April 25, 2005 - Frank "Gumba" Saladino

[cavita]

Do you know which leaders they met with in New Jersey?

It was back and forth contact with Tony Riela. Since Riela knew Zammuto and consigliere Joe Zito going back to the 1930s he always stayed in touch with them. When it came time in 1978 for the Bonanno family to be introduced to the Milwaukee family, Riela contacted Mike Sabella in NJ and told him to call the Rockford guys and get the meeting set up through Lefty Ruggiero and Frank Balistrieri in Milwaukee

[B.]

Oh yeah, of course they were in contact with Riela. From the wording it sounded like the Rockford leaders may have traveled to NJ to meet with people.

Are you aware of Rockford members ever traveling to NYC/NJ themselves to meet with anyone?

[PolackTony]

Are you aware of Rockford members ever traveling to NYC/NJ themselves to meet with anyone?

That snippet from the FBI report above definitely worded it as Rockford members having themselves travelled to NJ, rather than just having contacted Riela etc via phone. So I’m also very interested to know what specific intel the Feds had on who travelled there and when.

[cavita]

Oh yeah, of course they were in contact with Riela. From the wording it sounded like the Rockford leaders may have traveled to NJ to meet with people.

Are you aware of Rockford members ever traveling to NYC/NJ themselves to meet with anyone?

I'm unsure exactly with who, but a March 1993 FBI states they had contact with people in Buffalo, New York and Hamilton, Ontario and obviously Riela in New Jersey. Other reports alluded to contacts with mafia figures in Boston, whom I suspect to be Salvatore Giglia and Biagio DiGiacomo. Now contact is broad and I don't know if it was them going there or vice versa, or even telephonic.

[B.]

Awesome, thank you. Hamilton had a large colony from Racalmuto which isn't far from Aragona and there were once Racalmutese Buffalo members there but those connections seem to have withered away by '93. Also a lot of members in Buffalo itself with heritage in Agrigento. Not that that necessarily informed Rockford's contact with the area.

[PolackTony]

Oh yeah, of course they were in contact with Riela. From the wording it sounded like the Rockford leaders may have traveled to NJ to meet with people.

Are you aware of Rockford members ever traveling to NYC/NJ themselves to meet with anyone?

I'm unsure exactly with who, but a March 1993 FBI states they had contact with people in Buffalo, New York and Hamilton, Ontario and obviously Riela in New Jersey. Other reports alluded to contacts with mafia figures in Boston, whom I suspect to be Salvatore Giglia and Biagio DiGiacomo. Now contact is broad and I don't know if it was them going there or vice versa, or even telephonic.

The Buffalo thing is interesting, as there were some investigations related to the big BUSICO case in 1988 that encompassed narcotics trafficking ties to people in Chicago and Rockford. As is typically the case, no further details beyond this Sicilian-Buffalo-Ontario network working with people in IL, so who exactly they were working with and to what extent remains unknown.

[cavita]

Oh yeah, of course they were in contact with Riela. From the wording it sounded like the Rockford leaders may have traveled to NJ to meet with people.

Are you aware of Rockford members ever traveling to NYC/NJ themselves to meet with anyone?

I'm unsure exactly with who, but a March 1993 FBI states they had contact with people in Buffalo, New York and Hamilton, Ontario and obviously Riela in New Jersey. Other reports alluded to contacts with mafia figures in Boston, whom I suspect to be Salvatore Giglia and Biagio DiGiacomo. Now contact is broad and I don't know if it was them going there or vice versa, or even telephonic.

The Buffalo thing is interesting, as there were some investigations related to the big BUSICO case in 1988 that encompassed narcotics trafficking ties to people in Chicago and Rockford. As is typically the case, no further details beyond this Sicilian-Buffalo-Ontario network working with people in IL, so who exactly they were working with and to what extent remains unknown.

Yeah the files I have note a Buffalo contact coming to Rockford and trying to buy and sell heroin and underboss Buscemi was very skittish even though he was a main contact but I suspect it was Andrea Aiello. But at this time the Rockford guys were in contact with people in Sicily, Australia, Germany as well as Canada and other U.S. cities like Cincinnati, Milwaukee and other places.

[cavita]

I also have to say that it was on May 1, 1998 that Saladino was questioned in the murder of Daniel E. Myers. Myers was shot to death and left in the parking lot of Monticello Liquors on April 29th and his vehicle found in the driveway of 411 Stanley Street. Myers was allegedly a low level drug dealer who it was rumored fell afoul of his distributors as they suspected him of withholding money from them.

[cavita]

Great post as always Cavita. Me and you have talked in private about Gumbo before and this just adds to more things I didn’t know.

In regards to if there is any remnants of Little Italy still around, the most famous remnant closed down about 10 years and it was a famous restaurant called “Maria’s Cafe”. The building is still up with the signs. Unsure why nobody has bought it or opened a new business in there. Another famous place was Roma Bakery and that closed down 5 years ago or so. The area is now called “Ethnic Village” which I guess is a tribute to the ethnic groups that lived there in the past including Italians. There is an ethnic heritage museum in the neighborhood but I have not been there. The area is heavily Latino now and has a crime issues. Here is a list of remnants of Little Italy that are still there:

St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church - very beautiful church that is still a very Italian church with many people traveling from outside of the city to attend mass on Sundays. They also have an excellent St Joseph’s table every year.

Zammuto’s Granita - not owned by the Zammutos anymore but still have the same recipe. Always go there when I’m in town but only open during summer. For those that don’t know, granita is Italian ice.

Benny’s Dariette - been open for years and also serves excellent granita. Is open year round.

St Ambrosia Social Club - big social club that a lot of the mob guys were members. They throw big events throughout the year.

Bove's Auto Repair - been open for years there and is owned by the Bove family.

Here you go buddy....an older pic of Zammuto's, probably 1970s

[Patrickgold]

Great post as always Cavita. Me and you have talked in private about Gumbo before and this just adds to more things I didn’t know.

In regards to if there is any remnants of Little Italy still around, the most famous remnant closed down about 10 years and it was a famous restaurant called “Maria’s Cafe”. The building is still up with the signs. Unsure why nobody has bought it or opened a new business in there. Another famous place was Roma Bakery and that closed down 5 years ago or so. The area is now called “Ethnic Village” which I guess is a tribute to the ethnic groups that lived there in the past including Italians. There is an ethnic heritage museum in the neighborhood but I have not been there. The area is heavily Latino now and has a crime issues. Here is a list of remnants of Little Italy that are still there:

St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church - very beautiful church that is still a very Italian church with many people traveling from outside of the city to attend mass on Sundays. They also have an excellent St Joseph’s table every year.

Zammuto’s Granita - not owned by the Zammutos anymore but still have the same recipe. Always go there when I’m in town but only open during summer. For those that don’t know, granita is Italian ice.

Benny’s Dariette - been open for years and also serves excellent granita. Is open year round.

St Ambrosia Social Club - big social club that a lot of the mob guys were members. They throw big events throughout the year.

Bove's Auto Repair - been open for years there and is owned by the Bove family.

Here you go buddy....an older pic of Zammuto's, probably 1970s

Oh nice!! Thanks for sharing this Cavita. I have never seen a picture of Zammutos this old. Correct me if I’m wrong but wasn’t Salamone’s right next to it?

[cavita]

Great post as always Cavita. Me and you have talked in private about Gumbo before and this just adds to more things I didn’t know.

In regards to if there is any remnants of Little Italy still around, the most famous remnant closed down about 10 years and it was a famous restaurant called “Maria’s Cafe”. The building is still up with the signs. Unsure why nobody has bought it or opened a new business in there. Another famous place was Roma Bakery and that closed down 5 years ago or so. The area is now called “Ethnic Village” which I guess is a tribute to the ethnic groups that lived there in the past including Italians. There is an ethnic heritage museum in the neighborhood but I have not been there. The area is heavily Latino now and has a crime issues. Here is a list of remnants of Little Italy that are still there:

St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church - very beautiful church that is still a very Italian church with many people traveling from outside of the city to attend mass on Sundays. They also have an excellent St Joseph’s table every year.

Zammuto’s Granita - not owned by the Zammutos anymore but still have the same recipe. Always go there when I’m in town but only open during summer. For those that don’t know, granita is Italian ice.

Benny’s Dariette - been open for years and also serves excellent granita. Is open year round.

St Ambrosia Social Club - big social club that a lot of the mob guys were members. They throw big events throughout the year.

Bove's Auto Repair - been open for years there and is owned by the Bove family.

Here you go buddy....an older pic of Zammuto's, probably 1970s

Oh nice!! Thanks for sharing this Cavita. I have never seen a picture of Zammutos this old. Correct me if I’m wrong but wasn’t Salamone’s right next to it?

Correct. Salamone's grocery store was next door where you could get some wonderful sazeetz, pastas and cannoli. I have a photo somewhere of what that store looked like taken from the steps of St. Anthony Church across the street.

[Patrickgold]

Great post as always Cavita. Me and you have talked in private about Gumbo before and this just adds to more things I didn’t know.

In regards to if there is any remnants of Little Italy still around, the most famous remnant closed down about 10 years and it was a famous restaurant called “Maria’s Cafe”. The building is still up with the signs. Unsure why nobody has bought it or opened a new business in there. Another famous place was Roma Bakery and that closed down 5 years ago or so. The area is now called “Ethnic Village” which I guess is a tribute to the ethnic groups that lived there in the past including Italians. There is an ethnic heritage museum in the neighborhood but I have not been there. The area is heavily Latino now and has a crime issues. Here is a list of remnants of Little Italy that are still there:

St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church - very beautiful church that is still a very Italian church with many people traveling from outside of the city to attend mass on Sundays. They also have an excellent St Joseph’s table every year.

Zammuto’s Granita - not owned by the Zammutos anymore but still have the same recipe. Always go there when I’m in town but only open during summer. For those that don’t know, granita is Italian ice.

Benny’s Dariette - been open for years and also serves excellent granita. Is open year round.

St Ambrosia Social Club - big social club that a lot of the mob guys were members. They throw big events throughout the year.

Bove's Auto Repair - been open for years there and is owned by the Bove family.

Here you go buddy....an older pic of Zammuto's, probably 1970s

Oh nice!! Thanks for sharing this Cavita. I have never seen a picture of Zammutos this old. Correct me if I’m wrong but wasn’t Salamone’s right next to it?

Correct. Salamone's grocery store was next door where you could get some wonderful sazeetz, pastas and cannoli. I have a photo somewhere of what that store looked like taken from the steps of St. Anthony Church across the street.

I would love to see that picture if you can find it. The Salamones were linked with the mob in Rockford right? The ones here in Chicago are to this day.

[cavita]

Great post as always Cavita. Me and you have talked in private about Gumbo before and this just adds to more things I didn’t know.

In regards to if there is any remnants of Little Italy still around, the most famous remnant closed down about 10 years and it was a famous restaurant called “Maria’s Cafe”. The building is still up with the signs. Unsure why nobody has bought it or opened a new business in there. Another famous place was Roma Bakery and that closed down 5 years ago or so. The area is now called “Ethnic Village” which I guess is a tribute to the ethnic groups that lived there in the past including Italians. There is an ethnic heritage museum in the neighborhood but I have not been there. The area is heavily Latino now and has a crime issues. Here is a list of remnants of Little Italy that are still there:

St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church - very beautiful church that is still a very Italian church with many people traveling from outside of the city to attend mass on Sundays. They also have an excellent St Joseph’s table every year.

Zammuto’s Granita - not owned by the Zammutos anymore but still have the same recipe. Always go there when I’m in town but only open during summer. For those that don’t know, granita is Italian ice.

Benny’s Dariette - been open for years and also serves excellent granita. Is open year round.

St Ambrosia Social Club - big social club that a lot of the mob guys were members. They throw big events throughout the year.

Bove's Auto Repair - been open for years there and is owned by the Bove family.

Here you go buddy....an older pic of Zammuto's, probably 1970s

Oh nice!! Thanks for sharing this Cavita. I have never seen a picture of Zammutos this old. Correct me if I’m wrong but wasn’t Salamone’s right next to it?

Correct. Salamone's grocery store was next door where you could get some wonderful sazeetz, pastas and cannoli. I have a photo somewhere of what that store looked like taken from the steps of St. Anthony Church across the street.

I would love to see that picture if you can find it. The Salamones were linked with the mob in Rockford right? The ones here in Chicago are to this day.

The Salamone's in Rockford were peripherally connected to the Rockford LCN, yes. Here is a 1960s photo of Salamone's store and Zammuto's. The brown building across the street with the striped awnings is Salamone's and next door to the right was Zammuto's.

[cavita]

Some stills from police dash cam footage of Saladino's 1995 DUI arrest. His charges were later dismissed.

Screenshot_20250508-090754.png

[cavita]

Another one of Saladino at 13 years old.