Rockford LCN Gambling Associate Vaughn "Curly" Fitzgerald

[cavita]

Vaughn J. “Curly” Fitzgerald was born July 3, 1927 in Knobel, Arkansas in the extreme northeast part of the state that borders Missouri. Fitzgerald served the United States in World War II with the Navy and was active with them for six years and was in the reserves for eight years. By December 1950 Fitzgerald wound up in Rockford, Illinois when he married Betty Cox there. Vaughn settled in a part of southeast Rockford that was home to many people from the southern United States, many of whom were referred to as “Hillbillies.”

Vaughn kept quiet during these early years working hard and raising a family in Rockford but the lure of easy money was too great for him and he had ingratiated himself into the crowd that played pool and gambled. On the evening of October 19, 1961 Homer Bales had heard there was a dice game going on at 211 Brooke Road and brought Jess Hinkle and Joe Washburn with him. The game was being run by Lloyd “Satch” Fennell and Vaughn Fitzgerald was also present. When the dice was passed to Vaughn he started “getting hot” according to Bales and won a great deal of money. It was after a while that Bales and Washburn each snatched the dice from Fitzgerald and saw there were two fives on each of the die. When the men started to argue about this Fennell picked up a shotgun, pointed it at the three men and ordered them out. The men left, taking the dice with them and went straight to the police. All involved were arrested and Fitzgerald for his part was fined $200.

Things stayed quiet for Fitzgerald for a time until the evening of April 6, 1968. On that night Vaughn found himself playing cards and gambling with Hershel Woolbright, Eddie “Big Eddie the Mailman” Aarhus, Gilbert Spears and Jack Parks. Woolbright had won about $200 from Aarhus and some money from the other men and after the game broke up Woolbright, Parks, Spears and Fitzgerald were in an auto being driven by Lloyd “Satch” Fennell. They noticed Aarhus’ car being driven by Edward Crooks and Aarhus was in the back seat. Both vehicles stopped in a residential neighborhood where Woolbright and Aarhus got out of their vehicles and began arguing in the street. Aarhus wanted his money back plus all the money Woolbright had and Aarhus had three guns on him and had threatened Woolbright with them. Woolbright then turned over all the money he had on him which was about $1500. The men declined to go to the police but all this came to light when Aarhus shot and killed Edward Crooks in his auto dealership business on April 21. This would not be the last time that Vaughn Fitzgerald would face a gun relating to gambling.

To back up a bit, at some point in the 1960s if Fitzgerald was involved in any type of organized gambling in the Rockford area, he had to have crossed paths with the Rockford LCN, specifically Sebastian “Knobby” Gulotta. Gulotta was a made member of the organization and according to his FBI files was particularly close to the “hillbilly” element, perhaps even being in charge of collecting the “street tax” from them in regards to any illegal activities. It was even documented in his files that Gulotta had beaten a couple of them up outside a gambling game at the Ping Pong Billiards Parlor on 7th Street.

At any rate, Fitzgerald continued being involved in and hosting gambling games but in October 1971 he found himself charged for his involvement in an interstate theft ring and possession of forty-one stolen snowmobiles along with twenty-four other men including former Rockford alderman Hugh Deery who was owner of the Rockford Speedway. Other men involved were Boone County Deputy James Cordray, Robert Dean, Donald Elmore, Dale Finch, Merville Fillweber, Jerry Operman, Thomas Dickerson President of Dickerson Realty, Merle Brown, Stan Burdick, Jay Hurns, Robert Evans, Chet Scott, Wayne Miller, Daniel Crain, Paul Johnson, Simon Obermiller, Marvin Franzen, Charles Stahl, Leroy Palmer, Dennis Howe, Orin Brown, Ross Fossberg, Eugene Ray, James Borcherts and John Sassaman. By the next month, however, in November Fitzgerald was freed from the charges when the Grand Jury refused to indict him because they felt his involvement couldn’t be proven.

Vaughn thought he dodged a bullet from this situation but on April 14, 1972 he found himself arrested by Chicago-based detectives of the District 25 State Police for gambling. Fitzgerald was charged as the operator of a dice game at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ross-Pearson Post just south of New Milford, Illinois. Also arrested were Post Commander Frederick Schultz, 31, Stewart Swick, 29, Nick Lassandro, 22, Larry Lyons, 23, and George Ball, 31. When all was said and done, Fitzgerald was only fined $200 for his part in this operation.

Vaughn kept his head down for the next fifteen years in relation to his gambling activities but he became more and more entrenched with the Rockford LCN gambling element. Since at least the 1960s the Rockford LCN had control over floating gambling games in and around the Rockford area and the operation was under the direction of Rockford capo Charles Vince. By the early 1980s the capo position belonged to Sebastian “Knobby” Gulotta and the floating gambling games became his responsibility.

It is extremely interesting to know that in one portion of Gulotta’s FBI file it stated that according to a confidential source, Gulotta and several other unnamed individuals “travel to Morrison, Illinois, regularly on Sunday nights to participate in an illicit “high stakes” poker game held in a local “hall,” possibly a “Moose or VFW club” in that town.” The source also went on to say that someone in that town is reportedly “paid off” to allow the poker game to exist though they were unaware of who paid them and how much. This particular file entry was under the heading “POSSIBLE POLICE CORRUPTION.”

So it was on April 6, 1987 that Fitzgerald found himself arrested yet again for gambling in Rock Falls, Illinois along with Donald Cheshire, Jr., 49, William Gusse, 42, Monte Gusse, 19, David Street, 23, Julie Hancock, 21, Walter Donatelli, Franklin Ragsdale, 68, James Hunt, 47, Bernie Zarecor, 59, and Xhevgjet Lecaj, 32. It should be noted that Rock Falls is only fifteen miles from Morrison, so this gambling game was most likely part of that operation as well given Fitzgerald’s involvement. Several thousand dollars were confiscated as well as gambling equipment and electronic surveillance equipment. Four law enforcement agencies had cooperated in this raid following an investigation that had begun in 1985.

How interesting is it to note that according to FBI files from 1966 that the Rockford LCN had put on a party for Ray Cramer, the State Police Supervisor of District 1 at Sterling, Illinois? The files stated the party was held at the Town and Country Motel in Rockford, which was owned by LCN member Phil Priola and girls were provided for the party by a local pimp. The FBI files went on to say that the party was put on to ensure the operation of a policy wheel in the Rockford area that was being controlled by the Rockford LCN. It should be stated that no charges were ever brought against Cramer and he retired in 1969 and passed away in 1974 in Sterling, Illinois. Sterling, Illinois is but one mile away from Rock Falls and is separated only by the Rock River. At any rate, Fitzgerald and the others only paid modest fines in this case and all were sentenced to probation.

Once again, Fitzgerald was able to keep his head down again for fifteen years until January 2002 when he was arrested by Rockford Police for keeping a gambling house at 5526 Linden Road. The outbuilding used for the gambling game was set back from Linden Road and was outfitted with surveillance equipment. It was later discovered that the FBI stepped in and advised the Rockford Police Department to dismiss the charges as their agency was already investigating this gambling operation- all charges were eventually dismissed in April 2004. It was also later found out that a confidential source had told the FBI that this operation was part of “The Soccer Club” which was a gambling operation overseen by brothers Salvatore and Natale Galluzzo. Salvatore Galluzzo had immigrated to Rockford from Aragona, Sicily in 1962 and by 1980 was positively identified as a Rockford LCN member. Natale Galluzzo had immigrated from Aragona to Belgium first and then arrived in Rockford by 1973.

Another interesting observation was made in Sebastian “Knobby” Gulotta’s FBI file from October 14, 1991. This entry stated:


“[REDACTED] stated that [VAUGHN “CURLY” FITZGERALD’S property at 5604 Linden Road, Rockford, Illinois] has been fitted with outside surveillance cameras. Although [REDACTED] has not yet been inside the home, [REDACTED] has observed the workings and results of the outside surveillance camera/video system in question. [CURLY] continues to house a high stakes card game at [5604 Linden Road, Rockford, Illinois and] continues to have the same players at his game plus [REDACTED] has been known to play at the game.”

Fitzgerald owned property at 5604 Linden Road, 3209 Bildahl Street, 2848 Woodside Drive and six parcels at 3305 Kishwaukee Street. It was at 11:30 p.m. on the evening of October 16, 2007 at the Kishwaukee Street address when a call came in to 911 of a robbery. What responding officers didn’t know was that Fitzgerald was hosting another high stakes poker game at the business and there were eleven people present there. It was stated that Fitzgerald would hold games there at least twice a week where players- some of whom carried guns- would wager thousands of dollars according to court documents. As police officers Cheryl Buntjer and Jeff Oberts responded to the business, a masked man with a handgun and duffel bag ran from the southwest side of the business and was later apprehended. He was identified as Dustin Frint, 19. Byron Starks, 34, also armed with a handgun also tried to flee but was stopped by officers at gunpoint and was told to get on the ground.

At this point police officer Buntjer spotted a rifle held by Fitzgerald protruding from behind a building and told him to drop their weapon. Instead, Fitzgerald fired his weapon and shot Starks who was laying prone on the ground. Despite repeated demands to drop his weapon, Fitzgerald didn’t most likely because he was hard of hearing and couldn’t hear the officers. Officer Buntjer and Oberts then fired their weapons striking and killing Fitzgerald. After police flooded the area it was then determined that an illegal high stakes poker game was going on at the business. Starks was wounded in the shooting, was treated at the hospital and released to the Winnebago County Jail where Frint was also taken.

Immediately after police began investigating, G.B. Jones, supervisory senior resident of the FBI’s regional office was called to the scene but refused to state why he was there. When asked about this, Rockford Police Chief Chet Epperson responded, “Some of the names of the individuals who were there rose some attention. There has been some investigations in the past.” This comment was related to the FBI’s past investigation of Rockford’s partnership with the Chicago Outfit’s 26th Street/Chinatown Crew’s gambling operation.

This whole investigation turned into huge news in the Rockford area with Winnebago County State’s Attorney Philip Nicolosi and the Illinois Attorney General having to recuse themselves. Nicolosi recused himself because some of the people at the gambling game were clients of his former law firm and he wanted to avoid a conflict of interest. The Attorney General’s Office also recused itself because of a conflict of interest but they didn’t elaborate so the entire case was handled by a special prosecutor from the Illinois Appellate Prosecutor’s Office. The newspaper was demanding the release of names of the participants in the gambling game and all they could find was that two of the participants were also present at Fitzgerald’s 2002 gambling raid.

It later came out that one of the participants, Todd B. Evans, gave a witness statement that night and said, “When I was 18 or 19 years old, I heard about this place called “The Club” where you could play poker. “The Club” probably has card games every night of the week, but I only know for sure that they have them on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Evans stated that he’d begun playing cards at “The Club” three or four months prior to the shooting incident. Evans continued, “I went up to the door, pressed the buzzer, and an older white guy let me into the building. I don’t even know this guy’s name, but he left the building about a half-hour before the robbery.” Evans continued that he arrived with $60 for gambling but was extended $140 credit to start the night with $200 in poker chips. Of the approximately twelve individuals present at the gambling game, Evans said he only a recognized a few and named Tony Weber, 40, Nick LaMarca, 57, and Brad Lewis, 40. Going further, Evans stated that he’d gone bust in about two hours and was getting ready to leave when he saw two other individuals he did not know also prepare to leave. One was later identified as George Peacock, 57. Evans continued, “We were being walked to the front door of the building by this older guy that I saw in the hallway at the police station. I don’t know his name. When the guy in front opened the door, all of a sudden we were being pushed backwards in the hallway. I saw a guy who was wearing black nylons or pantyhose on his face walk into the hallway.” This masked man was alleged to have been Dustin Frint and he ordered the men to the floor. As Evans was getting to the ground he heard a gunshot and noticed another masked man, alleged to be Byron Starks, stand guard at the door.

Authorities didn’t believe that Evans was forthcoming in all he knew during his statement after the shooting. It was only after learning a warrant had been issued for his arrest based on statements from Frint to police, that Evans turned himself in. Evans was alleged to be a conspirator and was then charged along with Frint and Starks and because the robbery led to Fitzgerald’s death, murder charges were included in the indictments. Evans was accused of hatching the plot, allegedly recruiting Frint, who then brought in Starks for “crowd control” during the robbery. Further, it was alleged that Evans was acting as an “inside man” feeding the other robbers information about the game through phone text messages. Frint and Starks reached agreements to plead guilty to armed robbery charges in exchange for the murder charges being dropped. Frint got a better deal because he was the first to cooperate to testify against the other two. Starks testified that the plan to rob the game had only been discussed that day.

Though he was not one of the men arrested in connection with this gambling case, sources indicated that this gambling operation was headed by Salvatore Galluzzo and his brother Natale. According to the Rock River Times, a former Rockford bookie had claimed that the gambling venture was headed up by a prominent Rockford businessman. Galluzzo had extensive business and land holdings in the Rockford area and at one time or another owned and operated many pizzerias in the area and was said to be a very close associate of Rockford LCN underboss Frank Buscemi who died in 1987. One more name that came to light as being present at the gambling game was 77-year-old Anthony Butera. He was the doorman that night and he also happened to be the nephew of Rockford LCN member Phil Priola, the owner of the Town and Country Motel where the party was put on for the Illinois State Police District 1 Supervisor.

For their parts in the robbery, Starks was sentenced to 17 years in prison on June 8, 2009 and was paroled April 22, 2016. and Frint was sentenced to 10 years and was released in October 2012. Ultimately, either because his involvement couldn’t be proven or because of his cooperation, charges against Evans were dropped. The shooting of Fitzgerald by Rockford Police officers Cheryl Buntjer and Jeff Oberts was deemed justified after the investigation was complete.

[cavita]

Photos of the three involved.

[Patrickgold]

Very interesting. I remember when Fitzgerald was killed. That was big news. Cavita, a couple of questions. You mentioned a hillbilly element in Rockford. Was there a separate hillbilly organization that had its own boss but gave a percentage to the Rockford element? Tampa had an organization like that. Also, is this Todd Evans a marked man? I’m curious about that.

[cavita]

Very interesting. I remember when Fitzgerald was killed. That was big news. Cavita, a couple of questions. You mentioned a hillbilly element in Rockford. Was there a separate hillbilly organization that had its own boss but gave a percentage to the Rockford element? Tampa had an organization like that. Also, is this Todd Evans a marked man? I’m curious about that.

There was no separate hillbilly organization. Even in the 1960s FBI files referred to capo Charles Vince making collections from both the black and white elements in the Rockford area if either were involved in any illegal matters. Also, last I knew Evans hightailed it out of the area after this all came out.

[Patrickgold]

So there was no independent black or white organizations like there was in Chicago. Interesting. Do you think there are still floating games in the Rockford area? I mean not much has changed since 2007. Elgin Casino was open at that time and there were still games. I saw that the Hard Rock casino might be coming to Rockford at the old clock tower spot. They might put the temporary casino at Giovanni’s restaurant and banquets. Who owns that?

[cavita]

So there was no independent black or white organizations like there was in Chicago. Interesting. Do you think there are still floating games in the Rockford area? I mean not much has changed since 2007. Elgin Casino was open at that time and there were still games. I saw that the Hard Rock casino might be coming to Rockford at the old clock tower spot. They might put the temporary casino at Giovanni’s restaurant and banquets. Who owns that?

The only other independent organizations were of course street gangs- Latin Kings, GD, etc. But I have research and such that shows the Rockford LCN were supplying them with narcotics in the 80s at least. There are still floating games going on- I have participated in some of those. They've been ongoing since the 60s and continue. Through FBI files some of them were held in the Chicago suburbs with partnership through the Outfit but these files are redacted and I can't find who the Chicago guys were. This was in the 80s and 90s. Giovanni's is owned by the Castrgiovanni family. That family had a chain of supermarkets in the Rockford area before they sold them and the family branched out to other ventures.

[PolackTony]

So there was no independent black or white organizations like there was in Chicago. Interesting. Do you think there are still floating games in the Rockford area? I mean not much has changed since 2007. Elgin Casino was open at that time and there were still games. I saw that the Hard Rock casino might be coming to Rockford at the old clock tower spot. They might put the temporary casino at Giovanni’s restaurant and banquets. Who owns that?

The only other independent organizations were of course street gangs- Latin Kings, GD, etc. But I have research and such that shows the Rockford LCN were supplying them with narcotics in the 80s at least. There are still floating games going on- I have participated in some of those. They've been ongoing since the 60s and continue. Through FBI files some of them were held in the Chicago suburbs with partnership through the Outfit but these files are redacted and I can't find who the Chicago guys were. This was in the 80s and 90s. Giovanni's is owned by the Castrgiovanni family. That family had a chain of supermarkets in the Rockford area before they sold them and the family branched out to other ventures.

If you're ever so inclined, I'd be be very interested in seeing more about the narcotics links to the street gangs.

[cavita]

So there was no independent black or white organizations like there was in Chicago. Interesting. Do you think there are still floating games in the Rockford area? I mean not much has changed since 2007. Elgin Casino was open at that time and there were still games. I saw that the Hard Rock casino might be coming to Rockford at the old clock tower spot. They might put the temporary casino at Giovanni’s restaurant and banquets. Who owns that?

The only other independent organizations were of course street gangs- Latin Kings, GD, etc. But I have research and such that shows the Rockford LCN were supplying them with narcotics in the 80s at least. There are still floating games going on- I have participated in some of those. They've been ongoing since the 60s and continue. Through FBI files some of them were held in the Chicago suburbs with partnership through the Outfit but these files are redacted and I can't find who the Chicago guys were. This was in the 80s and 90s. Giovanni's is owned by the Castrgiovanni family. That family had a chain of supermarkets in the Rockford area before they sold them and the family branched out to other ventures.

If you're ever so inclined, I'd be be very interested in seeing more about the narcotics links to the street gangs.

Yeah this is a topic that needs to be treaded carefully as there was a former gang member that was deported ALLEGEDLY because he stopped making payoffs to a LE individual to protect his narcotics trafficking. I'm still gathering a lot of info and have to see where it leads

[PolackTony]

So there was no independent black or white organizations like there was in Chicago. Interesting. Do you think there are still floating games in the Rockford area? I mean not much has changed since 2007. Elgin Casino was open at that time and there were still games. I saw that the Hard Rock casino might be coming to Rockford at the old clock tower spot. They might put the temporary casino at Giovanni’s restaurant and banquets. Who owns that?

The only other independent organizations were of course street gangs- Latin Kings, GD, etc. But I have research and such that shows the Rockford LCN were supplying them with narcotics in the 80s at least. There are still floating games going on- I have participated in some of those. They've been ongoing since the 60s and continue. Through FBI files some of them were held in the Chicago suburbs with partnership through the Outfit but these files are redacted and I can't find who the Chicago guys were. This was in the 80s and 90s. Giovanni's is owned by the Castrgiovanni family. That family had a chain of supermarkets in the Rockford area before they sold them and the family branched out to other ventures.

If you're ever so inclined, I'd be be very interested in seeing more about the narcotics links to the street gangs.

Yeah this is a topic that needs to be treaded carefully as there was a former gang member that was deported ALLEGEDLY because he stopped making payoffs to a LE individual to protect his narcotics trafficking. I'm still gathering a lot of info and have to see where it leads

Really looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

[Patrickgold]

So there was no independent black or white organizations like there was in Chicago. Interesting. Do you think there are still floating games in the Rockford area? I mean not much has changed since 2007. Elgin Casino was open at that time and there were still games. I saw that the Hard Rock casino might be coming to Rockford at the old clock tower spot. They might put the temporary casino at Giovanni’s restaurant and banquets. Who owns that?

The only other independent organizations were of course street gangs- Latin Kings, GD, etc. But I have research and such that shows the Rockford LCN were supplying them with narcotics in the 80s at least. There are still floating games going on- I have participated in some of those. They've been ongoing since the 60s and continue. Through FBI files some of them were held in the Chicago suburbs with partnership through the Outfit but these files are redacted and I can't find who the Chicago guys were. This was in the 80s and 90s. Giovanni's is owned by the Castrgiovanni family. That family had a chain of supermarkets in the Rockford area before they sold them and the family branched out to other ventures.

Is the Castrgiovanni family hooked up with the Rockford family? Also, do you know anything about a Peter Provenzano?

[cavita]

So there was no independent black or white organizations like there was in Chicago. Interesting. Do you think there are still floating games in the Rockford area? I mean not much has changed since 2007. Elgin Casino was open at that time and there were still games. I saw that the Hard Rock casino might be coming to Rockford at the old clock tower spot. They might put the temporary casino at Giovanni’s restaurant and banquets. Who owns that?

The only other independent organizations were of course street gangs- Latin Kings, GD, etc. But I have research and such that shows the Rockford LCN were supplying them with narcotics in the 80s at least. There are still floating games going on- I have participated in some of those. They've been ongoing since the 60s and continue. Through FBI files some of them were held in the Chicago suburbs with partnership through the Outfit but these files are redacted and I can't find who the Chicago guys were. This was in the 80s and 90s. Giovanni's is owned by the Castrgiovanni family. That family had a chain of supermarkets in the Rockford area before they sold them and the family branched out to other ventures.

Is the Castrgiovanni family hooked up with the Rockford family? Also, do you know anything about a Peter Provenzano?

The only time I have seen a Castrogiovanni in reference to the Rockford LCN was when an FBI file mentioned Anthony Castrogiovanni held the liquor license for the Aragona Club where the Rockford LCN met regularly. The Castrogiovanni family was from Aragona, Sicily where many of the Rockford LCN members were from. As for Pete Provenzano, if you're referring to the one who has the defense contractor company I haven't quite figured him out. There was a reporter years ago who was delving into Provenzano's business dealings because he said there were LCN tie ups and he FOIA'd documents relating to him and his business. The reporter gave me all that paperwork and documents but it's a lot to take in and I just haven't had the time.

[Patrickgold]

Is the Aragona club still operating? Last I heard they were renting it out for parties and someone was shot there. Peter Provenzano is related to the Zammutos, right?

[cavita]

Is the Aragona club still operating? Last I heard they were renting it out for parties and someone was shot there. Peter Provenzano is related to the Zammutos, right?

Yes, everything about the Aragona Club is correct. The LCN stopped having their meetings there in the early 70s. As for Provenzano"s relation to Zammuto, if there is one I believe it's pretty distant. When Nick Provenzano went down for the gambling bust in 2006 the newspaper made a big deal he wasn't related to Pete Provenzano because Pete was in tight with then-Mayor Larry Morrissey.

[Patrickgold]

Is the Aragona club still operating? Last I heard they were renting it out for parties and someone was shot there. Peter Provenzano is related to the Zammutos, right?

Yes, everything about the Aragona Club is correct. The LCN stopped having their meetings there in the early 70s. As for Provenzano"s relation to Zammuto, if there is one I believe it's pretty distant. When Nick Provenzano went down for the gambling bust in 2006 the newspaper made a big deal he wasn't related to Pete Provenzano because Pete was in tight with then-Mayor Larry Morrissey.

Thanks for the clarification. Is the Aragona club still being used as an Italian social club and do you know who owns it?

[cavita]

Is the Aragona club still operating? Last I heard they were renting it out for parties and someone was shot there. Peter Provenzano is related to the Zammutos, right?

Yes, everything about the Aragona Club is correct. The LCN stopped having their meetings there in the early 70s. As for Provenzano"s relation to Zammuto, if there is one I believe it's pretty distant. When Nick Provenzano went down for the gambling bust in 2006 the newspaper made a big deal he wasn't related to Pete Provenzano because Pete was in tight with then-Mayor Larry Morrissey.

Thanks for the clarification. Is the Aragona club still being used as an Italian social club and do you know who owns it?

No, it's not an Italian social club anymore and I think it's owned by a private company. The only Italian social clubs in town there are the Lombardi Club, the Venetian Club, the Verdi Club and the St. Ambrogio Society. The St. Ambrogio Society is still in the heart of the old Italian section of Rockford.