Early 1970s Chicago member informant

Discuss all mafia families in the U.S., Canada, Italy, and everywhere else in the world.

Moderator: Capos

Post Reply
Villain
Filthy Few
Posts: 5890
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2014 12:17 am

Re: Early 1970s Chicago member informant

Post by Villain »

Antiliar wrote: Sun Dec 27, 2020 12:44 pm Hopefully the informant's later information is more reliable than his earlier info. As others pointed out, the Fischettis were not cousins of the Capones, and they certainly did not work with Joe Aiello. He said that Bugs Moran's lawyer son removed his father's body from an unmarked grave at Leavenworth. Bugs Moran's son was a foundry equipment salesman, not a lawyer. Bugs Moran's grave is still at Leavenworth cemetery. It's hard to tell if it was originally unmarked or just worn down with age. I also question the info that Torrio brought Ricca to Chicago from New York. It's possible, but I doubt it. There's no evidence that Ricca was ever associated with Torrio, and the earliest confirmable connection between Ricca and Al Capone was in 1926.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/730/george-c.-moran
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/169 ... orge-moran

I can add that two of the redacted names are Joe Ferriola (92-1373) and Pat Marcy (92-1805). 92-2325 is Joe Battaglia.
Roselli said that he was introduced to Capone by Esposito and we also have one old photo from the early or mid 1910s which include Colosimo, Merlo, Torrio, Esposito and Joe DAndrea. Ricca arrived in 1920 and it is possible the same happened to him too, meaning he was probably introduced by Esposito to Torrio and the rest of the guys. Also theres not much time space between Riccas and Capones arrivals in Chicago which simply adds to the theory that many recruits were still coming to the city at the time.

Btw, thanks for the info on the redacted names. Ive seen some info regarding Joe Battaglia allegedly looking after his brother's personal interests while in jail.
Do not be deceived, neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God - Corinthians 6:9-10
User avatar
Antiliar
Full Patched
Posts: 4368
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2014 12:08 pm
Contact:

Re: Early 1970s Chicago member informant

Post by Antiliar »

According to Ricca's testimony, he didn't start working for Esposito until 1923/24, and before that at Dante Theater owned by Joseph Vicedomini.

As for Joe Battaglia, I wonder if he's the informant.
Villain
Filthy Few
Posts: 5890
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2014 12:17 am

Re: Early 1970s Chicago member informant

Post by Villain »

Antiliar wrote: Sun Dec 27, 2020 1:28 pm According to Ricca's testimony, he didn't start working for Esposito until 1923/24, and before that at Dante Theater owned by Joseph Vicedomini.

As for Joe Battaglia, I wonder if he's the informant.
What year did Esposito open the Bella Napoli Cafe? It was mentioned in 1921 and I know it was first raided in 1923.

On January 4, 1931 their alleged older cousin Augie Battaglia was killed.
Do not be deceived, neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God - Corinthians 6:9-10
User avatar
Antiliar
Full Patched
Posts: 4368
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2014 12:08 pm
Contact:

Re: Early 1970s Chicago member informant

Post by Antiliar »

1917, I believe.
Villain
Filthy Few
Posts: 5890
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2014 12:17 am

Re: Early 1970s Chicago member informant

Post by Villain »

Antiliar wrote: Sun Dec 27, 2020 2:26 pm 1917, I believe.
Thanks.

Btw, regarding that dude Genero or Genaro Calabrese who allegedly welcomed Ricca in New York....i found out that in April 1923, in Chicago one Ben F. Calabrese, labeled as Espositos secretary, went missing. So i wonder if there was any relation?
Do not be deceived, neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God - Corinthians 6:9-10
User avatar
Antiliar
Full Patched
Posts: 4368
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2014 12:08 pm
Contact:

Re: Early 1970s Chicago member informant

Post by Antiliar »

Calabrese is a common name, so who knows?
Villain
Filthy Few
Posts: 5890
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2014 12:17 am

Re: Early 1970s Chicago member informant

Post by Villain »

Antiliar wrote: Sun Dec 27, 2020 2:49 pm Calabrese is a common name, so who knows?
Do you know anything else regarding one Gaetano Esposito who was killed in 1921 and was an alleged distant relative of Diamond Joe? On his body they found flyers for 19th ward alderman John Powers and it seems that Gaetano once fled Chicago after committing a murder and went to New Jersey where he conducted a poolroom under a different alias.
Do not be deceived, neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God - Corinthians 6:9-10
User avatar
Antiliar
Full Patched
Posts: 4368
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2014 12:08 pm
Contact:

Re: Early 1970s Chicago member informant

Post by Antiliar »

Villain wrote: Sun Dec 27, 2020 3:08 pm
Antiliar wrote: Sun Dec 27, 2020 2:49 pm Calabrese is a common name, so who knows?
Do you know anything else regarding one Gaetano Esposito who was killed in 1921 and was an alleged distant relative of Diamond Joe? On his body they found flyers for 19th ward alderman John Powers and it seems that Gaetano once fled Chicago after committing a murder and went to New Jersey where he conducted a poolroom under a different alias.
Haven't researched him.
B.
Men Of Mayhem
Posts: 10692
Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2014 10:18 pm
Contact:

Re: Early 1970s Chicago member informant

Post by B. »

Thanks for filling in more of his contemporary Chicago info, Snakes. That is from the same guy. He is aware of the old Sicilian element and has ties to them, but it doesn't seem to have been a big factor in his later relationships from what we can see. Seems particularly close to Chucky Nicoletti.

Would be good to know who he says sponsored his relatives and who he says his own sponsor was. If his relatives were tied to the Genna faction and came from Sicily to help them as he seems to imply at one point, we might want to look at names from Trapani.

Antiliar -- thanks for correcting some of his info. Pretty typical to see mistakes from informants/witnesses when someone recalls old info, in this case as much as 40-50 years previous that may not have been seen/heard first or even secondhand.
PolackTony wrote: Sun Dec 27, 2020 1:48 am Another insight afforded by this informant's emic (i.e. "Insider's") perspective is that he uses "outfit" to refer to New York LCN also. The tendency, of course, as been to treat "outfit" as a proper name, using "The Outfit" without any qualifiers as referring the Chicago family. This points to another way that discussions on the US LCN assume a sort of extraordinary or marginal status for Chicago vis-a-vis the American Mafia more broadly. Of course we all know that the other Midwestern families also referred to themselves as "outfits". But again we see that "outfit" in Chicago is just a preferred synonym for the "Mafia", the "family", the "Life", "our people" -- all terms that other informants variabke invoke when referring to Chicago LCN. As this informant makes clear, "La Cosa Nostra" was recognized as a synonym for "the Outfit", just not in common use in Chicago. Rather than mark any fundamental, definitional distinction between the NYC and Chicago mob, here we get the perspective of a Chicago member who can casually refer to a Chicago guy as having "outfit connections in New York", just as we might refer to someone as a member of the "Chicago LCN". Same thing, different labels, slightly different perspectives from two parallel streams of Mafia evolution in the US.
Another good observation.

DeRose called the mafia "the Life", which is a common euphemism in NYC for the entire mafia subculture. Makes you wonder if it was a coincidence or if that phrase goes back deeper in mafia history than NYC and Chicago. The FBI capitalized it, but "the life" is a casual euphemism like "cosa nostra" originally was. The FBI capitalizes these in reports because they're distinct terms used by mafia insiders, but the way they're used in the mafia is not as a formal name but as substitutes for a formal name.

The thing is, even the members/associates themselves eventually start to think of these as formal terms. Just like members call themselves the Bonanno, Colombo, etc. families which is an LE designation, you have made members who call their organization "La Cosa Nostra".

Even "mafia" is not the formal name of it and shouldn't be capitalized. Joe Bonanno said the mafia is a process / mindset, not the name of the organization. It's hard for us to understand today, but before the 20th century "mafioso" may have been more of a euphemism, too. Calling someone a mafioso in the 20th century was a blunt statement that everyone understands, but I suspect earlier on it was once a euphemism like "wiseguy" or "button" that became so common it was no longer a euphemism.

Being "made" is another one. The mafia used to refer not just to inductions but also promotions this way. Seems to have been a filler term to refer to someone gaining status in the mafia. Nowadays "made member" is pretty much an official term, same with "button".

The important thing in mafia language is that people understand the meaning. We don't know what terminology they used when Frank Bompensiero asked Frank LaPorte whether he had lost his caporegime status, but it was understood by Bompensiero what position LaPorte held. If a member CI is introduced to someone as a "button guy", he can turn around and tell the FBI that this person is an "amico nostra", "friend of ours", "wiseguy", "made man", "member", "mafioso", or whatever term he wants to use and it all means the same thing.

Now, the FBI will ideally use the exact terms the informant used. This is why they use "the Life" in DeRose's cooperation, while they use terms like "Mafia" and "Mafia member" in this Chicago CI's reports. This is important, as it tells us what words were known and in use in a certain area. I have trouble believing that Frank Bompensiero told the FBI that Frank LaPorte was an "LCN Capo", but from other reports we know Bompensiero called caporegimes "capos", so that much appears to have been his own language.

The term "the life" showing up in two different cities reminds me of the phrase "piece of work" for murder. We see this all over the US spanning decades and everyone in and around the mafia uses it and knows what it means, but we have no idea when the mafia started using it. In the Giuseppe Morello letters CC posted, there is a segment where it sure sounds like he's talking about a murder plot and uses the same euphemism:

"In your letter you tell me that regarding Calogero Constantino there is nothing to say, but there should be exact information, because there are eight good workers sick to put the work on him and of the eight persons there are those in danger of their lives. But you must excuse me if I and others have not understood such language."

Looks like he's using "workers" and "work" the same way they do 110+ years later. And there's a Chicago connection, too, because this letter was written to Chicago boss Rosario Dispenza. Morello used those euphemisms knowing the Chicago boss would understand him. Makes me wonder if "the life" was a phrase readily understood even back then, too. I know DeRose was not a member, but I don't think he pulled it out of thin air.
User avatar
Antiliar
Full Patched
Posts: 4368
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2014 12:08 pm
Contact:

Re: Early 1970s Chicago member informant

Post by Antiliar »

Villain wrote: Sun Dec 27, 2020 1:42 pm
Antiliar wrote: Sun Dec 27, 2020 1:28 pm According to Ricca's testimony, he didn't start working for Esposito until 1923/24, and before that at Dante Theater owned by Joseph Vicedomini.

As for Joe Battaglia, I wonder if he's the informant.
What year did Esposito open the Bella Napoli Cafe? It was mentioned in 1921 and I know it was first raided in 1923.

On January 4, 1931 their alleged older cousin Augie Battaglia was killed.
I have to correct my earlier answer. Some sources said a place Esposito owned in 1917 moved to another address and became Bella Napoli, but I think they're incorrect. His earlier place was a saloon and the Bella Napoli was a bar, restaurant and cafe. So Bella Napoli did open in 1921. Alex Cotillo was the manager in 1923, and Mops Volpe was Esposito's secretary and sometimes guarded the restaurant. Ricca said he was the day manager.
User avatar
PolackTony
Filthy Few
Posts: 5826
Joined: Thu May 28, 2020 10:54 am
Location: NYC/Chicago

Re: Early 1970s Chicago member informant

Post by PolackTony »

Villain wrote: Sun Dec 27, 2020 1:42 pm
Antiliar wrote: Sun Dec 27, 2020 1:28 pm As for Joe Battaglia, I wonder if he's the informant.
On January 4, 1931 their alleged older cousin Augie Battaglia was killed.
This is I think a really intriguing possibility. There were a number of Battaglias in Chicago, and all of those who I've confirmed have ancestry going back to Termini Imerese. While B. thinks it's likely that the informant was of Trapanese background due to family ties to the Genna faction, it's worth noting that Joe Battaglia of course grew up in the Taylor St area during the 20s. His father was not a mafioso and he was a second generation Sicilian with older relatives who were gangsters. Paul and August Battaglia seem to have been cousins of Teets and Joe Battaglia (I can say at least that they were all from Termini and lived close to each other on Gilpin Ct [renamed Cabrini St]) and both of the former were allegedly members of the Genna faction. August Battaglia was of course killed in 1931. While Paul was also killed in 1938, I believe that younger brother Anthony Battaglia may have been the Tony Battaglia that seems to have been a mob guy as well, who died many years later.

Additionally, reading this informant's statements gave me the strong impression that he was a member of the Westside faction. For all of these reasons I think Joe Battaglia could be on the shortlist of potential answers to this informant's identity.
"Hey, hey, hey — this is America, baby! Survival of the fittest.”
User avatar
PolackTony
Filthy Few
Posts: 5826
Joined: Thu May 28, 2020 10:54 am
Location: NYC/Chicago

Re: Early 1970s Chicago member informant

Post by PolackTony »

PolackTony wrote: Mon Dec 28, 2020 12:14 am
Villain wrote: Sun Dec 27, 2020 1:42 pm
Antiliar wrote: Sun Dec 27, 2020 1:28 pm As for Joe Battaglia, I wonder if he's the informant.
On January 4, 1931 their alleged older cousin Augie Battaglia was killed.
This is I think a really intriguing possibility. There were a number of Battaglias in Chicago, and all of those who I've confirmed have ancestry going back to Termini Imerese. While B. thinks it's likely that the informant was of Trapanese background due to family ties to the Genna faction, it's worth noting that Joe Battaglia of course grew up in the Taylor St area during the 20s. His father was not a mafioso and he was a second generation Sicilian with older relatives who were gangsters. Paul and August Battaglia seem to have been cousins of Teets and Joe Battaglia (I can say at least that they were all from Termini and lived close to each other on Gilpin Ct [renamed Cabrini St]) and both of the former were allegedly members of the Genna faction. August Battaglia was of course killed in 1931. While Paul was also killed in 1938, I believe that younger brother Anthony Battaglia may have been the Tony Battaglia that seems to have been a mob guy as well, who died many years later.

Additionally, reading this informant's statements gave me the strong impression that he was a member of the Westside faction. For all of these reasons I think Joe Battaglia could be on the shortlist of potential answers to this informant's identity.
I should be clear that the Tony Battaglia killed in 1975 was Teets and Joe's brother. Paul and August Battaglia also had a brother named Anthony, who I suspect may have also been connected but I'm not sure.
"Hey, hey, hey — this is America, baby! Survival of the fittest.”
Villain
Filthy Few
Posts: 5890
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2014 12:17 am

Re: Early 1970s Chicago member informant

Post by Villain »

Antiliar wrote: Sun Dec 27, 2020 11:43 pm
Villain wrote: Sun Dec 27, 2020 1:42 pm
Antiliar wrote: Sun Dec 27, 2020 1:28 pm According to Ricca's testimony, he didn't start working for Esposito until 1923/24, and before that at Dante Theater owned by Joseph Vicedomini.

As for Joe Battaglia, I wonder if he's the informant.
What year did Esposito open the Bella Napoli Cafe? It was mentioned in 1921 and I know it was first raided in 1923.

On January 4, 1931 their alleged older cousin Augie Battaglia was killed.
I have to correct my earlier answer. Some sources said a place Esposito owned in 1917 moved to another address and became Bella Napoli, but I think they're incorrect. His earlier place was a saloon and the Bella Napoli was a bar, restaurant and cafe. So Bella Napoli did open in 1921. Alex Cotillo was the manager in 1923, and Mops Volpe was Esposito's secretary and sometimes guarded the restaurant. Ricca said he was the day manager.
Thanks for the correction and additional info Anti.

Ok, so Ricca arrived in 1920 and took a job at the theatre....the Bella Napoli opened in 1921....Ricca allegedly started in 1923 and was the day manager.

Ricca being the day manager at the Bella Napoli corresponds with the info regarding his previous job in New York in the restaurant business for the Calabreses (he possibly started as a waiter).

When he landed in Chicago, he started at the Dante theatre as the guy who showed ppl to their seats, which was another low profile job that confirms the theory regarding Ricca keeping a low profile in the US after the bloody mess he created back in Italy.

So my point is...it is possible that Riccas beginnings in the US were legit and at first he stayed away from trouble. But his fearsome and bloody reputation probably preceded him around the Italian community, especially when he landed in Chicago. He had more than a year to meet all the "right" people like Esposito and Volpe who in turn started his criminal career in the states.
Do not be deceived, neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God - Corinthians 6:9-10
Villain
Filthy Few
Posts: 5890
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2014 12:17 am

Re: Early 1970s Chicago member informant

Post by Villain »

PolackTony wrote: Mon Dec 28, 2020 12:27 am
PolackTony wrote: Mon Dec 28, 2020 12:14 am
Villain wrote: Sun Dec 27, 2020 1:42 pm
Antiliar wrote: Sun Dec 27, 2020 1:28 pm As for Joe Battaglia, I wonder if he's the informant.
On January 4, 1931 their alleged older cousin Augie Battaglia was killed.
This is I think a really intriguing possibility. There were a number of Battaglias in Chicago, and all of those who I've confirmed have ancestry going back to Termini Imerese. While B. thinks it's likely that the informant was of Trapanese background due to family ties to the Genna faction, it's worth noting that Joe Battaglia of course grew up in the Taylor St area during the 20s. His father was not a mafioso and he was a second generation Sicilian with older relatives who were gangsters. Paul and August Battaglia seem to have been cousins of Teets and Joe Battaglia (I can say at least that they were all from Termini and lived close to each other on Gilpin Ct [renamed Cabrini St]) and both of the former were allegedly members of the Genna faction. August Battaglia was of course killed in 1931. While Paul was also killed in 1938, I believe that younger brother Anthony Battaglia may have been the Tony Battaglia that seems to have been a mob guy as well, who died many years later.

Additionally, reading this informant's statements gave me the strong impression that he was a member of the Westside faction. For all of these reasons I think Joe Battaglia could be on the shortlist of potential answers to this informant's identity.
I should be clear that the Tony Battaglia killed in 1975 was Teets and Joe's brother. Paul and August Battaglia also had a brother named Anthony, who I suspect may have also been connected but I'm not sure.
Thanks for the additional info Polack.

Long time ago i wrote one piece on Battaglia's life, including his cousins and there are several interesting things to note. As you already said, the first one is that the Battaglia bros, Augie and Paul, were considered leaders of the 42 gang and allegedly at first they had close connections to the Gennas and also Jack Zuta, one of Capone's alleged enemies. In 1923 Paul Battaglia and Angelo Genna were arrested together, something which corresponds with the informants statement to an extent. You can even find the Battaglia name in Lombardo's project on the 42's.

The second thing is that there was also one Frank Battaglia (possibly born in 1906) who was also allegedly connected to the Battaglia clan and was killed in 1932 allegedly on Nitto's orders. During the late 1910's and early 1920's there was one Louis Battaglia who was a precinct captain in the 19th Ward for Tony D'Andrea. And in the end, Sam Battaglia was born in Kenosha WI, which used to be a landing spot for some Mafiosi.

It is also possible that the informant gave us one quite unknown history of the Battaglia clan like for example i never thought that Augie or Paul couldve been made members of the Mafia. Maybe about Paul but never regarding Augie.

Anti is right, it might be Joe Battaglia.
Do not be deceived, neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God - Corinthians 6:9-10
User avatar
PolackTony
Filthy Few
Posts: 5826
Joined: Thu May 28, 2020 10:54 am
Location: NYC/Chicago

Re: Early 1970s Chicago member informant

Post by PolackTony »

Villain wrote: Mon Dec 28, 2020 5:03 am
The second thing is that there was also one Frank Battaglia (possibly born in 1906) who was also allegedly connected to the Battaglia clan and was killed in 1932 allegedly on Nitto's orders. During the late 1910's and early 1920's there was one Louis Battaglia who was a precinct captain in the 19th Ward for Tony D'Andrea.
I'm not 100% certain but I think that the Frank Battaglia who was killed in 1932 was actually from Bari. The Louis Battaglia that you mention I'm not sure about. If he was precinct captain for D'Andrea then maybe this indicates as well that he was a "man of honor".
"Hey, hey, hey — this is America, baby! Survival of the fittest.”
Post Reply