Alfano's Pizzeria, Oregon, Illinois

[cavita]

In the fall of 1992 David Burke planned to open a Pizza Hut franchise in Oregon, Illinois and had grand dreams of being a positive addition to the community and hopefully turning a profit in little time. The only problem was that there was only one business in the tiny town of 3,970 that served pizza and that was Alfano’s Pizzeria.

Alfano’s had been owned since 1967 by Pietro Alfano who had immigrated to the United States from Cinisi, Sicily in April 1964. Pietro had worked at a cousin’s pizzeria in Ottawa, Illinois soon after arriving in the U.S. before moving to Belvidere, Illinois and opening his own restaurant there in June 1965. By the time April 1966 rolled around, Alfano decided he wanted to open a pizzeria in larger nearby Rockford, Illinois and through a jukebox company associate he was put in touch with Phil Priola, a Rockford LCN member. Priola helped Alfano get his pizzeria off the ground, decorating the interior and even helping with the financial end. After a short time Alfano sold his interest in the pizzeria to another Sicilian immigrant and he then moved to Oregon where he opened his own pizza restaurant on South Fourth Street in the heart of the downtown city in January 1967.

Business was good for Alfano and his wife Maria and three children- Antonino, Pietro and Susanna. Life changed for the Alfano family when the elder Pietro was arrested in Madrid, Spain on April 8, 1984 for his involvement in the famous “Pizza Connection” case which saw approximately $1.6 billion worth of narcotics smuggled into the United States and distributed mostly through small pizzerias owned by Sicilian immigrants. Alfano worked closely in this distribution business with his uncle Gaetano Badalamenti, who was the alleged head of the Sicilian mafia at the time. The Sicilian narcotics ring used these pizzerias to distribute their drugs in such major U.S. cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit and Newark.

Alfano also worked closely with his brother-in-law Emmanuele Palazzolo who also was a nephew of Badalamenti. Palazzolo operated a pizzeria in Milton, Wisconsin and distributed narcotics through that business. Giuseppe Trupiano was another pizzeria owner that distributed the drugs at his restaurant in Olney, Illinois. Trupiano was another brother-in-law to Alfano and was also Badalamenti’s nephew. Also part of the conspiracy was Giuseppe Vitale, husband to Badalamenti’s niece and a pizzeria owner in Paris, Illinois and Salvatore Evola, a construction worker, who was a husband to another of Badalamenti’s nieces in Temperance, Michigan.

During a break in his trial, Alfano and his wife were walking in Greenwich Village, New York on February 11, 1987 when he was shot in the back several times paralyzing him from the waist down. The exact motive for the shooting remained a mystery but convicted New Jersey bank robber Frank Bavosa told the FBI that he and two other individuals were paid $40,000 to kill Alfano allegedly because of his continued drug trafficking activities.

On March 2, 1987 in a plea deal, Alfano pled guilty to one count of narcotics conspiracy and ten counts of operating a narcotics criminal enterprise. After pleading guilty to the charges, Alfano was sentenced to 10 years in prison, of which he served less than six.

So it was that just before Alfano got out of prison that David Burke was going to open his new Pizza Hut in Oregon. Upon hearing of Burke’s plans, Alfano’s sons Pietro, 26 and Antonino, 24, moved quickly and started threatening Burke. On September 14, 1992 Antonino Alfano approached Burke after a city council meeting and told Burke that Oregon was “his area” and asked him “Do you know who my father is?” After a second encounter with both Alfano brothers, Burke was told by Pietro, “You’re not coming to Oregon” and “You’re stepping on the wrong toes. This is your last warning before the trouble starts.” Burke in turn ran to the FBI who immediately brought in agent Tony Seidl and convinced the Alfano brothers that Seidl was a business associate of Burke. With Burke and Seidl wired for sound the bureau recorded Pietro Alfano telling Burke if he didn’t abandon his plans to open the Pizza Hut that Alfano would “fight with every possible resource I have including resources from Sicily….if you know what I mean.”

Antonino Alfano’s involvement allegedly included driving behind agent Siedl for eight miles after he attended an Oregon City Council meeting and trying to frighten Siedl after Siedl told him the Pizza Hut would be open after all.

When the Alfano brothers were indicted in this extortion plot their father Pietro had just gotten out of prison in time to see his sons in their trial, which he attended without fail. There was never an indication or allegation that the elder Alfano was involved in this extortion, however. In the end, the Alfano brothers were sentenced to the minimum two years and three months in prison, two years probation and $1,000 fine.

In the following years, the Pizza Hut did open and Alfano’s Pizzeria moved into a brand new building at 801 South Fourth Street and continues to serve the Oregon community to this day, being a popular dining spot for locals and out of town visitors. Pietro Alfano eventually moved back to Sicily where he lives today and at age 79 it is unknown if he is involved in illegal affairs there. As for the Alfano brothers, today they both own and operate Alfano Restaurants in Oregon, Illinois and Rochelle, Illinois.

[cavita]

Antonino and Pietro Alfano

[baldo]

Good stuff...always appreciate pizza connection related information. Was it ever determined who put the hit out on Alfano?

[cavita]

Good stuff...always appreciate pizza connection related information. Was it ever determined who put the hit out on Alfano?

Don't know if the hit came from Badalamenti or not, but the two other men were Filippo Ragosta and Giuseppe Amico.

[rayray]

Yea, good stuff! I don't think the Pizza or the French Connections are talked about enough, imho.

Were these Ragosta and Amico connected to Badalamenti? Seemed like Badalamenti surrounded himself with relatives, blood and through marriage pretty well.

[Villain]

Also good stuff!!!

I have a question for you...according to government informer Robert Cooley, during the early or mid 1970's the Outfit allegedly placed some of their members or associates in areas such as Rockford so they can easily direct their dope deals. Do you know somthing regarding the alleged situation? Do you think that Nicoletti might've been one of those guys who possibly oversaw the alleged operation?

[cavita]

Also good stuff!!!

I have a question for you...according to government informer Robert Cooley, during the early or mid 1970's the Outfit allegedly placed some of their members or associates in areas such as Rockford so they can easily direct their dope deals. Do you know somthing regarding the alleged situation? Do you think that Nicoletti might've been one of those guys who possibly oversaw the alleged operation?

Villain-

This is something I’m still researching. There is no doubt that the Pizza Connection and its players reached into other cities such as Rockford, but the government couldn’t prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. I also believe that since the narcotics trafficking was happening in the Outfit’s backyard that their approval and financial backing was needed.

In my research I’ve found that Rockford LCN boss Joe Zammuto informed his group they were going to start dealing in narcotics in February 1980- FBI files have supported this as the first time there was some sort of organized drug trafficking in relation to the Rockford LCN though I suspect the plans were put in motion much earlier.

Through 1980s FBI files I found that recent (at the time) Sicilian immigrants were set up in business through various pizzerias by Rockford underboss Frank Buscemi. The main players here were Salvatore DiGiacomo, Alfonso DiGiacomo, Giovanini Frisella, Ray Zammuto, Libertino Seminerio and Salvatore Galluzzo, who was identified as a made member at least as early as 1983.

Starting in 1983 through an informant in Buffalo, New York it was discovered that the Sicilian mafia was using pizzerias to distribute mainly heroin and cocaine throughout cities such as Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Miami, San Francisco and Rockford. Locally the FBI code named this operation “Buzzrock” but ultimately tied it to the larger Iron Tower case where 200 people were arrested and charged. This case had grown out of the Pizza Connection case and many of these players went to trial in 1988.

Now, because of Pietro Alfano’s connection to and proximity to Rockford, I have no doubt that both were hooked up and had dealings with Chicago. Rockford’s operation was more directly aligned with Sicilian mafia families as telephone calls were recorded between the previously mentioned men and places in Sicily, Belgium, Germany, Australia and Canada as well as other U.S. cities. A June 1985 page from Salvatore Galluzzo’s FBI file had this to say about Libertino “Bino” Seminerio:

“It is anticipated that captioned subject (SEMINERIO) will be shown to be closely associated with known LCN associate SALVATORE GALLUZZO, as well as other recent Sicilian immigrants in the Rockford, Illinois area. Investigation will proceed with the intent to determine the level of subject’s narcotic involvement, his outlets, sources, foreign and domestic. It also appears probable, based on investigative experiences with the Cinisi-based BADALAMENTI Sicilian Mafia heroin trafficking organization, that SEMINERIO is tied to a Sicilian Mafia family.”

In addition, a February 20, 1986 page from Salvatore Galluzzo’s FBI file stated this:

“For the information of offices not in prior receipt of communications in this matter, captioned investigation involves a heroin importation network reportedly being operated by a Sicilian Mafia group out of Rockford, Illinois. This group appears to have strong ties to the Sicilian Mafia in Agrigento Province, Sicily, and is believed to be importing white heroin into the United States through Canada. Toll records have been obtained for five individuals as well as two companies believed to be involved in the narcotics trafficking activities.”

Now, to be importing the heroin through Canada, there had to have been some connection to the Rizzuto family there and this makes sense since most of the Rockford members hailed from Aragona, Sicily which was roughly 20 miles from Rizzuto’s town of Cattolica Eraclea.

I have yet to find a direct link to anyone in Chicago relating to this narcotics network, but a 1982 cocaine case in Rockford involving eleven people showed that this group was trafficking in narcotics between Chicago, Rockford and Las Vegas and the main man here was John Leombruni who was described at the time as Rockford’s biggest cocaine dealer. Although not admissible in court, the FBI privately acknowledged there was definite mob involvement in this cocaine case and this was backed up by court-approved wiretaps and the fact that one of the men involved, Luke Cannella, was nephew to a Rockford made member was very telling.

In addition to the international narcotics trafficking, the Chicago FBI office had also uncovered Rockford LCN offenses such as far-reaching gambling, extortion, infiltration of legitimate businesses, control over vending, pornography and political corruption, but these were deemed incidental in view of their drug investigation. I don’t know who the Chicago contacts were as far as narcotics distribution on a higher level but will still search and I welcome any other info or theories!

[Villain]

Thanks again cavita. I have my own choice regarding the Outfit's connection during the pizza adventure and that is one Salvatore Sam Canzoneri. He came from the North Side and previously worked as a cop and together with another corrupt detective Sheldon Teller, both sold heroin for the Outfit. Canzoneri was allegedly close with Dom DiBella and also the Melrose Park faction especially Nicoletti and Irv Weiner. The main reason for which which Im connecting Canzoneri to the Pizza connection was obviously his dope peddling history and above all, his ownership of a pizzeria business known as the Pizza Crisp International and Panhandle Pizza Inc during that time. Also very important to know is that, when the feds managed to crack down the dope network, and when some of the shootings occurred (i think Alfano was wounded), one year after the trial, Canzoneri was aslo found shot to death.

[baldo]

Here's some info on Canzoneri....never heard of Jackie Gail (any idea who the mobster was he tried to murder in Florida?):

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1992 ... on-charges

Deerfield Parolee Arrested In Bid To Have Florida Mob Figure Slain
January 29, 1992|By John Gorman.


254
A Deerfield man on parole for selling silencers and dealing drugs was charged Tuesday with solicitation to commit murder for his part in a foiled contract plot to kill an organized crime figure in Florida.

Lake County and federal authorities say the man, Jackie Gail, 47, is an organized crime operative who also is under investigation in connection with the unsolved murder of pizza company executive Salvatore Canzoneri. Canzoneri was gunned down in his Highland Park home in 1989.




State and federal officials said that Gail is engaged to Canzoneri`s widow, Karen.

Local and federal authorities seized Gail at the Lake Forest Oasis of the Tri-State Tollway Tuesday afternoon shortly after he allegedly completed plans with a government operative to murder a mobster in Pompano Beach, Fla., according to police.

The arrest came after Gail finished discussing the plot with the operative, who was wearing a concealed microphone, authorities said.

Gail had just bought a .357 magnum revolver from the government informant, according to Lake County State`s Atty. Michael Waller. Gail bought the gun after soliciting the informant`s help in the Florida contract killing, Waller said.

Gail wanted the Florida mobster murdered for ``personal and financial reasons,`` authorities said. The identity of the intended victim was not disclosed by officials.

In addition to the gun, Gail allegedly bought an ``eight-ball,`` or one-eighth of an ounce of cocaine from the informant, Waller said.

The arrest climaxed a joint investigation by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Highland Park Police, the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group and the Lake County state`s attorney`s office. At the time of the arrest, Gail was still on parole from his conviction for selling silencers and drug trafficking, for which he was sentenced to 16 years in prison, authorities said.

When Gail was arrested on the previous charges, federal authorities said the silencers he was peddling were similar to the ones used in the 1975 slaying of Chicago mob chieftain Sam Giancana.

Although the murder solicitation charges did not mention a connection to the slaying of Salvatore Canzoneri, Gail has been a target of a Lake County grand jury investigating the Canzoneri murder, state and federal sources said. Last December, Karen Canzoneri, 46, made a brief appearance before that grand jury, but she has not been charged. Before her grand jury appearance, her attorney, Michael Saken, said his client would claim her 5th Amendment rights against self-incrimination and decline to answer any questions about the murder of her 61-year-old husband.

Saken later declined to comment on what transpired during the secret grand jury proceedings and proclaimed his client`s innocence.

On Tuesday, Saken declined comment when asked if his client was engaged to Gail. Saken has said, however, that Lake County prosecutors have informed him that Karen Canzoneri is the focus of the grand jury investigation.

Waller declined Tuesday to comment on whether Gail was a suspect in the Canzoneri slaying.

Canzoneri was found shot to death Nov. 22, 1989, when his wife returned home with their two children about midnight after attending a bar mitzvah in the North Shore community. He had been shot three times, and there were signs of a scuffle in the house, with tables and chairs overturned. Canzoneri, a former Chicago police officer, was the president of Pizza Crust International and Panhandle Pizza Inc., both of Highland Park.

No one has ever been charged in connection with the crime.

[toto]

There are many people from Cinisi and nearby areas in midwest and thats how Badalamenti made a heroin network that didnt rely on Cosa Nostra and its why he had so many enemies in Cosa Nostra because he got rich and didnt share with other mafiosi. He used to pay ordinary people to transport heroin when they visited relatives in America. Also Badalamenti had an enormous family and many many relatives in midwest area.

Luigi Ronsisvalle mentioned about a Paolo Gambino's man Frank Lombardo who was told to go to Chicago and Paolo said if you have any problems call New York and I will settle it. Frank Lombardo had a cheese company Lombardo Cheese in about 1974. Later Luigi was making delivery of heroin in Chicago to "Carlo" who was a Frank Lombardo's man.

[Villain]

baldo and toto thanks a lot for the additional infos

[cavita]

Thanks again cavita. I have my own choice regarding the Outfit's connection during the pizza adventure and that is one Salvatore Sam Canzoneri. He came from the North Side and previously worked as a cop and together with another corrupt detective Sheldon Teller, both sold heroin for the Outfit. Canzoneri was allegedly close with Dom DiBella and also the Melrose Park faction especially Nicoletti and Irv Weiner. The main reason for which which Im connecting Canzoneri to the Pizza connection was obviously his dope peddling history and above all, his ownership of a pizzeria business known as the Pizza Crisp International and Panhandle Pizza Inc during that time. Also very important to know is that, when the feds managed to crack down the dope network, and when some of the shootings occurred (i think Alfano was wounded), one year after the trial, Canzoneri was aslo found shot to death.

Good stuff! Never heard of Canzoneri- was he born in Sicily, and if so do you know where?

[Villain]

Thanks again cavita. I have my own choice regarding the Outfit's connection during the pizza adventure and that is one Salvatore Sam Canzoneri. He came from the North Side and previously worked as a cop and together with another corrupt detective Sheldon Teller, both sold heroin for the Outfit. Canzoneri was allegedly close with Dom DiBella and also the Melrose Park faction especially Nicoletti and Irv Weiner. The main reason for which which Im connecting Canzoneri to the Pizza connection was obviously his dope peddling history and above all, his ownership of a pizzeria business known as the Pizza Crisp International and Panhandle Pizza Inc during that time. Also very important to know is that, when the feds managed to crack down the dope network, and when some of the shootings occurred (i think Alfano was wounded), one year after the trial, Canzoneri was aslo found shot to death.

Good stuff! Never heard of Canzoneri- was he born in Sicily, and if so do you know where?

According to my research, I think that his roots were allegedly from the Corleone village back in Sicily. I found that info through his father John Canzoneri, an alleged member of the LA crime family and close associate of Roselli and the Fischettis. I highly doubt that his son Sam was born in Sicily

[Villain]

Btw the "Carlo" guy from Chicago might be Carlo “Bananas” Urbinati but Im not quite sure

[FriendofFamily]

There always seemed to be a Outer Ring around Chicago.

I know when certain people in Cleveland were asked who do I need to go to in the Chicago area about something. The Sicilian people in Cleveland/Akron area referred to the Sicilian Rockford Dixon area around 1980.