Rockford LCN & Control of Coin Operated Machines

[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.

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

Joe has always been a Rockford guy and was only involved with the Outfit in the 50/50 betting partnership from the early 1980s.

[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.

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

Joe has always been a Rockford guy and was only involved with the Outfit in the 50/50 betting partnership from the early 1980s.

So to clarify, on February 15, 1997 Joe Saladino was stopped for speeding on East State Street near Fairview Avenue. An Illinois State Police officer searched Saladino’s car and found a loaded .380 Auto Caliber Colt government model semi-automatic pistol, an unloaded .357 Magnum Colt Trooper MKIII revolver, an unloaded 9mm Luger Cobray fully automatic machine pistol with no serial number, in excess of 400 rounds of ammo, two books on how to make silencers, a book on machine lathes, a billy club, two “slim jims,” two bolt cutters, a tree trimming saw, a butcher knife, a pipe wrench, a stocking cap and two face masks.

[Patrickgold]

What I have heard is that Joe Saladino is the top
guy in Rockford now. He runs what is left of the organization in Rockford. I will also say this because the place closed last year. Cavita, I’m sure you have been there and knew it since it was in your neighborhood but Saladino use hang out at the Roma Bakery in the old italian neighborhood and his people use to come and meet him there. Place closed down last year after being open for 80 years or something like that.

[cavita]

What I have heard is that Joe Saladino is the top
guy in Rockford now. He runs what is left of the organization in Rockford. I will also say this because the place closed last year. Cavita, I’m sure you have been there and knew it since it was in your neighborhood but Saladino use hang out at the Roma Bakery in the old italian neighborhood and his people use to come and meet him there. Place closed down last year after being open for 80 years or something like that.

I personally haven't heard this but then again sometimes I'm limited in what information there is whenever I get back to Rockford. Him meeting at Roma Bakery confuses me because the bakery didn't have anywhere to sit and the standing space was only about eight feet by twenty feet. I do know he frequents the four Italian social clubs very often as well as the Off Track Betting place. In the most recent past he was a fixture at Maria's Restaurant (it closed a few years ago) and he and his associates would count gambling proceeds in the kitchen there after hours.

[Patrickgold]

What I have heard is that Joe Saladino is the top
guy in Rockford now. He runs what is left of the organization in Rockford. I will also say this because the place closed last year. Cavita, I’m sure you have been there and knew it since it was in your neighborhood but Saladino use hang out at the Roma Bakery in the old italian neighborhood and his people use to come and meet him there. Place closed down last year after being open for 80 years or something like that.

I personally haven't heard this but then again sometimes I'm limited in what information there is whenever I get back to Rockford. Him meeting at Roma Bakery confuses me because the bakery didn't have anywhere to sit and the standing space was only about eight feet by twenty feet. I do know he frequents the four Italian social clubs very often as well as the Off Track Betting place. In the most recent past he was a fixture at Maria's Restaurant (it closed a few years ago) and he and his associates would count gambling proceeds in the kitchen there after hours.

They had a couple of small tables if i remember correctly and he would sit at one. He would go in the mornings before lunch for coffee and who ever was meeting him would sit in the other chair. I saw him there once while I was picking up some cannolis but he looked to by himself at the time. I didn’t go there regularly to confirm what I heard.

I heard of Marias and was disappointed that I never went. Heard the food was amazing. I heard the same family opened up another restaurant in Loves Park I think.

[cavita]

What I have heard is that Joe Saladino is the top
guy in Rockford now. He runs what is left of the organization in Rockford. I will also say this because the place closed last year. Cavita, I’m sure you have been there and knew it since it was in your neighborhood but Saladino use hang out at the Roma Bakery in the old italian neighborhood and his people use to come and meet him there. Place closed down last year after being open for 80 years or something like that.

I personally haven't heard this but then again sometimes I'm limited in what information there is whenever I get back to Rockford. Him meeting at Roma Bakery confuses me because the bakery didn't have anywhere to sit and the standing space was only about eight feet by twenty feet. I do know he frequents the four Italian social clubs very often as well as the Off Track Betting place. In the most recent past he was a fixture at Maria's Restaurant (it closed a few years ago) and he and his associates would count gambling proceeds in the kitchen there after hours.

They had a couple of small tables if i remember correctly and he would sit at one. He would go in the mornings before lunch for coffee and who ever was meeting him would sit in the other chair. I saw him there once while I was picking up some cannolis but he looked to by himself at the time. I didn’t go there regularly to confirm what I heard.

I heard of Marias and was disappointed that I never went. Heard the food was amazing. I heard the same family opened up another restaurant in Loves Park I think.

Maria's was awesome and was owned by the Cason family which the name was originally Casone. Funny story which I witnessed years ago was that Joe was sitting in the bar at Maria's with a lady friend and they were all over each other. Someone at the bar called Joe's girlfriend and told her. Well, she came down to the restaurant and proceeded to beat the living shit out of the girl in front of everyone. You would have thought she would have lit into Joe but she gave the beating instead to the girl.

[Patrickgold]

What I have heard is that Joe Saladino is the top
guy in Rockford now. He runs what is left of the organization in Rockford. I will also say this because the place closed last year. Cavita, I’m sure you have been there and knew it since it was in your neighborhood but Saladino use hang out at the Roma Bakery in the old italian neighborhood and his people use to come and meet him there. Place closed down last year after being open for 80 years or something like that.

I personally haven't heard this but then again sometimes I'm limited in what information there is whenever I get back to Rockford. Him meeting at Roma Bakery confuses me because the bakery didn't have anywhere to sit and the standing space was only about eight feet by twenty feet. I do know he frequents the four Italian social clubs very often as well as the Off Track Betting place. In the most recent past he was a fixture at Maria's Restaurant (it closed a few years ago) and he and his associates would count gambling proceeds in the kitchen there after hours.

They had a couple of small tables if i remember correctly and he would sit at one. He would go in the mornings before lunch for coffee and who ever was meeting him would sit in the other chair. I saw him there once while I was picking up some cannolis but he looked to by himself at the time. I didn’t go there regularly to confirm what I heard.

I heard of Marias and was disappointed that I never went. Heard the food was amazing. I heard the same family opened up another restaurant in Loves Park I think.

Maria's was awesome and was owned by the Cason family which the name was originally Casone. Funny story which I witnessed years ago was that Joe was sitting in the bar at Maria's with a lady friend and they were all over each other. Someone at the bar called Joe's girlfriend and told her. Well, she came down to the restaurant and proceeded to beat the living shit out of the girl in front of everyone. You would have thought she would have lit into Joe but she gave the beating instead to the girl.

That’s hilarious. I guess nobody every told Joe don’t shit where you eat lol

Just looked it up, the new place is called “Joe's Casa Di Amici” and it is in Loves Park. I guess I will have to try it out since it is the same owners. Probably won’t be the same but should be similar.

[cavita]

What I have heard is that Joe Saladino is the top
guy in Rockford now. He runs what is left of the organization in Rockford. I will also say this because the place closed last year. Cavita, I’m sure you have been there and knew it since it was in your neighborhood but Saladino use hang out at the Roma Bakery in the old italian neighborhood and his people use to come and meet him there. Place closed down last year after being open for 80 years or something like that.

I personally haven't heard this but then again sometimes I'm limited in what information there is whenever I get back to Rockford. Him meeting at Roma Bakery confuses me because the bakery didn't have anywhere to sit and the standing space was only about eight feet by twenty feet. I do know he frequents the four Italian social clubs very often as well as the Off Track Betting place. In the most recent past he was a fixture at Maria's Restaurant (it closed a few years ago) and he and his associates would count gambling proceeds in the kitchen there after hours.

They had a couple of small tables if i remember correctly and he would sit at one. He would go in the mornings before lunch for coffee and who ever was meeting him would sit in the other chair. I saw him there once while I was picking up some cannolis but he looked to by himself at the time. I didn’t go there regularly to confirm what I heard.

I heard of Marias and was disappointed that I never went. Heard the food was amazing. I heard the same family opened up another restaurant in Loves Park I think.

Maria's was awesome and was owned by the Cason family which the name was originally Casone. Funny story which I witnessed years ago was that Joe was sitting in the bar at Maria's with a lady friend and they were all over each other. Someone at the bar called Joe's girlfriend and told her. Well, she came down to the restaurant and proceeded to beat the living shit out of the girl in front of everyone. You would have thought she would have lit into Joe but she gave the beating instead to the girl.

That’s hilarious. I guess nobody every told Joe don’t shit where you eat lol

Just looked it up, the new place is called “Joe's Casa Di Amici” and it is in Loves Park. I guess I will have to try it out since it is the same owners. Probably won’t be the same but should be similar.

I have yet to eat there and it is run by Joey Carson who ran Maria's with his mother and brother. I have heard that Joe Sal's son is running a slot place now and many are convinced that it's really Joe's place but since he's a felon he can't legally own it. Strange thing, there are many, many younger Italian/Sicilian guys in the Rockford, Rockton, Roscoe, Beloit and South Beloit areas that are running slots places now.

[PolackTony]

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

Interesting that he went be Frank Montana. Maybe it means nothing, but does make me wonder if Buscemi had any links to the Chicago Montana/Montano clan?

[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.

Thanks a lot bud

Interesting that he went be Frank Montana. Maybe it means nothing, but does make me wonder if Buscemi had any links to the Chicago Montana/Montano clan?

I've never seen those names in his family. His wife was Giovanna DiMaria so maybe it came from her side of the family?

[Villain]

If Buscemi was born in 1911/12, can this be the same guy since in 1945 he was 34/35 years old...Cavita, was Buscemi ever arrested during the mid 1940s?

[cavita]

If Buscemi was born in 1911/12, can this be the same guy since in 1945 he was 34/35 years old...Cavita, was Buscemi ever arrested during the mid 1940s?

Yes he was. He was arrested on charges including assault with intent to commit murder and another on robbery charges. This is most likely him. Also, in the 1950s while still in Chicago he operated a floral shop on North Avenue that was a front for bookmaking.

[Villain]

If Buscemi was born in 1911/12, can this be the same guy since in 1945 he was 34/35 years old...Cavita, was Buscemi ever arrested during the mid 1940s?

Yes he was. He was arrested on charges including assault with intent to commit murder and another on robbery charges. This is most likely him. Also, in the 1950s while still in Chicago he operated a floral shop on North Avenue that was a front for bookmaking.

Thanks a lot man, your confirmation is precious. One last question and sorry for bothering, but do you possibly know around which year Buscemi was made? Since if he was made under DeGeorge and if it was around the mid 1940s, then that might clear a lot of misunderstandings regarding the hierarchy of the old North Side mob...because of all the killings that occurred, the time period between the mid and late 40s makes a big difference lol

[cavita]

If Buscemi was born in 1911/12, can this be the same guy since in 1945 he was 34/35 years old...Cavita, was Buscemi ever arrested during the mid 1940s?

Yes he was. He was arrested on charges including assault with intent to commit murder and another on robbery charges. This is most likely him. Also, in the 1950s while still in Chicago he operated a floral shop on North Avenue that was a front for bookmaking.

Thanks a lot man, your confirmation is precious. One last question and sorry for bothering, but do you possibly know around which year Buscemi was made? Since if he was made under DeGeorge and if it was around the mid 1940s, then that might clear a lot of misunderstandings regarding the hierarchy of the old North Side mob...because of all the killings that occurred, the time period between the mid and late 40s makes a big difference lol

Augie Maniaci stated Buscemi was made along with Phil Emordino in May 1959 on the evening following the double murder of Joe Greco and Donald Burton. Maniaci claimed these murders allowed Buscemi and Emordino to "get their seat at the table" in the Rockford LCN.

[Villain]

If Buscemi was born in 1911/12, can this be the same guy since in 1945 he was 34/35 years old...Cavita, was Buscemi ever arrested during the mid 1940s?

Yes he was. He was arrested on charges including assault with intent to commit murder and another on robbery charges. This is most likely him. Also, in the 1950s while still in Chicago he operated a floral shop on North Avenue that was a front for bookmaking.

Thanks a lot man, your confirmation is precious. One last question and sorry for bothering, but do you possibly know around which year Buscemi was made? Since if he was made under DeGeorge and if it was around the mid 1940s, then that might clear a lot of misunderstandings regarding the hierarchy of the old North Side mob...because of all the killings that occurred, the time period between the mid and late 40s makes a big difference lol

Augie Maniaci stated Buscemi was made along with Phil Emordino in May 1959 on the evening following the double murder of Joe Greco and Donald Burton. Maniaci claimed these murders allowed Buscemi and Emordino to "get their seat at the table" in the Rockford LCN.

Thanks again.