The Hit on Rockford's Charles LaFranka

[cavita]

Charles LaFranka had always been a wild one, seemingly never one to be tied down by anyone or anything. Charles was born February 4, 1913 in Fort Dodge, Iowa to parents who had immigrated from Piana degli Albanese, Sicily and the original family name was LaFranca before the parents Giuseppe and Grazia arrived in the United States. By early 1928 the family had moved to Rockford for unknown reasons but it could be because Grazia was a Sciortino and there were other Sciortino families living in Rockford that were possibly relatives.

At any rate, Charles exhibited early signs of defiance when in October 1928 on the way to school with his brothers and sisters he became separated and went missing for five days. When he eventually returned, Charles had claimed he went “off to see the world.” Whether Charles was influenced by his older brother Tony, who had become part of a gang of auto thieves, he had started to find trouble of his own when on July 20, 1929 he was the only one of fifteen boys caught that were shooting craps in an alley off Loomis Street. Because he didn’t squeal on his cohorts Charles gained a reputation as a “stand up guy” in the predominantly Italian section of southwest Rockford.

By June 24, 1932 LaFranka had started ingratiating himself more into the Rockford Italian criminal element, the early developing La Cosa Nostra family of Rockford. On that day LaFranka was arrested along with Paul “Peachy” Picchioni for robbing customers at a “beer flat” at 1919 15th Street. Picchioni had gained notoriety in August 1930 when he was in the company of Joe Giovingo, William Sullivan and northside Chicago gangster Tommy Abbott when Giovingo was gunned down on South Main Street in Rockford. Giovingo was part of a faction trying to wrest control of bootlegging from Rockford LCN boss Tony Musso and the Giovingo group had been supplying Abbott with booze. After the Giovingo murder, Picchioni had switched sides and joined up with the Musso gang. LaFranka was eventually convicted, sentenced to jail time and was paroled in 1935, no doubt his reputation enhanced.

In December 1942 LaFranka married 20 year old Darlyne Teuscher of Monroe, Wisconsin but this marriage didn’t last as Charles was known as a womanizer and often “dated” various women that worked at the brothels his brothers were known to operate around Rockford. By the 1940s the Rockford LCN was involved in prostitution taking a big cut of the profits of the “white slave traffic” and the overseers according to later FBI files were LCN underboss Gaspare Calo and his brother-in-law LCN consigliere Joe “Diamond Joe” Zito.

By February 1946 LaFranka tried his hand at legitimate work by driving a taxicab, but that didn’t last long as he was involved with the “Taxicab Wars” in Rockford and decided a change of employment was in order. However, in June 1946 he was wanted for questioning in Chicago regarding a February 12th robbery there of the Gold Standard Food Mart at 3427 North Clark Street. LaFranka was working as a driver for the Chicago City Hall Limousine Service ferrying customers between Chicago and Camp Grant in Rockford.

On June 4, 1947 LaFranka was arrested along with Joe Calcione and George Leggio on charges of statutory rape. Calcione was already on federal probation involving the sale of black market sugar stamps. The men were arrested on the basis of a story by a 15 year old Chicago girl whose relations with the trio were said to have lasted over the course of 45 days. The girl had passed herself off as being 23 years old and was working as a waitress in the Rockford LCN controlled Town Lounge tavern which was secretly controlled by Joe Zito.

Those charges must have been dismissed but by August 8, 1947 LaFranka was arrested again along with Joe “Gramps” Marinelli when during a disturbance at Kent Street and South Main Street, Marinelli resisted arrest and LaFranka had used an automobile crank to assault a police officer. When asked by police to aid in the case, a witness “shut up like a clam” according to the newspaper and refused to talk. Perhaps it was because LaFranka already had a notorious reputation and because Marinelli was a driver/bodyguard for LCN boss Tony Musso. Anyhow, LaFranka pled guilty in September and was charged $20 for fines and costs.

Another arrest followed in June 1948 for drunk and fighting resulted in fines and costs. LaFranka saw another arrest on March 9, 1949 this time for gambling at the West Side Social Club, 509 West State Street. LaFranka was in the company of Reba Grace Lamoreau, who had previously identified herself as Darlene LaFranka and Grace Teuscher. They were also in the company of Theresa Baxter of Freeport and fourteen other patrons who were arrested for gambling.

On October 10, 1949 LaFranka was arrested again on the complaint of the father of a 17 year old girl. The girl had given police complete statements of her activities with him and detailed numerous tavern visits with him. The girl also stated she had accompanied LaFranka many times to a roadhouse on Cunningham Road that was the notorious Double C Ranch, a brothel owned and operated by LaFranka’s brother Salvatore “Ted” LaFranka. The girl also admitted she had been intimate with Charles on several occasions.

Charles was arrested and fined yet again in February 1951 for fighting however he managed to keep himself out of trouble for the next three and a half years. On November 2, 1954 LaFranka and Joe “Gramps” Marinelli were arrested together again on charges they beat and robbed former boxer, 65-year-old Albert Canty of a $1500 diamond ring. When Canty stated during the February 1955 trial that he couldn’t identify his attackers, whom he previously identified to the police, the two men were acquitted. Perhaps a “message” was sent to Canty that Marinelli was now a made member, as later FBI files stated that he was inducted in the early 1950s and his sponsor was capo Lorenzo Buttice.

On September 9, 1958 LaFranka was arrested yet again, this time for his involvement in a huge street brawl in front of the 217 Tap at 217 East State Street. Four other men were arrested but none gave any indication as to what the fight was over and all were fined with no jail time.

By May 1959 things were changing on the Rockford LCN landscape. Tony Musso had died a year earlier and Joe Zammuto had taken over the helm of the Rockford LCN. All organized gambling was under the control of the Rockford LCN and two young gamblers named Joe Greco and Donald Burton had been found beaten and strangled in the trunk of Greco’s car just south of Rockford. The newspapers reported that authorities were trying to subpoena LaFranka as he was an associate of both men but he had recently moved to Chicago and was bartending there.

Nothing more was heard about Charles LaFranka in the news until he was supposed to meet his girlfriend for dinner at her place on January 10, 1965. That day he had come to Rockford from Chicago and checked into the Flying Saucer motel. Though he had been living in Chicago for several years he had visited from time to time and had stayed in Rockford for several months in 1964. On that January Sunday he checked in to the Flying Saucer motel around noon and had indicated he was staying “a week to ten days.” He was to pick up some pasta sauce at his parent’s house and then join his girlfriend at her apartment for dinner that evening. The last anyone saw of him was that day when he had a few drinks at the St. Mary Society on South Main Street and stepped out into the street around 2 p.m. On January 16th LaFranka’s car was found parked on E. Chicago Street near Chapel Street in Elgin, Illinois. The car had been ticketed for parking there too long and Elgin police traced the car to LaFranka. It was found the Rockford office of the Northern Illinois Corporation had a lien on the car so it was towed to the loan firm’s parking lot. Days later the loan firm contacted LaFranka’s brother Salvatore, now living in Denver. Salvatore had operated on the fringes of the Rockford LCN and knew how they worked- he told the loan firm to check the trunk of the car, which they called a locksmith and did. That’s when the badly beaten and strangled body of Charles was found.

Upon doing some digging authorities determined that LaFranka had moved to Chicago several years before and had worked at various taverns there. When he had visited Rockford in that time he also had worked at taverns around that city as well. His last known place of employment was Club Alabam at 747 Rush Street in Chicago where he had been a bartender up until December 9, 1964 and failed to show up for work the following day. LaFranka had called the club owner Stan Reed a couple weeks later and apologized for not showing up but stated that personal problems had led to him quitting.

Who killed Charles LaFranka is easier to determine than why. What was advanced in FBI files was that Milwaukee informant Augie Maniaci told agents that three new members were inducted into the Rockford LCN family in January 1965- Sebastian “Knobby” Gulotta, Joe “Joma” Maggio and Frank Correnti. Maniaci surmised that the three were made due to their involvement in the LaFranka murder and that this was the test for the trio to gain their induction. It would seem that at least three men were needed to subdue and kill LaFranka and perhaps two drove his car to Elgin while another followed behind in another car.

What’s all the more interesting is that LaFranka checked in to the Flying Saucer motel, which at the time was owned by Anthony Cannella, a Rockford LCN trusted associate and brother to LCN member Phil Cannella. Upon checking in to the motel, did Cannella place a call letting his brother letting him know that LaFranka was there and then in turn did Phil Cannella put the wheels in motion to arrange for Gulotta, Maggio and Correnti to intercept LaFranka? Where exactly did the trio abduct LaFranka and beat and strangle him? A very telling clue could be found within Rockford LCN capo Charles Vince’s FBI file:

“It should be noted that Detectives [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] have advised that [DONNA OTT] at the Plantation Restaurant, Rockford, Illinois, was LA FRANCA’s paramour. They stated that immediately after LA FRANCA’s death she became the owner of a brand-new Pontiac automobile and made a trip to Florida. On July 21, 1965, Detective [REDACTED] stated that he had learned that a used car dealer in Gary, Indiana who had formerly operated a night club in Calumet City, Illinois, was also a boy friend of [DONNA OTT] said that it is his understanding that this individual had a bomb explode in his used car lot at Gary, Indiana during the same week in which LA FRANCA was killed.”

It would seem from this file entry that LaFranka’s girlfriend Donna Ott had potentially set him up to be murdered. Perhaps she let the killers inside her apartment and then disappeared while the men laid in wait to jump LaFranka. Another interesting angle is that the Plantation Restaurant where Donna Ott worked as a hostess was later owned by Sebastian Gulotta and was frequented by Rockford LCN members and associates.

One last question is why was Charles LaFranka murdered? Had he run afoul of the Chicago Outfit in some way and they requested the Rockford LCN take care of it for them or had he caused problems for the Rockford LCN on one of his numerous trips back there? This information could not be provided by Milwaukee’s Augie Maniaci as he could not pose the question to the Rockford group without arousing suspicion. Charles LaFranka left behind a five-year-old daughter and many questions for his family. Given the fact that all his brothers were involved with the Rockford LCN through various illegal enterprises over the years they most likely chalked the murder up to housekeeping and grudgingly moved on with their lives but there are those family members that still mark the anniversary of Charles’ death every cold January.

[Villain]

Another great read Cavita, thanks. Besides Abbott, were there any other Chicago guys connected to LaFRanka?

[cavita]

Another great read Cavita, thanks. Besides Abbott, were there any other Chicago guys connected to LaFRanka?

I have to believe his connections to Chicago came through Rockford's Phil Priola, who was connected to the northside Outfit guys. LaFranka's mother was a Sciortino and Priola's wife was a Sciortino so I have to believe there was a relation. I do know that Charles LaFranka's brothers were connected to Frank and Alex Piconeri/Piconere of Chicago through their mutual prostitution interests.

[cavita]

One of only two pics I could find of LaFranka

[Villain]

Another great read Cavita, thanks. Besides Abbott, were there any other Chicago guys connected to LaFRanka?

I have to believe his connections to Chicago came through Rockford's Phil Priola, who was connected to the northside Outfit guys. LaFranka's mother was a Sciortino and Priola's wife was a Sciortino so I have to believe there was a relation. I do know that Charles LaFranka's brothers were connected to Frank and Alex Piconeri/Piconere of Chicago through their mutual prostitution interests.

I assumed it was the North Side faction but to be honest im first time hearing regarding the Piconeri/Piconere guys, so thanks a lot, including for the LaFranka pic.

[PolackTony]

Another great read Cavita, thanks. Besides Abbott, were there any other Chicago guys connected to LaFRanka?

I have to believe his connections to Chicago came through Rockford's Phil Priola, who was connected to the northside Outfit guys. LaFranka's mother was a Sciortino and Priola's wife was a Sciortino so I have to believe there was a relation. I do know that Charles LaFranka's brothers were connected to Frank and Alex Piconeri/Piconere of Chicago through their mutual prostitution interests.

I assumed it was the North Side faction but to be honest im first time hearing regarding the Piconeri/Piconere guys, so thanks a lot, including for the LaFranka pic.

Great info on La Franka, thanks Cavita.

I hadn't heard of the Piconere brothers before either. Who were they working with on prostitution, DeGeorge? The surname was originally Piscionere, their parents were from Reggio Calabria. Frank Piconere was murdered at 31 in 1952, apparently when he tried to intervene in a hold-up of his buddy Frank Mazola in Mazola's lounge near State and Division. Ironic, as Piconere was already identified as a high school student for running with a gang of armed robbers, including home invasions of rich folks in the Gold Coast. Alexander (Alessandro) Piconere I haven't found any info on but he was a few years younger than Frank.

[Hired_Goonz]

Great write up! I would never have imagined how fascinating the history of the mob in Rockford IL of all places would be if I had never discovered this forum and this particular poster who seems to have encyclopedic knowledge of it all. Love your threads!

[Villain]

Another great read Cavita, thanks. Besides Abbott, were there any other Chicago guys connected to LaFRanka?

I have to believe his connections to Chicago came through Rockford's Phil Priola, who was connected to the northside Outfit guys. LaFranka's mother was a Sciortino and Priola's wife was a Sciortino so I have to believe there was a relation. I do know that Charles LaFranka's brothers were connected to Frank and Alex Piconeri/Piconere of Chicago through their mutual prostitution interests.

I assumed it was the North Side faction but to be honest im first time hearing regarding the Piconeri/Piconere guys, so thanks a lot, including for the LaFranka pic.

Great info on La Franka, thanks Cavita.

I hadn't heard of the Piconere brothers before either. Who were they working with on prostitution, DeGeorge? The surname was originally Piscionere, their parents were from Reggio Calabria. Frank Piconere was murdered at 31 in 1952, apparently when he tried to intervene in a hold-up of his buddy Frank Mazola in Mazola's lounge near State and Division. Ironic, as Piconere was already identified as a high school student for running with a gang of armed robbers, including home invasions of rich folks in the Gold Coast. Alexander (Alessandro) Piconere I haven't found any info on but he was a few years younger than Frank.

Thanks for this.

[cavita]

Another great read Cavita, thanks. Besides Abbott, were there any other Chicago guys connected to LaFRanka?

I have to believe his connections to Chicago came through Rockford's Phil Priola, who was connected to the northside Outfit guys. LaFranka's mother was a Sciortino and Priola's wife was a Sciortino so I have to believe there was a relation. I do know that Charles LaFranka's brothers were connected to Frank and Alex Piconeri/Piconere of Chicago through their mutual prostitution interests.

I assumed it was the North Side faction but to be honest im first time hearing regarding the Piconeri/Piconere guys, so thanks a lot, including for the LaFranka pic.

Great info on La Franka, thanks Cavita.

I hadn't heard of the Piconere brothers before either. Who were they working with on prostitution, DeGeorge? The surname was originally Piscionere, their parents were from Reggio Calabria. Frank Piconere was murdered at 31 in 1952, apparently when he tried to intervene in a hold-up of his buddy Frank Mazola in Mazola's lounge near State and Division. Ironic, as Piconere was already identified as a high school student for running with a gang of armed robbers, including home invasions of rich folks in the Gold Coast. Alexander (Alessandro) Piconere I haven't found any info on but he was a few years younger than Frank.

The Piconere brothers were hooked up in prostitution with the LaFranka brothers and the Calcione brothers out of Rockford. I suspect they joined with the Piconere boys to use them to get Chicago and Indiana area girls for the Rockford brothels.

[Villain]

Another great read Cavita, thanks. Besides Abbott, were there any other Chicago guys connected to LaFRanka?

I have to believe his connections to Chicago came through Rockford's Phil Priola, who was connected to the northside Outfit guys. LaFranka's mother was a Sciortino and Priola's wife was a Sciortino so I have to believe there was a relation. I do know that Charles LaFranka's brothers were connected to Frank and Alex Piconeri/Piconere of Chicago through their mutual prostitution interests.

I assumed it was the North Side faction but to be honest im first time hearing regarding the Piconeri/Piconere guys, so thanks a lot, including for the LaFranka pic.

Great info on La Franka, thanks Cavita.

I hadn't heard of the Piconere brothers before either. Who were they working with on prostitution, DeGeorge? The surname was originally Piscionere, their parents were from Reggio Calabria. Frank Piconere was murdered at 31 in 1952, apparently when he tried to intervene in a hold-up of his buddy Frank Mazola in Mazola's lounge near State and Division. Ironic, as Piconere was already identified as a high school student for running with a gang of armed robbers, including home invasions of rich folks in the Gold Coast. Alexander (Alessandro) Piconere I haven't found any info on but he was a few years younger than Frank.

The Piconere brothers were hooked up in prostitution with the LaFranka brothers and the Calcione brothers out of Rockford. I suspect they joined with the Piconere boys to use them to get Chicago and Indiana area girls for the Rockford brothels.

There were lots of former Northsiders in the old Indiana crew under Pinelli and Morgano.

[cavita]

Another great read Cavita, thanks. Besides Abbott, were there any other Chicago guys connected to LaFRanka?

I have to believe his connections to Chicago came through Rockford's Phil Priola, who was connected to the northside Outfit guys. LaFranka's mother was a Sciortino and Priola's wife was a Sciortino so I have to believe there was a relation. I do know that Charles LaFranka's brothers were connected to Frank and Alex Piconeri/Piconere of Chicago through their mutual prostitution interests.

I assumed it was the North Side faction but to be honest im first time hearing regarding the Piconeri/Piconere guys, so thanks a lot, including for the LaFranka pic.

Great info on La Franka, thanks Cavita.

I hadn't heard of the Piconere brothers before either. Who were they working with on prostitution, DeGeorge? The surname was originally Piscionere, their parents were from Reggio Calabria. Frank Piconere was murdered at 31 in 1952, apparently when he tried to intervene in a hold-up of his buddy Frank Mazola in Mazola's lounge near State and Division. Ironic, as Piconere was already identified as a high school student for running with a gang of armed robbers, including home invasions of rich folks in the Gold Coast. Alexander (Alessandro) Piconere I haven't found any info on but he was a few years younger than Frank.

The Piconere brothers were hooked up in prostitution with the LaFranka brothers and the Calcione brothers out of Rockford. I suspect they joined with the Piconere boys to use them to get Chicago and Indiana area girls for the Rockford brothels.

There were lots of former Northsiders in the old Indiana crew under Pinelli and Morgano.

Absolutely likely. As the 1960s rolled in the Rockford guys started using more girls from the Milwaukee and Racine area and not so much Chicago area.

[JCB1977]

Awesome post Cavita! Very interesting indeed

[cavita]

Awesome post Cavita! Very interesting indeed

Thanks bud! Since I posted that I found out that the Calumet City nightclub owner and car dealer who had a bomb explode at his business the same week LaFranka was killed was named Robert Ballard. He knew both LaFranka, Maggio and dated Donna Ott.