RushStreet wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 12:42 pm
LMAO!!!!!!!! You cannot be serious that Mexican businesses who can't get a loan from a bank accept loans from gangs in the Berwyn/Cicero area that work for the Outfit. Both are profiting immensely on taking advantage of the opportunity to make money off of them. Also only a naive person would believe that extortion doesn't exist when you have people who have come here that need protection in certain neighborhoods because the police won't help them if they called 911. You cannot trust the police in these neighborhoods do their job to protect you and what you have worked hard for.
Ever try to call the police to send a patrol vehicle to keep an eye on your place if you notice someone suspicious or you noticed someone broke into your store? Good luck with that living in a high crime area when you are on the bottom of their priority list!
First, Getting loans and being extorting are two different things. Outfit isn’t doing protection against gangs. These gangbangers on the street have no regard for anyone. Some do know which businesses to stay away from.
Tank Valez was Puerto Rican not Mexican and was linked to grand Ave not Cicero. Hardly running things. He was Simon City at one time but linked up with the KP crew. He was small time.
RushStreet wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 12:42 pm
LMAO!!!!!!!! You cannot be serious that Mexican businesses who can't get a loan from a bank accept loans from gangs in the Berwyn/Cicero area that work for the Outfit. Both are profiting immensely on taking advantage of the opportunity to make money off of them. Also only a naive person would believe that extortion doesn't exist when you have people who have come here that need protection in certain neighborhoods because the police won't help them if they called 911. You cannot trust the police in these neighborhoods do their job to protect you and what you have worked hard for.
Ever try to call the police to send a patrol vehicle to keep an eye on your place if you notice someone suspicious or you noticed someone broke into your store? Good luck with that living in a high crime area when you are on the bottom of their priority list!
First, Getting loans and being extorting are two different things. Outfit isn’t doing protection against gangs. These gangbangers on the street have no regard for anyone. Some do know which businesses to stay away from.
Tank Valez was Puerto Rican not Mexican and was linked to grand Ave not Cicero. Hardly running things. He was Simon City at one time but linked up with the KP crew. He was small time.
Patrick, thank you for the lesson and I mean that sincerely. I apologize if my comments were misleading.
Secondly, have you ever seen a photo of this guy? Does one exist at all, anywhere?
RushStreet wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 12:42 pm
LMAO!!!!!!!! You cannot be serious that Mexican businesses who can't get a loan from a bank accept loans from gangs in the Berwyn/Cicero area that work for the Outfit. Both are profiting immensely on taking advantage of the opportunity to make money off of them. Also only a naive person would believe that extortion doesn't exist when you have people who have come here that need protection in certain neighborhoods because the police won't help them if they called 911. You cannot trust the police in these neighborhoods do their job to protect you and what you have worked hard for.
Ever try to call the police to send a patrol vehicle to keep an eye on your place if you notice someone suspicious or you noticed someone broke into your store? Good luck with that living in a high crime area when you are on the bottom of their priority list!
First, Getting loans and being extorting are two different things. Outfit isn’t doing protection against gangs. These gangbangers on the street have no regard for anyone. Some do know which businesses to stay away from.
Tank Valez was Puerto Rican not Mexican and was linked to grand Ave not Cicero. Hardly running things. He was Simon City at one time but linked up with the KP crew. He was small time.
Patrick, thank you for the lesson and I mean that sincerely. I apologize if my comments were misleading.
Secondly, have you ever seen a photo of this guy? Does one exist at all, anywhere?
No need to apologize, I just want to clarify that there are no Mexicans running the Cicero crew. The Cicero crew does rent out its property to Mexican businessmen. The best example of that would be Erricos bar which has been there for years and is still owned by the Sarnos. A Mexican took over the bar and imported all Colombian women to work there and hustle guys for drinks. But when you play the gambling machines and get the receipts it says Sarno business or something to that effect.
Yes I have seen pictures of Valez but they were not public. He was a big guy, very intimidating. The pictures I saw he looked like a street guy/gang banger type. Very rough looking.
Patrickgold wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 2:05 pm
Tank Valez was Puerto Rican not Mexican and was linked to grand Ave not Cicero. Hardly running things. He was Simon City at one time but linked up with the KP crew. He was small time.
Norbie Velez was definitely PR. But he was a Royal? I swear I was told by someone a while back that he was an OA, but that could well have been wrong. The OA thing made sense to me as they are in the Insane faction of the Latin Folks, same as the C-Notes and the Spanish Cobras. Prior to living in the Wrigleyville building where he was killed, Velez had previously lived near Fullerton and California in Logan Square, right next to the OA's "motherland" territory of Darwin City.
"Hey, hey, hey — this is America, baby! Survival of the fittest.”
Speaking of that - crew Jeff Hollingshead must have fallen through as a witness/CI/etc. against the broader Outfit - he flipped 10 years ago. I remember reading BS articles that he used to vacation with DiFronzo and was close to higher-ups. I don't think they could ever build a case beyond anyone but Pannozzo and I don't think Hollingshead was really that instrumental in providing additional evidence there.
Patrickgold wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 2:05 pm
Tank Valez was Puerto Rican not Mexican and was linked to grand Ave not Cicero. Hardly running things. He was Simon City at one time but linked up with the KP crew. He was small time.
Norbie Velez was definitely PR. But he was a Royal? I swear I was told by someone a while back that he was an OA, but that could well have been wrong. The OA thing made sense to me as they are in the Insane faction of the Latin Folks, same as the C-Notes and the Spanish Cobras. Prior to living in the Wrigleyville building where he was killed, Velez had previously lived near Fullerton and California in Logan Square, right next to the OA's "motherland" territory of Darwin City.
I will check with my sources but I’m almost positive he was a royal. That’s not to say he didn’t flip at one point. I’ll get back to you on that.
NorthBuffalo wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 6:34 pm
Speaking of that - crew Jeff Hollingshead must have fallen through as a witness/CI/etc. against the broader Outfit - he flipped 10 years ago. I remember reading BS articles that he used to vacation with DiFronzo and was close to higher-ups. I don't think they could ever build a case beyond anyone but Pannozzo and I don't think Hollingshead was really that instrumental in providing additional evidence there.
Yeah, you have to think they would have liked to get more from him, although the PK crew robbery bust was pretty damn big. That was a serious operation he helped bring down. With that said, he didn’t get Vena, let alone someone bigger.
I do recall there was a FBI report about a dinner that DiFronzo had with Hollingshead and his girlfriend, as well as Panozzo sometime in 2005 or 2006.
NorthBuffalo wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 6:34 pm
Speaking of that - crew Jeff Hollingshead must have fallen through as a witness/CI/etc. against the broader Outfit - he flipped 10 years ago. I remember reading BS articles that he used to vacation with DiFronzo and was close to higher-ups. I don't think they could ever build a case beyond anyone but Pannozzo and I don't think Hollingshead was really that instrumental in providing additional evidence there.
So you don’t buy those old burnstein pieces about hollingshead/panozzo/difronzo/sarno/Albie etc all pal’ing around together & taking trips together?
NorthBuffalo wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 6:34 pm
Speaking of that - crew Jeff Hollingshead must have fallen through as a witness/CI/etc. against the broader Outfit - he flipped 10 years ago. I remember reading BS articles that he used to vacation with DiFronzo and was close to higher-ups. I don't think they could ever build a case beyond anyone but Pannozzo and I don't think Hollingshead was really that instrumental in providing additional evidence there.
Yeah, you have to think they would have liked to get more from him, although the PK crew robbery bust was pretty damn big. That was a serious operation he helped bring down. With that said, he didn’t get Vena, let alone someone bigger.
I do recall there was a FBI report about a dinner that DiFronzo had with Hollingshead and his girlfriend, as well as Panozzo sometime in 2005 or 2006.
I'm fairly certain there was never an FBI report saying that Hollingshead was around DiFronzo - only Scott's 'sources...' I do believe he was a major component of the Grand Avenue Crew and even had a truck through Spina's Chica Trucking in the Hired Truck Scandal, which showed he had some juice. However, I don't think he was around any of the 'top brass' and I think most of what he was involved in was really major street crimes as opposed to political or sophisticated rackets.
I know DiFronzo grew up in Grand Avenue and likely knew Vena and others - I just don't think he was having lunch with the PK-Crew at the time when he was doing all he could to stay out of the spotlight.
NorthBuffalo wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 6:34 pm
Speaking of that - crew Jeff Hollingshead must have fallen through as a witness/CI/etc. against the broader Outfit - he flipped 10 years ago. I remember reading BS articles that he used to vacation with DiFronzo and was close to higher-ups. I don't think they could ever build a case beyond anyone but Pannozzo and I don't think Hollingshead was really that instrumental in providing additional evidence there.
Yeah, you have to think they would have liked to get more from him, although the PK crew robbery bust was pretty damn big. That was a serious operation he helped bring down. With that said, he didn’t get Vena, let alone someone bigger.
I do recall there was a FBI report about a dinner that DiFronzo had with Hollingshead and his girlfriend, as well as Panozzo sometime in 2005 or 2006.
I'm fairly certain there was never an FBI report saying that Hollingshead was around DiFronzo - only Scott's 'sources...' I do believe he was a major component of the Grand Avenue Crew and even had a truck through Spina's Chica Trucking in the Hired Truck Scandal, which showed he had some juice. However, I don't think he was around any of the 'top brass' and I think most of what he was involved in was really major street crimes as opposed to political or sophisticated rackets.
I know DiFronzo grew up in Grand Avenue and likely knew Vena and others - I just don't think he was having lunch with the PK-Crew at the time when he was doing all he could to stay out of the spotlight.
He was a low level guy. I doubt he was meeting top level guys for business but he might have met them at certain events or was introduced to them. If he had serious information then the Feds would have used it and he wouldn’t have gotten 23 years. Wasn't his girlfriend posting information about him online? Anyone remember what she said?
NorthBuffalo wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 6:34 pm
Speaking of that - crew Jeff Hollingshead must have fallen through as a witness/CI/etc. against the broader Outfit - he flipped 10 years ago. I remember reading BS articles that he used to vacation with DiFronzo and was close to higher-ups. I don't think they could ever build a case beyond anyone but Pannozzo and I don't think Hollingshead was really that instrumental in providing additional evidence there.
Yeah, you have to think they would have liked to get more from him, although the PK crew robbery bust was pretty damn big. That was a serious operation he helped bring down. With that said, he didn’t get Vena, let alone someone bigger.
I do recall there was a FBI report about a dinner that DiFronzo had with Hollingshead and his girlfriend, as well as Panozzo sometime in 2005 or 2006.
I'm fairly certain there was never an FBI report saying that Hollingshead was around DiFronzo - only Scott's 'sources...' I do believe he was a major component of the Grand Avenue Crew and even had a truck through Spina's Chica Trucking in the Hired Truck Scandal, which showed he had some juice. However, I don't think he was around any of the 'top brass' and I think most of what he was involved in was really major street crimes as opposed to political or sophisticated rackets.
I know DiFronzo grew up in Grand Avenue and likely knew Vena and others - I just don't think he was having lunch with the PK-Crew at the time when he was doing all he could to stay out of the spotlight.
He was a low level guy. I doubt he was meeting top level guys for business but he might have met them at certain events or was introduced to them. If he had serious information then the Feds would have used it and he wouldn’t have gotten 23 years. Wasn't his girlfriend posting information about him online? Anyone remember what she said?
I think that was more Scott fantasy- I think she just had an open Facebook at one point, which is where he got all those photos of her.
NorthBuffalo wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 6:34 pm
Speaking of that - crew Jeff Hollingshead must have fallen through as a witness/CI/etc. against the broader Outfit - he flipped 10 years ago. I remember reading BS articles that he used to vacation with DiFronzo and was close to higher-ups. I don't think they could ever build a case beyond anyone but Pannozzo and I don't think Hollingshead was really that instrumental in providing additional evidence there.
Yeah, you have to think they would have liked to get more from him, although the PK crew robbery bust was pretty damn big. That was a serious operation he helped bring down. With that said, he didn’t get Vena, let alone someone bigger.
I do recall there was a FBI report about a dinner that DiFronzo had with Hollingshead and his girlfriend, as well as Panozzo sometime in 2005 or 2006.
I'm fairly certain there was never an FBI report saying that Hollingshead was around DiFronzo - only Scott's 'sources...' I do believe he was a major component of the Grand Avenue Crew and even had a truck through Spina's Chica Trucking in the Hired Truck Scandal, which showed he had some juice. However, I don't think he was around any of the 'top brass' and I think most of what he was involved in was really major street crimes as opposed to political or sophisticated rackets.
I know DiFronzo grew up in Grand Avenue and likely knew Vena and others - I just don't think he was having lunch with the PK-Crew at the time when he was doing all he could to stay out of the spotlight.
He was a low level guy. I doubt he was meeting top level guys for business but he might have met them at certain events or was introduced to them. If he had serious information then the Feds would have used it and he wouldn’t have gotten 23 years. Wasn't his girlfriend posting information about him online? Anyone remember what she said?
I think that was more Scott fantasy- I think she just had an open Facebook at one point, which is where he got all those photos of her.
Well she's been in hiding and obviously went into the Witness Protection program. She is nowhere to be found anywhere.
Plus she was a coke whore and a slut so probably better off she is where she is now.
NorthBuffalo wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 6:34 pm
Speaking of that - crew Jeff Hollingshead must have fallen through as a witness/CI/etc. against the broader Outfit - he flipped 10 years ago. I remember reading BS articles that he used to vacation with DiFronzo and was close to higher-ups. I don't think they could ever build a case beyond anyone but Pannozzo and I don't think Hollingshead was really that instrumental in providing additional evidence there.
Yeah, you have to think they would have liked to get more from him, although the PK crew robbery bust was pretty damn big. That was a serious operation he helped bring down. With that said, he didn’t get Vena, let alone someone bigger.
I do recall there was a FBI report about a dinner that DiFronzo had with Hollingshead and his girlfriend, as well as Panozzo sometime in 2005 or 2006.
I'm fairly certain there was never an FBI report saying that Hollingshead was around DiFronzo - only Scott's 'sources...' I do believe he was a major component of the Grand Avenue Crew and even had a truck through Spina's Chica Trucking in the Hired Truck Scandal, which showed he had some juice. However, I don't think he was around any of the 'top brass' and I think most of what he was involved in was really major street crimes as opposed to political or sophisticated rackets.
I know DiFronzo grew up in Grand Avenue and likely knew Vena and others - I just don't think he was having lunch with the PK-Crew at the time when he was doing all he could to stay out of the spotlight.
You may be right and I could have conflating Scott's mention of an FBI report with an actual report. Given that Hollingshead was close enough to Ponozzo to bring his immediate crew down, I have to imagine that Vena followed some pretty strict protocols regarding only speaking of crimes directly with Ponozzo and not Hollingshead, which we hear is the way made guys tend to operate.
NorthBuffalo wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 6:34 pm
Speaking of that - crew Jeff Hollingshead must have fallen through as a witness/CI/etc. against the broader Outfit - he flipped 10 years ago. I remember reading BS articles that he used to vacation with DiFronzo and was close to higher-ups. I don't think they could ever build a case beyond anyone but Pannozzo and I don't think Hollingshead was really that instrumental in providing additional evidence there.
Yeah, you have to think they would have liked to get more from him, although the PK crew robbery bust was pretty damn big. That was a serious operation he helped bring down. With that said, he didn’t get Vena, let alone someone bigger.
I do recall there was a FBI report about a dinner that DiFronzo had with Hollingshead and his girlfriend, as well as Panozzo sometime in 2005 or 2006.
I'm fairly certain there was never an FBI report saying that Hollingshead was around DiFronzo - only Scott's 'sources...' I do believe he was a major component of the Grand Avenue Crew and even had a truck through Spina's Chica Trucking in the Hired Truck Scandal, which showed he had some juice. However, I don't think he was around any of the 'top brass' and I think most of what he was involved in was really major street crimes as opposed to political or sophisticated rackets.
I know DiFronzo grew up in Grand Avenue and likely knew Vena and others - I just don't think he was having lunch with the PK-Crew at the time when he was doing all he could to stay out of the spotlight.
You may be right and I could have conflating Scott's mention of an FBI report with an actual report. Given that Hollingshead was close enough to Ponozzo to bring his immediate crew down, I have to imagine that Vena followed some pretty strict protocols regarding only speaking of crimes directly with Ponozzo and not Hollingshead, which we hear is the way made guys tend to operate.
Scott has never seen an unredacted non-public FBI report in his life. I think Hollingshead was just close to the Grand Avenue guys. If you read this indictment, he had one truck in the hired truck program driven by an illegal - the door held together with bungee cords - the street criminal types like that are really not meeting with the made guys from my view.
