"The politician, the singer and the Outfit."

[Ed]

George Vydra was a politician in suburban Chicago who also managed the singing career of Jane Darwyn. Vydra got mixed up with the Mafia and ended up dying under mysterious circumstances. It was front-page news in the 1960s. There were rumours that he was an FBI informer. I break it all down.

http://mafiahistory.us/rattrap/infgeorgevydra.html

[PolackTony]

George Vydra was a politician in suburban Chicago who also managed the singing career of Jane Darwyn. Vydra got mixed up with the Mafia and ended up dying under mysterious circumstances. It was front-page news in the 1960s. There were rumours that he was an FBI informer. I break it all down.

http://mafiahistory.us/rattrap/infgeorgevydra.html

Another great piece Ed. I knew about Chuckie English’s control over the jukebox racket and thus his involvement in the entertainment industry, but as you stated, Sam/Butchie English was overshadowed by his more notorious brother.

Regarding Skar, while it’s not known for sure, the suspicion has been that he was knocked down by Joey Lombardo. The thinking is that Lombardo may have made his bones from this hit.

[sdeitche]

Good piece

[Ed]

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. I thought English's concept of a "hoodlum's retreat" in the Arizona desert was quite endearing. He was ahead of his time.

It's amazing what a beautiful woman can do to a man, especially in midlife. Speaking only for myself, "There but for the grace of God go I."

Tony,
As you say, it appears Lombardo killed Skar. From what I can tell, Skar had a bullseye on his back yet he was very cavalier towards his safety. Did he feel protected by the FBI/law enforcement? I'd have to check Roemer's book, but if I recall correctly, his explanation or account of the hit is a bit "inadequate." I feel like there's more there. Informer DeRose discusses the Skar hit in some intelligence reports, but the information is redacted. I wonder if he "solves" it.

[B.]

Awesome, so Joe Amato is the Chicago member who the Bonannos were connected to in AZ. I'd seen reports from the 1970s that refer to a relationship they had to a made member from Chicago in AZ but the name was redacted; seems it may have been Amato.

[Antiliar]

Great read, Ed.

[Villain]

I agree, another great piece Ed and thanks bud.

I wrote about the English/Vydra situation back in 2014 in my AZ Mob article but i never knew that Vydra was an informant.

[Villain]

....in addition, im not sure if i came across the name Leonard Russo while reading Ed's text, but he was also involved in AZ together with Joe English.

Theres also one rumor that Bonanno allegedly refused to cut in the English bros in some of his operations and usually ignored them and Giancana and Accardo allegedly saw this as a disrespect.

[Villain]

Awesome, so Joe Amato is the Chicago member who the Bonannos were connected to in AZ. I'd seen reports from the 1970s that refer to a relationship they had to a made member from Chicago in AZ but the name was redacted; seems it may have been Amato.

There were several Outfit made guys in AZ by the 70s...

[Ed]

I agree, another great piece Ed and thanks bud.

I wrote about the English/Vydra situation back in 2014 in my AZ Mob article but i never knew that Vydra was an informant.

There isn't an Outfit member or associate that you haven't written about! You're da man when it comes to Chicago.

B, Antiliar, thanks!

There is a big information gap in the MF files between mid-1963 and Vydra's death in 1964 so there is still much we don't know about his relationship with the English brothers.

[Villain]

I agree, another great piece Ed and thanks bud.

I wrote about the English/Vydra situation back in 2014 in my AZ Mob article but i never knew that Vydra was an informant.

There isn't an Outfit member or associate that you haven't written about! You're da man when it comes to Chicago.

B, Antiliar, thanks!

There is a big information gap in the MF files between mid-1963 and Vydra's death in 1964 so there is still much we don't know about his relationship with the English brothers.

Back in the days i used to have one old and quite large report on the "AZ mob", which i think was made by reporters in cooperation with the feds but it seems that i either dont have it anymore or i cant find it...

[SolarSolano]

Great read - thank you. Was English's real name Inglesi or was that formally changed?

[Snakes]

Great read - thank you. Was English's real name Inglesi or was that formally changed?

I believe it was "Englise."

[Snakes]

Also, another good read, Ed!

[Villain]

Great read - thank you. Was English's real name Inglesi or was that formally changed?

I believe it was "Englise."

Wasnt Inglesia or something like that?