History and set-up of Milwaukee family (1900s-1960s)

[Pogo The Clown]

Thanks for posting all this great info B.


Hard to imagine a family forming in such a small city (at the time) like Madison. How did they even survive there especially pre and post Prohibition?


Pogo

[UTC]

There were two large Italian neighborhoods.

Maniaci told his FBI handlers that the dissolution of the Madison family didn’t surprise him because, “they haven’t had anything but bad breath and armpits going for them for more than ten years.” 1973

[cavita]

There were two large Italian neighborhoods.

Maniaci told his FBI handlers that the dissolution of the Madison family didn’t surprise him because, “they haven’t had anything but bad breath and armpits going for them for more than ten years.” 1973

I have the May 21, 1973 FBI file where it stated that capo Charles Vince, while in the presence of the Milwaukee informant, Phil Priola, Phil "The Tailor" Emordeno, Sebastian "Knobby" Gulotta, Joe "Joma" Maggio and Frank Correnti, told them that statement. He said the Madison family voted to disband and only two members voted to keep the family going. After the vote, the two members were then absorbed into the Milwaukee family.

[B.]

Thanks for adding to this topic and cluing me in on Maniaci as the informant. He fits my assumptions about the informant perfectly -- a bit older (in his mid-50s at this point) and part of the anti-Balistrieri faction. Did Maniaci ever clarify when exactly he was made? I would guess 1930s but he had older relatives who could have given him more history from then. Thanks for that info on Madison's break-up as well.

Other info I've checked has Vallone as the boss up through the late 1940s, with Ferrara holding the spot for just about three years, but I would take the word of a longtime member who claims Ferrara took over in the 1930s. Anyone have info/thoughts on that?

To someone who asked about the source of the file -- yep, this is on MF and here is the direct link: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.htm ... 2&tab=page

A lot of the other info on MF about Milwaukee doesn't get as deep into the internal organizational set-up of Milwaukee and tends to focus more on the general criminal relationships, especially during the Balistrieri years with "lieutenants" and "sargeants" being unofficial roles that included even non-Italians like Stelloh. Seems Balistrieri really stripped away a lot of the "mafia" set-up and was basically just running a gang with Chicago's blessing.

Of course the informant is biased against Balistrieri, but even throwing that aside Balistrieri sounds like a real scoundrel.

[cavita]

Not so much Springfield, but Maniaci gave a lot of early history on the Rockford LCN dating back to the 1930s due to him living there and his father-in-law being an old time original member. One of his recollections was off though because he claimed Salvatore Oliveri (who was present at the Hotel Statler meeting in 1928) fled Chicago for Rockford because of the Calumet City Cheese War. Oliveri settled in Rockford around 1930 and the Calumet Cheese War didn't happen until the early 1940s. Maniaci most likely meant that Oliveri fled Chicago due to the Aiello/Capone war in the late 1920s.

[B.]

Not so much Springfield, but Maniaci gave a lot of early history on the Rockford LCN dating back to the 1930s due to him living there and his father-in-law being an old time original member. One of his recollections was off though because he claimed Salvatore Oliveri (who was present at the Hotel Statler meeting in 1928) fled Chicago for Rockford because of the Calumet City Cheese War. Oliveri settled in Rockford around 1930 and the Calumet Cheese War didn't happen until the early 1940s. Maniaci most likely meant that Oliveri fled Chicago due to the Aiello/Capone war in the late 1920s.

Great info. Thanks, man!

Too bad Maniaci didn't drop anything about Troia (that we know of).

[B.]

- In June 1964, boss Frank Balistrieri was recorded having a meeting with the following guys:
John Alioto (capodecina, former boss)
Joe Caminiti (former capodecina)
Phil LNU
Joe LNU
Nino LNU
Pete LNU (not Balistrieri)
Pete LNU (Pete Balistrieri, capodecina)

All of these guys seem to be made members of the Milwaukee family. The transcript shows that John Alioto was still quite active in the family and had influence over Balistrieri.

It later becomes clear that this meeting is a "sagia", or "chair", which is an administration meeting, as described by informant Maniaci. One of the meeting attendees refers to this meeting as "this chair" later in the conversation.

- Some of the men discussed during the meeting are as follows: Sam Ferrara (former Milwaukee boss), Sal Marino, Pete "Shettino" (likely Bonanno member Pete Sciortino), John DiBella (business partner of Joe Bonanno), Tony Bear, Bill Bonanno, Phil Bonanno (probably a misheaerd reference to Bill), Pasquale Lu Dier, Joe Galibah, Jimmy Cadura, Joe Perno, Santo Trafficante, Jim DiGeorge (former Chicago capodecina), Nick Figarino, Nick Farino, Johnny Paterno, FNU Zito, FNU Cuccia, Don Peppino (Joe Bonanno), Vinnie LNU, FNU Idda, Edina LNU (possibly Joe Bonanno's daughter-in-law), FNU DeMarco, FNU Turino, FNU Zaccone (Charles Zarcone, former consigliere), FNU Palmiteri, FNU Aiello, FNU Sovenno, FNU Duffy (Judge Duffy), FNU Magaddino (Steve Magaddino)

However, many of these names are mentioned with little to no discernible context so it's hard to place guess. Maybe people with more knowledge of midwest mob figures can figure some of them out.

- When a member dies, all members of the Milwaukee family are notified and expected to be at the funeral.

- Frank Balistrieri did some kind of favor for Pete "Shettino" of Tucson (Pete Sciortino) on behalf of Joe Bonanno and afterward, Sciortino treasted Balistrieri unfairly. John DiBella, who Balistrieri believes is related to Sciortino, tried to settle the dispute but Balistrieri was not happy with the result. Supposedly DiBella was supposed to meet with Joe Bonanno and let him know about the dispute but DiBella had apparently not informed Bonanno.

- Supposedly Sam Giancana of Chicago, who Balistrieri reports to, was involved in this favor, which has put Balistrieri in a difficult place. From my understanding the request was passed to Balistrieri via Giancana on behalf of Joe Bonanno, or possibly Joe Bonanno requested it on behalf of Giancana. Something like that.

- From the conversation, it sounds like Sciortino came to Milwaukee more recently without letting Balistrieri know, which disturbed Balistrieri. DiBella may have been in Milwaukee at the time as well? DiBella was a resident of Fon Du Lac, a good distance north from Milwaukee.

- Balistrieri considered killing Sciortino and/or DiBella, but John Aliotto strongly advises against it, saying to leave the matter up to Giancana/Chicago.

- Balistrieri says he would rather fight the whole United States than Chicago (referring to Cosa Nostra groups).

- Balistrieri offered to meet Steve Magaddino in Philadelphia instead of Milwaukee. I am guessing this would have been related to Balistrieri's issues with Bonanno. Why he chose Philadelphia isn't clear... if two bosses were going to meet in another family's city, I would expect the boss of that city (Bruno) to have been aware if not involved.

- It's not entirely clear what the context is, but at one point Balistrieri says "they" have "ten percent" in Tucson, then says "you know, that's not a different borgata." Seems to be clarifying that the Tucson group isn't its own family, but part of the Bonannos. Not clear what "ten percent" they are getting there, though. Balistrieri then says "They ain't got no family. That's not a borgata."

- Joe LNU references how some group(?) used to be "married to Milwaukee" years ago. He mentions a "La Rosa" who used to be a "caporegima" when "everything had to go through Milwaukee". He seems to be comparing the Tucson crew, which works under the Bonannos, to some kind of satellite crew that used to be under the Milwaukee family. Anyone have any ideas? Madison?

- Joe Caminiti says "they're under the borgata of Phil Bonanno". This confuses Joe LNU and Caminiti explains that "he's a decina and belongs to Phil Bonanno," which Joe then agrees with. Pretty clear he's saying that the Tucson decina is under Bill Bonanno.

- Something is said about a guy named "Lero" or "Levo" in relation to Bill Bonanno.

- Joe LNU refers to Bill Bonanno as "Turiddo" (nickname for Salvatore") and explains they call him Bill, that he's Joe Bonanno's son, and that he's a caporegime.

- The conversation seems to go back to Sciortino and DiBella. Sciortino(?) came to a cafe in Milwaukee with "Turino", and Balistrieri feels that he should have been informed that they were in town.

- Someone named Tom LNU joins the meeting and is apparently concerned about security, as Balistrieri mentions the television, record machine, and radio and tells Tom "Nothing can be heard here. We got it all sound proof." Got to love moments like these.

- There is a Pete LNU already involved in the meeting, but Balistrieri mentions his brother Pete is also expected to join the meeting.

- Balistrieri tells those in attendance that it's a "duty" for all members to attend the funerals of members unless they are sick and physically unable. Apparently Joe Caminiti's father had died and Frank Balistrieri made a mistake by not telling anyone about it. Sounds like Frank Balistrieri's father, who is a member, was told about the death of the elder Caminiti as well and maybe he spread the word?

- Balistrieri also brings up a situation where some members from another family visited Milwaukee and he didn't make proper arrangements for them, which made him (Balistrieri) and the Milwaukee family look bad. He wants to make sure that if members visit from out of town, he is notified and arrangements are made. In response to this, Pete LNU says "Those of the Mafia understand this." I find this comment interesting as it's rare to ever hear a member of a US family refer to themselves as "the Mafia" during this period.

- Joe Caminiti seems to disagree with Balistrieri's take on the above, as he says he that he telephoned someone named "Sanpeo" (ph). He makes reference to the "chair" (aka "sagia", or administration meeting) and "no person of the family would be missing", also saying that "Sanpeo" likely assumed that just as Caminiti telephoned him, that Caminiti would also telephone "all of you others".

- Pete LNU tells Caminiti that a mistake was made and they brought it to "Phil" LNU three times. Balistrieri clarifies that he simply wants these situations to happen no longer. He says it doesn't matter how a member finds something out or whether it's "official or not official", and that if someone belongs to the family it doesn't make a difference. Seems they have been dealing with confusion on how to communicate, plan meetings, etc.

- Pete LNU makes some kind of point about the telephone system they use and mentions that if Tom LNU hadn't mentioned anything about, it wouldn't know about it. Balistrieri counters this by saying "ask Zito" (probably one of the Zitos from Springfield or Rockford). Seems like Zito may have made a mistake that compared to this. Pete LNU responds by saying "Excuse me. In Chicago, bad medicine that is bought also brings illness to others." He then says something about "these two" being from Chicago and how "the soldier, at most, can tell his caporegima exactly and correctly." Also how "your caporegime...couldn't criticize that one and he couldn't find the other one." Balistrieri talks about how "the caporegima telephoned the soldiers and they told him they knew about it."

- Nino LNU brings up the death of Caminiti's father again and mentions something about "Caruso's son, from Madison". Someone points out that Madison only has one "lieutenant". Nino points out that "this guy is a lieutenant" and then something about being "twenty-one-years old". This person (Caruso's son, I assume) told Nino about the death of Joe Caminiti's father. It's hard to tell because parts of the conversation are unintelligible, but almost seems like he's saying "Caruso's son" is a 21-year-old captain in Madison? Or maybe the elder Caruso is the captain.

- They continue to go on about the procedure for contacting each other about a death, and Balistrieri stauys firm that he doesn't care how it's communicated as long as people know.

- Mention is made of "Cognet's fasther" and Caminiti says he called "the boss" and told him "compare John had died". Caminiti's compare was someone named John LNU.

- Pete Balistrieri apparently made some kind of innocent mistake and Nino LNU (not sure if it's the same one in this meeting) didn't get invited to a wedding (though I thought they were still talking about Caminiti's funeral), but Zito told him. Balistrieri says thast Sam Ferrara (former boss) wasn't invited and neither was Sal Marino, but this seems to be a mistake, not deliberate.

- Balistrieri says he tries to make sure the Milwaukee family is represented at out of town funerals and when he can't make it himself he sends three or four guys and an envelope.

- He goes back to the topic of not being notified when members are visiting from out of town and says the caporegima is supposed to call him. He says if he wants to be available, he's available and if he doesn't want to be available, that's hiw own business. The point is, he says, that he wants to know whenever a stranger from another family is in Milwaukee. He specifically talks about Pete Sciortino from Tucson being in town and not being informed. He says he knew Sciortino was in town on his own but he's upset nobody told him.

- Sounds like Sciortino went to some restaurant, maybe John Alioto's, and basically just ate and left. Balistrieri asks if Sciortino asked for him (Balistrieri), which Alioto says no. Alioto says that Scriotino "came to eat, not spy on you".

- Joe LNU makes some kind of point that's hard to understand, but he seems to be saying that if "matters of the family" are discussed at all, a local family should be informed of a visiting member's presence. Seems to be saying it's up to the local family on how to handle this situation, that maybe they might want to have a gathering with the leadership.

- Balistrieri makes it clear that he doesn't necessarily want to meet every visitor, but that he wants the choice.

- The conversation shifts to Joe Bonanno and my take is that Balistrieri is so upset about Sciortino's visit because of the Joe Bonanno situation. They don't say much in detail about that, but Joe LNU says that news about Bonanno will "come quietly".

- DiBella requested a meeting with Balistrieri through Caminiti at an earlier time to ask for a favor concering Sciortino (this is before all the problems), and many of the names mentioned at the top of this post are brought up here. It's hard to place them but they were all either in attendance at this meeting with DiBella or connected to it somehow: Vinnie LNU, who cautioned Balistrieri; Idda (ph); Frankie Farino/Marino; Pasquale Lu Dier (ph) (possibly owner of the restaurant where they met); Joe Galibah (ph); John LNU (mentioned by John Alioto, so not him)

- DiBella seemed to feel that some situation was handled sastisfactorily, above and beyond. Balistrieri says that "we do what we want to do" in Wisconsin and "we don't have to talk to Jesus Christ" because "this is our state".

- It seems like DiBella was having problems with his cousin/brother-in-law Sciortino and originally asked for Balistrieri to help keep an eye on Sciortino or possibly take him into the Milwaukee family (?). The idea was if Sciortino continued to misbehave he would be sent back to NYC. DiBella says he won't do anything until he gets approval from Joe Bonanno, who is said to be his cousin. DiBella seemed to stall on this and later thanked Balistrieri for his help, which made Balistrieri angry because he hadn't actually done a favor.

- Some time later, Sciortino started acting up again and refusing to do his "duty". Balistrieri sent word to DiBella that he wasn't happy with Sciortino and DiBella said he would pass it on to his superiors. This went back and forth but DiBella never passed the info on. Balistrieri contacted DiBella's godfather (?) and threatened to go
revolver against revolver" and gave them 30 days (to contact his superiors I guess). Seems this was passed on to Tucson, where Edina (ph), Joe Bonanno's daughter-in-law, wanted to commit suicide (guessing this is Rosalie Bonanno?). He mentions how "the boy, who is the magistrate of Carmen (ph)" wouldn't call Joe Bonanno because he didn't want to upset him, though he's a caporegima (I am guess this "boy" is Bill Bonanno and he was told about the Sciortino/DiBella situation and didn't want to tell his father). A number of meetings were held and around this time Sciortino showed up in Milwaukee. All of this gives more context on why Sciortino's visit was upsetting for Frank.

- Joe Caminiti spoke to a Bonanno lieutenant (possibly Bill Bonanno) about "the favor Joe Bonanno wanted to do for him", and how it was "comical how he told it". A week later, Caminiti says Sciortino thanked him for the favor, which Caminiti says was "bull".

- The issues with Sciortino continued and Balistrieri said he was willing to go to NYC to settle things but refused to go to Tucson. Balistrieri was waiting for someone's brother-in-law (Bonanno's? Frank LaBruzzo) to contact him but that six months had passed with nothing. Balistrieri reached out to Chicago and was criticized by them for saying that he did a favor for Bonanno. Balistrieri says he was tricked into it and that he thought he was doing the favor for Giancana, not Bonanno.

- Pete LNU interrupts Balistrieri to tell him he's talking too loud.

- When Balistrieri did the favor for Bonanno (it's still not clear what the exact favor was in all this), he was still a new boss and didn't want to give the impression to a Commission member like Bonanno that he (Balistrieri) felt he was too big to do a favor. Giancana told Balistrieri that in the future, if someone reached out to him for a favor, to send them to Chicago. We know at this time that Chicago represented Milwaukee, so it seems that Giancana is saying the proper protocol for requests from NYC to midwest families is to first send the request through Chicago. His advice with the Bonanno situation is for Balistrieri to leave it alone.

- Nino LNU talks about how "this guy will start trouble" (Bonanno) and how Joe Bonanno "doesn't care for Bill". Balistrieri shouts about the trouble he's had with Joe Bonanno and how Bonanno treated him "very badly" along with DiBella. Balistrieri feels that he has been disrespected as a boss.

- They identify Bill Bonanno as Sciortino's caporegima and Joe LNU says "the caporegima is brother-in-laws with Mr. DeMarco." No clue.

- Pete Balistrieri joins the meeting later on.

- Joe LNU feels that they should "shoot this guy", Pete Sciortino, which Balistrieri agrees with. Joe Caminiti says that even if Sciortino wasn't informed of all of the discussions between DiBella and Bill Bonanno, he still had to know how DiBella had been conducting himself and it was his duty to tell Balistrieri he was coming to town. Caminiti felt that because Sciortino simply stopped by town and didn't stay there, he was "studying" the situation. Caminiti says something about how if Sciortino was approached and then said he wanted to talk to the "caporegima" (his own or another?), that he would be told "the caporegima was spoken to in Minnesota". No clue on this either, but later it seems to clarify that they are talking about Sciortino's captain.

- Balistrieri was in Chicago meeting with Giancana when Sciortino was in Milwaukee, so Giancana didn't even know about this incident.

- An unidentified person at the meeting mentioned going to NYC but only being able to stay one day.

- Balistrieri wants to "show" them that he has a family in Milwaukee (reading between the lines, this seems to mean he wants to kill them). He also seems very preoccopued with saving face in Chicago.

- John Alioto, who has been silent through most of the meeting, cuts in and sternly tells Balistrieri that he's going to get in serious trouble if he hurts Sciortino. Alioto and Nino LNU feel that Balistrieri should let the situation go. Alioto says that if Balistrieri touches Sciortino, it's going to cause a lot of grief for Balistrieri and "all of us".

- DiBella seems to have met with Balistrieri at Balistrieri's house at some point. DiBella had spoken with "Sovenna" (ph). "Jimmy Cadura's compare" (ph) was also involved someone. A "Mr. Zaccone" (ph, no doubt former consigliere Charles Zarcone) was also involved. "Sovenno" went to Florida at some point.

- Some sort of plan/situation involving a car and one of the meeting attendees who has said very little named Phil LNU worries about being held responsible. This still seems to involve Sciortino somehow and it almost sounds like a coded conversation related to murder, but it's really hard to say. It becomes clear they're talking about what to do if Sciortino comes to town again either way. Balistrieri will reach out to him and ask to speak with him.

- Balistrieri offers drinks to everyone and they all choose Cognac. He then asks whether anybody wants to be there when "we talk with him". Joe LNU says it's up to Frank and asks if it would be in Chicago.

- Balistrieri says Cognac is the best drink they make in this country and Phil LNU encourages everyone to drink more. They go back and forth about drinking a little bit.

- Frank Balistrieri tells either John or Tom LNU that Santo Trafficante wanted to tell him "hello", as Balistrieri had spent two mornings with Trafficante in Chicago.

- Former Chicago capodecina, now living in Milwaukee, Jim DiGeorge comes up. Apparently "Joe Perno" (ph) told DiGeorge something about how "he can't sit out there any more." Balistrieri says he shook hands with either DiGeorge or Perno the same way Sam Ferrara (former Milwaukee boss) used to shake hands with Balistrieri Balistrieri is laughing hard throughout this. Apparently Perno questioned DiGeorge about the farm he owned (which was in Milwaukee) and asked him "what the hell do you know about farming? You're no goddamn farmer" and told him to talk to Balistrieri because Balistrieri and his father-in-law (Alioto) "own three quarters of Wisconsin".

- Phil LNU says that he (Phil) owns the "biggest brewery in the world". After someone named "Bobby Owen" (ph) died, Phil wanted to bring someone a bottle of beer.

- Balistrieri goes back to talking about wanting to do something about the situation with DiBella/Bonanno and says he'll make them "handle the situation for me". He says "this isn't a one way street". This upset John Alioto who yells at Frank and says he is speaking to Balistrieri as his father-in-law and to him because he (Balistrieri) is the boss. This again seems to center on Balistrieri wanting to hurt Sciortino and Alioto is telling him not to do it. Alioto tells Balistrieri to worry about his own family and reminds him that this is a Chicago matter and "Milwaukee is out of Chicago".

- A convoluted back-and-forth goes on about Chicago and hypothetical scenarios where Chicago puts Balistrieri "on the spot". Alioto feels that Chicago should be left to handle the politics of the situation and that Balistrieri should let it go because Milwaukee isn't the same type of city or family as Chicago.

- Peter LNU expresses concern thast if they were to shoot Sciortino, it would be too easy to trace. Balistrieri claims there's been a family in Milwaukee for fifty years and says "everyone recognizes who can and cannot do these things" in Milwaukee and it's no "secret". Seems to be saying that people in Milwaukee know who the local mob is and wouldn't get involved in their business. Balistrieri talks about "police spies" showing his photo to people and saying he'll kill them, then a situation with a Nick Figarino/Farino (ph) who was approached by police spies.

- An undentified person at the meeting reminds Balistrieri to speak softly.

- After the meeting ends, only Joe Caminiti and Balistrieri stay behind and have a one-on-one discussion. Caminiti tells Balistrieri that his father-in-law Alioto is not showing him (Balistrieri) the proper respect as boss. Balistrieri adds that Alioto is also "not telling him everything". Caminiti says that Alioto lied about going to dinner with some people when he actually didn't (?) and Balistrieri says that Alioto had refused to call and tell Pete Sciortino that Balistrieri wants to meet with him next time Sciortino is in Milwaukee.

- Caminiti says that Joe Bonanno gets his power from being boss of one of the five New York borgatas and that Bonanno used to carry messages on behalf of the Commission and was the last one to be placed on the Commission. This is an odd comment, as it's common knowledge that Bonanno joined the Commission along with the other bosses after Maranzano's death.

Link: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=94933

[UTC]

I can't think of Pete's name, Piccioti or something, but he was the doorman at Sally Pepia's restaurant. Boy was she a piece of work, especially with that shootout with her daughter.

[Antiliar]

-Jimmy Cadura is probably Jimmy "the Bomber" Catuara, who was a member of the South Side/Chinatown crew but operated in Chicago Heights territory
-Phil LNU could have been Felix "Milwaukee Phil" Alderisio, who at that time was either a member of Sam Battaglia's crew or his successor. He was tight with Milwaukee, hence the name.
-John DiBella, the partner of Joe Bonanno, was a member of the Madison Family.
-Tony Maccaluci, mentioned in the first post as being a Chicago caporegime, was Anthony "Tony Mack" DeMonte, who had an alias of Anthony Macaluso. He was never a caporegime but a member of Ross Prio's North Side crew.

[B.]

Picciurro is who you would be thinking of. I'm not sure if Pete Picciurro was a member by then, but it seems his brother John was (mentioned below), though I know very little about this group and the midwest in general despite the amount of info in this topic.

This transcript stands out to me because not only is it an administration meeting of a small family, which we don't typically see, it's also kind of the last gasp of the old line Sicilian structure in Milwaukee. Already by this time the structure of the family was falling apart as Balistrieri had few people in leadership positions and had a violent, hands-on approach to running things which you can see here as he butts heads with his father-in-law who advises against shooting Sciortino.

Like every damn transcript of bosses talking in the 1960s, Joe Bonanno and his people are the focus, but unlike the other discussions for once this doesn't seem to be about the typical Bonanno war issues and is entirely focused on a particular incident Balistrieri had with Bonanno and his people. It's never made clear exactly what the favor is, and it seems everyone has a different opinion on whether Balistrieri actually did the favor, but it's clear that this is yet another case of Bonanno pissing off other families.

I did some quick research after reading this and it seems Pete Sciortino had extensive ties to Milwaukee, more than this transcript suggests. He was a baker, and in the transcript they refer to him as a "breadman".

Trying to make some IDs:

Joe LNU could be Joseph Balistrieri, member and father of Frank. He has a lot to say during this meeting. At one point Frank does refer to someone in the meeting as "Dad", though he could also have been referring to his father-in-law Alioto

Phil is probably Phil Candela of Madison

Nino could be Antonio Albano

It would make some sense for these guys to be in an administration meeting like this despite not being captains in the family, as they were respected elder members.

Others:
Caruso of Madison is Vincenzo Caruso

Sal Marino probably Santo Marino

Joe Galibah could be former underboss Joe Gumina?

Nick Figarino/Farino is Nicola Fucarino

Johnny Paterno could be John Picciurro

FNU Aiello could be any of three Aiellos in Milwaukee/Madison

[B.]

-Jimmy Cadura is probably Jimmy "the Bomber" Catuara, who was a member of the South Side/Chinatown crew but operated in Chicago Heights territory
-Phil LNU could have been Felix "Milwaukee Phil" Alderisio, who at that time was either a member of Sam Battaglia's crew or his successor. He was tight with Milwaukee, hence the name.
-John DiBella, the partner of Joe Bonanno, was a member of the Madison Family.
-Tony Maccaluci, mentioned in the first post as being a Chicago caporegime, was Anthony "Tony Mack" DeMonte, who had an alias of Anthony Macaluso. He was never a caporegime but a member of Ross Prio's North Side crew.

Thanks. I thought Phil might be Alderisio but this guy seems to be a Wisconsin guy and from the context he could easily be in Madison, which is where Candela lived. He mentions owning a large beer company so maybe that rings a bell with someone.

Didn't know DiBella was with Madison. Strange that Maniaci wouldn't know that given his Madison ties and that he thought DiBella was a member from Italy (whatever that means to him).

The possible presence of Madison guys at this meeting make me wonder about the arrangement between Milwaukee and Madison at this time. Like is mentioned by someone earlier in this topic, it seems by the time of the meeting the Madison family was already considered barely active, so seems possible that they would be included in Milwaukee admin "chair" meetings as a defacto wing of the Milwaukee family.

Also want to add in my post about the transcript, I said DiGeorge had moved to Milwaukee but I meant Wisconsin in general.

[toto]

Mr DeMarco - can it be Giovanni DeMarco Cleveland family consigliere?

[Antiliar]

-Jimmy Cadura is probably Jimmy "the Bomber" Catuara, who was a member of the South Side/Chinatown crew but operated in Chicago Heights territory
-Phil LNU could have been Felix "Milwaukee Phil" Alderisio, who at that time was either a member of Sam Battaglia's crew or his successor. He was tight with Milwaukee, hence the name.
-John DiBella, the partner of Joe Bonanno, was a member of the Madison Family.
-Tony Maccaluci, mentioned in the first post as being a Chicago caporegime, was Anthony "Tony Mack" DeMonte, who had an alias of Anthony Macaluso. He was never a caporegime but a member of Ross Prio's North Side crew.

Thanks. I thought Phil might be Alderisio but this guy seems to be a Wisconsin guy and from the context he could easily be in Madison, which is where Candela lived. He mentions owning a large beer company so maybe that rings a bell with someone.

Didn't know DiBella was with Madison. Strange that Maniaci wouldn't know that given his Madison ties and that he thought DiBella was a member from Italy (whatever that means to him).

The possible presence of Madison guys at this meeting make me wonder about the arrangement between Milwaukee and Madison at this time. Like is mentioned by someone earlier in this topic, it seems by the time of the meeting the Madison family was already considered barely active, so seems possible that they would be included in Milwaukee admin "chair" meetings as a defacto wing of the Milwaukee family.

Also want to add in my post about the transcript, I said DiGeorge had moved to Milwaukee but I meant Wisconsin in general.

I didn't take the time to read everything, so Phil Candela could be correct. I was just throwing Alderisio out as a possibility.

As for John Di Bella, his real name was Giovanni Vincenzo Di Bella, and it looks like Phil Candela used Vincenzo Di Bella as an alias: http://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html ... ND%20bella
Both Di Bella and Candela are from Montelpre. Since it's late and I can't look up the file right now, I'll withdraw that he was part of the Madison Family. I thought that it was in one of the files I have, but I have quite a few dealing with Wisconsin. The material on Mary Ferrell says he was a member from Italy. He didn't come to America until 1940, and I think he had a brother he was part of the Cola Schiro Family of Brooklyn. So if and when I can verify he was with Madison I will post an update.

[B.]

Cool, thanks man!

Looks like Candela and his son bought the Grande Cheese Company from DiBella before his death as well. An Al Caruso from Madison was Vice President of the company while DiBella was still running it. Possible related to the Carusos of Madison mentioned in the transcript.

Not sure if Phil Candela is the one at this "chair" meeting, as I would expect Balastrieri to be more circumspect talking about DiBella in front of DiBella's close friend/paesano Candela, but you never know.

Here is what Limey says about DiBella:

DIBELLA-GIOVANNI 1890 Montelepre, Sicily / USA 1907.
Alias : - John.
Associates : - N.Schiro, J.Bonanno, F.LaBruzzo. R.Dionisio + V.Colletti [Colorado].
Most records state he was born in Montelepre, Palermo Province, but when he arrived in 1907 he came from Roccamena. This would link to his witnessing the marriage of Nicola Schiro in 1912, as Schiro, a future Family leader, was from Roccamena too. That same year DiBella married a woman named Grippi, the name of another early member Salvatore. The DiBella family were closely associated with the LaBruzzo family in Sicily. According to his WW1 Registration card, he was a dealer in wines. He had a brother convicted of murder in the 1920’s. He also made several visits to Italy during the 1930’s. In Joseph Bonanno’s book, he stated that DiBella ran a wholesale food company in Brooklyn. In the 1940’s he and Bonanno bought the Grande Cheese Company of Fon Du Lac, Wisconsin. This firm had a very violent history, with opposing Chicago factions warring over ownership. DiBella moved to Wisconsin and became a citizen in 1951, witnessed by Milwaukee members John Alioto and Pasquale Migliaccio. He died there in 1964. Sources are NARA records, and the book Vicious Circles.

He's not always 100% right on all of his info but it paints an interesting picture. Maybe his coming to the US in 1940 was a return from one of the visits to Italy in the 1930s? Here is some info as well: http://mafiahistorymilwaukee.blogspot.c ... a-and.html

From the Milwaukee transcript, it sounds like DiBella answered to the Bonannos but there is no clear confirmation and the situation is, as is often the case with these guys, a clusterfuck.

[HairyKnuckles]

In my own notes I have John DiBella fleeing New York but returning from Sicily in 1940. I don´t remember the reason for him fleeing though and I think I got it from an article in the Informer Magazine. He could very well have been an early Bonanno member but later transferred to the Madison Family when he moved there in 1943 (if transferred at all).

One thing that stood out to me in B´s post is that they had cognac during the meeting. Kinda odd. One would think that drinking alcohol would be forbidden during a formal administration meeting,