Present Day Chicago Outfit

[Confederate]

This is nothing compared to the old days. I don't think anyone has been out of line. Slick knows his stuff.

He doesn't KNOW that the Outfit gets some money from every poker machine in Chicago that is run by the State of Illinois and overseen by the Gaming Commission. If he does really know, he should apply for a job as the new head of the FBI.

[Snakes]

Well, if you want to criticize take it to the Graveyard. That's my final word, and it goes for everyone. Keep it civil or take it there.

[Wiseguy]

Someone made a good point, it is a gross exaggeration to say they control ALL the video gambling. It's impossible to prove. But it's seriously humurous when you say " but the State controls it, it's legal!!".

I'm saying it's all about the paperwork. Who's names are on those corporate charters, those llcs, who's connected to what Alderman, or politician, where the kickbacks going. You need to look places like THESE, stop looking for mobsters in track suits in social clubs and street corners, I mean, was that ever really the Chicago mob anyway? And I'm really asking here..


@ strocos

Good find, but you guys still kinda don't get it. The idea that you can just waltz into the state and get into something like video gambling with no heavy city and state connections is just, forgive me, naive.

Look you could have a mob connected businessman like Richard Simon who buys his way OUT of using the unions. Then you can have a guy Like Coli who USES the unions as weapons for extortion.

Y'all looking for social clubs in the city with gangsters on the corners. These guys been in the burbs for forever, where they got crazy clout with law enforcement. No ones making any gambling cases, ITS NOT LIKE NEW YORK. That shit is not going to get you a promotion, or any headlines. Any wonder the only arrest I remember recently are the COUPLE of incidents where there was actual violence, the Pannozo robberies, and the other guy, Carparelli? Is that his name?

Coli's extortion of Cinespace via the union was a very "New York-like" thing. In fact, it was rather surprising because we have not see much of that type of labor racketeering in Chicago for years now.

You also brought up a key point before when you said you weren't sure whether it was an Outfit operation or not. Coli is a good example of what we see a lot in Chicago. He's the descendant of an Outfit guy and that, along with corruption in the city (including some lasting corruption in the Teamsters) is why he was in that position. We can find other examples like this, ie sons of past Outfit guys involved in health insurance companies that service the unions or in other industries, etc

But, like you said, are these Outfit operations? Or are they simply family members working in these fields because of what I described above? Are they being directed by and kicking up to a core organization that IS the Outfit or not? If not, and especially when that core organization dies out down the road, all these individuals you talk about us looking for on corporate charters, LLCs, etc are not the Outfit. They're just family members, friends, and former associates who have joined the mainstream.

[scott22]

I'm trying to be as professional about this as possible. I enjoy "Smoker's" takes on current climate of The Outfit.

But please don't say I make shit up for clicks. Most of the more recent Chicago mob news we know comes from my reporting, as its obvious the local papers don't cover the mob like they used to. What have I reported that is "ridiculous," as was claimed in an earlier post?

That all said, I stand firmly by my reporting of Solly D as the boss after Sarno. I also stand by my story from a few years ago that right when Sarno went away some of his loyalists were butting heads with non-Cicero guys and Solly D stepped in and smoothed it over.

Scott M. Burnstein

[Frank]

Hey speaking of reporting news on the Outfit is John Drummond still alive??

[Antiliar]

For what it's worth, I stand behind Scott. You may or may not agree with his reporting, but he's honest. He doesn't make up stories for click bait. Yes, he uses certain key words and phrases to market his material, which something every writer does. That doesn't make them -- or him -- dishonest. As for his content, my own research generally agrees with Scott's. He has access to better resources than most people do, aside from knowing how to do good research. Besides, he does have a law degree and is professionally trained to do legal research. I'll also vouch for posters Slick and Snakes. They've been doing this for years and know what they're talking about. If they're not sure of something they will openly admit to it. There are many other top notch researchers here in addition to Scott, Slick and Snakes -- a reason why the Black Hand forum is such a great place to learn from each other.

[Frank]

Scott Burnstein I enjoy reading your Gangster Report.

[Slick]

Every poker machine lol. Never said it. But sorry for my part in it Snakes. I cant help myself when I see a fanboy calling other fanboys, fanboys. Lol. About Coli. Who knows if he is part of the Outfit. But I could see him doing favors for someone in the Outfit. Maybe only because actual family connections. But by FBI standards that would make him an associate. Even though the Outfit may have no control over him.

[CabriniGreen]

Good god, y'all get really sensitive about like, ANY talk about the Midwest, something I've noticed since I've been coming on these boards....

Let's recap.....


1. I brought up video gambling because someone compared the gambling bust in NY to Chicago. My point was one, the Outfit seemed to be more entrenched in video gambling, so the bust would be in video gambling.

Unless there is violence ( like Sarno) there just isn't enough to justify making a gambling case IN CHICAGO, where bringing the violence down takes precedence. A mob headline about gambling isn't going to get the same pub in Chicago as in NY, as most those cases are about publicity anyway.

Also, as can be seen by the recent East Coast enterprise case, a lot of these cases are thrown together by thirsty prosecutors looking to cash in on the media coverage. You fuck up like that in Chicago, the fuckin Kremlin of American politics, and I doubt you come back from it.


I read Illinois took in 4.2 billion in video gambling. In 2015 the total handle for sports books in Vegas was close to 4.2 billion. So they are comparable.......That was my point there..

Now I admit I goofed saying they controlled ALL OF IT, but man I DID retract it, lol. Calm down...... 1.2 billion in revenue, one tenth of that would be the 100 mil number quoted in 2010 for Outfit revenues. I'm making educated guesses here...

2. The only person in this thread with a legit reason to get pissed was Villian, when someone said Alex wasn't a top guy. All you gotta do is read his research, nuff said there...

3. @Sonny

Good god man, why do take this so PERSONALLY? I saw you,in a thread recently, Sal Larca came up. You,were talking about a drug ban like it's still 1981?!!!!! You didn't know Barney Bellomo was around heroin. You know I follow the drugs a lot, I didn't feel compelled to bust your balls. What is it about the Midwest you guys hate talking about it so much??

4. Wise guy makes a good point, and expands on one I tried to make. We see a pattern of Outfit connected people like the Colis or Daddanos son, in business with seemingly corrupt businessmen with ties to either the City or State structure. We see Outfit connected guys, doing seemingly RANDOM extortions and robberies. So it's just isolated incidents?? Fine, okay...


5. My man, I get you. The Gaming Commision controls WHO gets to have machines and WHERE. All I'm saying is a majority of these machines are in burbs where the Outfit has had sway historically. And I gave you an article that shows that this Gaming board does in fact, on occasion, grant licensees to felons and shady people. Do you think they took a payoff, or just negligent and stupid?? Legit question.....

And my man, what I said I meant with all respect. The IDEA, of an elected body of ANYTHING in Chicago being incorruptible?!! Look, we can agree to disagree but, I still think that's kinda naive...


It's also why I brought up the Colis. Again, the union is clean right? So what kinda controls are in place to let this clearly mobbed up family in in the first place? And don't be surprised five-ten years from now some damn Coli family member gets busted for extorting a trucking company or some shit. I mean, Jesus doesn't a HOFFA still run the Teamsters? Or did they throw him out already?


This was a cool discussion, like I said only one legit shoulda been mad was Villian, cause he's put the work in, I take what he says to the bank.

I mean fuck, Video gambling, and corrupt business ties to City Hall. Did I make anything up? I didn't say they had 150 made guys and 15'crews. Most I said was that they run video gambling in Illinois, which THEY DID! Only question is if they still do. Even so, Look THERE and not at what they do in NY...


6. My last point ( for real) you know the Canadian situation?

There are posters that have followed every firebombing, hit, indictment, factional shift, surveillance photo, drug shipment seizure, asset forfeiture, WE STILL GOT NO CLUE what happening up there really. Shit, NO ONE knows who runs the Genovese, for years people had the Luchesses dead wrong, and even the Gambinos half the time seem like an open question of which Sicilian is in charge......




Okay rant over, lol this was fun. Y'all need to chill..

[SonnyBlackstein]

3. @Sonny

Good god man, why do take this so PERSONALLY? I saw you,in a thread recently, Sal Larca came up. You,were talking about a drug ban like it's still 1981?!!!!! You didn't know Barney Bellomo was around heroin. You know I follow the drugs a lot, I didn't feel compelled to bust your balls. What is it about the Midwest you guys hate talking about it so much??

Umm I simply made an off the cuff remark about how we had a 12 page thread in 48hrs when there was no new information. I can't see how that was 'taking it personally', but hey, perception is a funny thing.

We're now at page 16... when nothing's happened.
See my point?

Personally I don't have a dog in the race when it comes to Chicago. It's simply interesting the polarization it generates.

Okay rant over, lol this was fun. Y'all need to chill..

You took the words outta my mouth.

[Frank]

Yes you were just saying how popular the topic was,with basically nothing new happening.

[FriendofFamily]

I will put down a little generalization about the Present Day:

I think that the Outfit is working it differently meaning there isn't these real big type of meetings anymore (NOT in the ACTUAL TRANSACTION)

Just a couple of guys no more than a few at a meeting in really low profile places in and around the Chicagoland Area. A little Face to Face and short time together on real business

phones (voice) and texts used in very generic ways and understood as a precursor to some activity

things being setup among the government leaders and politicians at sporting events and fund raisers
sometimes lawyers and accountants used as intermediaries

yes the bars and restaurants are still used but different than the past

They are using Blood relatives more since the 90's

People they've known for a very long time in all types of situations and others have tested them with certain information to test them and their loyalty

My Cousin owns it

My Uncle works for them

Family

Pick what you like what I said

Ignore what you don't

[Frank]

Yes I agree that they don't trust any outsiders and use protective layers to do their transactions. They are alot more under the radar. Murder and violence only in few instances. Of course membership and activities are down compared to the past, like all the other Families except for Genovese and Gambino.

[smoker]

I'm trying to be as professional about this as possible. I enjoy "Smoker's" takes on current climate of The Outfit.

But please don't say I make shit up for clicks. Most of the more recent Chicago mob news we know comes from my reporting, as its obvious the local papers don't cover the mob like they used to. What have I reported that is "ridiculous," as was claimed in an earlier post?

That all said, I stand firmly by my reporting of Solly D as the boss after Sarno. I also stand by my story from a few years ago that right when Sarno went away some of his loyalists were butting heads with non-Cicero guys and Solly D stepped in and smoothed it over.

Scott M. Burnstein

fair enough, perhaps i was out of line, because i do enjoy your articles, i mean we all read them & enjoy them. Perhaps Solly is the #1. I just foundsome of the info to be vague. Like smooth over how? Splitting up rackets & routes? Which crew were Sarnos guys beefing with?

[Snakes]

Sarno's guys were beefing with Marcello's guys over the video poker routes.