The Chicago Cheese War

[Villain]

Thanks for these, I do think that the case of Caruso here is an interesting point to think about. Did Bruno Roti have this sort of subordinate status, or was he as a capodecina direct to the admin (I assume that later from what I know about him)? By all accounts, Caruso was notably less capable or powerful than Roti, and I'd imagine that for this reason he wound up falling under Ferraro and Alex's authority. Perhaps this also speaks to the Southside as historically being the least "LCN" modeled crew, with more of a stamp of the Capone Syndicate influence than other crews.

To look at it from another angle, might it not just have been the case that during the period in question, Ferraro was the underboss and thus Caruso was under him as a capo to the admin, rather than a lower level capo to a higher ranking capo? Caruso answering to Alex then could be simply due to Alex being tasked with some of Ferraro's responsibilities as he had a lot on his plate.

On a related note, did Caruso have any family ties to Tony and Phil D'Andrea? Caruso's mother was Francesca D'Andrea of Termini Imerese, and given that Termini isn't too far from Valledolmo it's certainly possible there was some connection, though I haven't been able to confirm it myself (apologies if this has already been covered elsewhere).

Yes, the biggest factions usually had a member on the top admin and thats why they had their own top rep over their factions. Like you said, Ferraro had a lot on his plate and so he had Alex controlling the whole faction (Caruso, Marcy, Pierce, Kruse, Patrick, Larner), same as Giancana who also had a lot on his plate and so he had Battaglia as his top rep for the west side. LaPorte also had full hands since he also controlled several crews and on top of that, he was the Outfit top rep for all west coast matters for a certain time period.

Rotis and Carusos boss was DAndrea and roti was labelled as leading figure since the 1940s.

[Antiliar]

Thanks for these, I do think that the case of Caruso here is an interesting point to think about. Did Bruno Roti have this sort of subordinate status, or was he as a capodecina direct to the admin (I assume that later from what I know about him)? By all accounts, Caruso was notably less capable or powerful than Roti, and I'd imagine that for this reason he wound up falling under Ferraro and Alex's authority. Perhaps this also speaks to the Southside as historically being the least "LCN" modeled crew, with more of a stamp of the Capone Syndicate influence than other crews.

To look at it from another angle, might it not just have been the case that during the period in question, Ferraro was the underboss and thus Caruso was under him as a capo to the admin, rather than a lower level capo to a higher ranking capo? Caruso answering to Alex then could be simply due to Alex being tasked with some of Ferraro's responsibilities as he had a lot on his plate.

On a related note, did Caruso have any family ties to Tony and Phil D'Andrea? Caruso's mother was Francesca D'Andrea of Termini Imerese, and given that Termini isn't too far from Valledolmo it's certainly possible there was some connection, though I haven't been able to confirm it myself (apologies if this has already been covered elsewhere).

According to material in Caruso's FBI file makes it clear that he was a capo and that he succeeded Roti.

The thing that we have to remember about the transcriptions of the recorded conversations is that they lack context. They represent a snippet of the totality of what was said anything. They're like a puzzle missing most of its pieces. Maybe because of his incompetence some of Caruso' power was taken from him or delegated to someone else. Whatever the case, we know that Caruso was replaced while he was still alive, which was a very unusual move. Usually they lose their position when they get a promotion (Accardo, Cerone, Battaglia, Aiuppa, etc), go to prison (Alderisio, Aiuppa, Cerone, Daddono, etc), they die of natural causes (Buccieri, Prio, Capezio, etc), they are forced to leave the state (Matranga, DeJohn, DeGeorge), or even killed (Mangano - if he was actually a capo). Caruso was allowed to step down wasn't killed or forced to leave. Maybe he was only kept on longer than he should have because he had a rabbi to look out for him, I don't know. From my point of view, we have to be careful about jumping to conclusions when we have incomplete information.

On a D'Andrea connection, it's possible. Seems like more than a coincidence. I don't think anyone has looked into the Italian records to find out.

[Villain]

Too many files on Carso/Alex so they cannot be taken out of context. Caruso was respected individual and was allowed to retire out of health issues. Others in the past were also allowed to step back because of the same reason

[B.]

Great post, Antliar.

I still see the Chicago family as one continuous entity from its inception that was heavily influenced by Americanization and its local environment, and these interactions between the "Sicilian" and the "Americanized" factions (to use Magaddino's ~1931 terms for them) are very interesting, especially when they become violent and involve multiple mafia families like the conflict(s) you wrote about here.

- Filippo Candela was a member of the Madison family and from Montelepre, like John DiBella. They were apparently related as well.

- Dominick DiBella's family was from Alimena, so unlikely they were connected to John DiBella. Were there really two brothers named Giovanni DiBella in the same blood family? I have always believed that John DiBella of Grande Cheese, who is believed to have been made in Sicily then transferred to the Bonanno family, is the same one that was part of the Schiro-Bonanno family in Brooklyn. If there are two Giovanni/John DiBellas who were mafiosi and brothers, they were both members of the Bonanno family.

- John DiBella was also influential in getting Saputo Cheese started in Canada. Giuseppe Saputo was his compaesano from Montelepre who tried to immigrate to the US in the early 1950s but was not allowed, so he moved to Montreal and started Saputo. Interesting his immigration came on the heels of this cheese war and DiBella's acquisition of Grande. DiBella allegedly hooked Saputo up with Joe Bonanno, who invested in the Saputo company in Canada. While I can't prove it, I believe Giuseppe Saputo was a Sicilian mafia member who became part of the Montreal Bonanno decina.

- Not only was Nick DeJohn's mother's 1923 naturalization witnessed by Michele Merlo (who was boss at the time), but Nick DeJohn's father Giovanni was business agent for the Chicago International Hod Carriers Union prior to his death, a position previously held by Chicago mafia boss Antonino D'Andrea. Seems likely Giovanni DeJohn DiGiovanni was a member of the Chicago mafia, especially given his son's dedication to the old Sicilian faction years later.

- Jim DiGeorge came from the old Riberesi element that included the Lolordos, Bacino, and possibly other early figures. Giuseppe Cocchiaro lived in Chicago before moving to Elizabeth and becoming part of the local NJ family, same with Vincenzo DiMaria. DiMaria was an in-law of DeCavalcante member Salvatore Caterinicchia, who may have had his own ties to Chicago. DiMaria's marriage was witnessed by Joseph Lolordo. DeCavalcante member Pietro Galletta was married to a DiGiorgi from Ribera who appears to have ties to Chicago. Phil Bacino's son later married a girl from Elizabeth. Many, many connections. I suspect this group was close with Mike Merlo given they were from a nearby part of Agrigento and the Lolordos and Bacino moved to Chicago when Merlo was boss.

^ What I'm curious about is whether the Riberesi were all originally under one crew in Chicago. It seems likely given how tightknit they were, but from your research it seems like DiGeorge and Bacino for example ended up with crews based on their location. I suspect that was the result of Americanization in Chicago.

[Villain]

Since I already showed you some nice examples regarding capos under top reps from both the west and south factions, its time to also show you some evidence about the north side mob regarding the same matter....all of these numerous files regarding top reps cannot be any kind of misinterpretation since theres too many of them...

In 1976, Dom DiBella (died July) was succeeded by Vincent Solano as top rep of the whole North Side and DiVarco was labelled as capo who in this specific file (August 76) talks to one future member, and also DiVarco was seen having meetings with the rest of the membership, probably under Solanos jurisdiction. Glitta became DiVarcos top lieutenant.





Back in the days, Jimmy Allegretti also controlled a large crew under Prio and until Allegrettis imprisonment, same as Dom Nuccios crew who in turn by the mid 60s retired in Florida. Also it seems that by the mid 50s Allegretti was one of the most powerful non-made guys but in 56/57 he was made and by the early 60s was a capo/crew boss under Prio.

Allegrettis early 60s (Policheri) crew: Ben Policheri, Joe Arnold, John Liberto, Mike Glitta, Victor Musso, Carl Pio, Henry Kushner, Louis Pretzie, Luois Darlak, Lenny Franzone, Phil Fiore

Nuccios early 60s crew: Dom Dibella, Dom Brancato, Joey DiVarco, Tony DeMonte, Dom Galiano, Augie Giovenco, Lawrence Buonaguidi, Eddie Sturch, Aaron Oberlander, the Lisciandrellos, Ken Eto, Joe LaBarbera

Later Allegrettis crew was inherited by Joe Alrond who in turn was in direct contact with Prio, while Nuccios crew was inherited by DiBella with close assistance by DiVarco.

When Prio died, there was some talk that DiVarco was going to take Prios place, but in the end it was DiBella. Same story was when DiBella got sick, some thought that it was going to be DiVarco but the throne fell on Solano. Although it seems later DiVarco abosrbed what was left from both former Allegretti/Arnold and Nuccio crews, under Solano.

Theres one chart regarding the North Side crew made according to Etos confessions, in which Solano was labelled as top boss of the group.

[Antiliar]

How are you figuring out these crews? I haven't seen any North Side sub crew lists. Galiano operated in the North Side but was under Battaglia and Alderisio. So was Butch Loverde. Sammy Louis might have been direct to Ricca. Hot Dog Lisciandrello was a North Side guy, and his brother Ruffy.

[Villain]

How are you figuring out these crews? I haven't seen any North Side sub crew lists. Galiano operated in the North Side but was under Battaglia and Alderisio. So was Butch Loverde. Sammy Louis might have been direct to Ricca. Hot Dog Lisciandrello was a North Side guy, and his brother Ruffy.

Ive also seen investigator records regarding Galiano being an independent operator? So are we going to believe that? Ive seen numerous connections to Prio and his gang and who knows, maybe ive missed some regarding he being connected to Battaglia and Alderisio..ill see if i can find something on that. Ive left out Louis on purpose since I dont know where to place him until this day and if you look at my old charts, i dont have him listed. Have you ever seen the file regarding Louis being allegedly one of the Outfits "board of directors"? I have no doubt that you didnt...also I dont have Loverde listed in the north side crews since i already listed him under Battaglia..as for me figuring out these crews... it comes from a long time and constant research on only one family and thats the Chicago Outfit Im not perfect but Im not doing this because of cash or out of egoistic purposes, im doing this because its my deep passion. I cannot change my opinion unless i see at least 5 or 6 files or at least some news reports (if theres no fbi files) regarding the opposite claims and thats how i function.

So...we have Battaglia as top west side rep, Alex as top south side rep with Ferraros assistance and DiBella/Solano as prime rep for the North Side and it seems that all of these guys had capos beneath them. So should we continue with the Chicago Heights group?!

[Frank]

Great post, Antliar.

I still see the Chicago family as one continuous entity from its inception that was heavily influenced by Americanization and its local environment, and these interactions between the "Sicilian" and the "Americanized" factions (to use Magaddino's ~1931 terms for them) are very interesting, especially when they become violent and involve multiple mafia families like the conflict(s) you wrote about here.

- Filippo Candela was a member of the Madison family and from Montelepre, like John DiBella. They were apparently related as well.

- Dominick DiBella's family was from Alimena, so unlikely they were connected to John DiBella. Were there really two brothers named Giovanni DiBella in the same blood family? I have always believed that John DiBella of Grande Cheese, who is believed to have been made in Sicily then transferred to the Bonanno family, is the same one that was part of the Schiro-Bonanno family in Brooklyn. If there are two Giovanni/John DiBellas who were mafiosi and brothers, they were both members of the Bonanno family.

- John DiBella was also influential in getting Saputo Cheese started in Canada. Giuseppe Saputo was his compaesano from Montelepre who tried to immigrate to the US in the early 1950s but was not allowed, so he moved to Montreal and started Saputo. Interesting his immigration came on the heels of this cheese war and DiBella's acquisition of Grande. DiBella allegedly hooked Saputo up with Joe Bonanno, who invested in the Saputo company in Canada. While I can't prove it, I believe Giuseppe Saputo was a Sicilian mafia member who became part of the Montreal Bonanno decina.

- Not only was Nick DeJohn's mother's 1923 naturalization witnessed by Michele Merlo (who was boss at the time), but Nick DeJohn's father Giovanni was business agent for the Chicago International Hod Carriers Union prior to his death, a position previously held by Chicago mafia boss Antonino D'Andrea. Seems likely Giovanni DeJohn DiGiovanni was a member of the Chicago mafia, especially given his son's dedication to the old Sicilian faction years later.

- Jim DiGeorge came from the old Riberesi element that included the Lolordos, Bacino, and possibly other early figures. Giuseppe Cocchiaro lived in Chicago before moving to Elizabeth and becoming part of the local NJ family, same with Vincenzo DiMaria. DiMaria was an in-law of DeCavalcante member Salvatore Caterinicchia, who may have had his own ties to Chicago. DiMaria's marriage was witnessed by Joseph Lolordo. DeCavalcante member Pietro Galletta was married to a DiGiorgi from Ribera who appears to have ties to Chicago. Phil Bacino's son later married a girl from Elizabeth. Many, many connections. I suspect this group was close with Mike Merlo given they were from a nearby part of Agrigento and the Lolordos and Bacino moved to Chicago when Merlo was boss.

^ What I'm curious about is whether the Riberesi were all originally under one crew in Chicago. It seems likely given how tightknit they were, but from your research it seems like DiGeorge and Bacino for example ended up with crews based on their location. I suspect that was the result of Americanization in Chicago.

I forgot, do we know if Mike Merlo is related to the New Jersey. Merlos

[Villain]

Anti whats your opinion on this...

Joey Glimco (im not going to label him as capo but instead as crew boss)

Jack Perno, Daniel Considine, Dominic Senese, Max Podolsky, Victor Comforte, Eco Coli (and possibly Frank Esposito and Fred Smith)

All of these guys were involved in the union racketeering business and all of them used to have some type of connection to Glimco, either it was long time connection or created during Glimcos rise.

[Antiliar]

I personally think that Glimco and Coli were made and have them in my list, but on the other hand Joe Fosco believes none of the union leaders were made guys until after Ricca died. Aiuppa replaced the non-made guys with made guys, which is why Senese was forced out. So according to him, not even Glimco was made.

BTW, yes, I've seen the Sam Louis material. I have hundreds of FBI files and more, went to the National Archives in Chicago, Maryland, Washington DC, and Southern California. I know made guys and many families of made guys. I've eaten with the grandson of Tom Neglia and others. I've been doing this research for over 30 years, and there's still plenty I don't know.

[Villain]

I personally think that Glimco and Coli were made and have them in my list, but on the other hand Joe Fosco believes none of the union leaders were made guys until after Ricca died. Aiuppa replaced the non-made guys with made guys, which is why Senese was forced out. So according to him, not even Glimco was made.

Damn i didnt expect this and thats why i laughed ...i thought Glimco was Riccas long time friend and the last one who visited him before his death right?...werent Foscos people too low level or young at the time to know about these stuff? The list I gave you was regarding 50s and early 60s.

[Villain]

I have hundreds of FBI files and more, went to the National Archives in Chicago, Maryland, Washington DC, and Southern California. I know made guys and many families of made guys. I've eaten with the grandson of Tom Neglia and others. I've been doing this research for over 30 years, and there's still plenty I don't know.

And thats why i truly love/respect you bud and call you "coach" aka Phil Jackson

If it wasnt for you, ppl still were going to say that Capone was the real boss until his death....remember those lunatics from the past? also you was the first board member with the info regarding the Fischettis not being related to Capone and numerous other stuff....so i learned a lot from you and pls dont get offended if im trying to prove certain matters which you mightve missed through the years....too much info and as I see it, two heads are better than one

[Antiliar]

I personally think that Glimco and Coli were made and have them in my list, but on the other hand Joe Fosco believes none of the union leaders were made guys until after Ricca died. Aiuppa replaced the non-made guys with made guys, which is why Senese was forced out. So according to him, not even Glimco was made.

Damn i didnt expect this and thats why i laughed ...i thought Glimco was Riccas long time friend and the last one who visited him before his death right?...werent Foscos people too low level or young at the time to know about these stuff? The list I gave you was regarding 50s and early 60s.

Fosco has connections going back to the 1920s: Armando Fosco, Tony Iorii, and others. Willie Messino also told him a lot, including things Accardo and Cerone told him.

[Villain]

I personally think that Glimco and Coli were made and have them in my list, but on the other hand Joe Fosco believes none of the union leaders were made guys until after Ricca died. Aiuppa replaced the non-made guys with made guys, which is why Senese was forced out. So according to him, not even Glimco was made.

Damn i didnt expect this and thats why i laughed ...i thought Glimco was Riccas long time friend and the last one who visited him before his death right?...werent Foscos people too low level or young at the time to know about these stuff? The list I gave you was regarding 50s and early 60s.

Fosco has connections going back to the 1920s: Armando Fosco, Tony Iorii, and others. Willie Messino also told him a lot, including things Accardo and Cerone told him.

None of the union guys were made huh? What about Pilotto, Circella or Lardino? Solano was probably made before Ricca died...Ask him that the next time you talk to him....Thats cool but i have to be honest that i will never accept Foscos claim that Glimco was never made, same as Juniors claims that Accardo personally blew off Giancanas head... and so i really dont want so start posting docs and stuff so we will leave it like that. Its almost bedtime over here, cheers

[Antiliar]

I personally think that Glimco and Coli were made and have them in my list, but on the other hand Joe Fosco believes none of the union leaders were made guys until after Ricca died. Aiuppa replaced the non-made guys with made guys, which is why Senese was forced out. So according to him, not even Glimco was made.

Damn i didnt expect this and thats why i laughed ...i thought Glimco was Riccas long time friend and the last one who visited him before his death right?...werent Foscos people too low level or young at the time to know about these stuff? The list I gave you was regarding 50s and early 60s.

Fosco has connections going back to the 1920s: Armando Fosco, Tony Iorii, and others. Willie Messino also told him a lot, including things Accardo and Cerone told him.

None of the union guys were made huh? What about Pilotto, Circella or Lardino? Solano was probably made before Ricca died...Ask him that the next time you talk to him....Thats cool but i have to be honest that i will never accept Foscos claim that Glimco was never made, same as Juniors claims that Accardo personally blew off Giancanas head... and so i really dont want so start posting docs and stuff so we will leave it like that. Its almost bedtime over here, cheers

I think you make a good point, and like I wrote I personally think that Glimco and Coli were made. I still want to put his information out there because he is still a knowledgeable source. While we don't always agree, we still ought to carefully consider what he says.