Non-Italians and the Chicago Outfit

[Villain]

Great write up and break down, Villain. I, for one, appreciate all the time and effort you put in to your research!

Thanks cavita. Means a lot comin from you.

[B.]

Chicago had a consiglio, admin, soldiers direct with the admin, captains, and acting captains, then associates operating at all levels of the org. Certain associates were powerful operational leaders authorized by the Family leadership who were treated like peers. "Associate" isn't pejorative, it only means someone isn't a made member -- Ricca could kiss a guy's feet and do his laundry but that doesn't mean he's made.

If the theory is that Chicago had two overlapping organizations with different types of members or that within Chicago they secretly considered some non-Italians members, in a single Family city like Chicago it would be understood that associates backed by the leadership were in a unique position and there'd be no need to call them "members" to do what they do. They likely didn't need to call them anything because it was well-understood who and what they were.

I always appreciate your dedication and research, Villain, but we interpret circumstantial evidence differently. For example, the Cerone excerpt only indicates the Italians worked closely with non-Italians with the blessing of the organization. The context is that a Polack thought an Italian was biased against him but Cerone assured him the Italians respected and worked with them under the banner of the org. He uses his relationship to Yaras himself as an example when talking about the others.

I love the anomalies in this stuff as much as the stuff that's totally expected and typical. Other Families around the country made half-Italians, some even limited to their mother's side, and I accept that when it comes from an insider. We don't have insiders who said Chicago made non-Italians.

But we cannot compare the Chi organization or the Genoveses with a "true LCN" organization like the Lukes or Colombos or Bonannos. I mean Lansky was on the commission, meaning some of these guys had no limits.

The Genovese were a true Cosa Nostra organization, though, they were just more liberal in some ways like Chicago was and the Families were close. We also know both Families were incredibly secretive and disciplined, in some ways acting more like "true" mafia groups than other New York Families who were weird in many ways compared to the traditional mafia.

Just to make it clear too -- Lansky didn't have an official seat on the Commission, he was given a de facto role with it which speaks to his power given he was a non-member. He was more powerful and respected at his peak than Gus Alex but still technically an associate of the organization he was on record with. Alex's role on the consiglio is likely identical on a Family level to Lansky's national role.

A New York source said the same thing about Lansky that Bomp did:

lansky.png

Lansky was an associate and didn't have a formal Commission seat but calling him an associate doesn't take away from the fact that a Jewish guy was powerful enough to be treated as a peer of the Commission. Another source said Lansky answered direct to the Commission, so even though he was a Genovese associate he was in effect the Commission's own associate.

Along with calling him an "avugad" (Commission rep), Accardo also said on tape that Lansky "sits at the big round table". We know from other sources this wasn't formal but it shows how Lansky's position was viewed in Chicago "despite" not being a member.

avugad.png

Side note, but interestingly the 1964 Chicago informant who used the term "capitanos" [ph] for lieutenants/captains also called the Commission the "round table".

[Villain]

Chicago had a consiglio, admin, soldiers direct with the admin, captains, and acting captains, then associates operating at all levels of the org. Certain associates were powerful operational leaders authorized by the Family leadership who were treated like peers. "Associate" isn't pejorative, it only means someone isn't a made member -- Ricca could kiss a guy's feet and do his laundry but that doesn't mean he's made.

If the theory is that Chicago had two overlapping organizations with different types of members or that within Chicago they secretly considered some non-Italians members, in a single Family city like Chicago it would be understood that associates backed by the leadership were in a unique position and there'd be no need to call them "members" to do what they do. They likely didn't need to call them anything because it was well-understood who and what they were.

I always appreciate your dedication and research, Villain, but we interpret circumstantial evidence differently. For example, the Cerone excerpt only indicates the Italians worked closely with non-Italians with the blessing of the organization. The context is that a Polack thought an Italian was biased against him but Cerone assured him the Italians respected and worked with them under the banner of the org. He uses his relationship to Yaras himself as an example when talking about the others.

I love the anomalies in this stuff as much as the stuff that's totally expected and typical. Other Families around the country made half-Italians, some even limited to their mother's side, and I accept that when it comes from an insider. We don't have insiders who said Chicago made non-Italians.

But we cannot compare the Chi organization or the Genoveses with a "true LCN" organization like the Lukes or Colombos or Bonannos. I mean Lansky was on the commission, meaning some of these guys had no limits.

The Genovese were a true Cosa Nostra organization, though, they were just more liberal in some ways like Chicago was and the Families were close. We also know both Families were incredibly secretive and disciplined, in some ways acting more like "true" mafia groups than other New York Families who were weird in many ways compared to the traditional mafia.

Just to make it clear too -- Lansky didn't have an official seat on the Commission, he was given a de facto role with it which speaks to his power given he was a non-member. He was more powerful and respected at his peak than Gus Alex but still technically an associate of the organization he was on record with. Alex's role on the consiglio is likely identical on a Family level to Lansky's national role.

A New York source said the same thing about Lansky that Bomp did:

lansky.png

Lansky was an associate and didn't have a formal Commission seat but calling him an associate doesn't take away from the fact that a Jewish guy was powerful enough to be treated as a peer of the Commission. Another source said Lansky answered direct to the Commission, so even though he was a Genovese associate he was in effect the Commission's own associate.

Along with calling him an "avugad" (Commission rep), Accardo also said on tape that Lansky "sits at the big round table". We know from other sources this wasn't formal but it shows how Lansky's position was viewed in Chicago "despite" not being a member.

avugad.png

Side note, but interestingly the 1964 Chicago informant who used the term "capitanos" [ph] for lieutenants/captains also called the Commission the "round table".

This is the type of talk I love to engage in, without any personal feelings towards anyone. Just pure mob talk, followed by evidences and personal opinions, obviously created with long time research on these stuff. So thanks a lot B.

Yes, the Outfit had a top administration, consiglio or as some sources call it board of directors, capos, soldiers and associates. I never dispute this and in fact I agree with you since I already said that they operated under the principals of southern Italian OC and the Italians always had the top spot (whether it was the boss position or the top boss spot aka "The Man")

Sometimes the top admin was represented by 2, 3 or maybe even 4 top level members, depending on the situation, decade or the power that these guys had. Chicagos consiglio was usually formed by 4 or 5 reps, and sometimes it is quite possible that the underboss was also a member of it, again depending on the situation.

According to numerous sources, it seems there were some capos who were more powerful than others from same areas and I believe those guys were the reps on the Outfits BOD, who in turn delivered decisions and solved problems between the rest of the "less powerful" capos, soldiers and non-Ital crew bosses, and also between their own "capitanos" aka capos or lieutenants (our forum member Eboli was the first one who gave us similar info regarding the Genoveses).

So according to the files which I previously posted, both here and in the articles section, some high level non-Ital bosses held official position on the Outfits BOD, and later on the Outfits top admin. Im not saying that Alex was above Accardo and Aiuppa but it seems he also had the right to vote regarding important decisions and also acted as Accardos advisor.

Regarding calling these Outfit guys "members" of the Outfit...pls dont forget that I never said that we have insiders who said Chicago made non-Italians in the traditional Italian way. Instead, I said that they were members of the Outfit, separate from the LCN brotherhood. (pobably just a tap on the back, followed by a lavish dinner lol). Two parties, one organization controlled by Italians.

My point here is that we have Italian made members who represented the Chicago fam on the commission and were also obliged to attended meetings with bosses from other families. Also they had protocols and official positions. (although we have info regarding Humphreys or Guzik being rarely present on some of these so-called commission meetings which mostly occurred in Florida).

But we also have old "Capone members" (like Guzik, Humphreys or Sam Hunt) who were in fact official members/leaders of the Outfit (not over the cosa nostra top admin) and also held their own official positions and controlled their own areas and crews which also included Italian made members. (I previously made few posts in the articles thread regarding the official crew that both Ferraro and Alex controlled).

Again they were not members of CN, BUT they were members of Chicagos criminal brotherhood (which included both Itals and non-Itals) aka the Chicago Outfit. (on top of that we also have some close historical connections between the Italian mainlanders and the Greeks lol, something which was also mentioned by that Polish researcher)

We also have information that Outfit capo Frank Caruso first had to go to Alex or Ferraro so they can arrange a meeting with the boss. If some made guy or capo from a different crew decided to take over some of Alexs areas, he couldnt do it.

Again, if we take out the so-called Italian induction, there wasnt much difference in Chicago between Italian made guy and a non-Italian member. Also if the reports regarding the Outfit having a non-traditional inductions during certain period are true, then I really cant see the difference if one Italian or non-Ital received a tap on the back and was told "now you are with us" and "you will answer to this or that guy" and then they all have a lavish dinner so he can be introduced to every Italian member or non-Ital present at the party.

I also cant see much difference when one non-Italian crew boss isnt present in the room during the induction, but he is present at the dinner or party where they all celebrate the new induction and also being introduced to everyone, including the non-Itals. The non-Italian bosses knew everything regarding the workings within CN and they also followed the same protocols.

Ive seen convos between made Outfit guys regarding non-Itals and they often said "he is with us", just like the convo between Humphreys and Ferraro in which Humphreys says that during the days of Al Capone everyone from the organization trusted each other, and so I see this as their trust kept the organization alive. On top of that Ferraro confirmed this by saying "this is ALL one clique".



Yes, Cerone gave a similar statement and I respect your opinion regarding the convo, but dont forget that Yaras was with the Outfit since the 1930s, killed a lot of people and was also one of the Outfits main contacts with made members from other families such as Detroit, Dallas and Tampa. In fact Yaras was quite close with Trafficante, the same way Alex was highly regarded by the Boiardo crew from the Genoveses.

Regarding the Chi fam and the Genovese fam....we know that the Chi fam was some type of product of the Genoveses and were mostly created by mainlanders, so maybe thats why they had similar respect towards non-Italians like Lansky or Alex.

The only difference i see between Lansky and Alex is their positions within their own families. Im not 100% sure but I think that Lansky was placed under a capo which in fact was Alo i think. As for Alex, the only "capo" who was almost above him was Ferraro who in turn was the Outfits underboss. After Ferraros death, there wasnt any capo above Alex except for the top admin. Later Alex became a member of the top admin under the supervision of Accardo and later by Aiuppa too. This is a fact. Thanks to Antiliar, meaning years later Magnafichi also confirmed this by naming Alex as "consiglieri" for the organization.

Again most of my posts were taken out of context by some forum members. I never said that Alex had a chance in becoming boss of the Outfit, BUT i strongly believe that he was a "low member" of the Outfits top administration and ALMOST became a boss but he couldnt do it, obviously because he wasnt Italian. In fact Alex was forced by Accardo to climb up to the top admin, something which Alex himself disliked a lot and wanted to retire but he wasnt allowed, same as a made guy. They were all one criminal family.

Also sorry for the long responses and i hope it doesnt bother you like some other people.

[Villain]

....in addition то my previous post when the problem regarding narcotics occurred, why Accardo immediately called Alex and it seems that Alexs advice was quite important for the old man, including the one from Aiuppa? It seems Accardo (old man at the time) wasnt able to control the organization by himself and so he chose Aiuppa AND ALEX so he can have complete control over the whole organization, including policies for the family. This shows us that the non-Itals had a official position both on the BOD and later the top admin, thanks to Alex. During this period Alex and Aiuppa were former members of the consiglio because later they received higher positions on the top admin together with Accardo, positions which gave them authority over almost every capo, soldier or non-Ital boss in the organization.

[JerryB]

Great write up and break down, Villain. I, for one, appreciate all the time and effort you put in to your research!

+1

[B.]

The "outfit" is a euphemism for Family which was used by most Families around the country, so I don't see where the "outfit" ends and the Family begins. Al Capone was a Genovese associate and we have several sources who say he was a Camorrista before he was made. He transferred to the Chicago Family and became boss but didn't form a brand new org. For decades the "outfit" continued to have representation from Western Sicilian members in addition to mainlanders who came in during the 1920s (maybe earlier) and early 30s, so it wasn't formed by Capone even though he massively influenced the direction they took.

An associate who is "with" a Family is a part of the organization and can serve all kinds of roles if the Family wants him to, but he's not a member. We know there was a distinction even within Chicago as to what a made member is and it was limited to Italians. If the word associate has too much of a connotation, a general way of putting it is that they are all "affiliates" of the organization. The sources who say non-Italians were "members" of "organized crime", the "syndicate", or "Capone outfit" are making general statements about their affiliation with the local organization and don't appear to be insiders who are actually identifying them as made members.

I agree with your take on some of the captains on the consiglio. For years we heard about a "board of directors" or "chairmen" and thanks to Bomp/Alderisio we can finally say it was a formal "consignu" [ph]. You always felt that certain captains had a higher status in the organization which now we can say was true, though not as a new rank like "territory boss" but as consiglieri / council members with seats on the consiglio. It sort of reconciles all of our different views over the years and also shows that Ricca and Accardo were in fact "chairmen" over the official boss, as the consiglio around the country had a chairman/secretary and in some of these cases the consiglio did have authority over the boss. Captains who sat on the consiglio would of course have a lot more authority and influence in matters of administration and policy than other captains.

Guys like Guzik, Humphreys, and Alex were an essential part of the operating structure and they're an important part of Chicago's story, no question. It's not about the ceremony (which was done loosely in other Families at times too), it's about what a member actually is and how he is recognized. They werent recognized as made members but they understood everything a member does and were treated with the same level of respect and allowed to exert influence. Like Lansky's de facto role with the Commission, they had a role in high-level matters that seemed indistuingishable from an actual high-ranking member on the ground level but formally it was different.

Scott D found that Tampa had a consiglio and Baby Joe Diez had a voice on it. He represented the Family's gambling interests at a high level so it makes sense he'd be included in some of their concerns. Tampa and Diez didn't have the same scope as Chicago but the relationship is similar, much as Chicago and Alex weren't on the level of the Commission and Lansky but again it was a similar dynamic.

If we were to refer to these non-Italians as "like a member", I wouldn't disagree at all. These guys were absolutely "like" members in how they were treated and what they were allowed to do. What made Chicago so powerful was in part that they had guys like this. Where I disagree is the perception that they were actual members, held formal ranks, or that Chicago was fundamentally different from other mafia organizations. If you notice, the references to Alex don't assign him a formal rank like we see with other Chicago members, it's more broad like "advisor" or general references to his leadership over organized crime activity. We have sources who do indicate Alex couldn't hold rank in an official capacity, which you said yourself about him not being able to become the actual boss.

So really we don't disagree on how Chicago operated, it's just what this meant in official terms. You have successfully argued that Chicago didn't always care about the official set-up when it came to running the wider organization and we do have similar examples around the country but in Chicago it was much more integrated into their operations long-term. If we were to make a chart of Chicago's operating structure, Gus Alex should absolutely be at the upper echelon but if it were a chart exclusively limited to the Chicago membership and formal hierarchy he wouldn't belong there. A combination of those charts would of course be the most accurate way of understanding what was actually taking place in Chicago.

[B.]

For reference this is what member informant Louie Fratto told the FBI:

fratto.png

- The organization "regardless of what it is called" only makes Italians and non-Italians ultimately answer to an Italian. Gives the example of Gus Alex as a non-Italian who is a "close ally" that takes orders direct from Giancana.

- He's also the one who said Alderisio was scared of Alex and acted subservient to him, so he acknowledged Alex's power/status but made it clear he was not a member. Note that none of the FBI's main sources for identifying Chicago members in the 1960s, including Fratto, said the top non-Italians were members or were confused about their role. They were non-members who exerted massive influence.

--

What member informant Butch Blasi said:

blasi.png

- Alex is a "strong leader of organized crime" but can't be part of the true inner circle of leadership because he's non-Italian then talks about his impressive abilities. In other words, he has a big operational leadership role and is a massive asset but can't hold official rank because he's a non-member.

--

What DeRose said is a very reasonable summation:

derose.png

- Acknowledges the level of influence and stature of these non-Italians but makes it clear they can't become formal members. They can't actually issue orders but their advice, suggestions, and opinion are often sought. I'm sure there's a grey area to that where some of their "suggestions" had the weight of a directive but in terms of formal chain of command DeRose saw them the same way Fratto did.

--

I know you mentioned Blasi and DeRose in your initial post but one was a member and the other was very well-schooled in how things worked. They're some of the best sources we have from these periods. Fratto's perspective only adds to it.

[Villain]

For reference this is what member informant Louie Fratto told the FBI:

fratto.png

- The organization "regardless of what it is called" only makes Italians and non-Italians ultimately answer to an Italian. Gives the example of Gus Alex as a non-Italian who is a "close ally" that takes orders direct from Giancana.

- He's also the one who said Alderisio was scared of Alex and acted subservient to him, so he acknowledged Alex's power/status but made it clear he was not a member. Note that none of the FBI's main sources for identifying Chicago members in the 1960s, including Fratto, said the top non-Italians were members or were confused about their role. They were non-members who exerted massive influence.

--

What member informant Butch Blasi said:

blasi.png

- Alex is a "strong leader of organized crime" but can't be part of the true inner circle of leadership because he's non-Italian then talks about his impressive abilities. In other words, he has a big operational leadership role and is a massive asset but can't hold official rank because he's a non-member.

--

What DeRose said is a very reasonable summation:

derose.png

- Acknowledges the level of influence and stature of these non-Italians but makes it clear they can't become formal members. They can't actually issue orders but their advice, suggestions, and opinion are often sought. I'm sure there's a grey area to that where some of their "suggestions" had the weight of a directive but in terms of formal chain of command DeRose saw them the same way Fratto did.

--

I know you mentioned Blasi and DeRose in your initial post but one was a member and the other was very well-schooled in how things worked. They're some of the best sources we have from these periods. Fratto's perspective only adds to it.

Thanks and yeah Ive already seen those files but some of them are from the 60s, because during the early 70s or after the death of Ricca lots of things changed.

I agree with you because as I previously stated that guys like Guzik, Humphreys and Alex were leaders of the Chicago outfit, but they were not members of the CN faction and werent able to enter it or give orders within the Italian brotherhood. BUT they were "members" of Chicagos criminal brotherhood which included both Itals and non-Itals with the Itals having the last word and also having the most important spots. This was the Chicago Outfit.

Now, we can see that Humphreys held some type of high and officialposition within the CHICAGO CRIMINAL BROTHERHOOD, or within the organization as a whole, NOT within the Italian brotherhood which was the leading faction.

Lets say Humphreys position was operational since he was in charge of the connection guys and all union activities, and after his death, there was a big meeting and so Alex took that position.

AGAIN, this was during the 60s and Alex remained like that until the early 70s. During that period he received even more influential position which brought him on the top admin.

Another interesting situation occured in 1973 i think, when Cerone got out of prison and so Alex asked Accardo if Cerone can take his position, so Alex can allegedly take care of his sick wife. This means that Alexs new high position was taken by a former Italian boss who was part of CN.

It seems Cerone held Alex's former position until 75 or after Giancanas murder. That same year Alex was brought back by Accardo and was given his old spot, while Cerone became Aiuppas underboss. I have some doubts that Alexs and Cerones "new" position was operational.

Previously (when Cerone was still in jail) Alex voted aganst drugs, together with Accardo and so this situation created some type of beef between Alex and Nicoletti who in turn during those days inherited Alderisios position on the Outfits BOD and was possible acting underboss who supported the drug trade. In fact by the mid 70s Nicoletti was shelved.

[B.]

Blasi's info was from 1977 though so even if you use the 1960s as a cut-off for some reason, a high-level member source was clear Alex was a leader in an "organized crime" context (operational) but as a non-Italian he wasn't a true part of the official leadership during the 1970s. Alex was a de facto leader with an advisory role and Jackie Cerone didn't have the same formal position in the hierarchy as Gus Alex even if he took on his responsibilities.

I've never seen any references to a separate "Chicago criminal brotherhood" apart from the Chicago outfit / Family which had made members and non-members. Is there evidence for that aside from there being a diverse organized crime culture surrounding the Family? All of the inside sources say there was one organization and people had different formal status but there was a lot of grey area in terms of operational authority. All "on record" associates were still part of the organization and some were treated like peers of the leadership but they weren't actual members of the brotherhood which was an exclusive group of Italians, so calling them "members" is a confusing way to phrase it given all of the Chicago sources only used that to refer to made members.

[Villain]

Blasi's info was from 1977 though so even if you use the 1960s as a cut-off for some reason, a high-level member source was clear Alex was a leader in an "organized crime" context (operational) but as a non-Italian he wasn't a true part of the official leadership during the 1970s. Alex was a de facto leader with an advisory role and Jackie Cerone didn't have the same formal position in the hierarchy as Gus Alex even if he took on his responsibilities.

I've never seen any references to a separate "Chicago criminal brotherhood" apart from the Chicago outfit / Family which had made members and non-members. Is there evidence for that aside from there being a diverse organized crime culture surrounding the Family? All of the inside sources say there was one organization and people had different formal status but there was a lot of grey area in terms of operational authority. All "on record" associates were still part of the organization and some were treated like peers of the leadership but they weren't actual members of the brotherhood which was an exclusive group of Italians, so calling them "members" is a confusing way to phrase it given all of the Chicago sources only used that to refer to made members.

B, my friend, im not using the 60s info as some type of cut-off but instead im showing you the changes that occurred during that period (mid/late 60s- early 70s), which in fact was quite tough period for the Chi fam since they were number one target for the US government during that time. Lots of leaders ended up in jail or died from the whole pressure.

Again i never said Alex was part of the Italian brotherhood but instead, as you already said, he was a peer of the leadership and his advice and contacts were quite important for Accardo and Aiuppa.

Although I think that Alex kept one if the three top seats warm for Cerone which I believe was an Italian position.

Also as I previpusly stated thst Pierce was with the mob for over 50 years and rather believe him than other made informants with much lesser time. Lenny Patrick explained to the feds all of the guts from the top admin and in fact he was one of the rare informants who labelled DiFronzo as the number two guy under Carlisi, while every1 thought it was Ferriola. Again, they were all one family.

I dont have a straight answer regarding the non-Itals being members of the Outfit (separate from the Italians) but i have numerous examples which confirm this.

Sorry for my short answers since im on a trip. Later after i arrive in my hotel room, ill send you files regarding the Alex/Cerone situation, so you can givme your own interpretation.

[Villain]

Great write up and break down, Villain. I, for one, appreciate all the time and effort you put in to your research!

+1

Thanks Jerry. Havent seen you in quite awhile. Hope you doin good?! Cheers bud

[Villain]

Btw when did Blasi become a "high level member" or "high level source"?

Also here's some of the same things I already told you and I believe this was an Italian position...btw heres the report...






And later the same situation was in 1977 which I also previously explained...and this was the period when Aiuppa was boss and Cerone was his underboss, while Alex took the advisory position which was previously often taken by the Italians. Some sources say that Accardo was the "consigleri" during this period but I highly doubt since DiVarco (a real high level member, not like Blasi) said in 76/77? that Accardo was still the main boss who was in charge of all new inductions at the time, which means he was the top boss at the time. (Accardo took Riccas position as "The Man" in 1972) with Aiuppa as boss (or everyday chief executive), Cerone as underboss and Alex as non-Italian "consiglieri", meaning he had a official position

[B.]

In Ed's write-up about Blasi's cooperation he refers to him as a "La Cosa Nostra member" and he's carried on the FBI's chart, I believe sourced by Fratto. He also had a history being close to the Family leadership. That's a high-level source. Do you not think Blasi was a member or someone with unique insight?

Pierce's info is valuable but doesn't show much concrete organizational data. What he said isn't inconsistent with how the other sources referred to Alex, i.e. that he was a powerful de facto leader that influenced the Family and held a massive operational role with the blessing of the official leaders. Pierce's info shows how respected and influential people like Alex were and being a non-member himself affiliated with the "connection" group it makes sense Pierce's POV centered around Alex and he may not have seen the distinction between Alex's role and other Family leaders. Pierce's long history is valuable but also limited to certain aspects of the organization given he was a non-member.

I haven't seen all of Frank Bompensiero's cooperation from the 1970s but he was told by Chicago members that Ricca and Accardo were on the consiglio (therefore consiglieri) and directing the Family with the assistance of select captains. After Ricca died, he said Accardo and some captains continued to direct the Family on a temporary basis up until Aiuppa took over. From what's available I've never seen him refer to Alex as an official leader of the organization and he would have had no bias given he was by all appearances trying to collect accurate info for the FBI's benefit and knew the leadership was in flux. Along with other sources, he confirmed Lansky's unique role as a de facto voice on the Commission so he had no interest in de-valuing non-Italians or leaving them out during his cooperation.

It actually makes Gus Alex more interesting to me that he was an associate who was given the level of authority he had over Family-led operations. Similarly it makes the Family more interesting that they had the powerful non-Italian "connection" faction and allowed them to be so influential given we know Chicago was a secretive mafia organization that only made Italians. Chicago is an amazing American phenomenon but it doesn't change what existed there in formal terms even though they were a diverse and dynamic underworld empire that included non-members at the highest level of operations.

[B.]

Claims that haven't been substantiated apart from interpretations of select circumstantial evidence:

- There was a distinct "Chicago criminal brotherhood" apart from the known Chicago outfit that recognized non-Italians as members and assigned them formal rank.

- Gus Alex held a formal rank in the organization and fully-initiated members like Jackie Cerone were part of the same line of succession.

- The 1970s outfit had a substantially different approach to the formal status of non-Italians compared to the 1960s and 1980s.

We're in complete agreement that certain individuals and to some degree groups of non-Italians were a force to be reckoned with but the explanations you've developed are very bold and I don't see the evidence. We also have substantial counter-evidence from top echelon sources who fully acknowledge Gus Alex's power but clarify what it actually meant organizationally.

Something too is that the traditional consiglio in other Families operated above the administration and boss and had the authority to challenge the boss and even take him down. The consiglio in San Jose for example had an elected secretary who was in essence the "chairman of the board" and had the right to go to the Commission himself without the boss's involvement. Now that Bompensiero confirmed Chicago was governed by a "consignu" [ph], it makes sense that Ricca and Accardo were seen as a higher authority than the official boss himself but rather than this being a brand new position ("the man" or "top boss"), it was a function of the consiglio and those with seats on the council were by definition "consiglieri", the term the FBI correctly used for Ricca and Accardo.

[Antiliar]

Regarding what Mags said about Gus Alex being a consigliere, he meant an advisor. He didn't mean the official Cosa Nostra position. I followed up to verify what he meant.