from locations [BUSCEMI] considered theirs. [BUSCEMI] often implied LCN connections and inferred [RENO] could encounter trouble if he did not comply with their request to remove machines. In February, 1981, [REDACTED] and others forcibly removed machines owned by [RENO] from two Rockford locations, taking machines to their Rockford warehouse shared by vending machine business. [REDACTED] returned [RENO’S] machines, however, [REDACTED] has broken another machine in fit of temper. FRANK BUSCEMI has advised [RENO] that certain people in Chicago are unhappy with his infringement on State-Line’s territory and only BUSCEMI is keeping them away from [RENO]. BUSCEMI advised [RENO] the situation involving attacks on [RENO’S] property “will not get any better” unless [RENO] either withdraws his machines from State-Line territory or until [RENO] purchases State-Line Vending. BUSCEMIS currently pressing [RENO] to purchase State-Line Vending.”

In the end it was decided the undercover agent would run a video tape pornography business and Charles Vince was trying to get him a retail space in a hotel across from Vince’s pool hall. What ended up happening was that news broke about Frank Balistrieri being indicted for extorting who he thought was a vending machine operator in Milwaukee only to find it was an undercover FBI agent. This news most likely caused Vince to be wary and he apparently broke ties with the undercover agent in Rockford.

Continuing to follow up on Joe Maggio’s murder, another March 1981 FBI file titled VICTIM RICO-EXTORTION mentioned the businesses TBI Games Unlimited, Mid-West Distributors, Silver Dollar Amusement and Arachnid, Inc. Under the heading “LEADS” in the same file, the FBI wanted to check with the Secretary of State in Springfield to determine ownership and corporate officers for the following businesses in and around Rockford;

A&J Vending, 5428 N. 2nd St., Loves Park
Mark Adams, 2515 Lindberg Dr., Rockford
G&G Amusement, 7545 Lamaine Dr., Rockford
Mid-West Distributing Company, 208 N. Madison St., Rockford
Paddy, Inc., 2500 N. Main St., Rockford
Rockford Star Games, Inc. (formerly Star Music Company), 1025 5th Ave., Rockford
SPM Vending, 5388 Rickswood Ln., Rockford
Silver King Amusements & Vending, 4007 E. State St., Rockford
Winquist Automatic Sales, 1008 “C” St., Rockford
Tom’s Vel-Far Distributing Company 3303 Kishwaukee St., Rockford

Now, it seems these businesses as well were being extorted in some way by the Rockford LCN having been mentioned under the extortion and victim heading in the files. For all the investigating on the FBI’s part they were never able to bring charges against Buscemi or the Rockford LCN for that matter and the group it seemed was able to continue to exploit and extort these businesses.

As the 1990s came about and the local vending and coin operated machine companies were bought out by larger regional and national companies, it seemed the Rockford LCN’s grip on this market slipped and other means of extortion were sought out and their control waned.

[PolackTony]

Very cool stuff as always, thanks!

[FriendofFamily]

Rockford things have gone mostly legit - A little skimming along the lines of any cash business currently. Mostly Gray Areas

[Villain]

Great work Cavita!!! I went through it for 3 or 4 times and so thanks. You also made me wonder regarding Daddonos possible connections in that same company...

[cavita]

Great work Cavita!!! I went through it for 3 or 4 times and so thanks. You also made me wonder regarding Daddonos possible connections in that same company...

Thanks bud! A reporter years ago was positive Daddano had interests in the company but couldn't back it up with anything other than the names being the same.

[Patrickgold]

Cavita, another great write up. Great work. There are still some companies in Chicago that supply them and have Outfit ties. An example would be the Sarno indictment from 10 years ago. Those were mostly gambling machines I believe but some of these companies supply both.

[cavita]

Cavita, another great write up. Great work. There are still some companies in Chicago that supply them and have Outfit ties. An example would be the Sarno indictment from 10 years ago. Those were mostly gambling machines I believe but some of these companies supply both.

Yes there have been some news lately of video gambling in Rockford with questionable ties. Here's one:

https://www.rrstar.com/article/20150723/NEWS/150729724

[cavita]

Cavita, another great write up. Great work. There are still some companies in Chicago that supply them and have Outfit ties. An example would be the Sarno indictment from 10 years ago. Those were mostly gambling machines I believe but some of these companies supply both.

Yes there have been some news lately of video gambling in Rockford with questionable ties. Here's one:

https://www.rrstar.com/article/20150723/NEWS/150729724

And another:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.journa ... ate=ampart

[SolarSolano]

Really interesting that Buscemi was originally a Chicago guy under DeGeorge. I was under the impression Rockford was an entirely separate Siclian organization that really stayed under the radar. Also there was Joe Saladino I believe the younger brother of Frank was was arrested with literally everything a hitman needed in his trunk about 10-12 years ago too - anyone know if Joe Saladino is still around?

There was an article about a decade ago too that got a lot of attention -
https://history.rockfordpubliclibrary.o ... r-frisella

[Villain]

Do we know which years Buscemi was under DeGeorge?

[cavita]

Do we know which years Buscemi was under DeGeorge?

Not sure but I would say by the late 1950s. Buscemi was arrested in Chicago under the names Frank Bonteno and Frank Montana if that helps any Chicago researchers.

[cavita]

Do we know which years Buscemi was under DeGeorge?

Not sure but I would say by the late 1950s. Buscemi was arrested in Chicago under the names Frank Bonteno and Frank Montana if that helps any Chicago researchers.

I meant to type late 1940s.

[Villain]

Do we know which years Buscemi was under DeGeorge?

Not sure but I would say by the late 1950s. Buscemi was arrested in Chicago under the names Frank Bonteno and Frank Montana if that helps any Chicago researchers.

I meant to type late 1940s.

Thanks a lot bud

[cavita]

Really interesting that Buscemi was originally a Chicago guy under DeGeorge. I was under the impression Rockford was an entirely separate Siclian organization that really stayed under the radar. Also there was Joe Saladino I believe the younger brother of Frank was was arrested with literally everything a hitman needed in his trunk about 10-12 years ago too - anyone know if Joe Saladino is still around?

There was an article about a decade ago too that got a lot of attention -
https://history.rockfordpubliclibrary.o ... r-frisella

Joe is still around but he was in no way related to Frank though they were very close growing up. Joe was arrested in 1997 with several guns in the trunk of his car, hundreds of rounds of ammo, ski masks, bolt cutters, a tree saw, and other questionable items and either a silencer or a book on how to make a silencer. There were indications in 2005 that he was a capo or "field lieutenant" as was described by a retired sheriff's deputy who had knowledge of the Rockford LCN and Saladino.

[SolarSolano]

Really interesting that Buscemi was originally a Chicago guy under DeGeorge. I was under the impression Rockford was an entirely separate Siclian organization that really stayed under the radar. Also there was Joe Saladino I believe the younger brother of Frank was was arrested with literally everything a hitman needed in his trunk about 10-12 years ago too - anyone know if Joe Saladino is still around?

There was an article about a decade ago too that got a lot of attention -
https://history.rockfordpubliclibrary.o ... r-frisella

Joe is still around but he was in no way related to Frank though they were very close growing up. Joe was arrested in 1997 with several guns in the trunk of his car, hundreds of rounds of ammo, ski masks, bolt cutters, a tree saw, and other questionable items and either a silencer or a book on how to make a silencer. There were indications in 2005 that he was a capo or "field lieutenant" as was described by a retired sheriff's deputy who had knowledge of the Rockford LCN and Saladino.

Wonder if Joe works in Rockford or for the Outfit? He had that Nick Iozzo look with the white hair going.