Rockford LCN - help with opinions and direction

[cavita]

I had recently asked in the Buffalo/Ontario thread what constitutes a “lack of activity” and was given the response “When you cease seeing ongoing activity that’s in behalf of, and directed by, an LCN family. This is RICO 101 stuff here.” I have looked into the Midwest LCN families and have always had an interest in the smaller families, especially Rockford as that’s my hometown and I lived there many years before moving and knew some of the individuals involved. This got me thinking as to the level of activity of this family and what direction to take in my research.

In 1964 the FBI started investigating the Rockford LCN family when Milwaukee member-turned-informant Augie Maniaci gave up information on the family. He outlined members he knew of including the hierarchy. With that information over the years the FBI never prosecuted the family as a whole or for that matter any members on behalf of the LCN family- all indictments were for individual members for individual crimes not tied to the family but were obviously crimes on behalf of the family’s interests. Over the years the FBI was able to indict five members:

Street Gambling Boss Phil Emordeno in 1968 for mislabeling and diluting 27 bottles of liquor in a tavern he owned. He was given a one-hour jail sentence and a $300 fine.

Street Gambling Boss Phil Emordeno and Consigliere Joe Zito in 1971 in connection with the licensing and ownership of the Grant Park Tavern. Both only had to pay a $1,000 fine.

Charles Vince in 1971 for extortion and was sentenced to two years in the federal penitentiary.

Joe Maggio in 1972 for mail fraud and was sentenced to three years in the federal penitentiary.

Joe Marinelli in 1976 for mail and wire fraud to which charges were dropped.

After the 1968 Federal Grand Jury gambling and liquor inquiry targeting some of the members and associates, boss Joe Zammuto ordered the family to keep their heads down and take on a lower profile. Meanwhile starting in the late 1960s into the early 1970s underboss Frank Buscemi utilizing contacts in Sicily “personally stated that he has “sponsored” in excess of 20 Sicilian immigrants into the United States,” as quoted in his FBI file. This activity was noted in the Illinois Institute of Technology organized crime study in 1971 and was quoted as “an individual associated with the [Rockford] outfit had illegally brought a number of alien young persons from Sicily into the United States to work in the Rockford area.” As the family was trying to keep a lower profile, it appeared the family was bolstering their ranks. After the convictions and imprisonment of members Charles Vince and Joe Maggio in 1971 and 1972 respectively, the FBI may have felt they damaged the family beyond repair.

By June 1976 every one of the FBI files I have regarding the members ends pretty much as follows:

“Information from sources regarding subject does not indicate that subject is involved in any activities in violation of Federal statutes. In view of the investigation during the investigative period, it does not appear that any prosecution of the subject is imminent and this matter does not warrant further attention and is being placed in a closed status.” At this time it appeared the Rockford LCN family had died a quiet death.

On the heels of an investigation into the Milwaukee LCN family, an undercover FBI agent posing as a vending machine business operator recorded boss Frank Balistrieri and his associates attempting to extort this vending business. The agent was vouched for by “Donnie Brasco” who was in reality FBI agent Joe Pistone who was infiltrating the Bonnano family of New York. The FBI’s interest was renewed in the Rockford family when it was discovered that the introductions between the Bonanno and Milwaukee families was handled by Rockford consigliere Joe Zito, capo Charles Vince and street gambling boss Phil Emordeno. Because of this, the FBI reopened their files and began actively investigating the small midwestern family again.

The FBI later stated in 1984 the family numbered “about 20 made members.” The local police stated “organized crime is the responsibility of the FBI, and the FBI said its priorities are with organized crime in Chicago and Milwaukee.” In 1984 the FBI was interviewed on investigating them again and they stated they “recently renewed interest in Rockford’s mob in part because it surfaced during a major FBI infiltration of the Milwaukee family. The bureau confirms an investigation of Rockford’s Mafia is now under way.” Further, it was stated:

“The bureau’s own agents say they have complained of the FBI’s “pussy-footing” with the Rockford mob. Not until late 1983 did the U.S. Justice Department finally assign a U.S. attorney to the city, (at the time) the second largest in Illinois.” Douglas Roller, head of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Strike Force in Chicago said, “You know there’s a lot to “The squeaky wheel gets the grease. These are days in government of limited resources… Where the problem is the greatest is where we spend the time. The activity in Rockford isn’t as great in terms of depth and how far it spreads as, say, Chicago.”

A former federal investigator put it another way: “Rockford may have been 90 miles from Chicago, but it might as well be in Siberia.”
Further, it was stated “This case forced me to believe there were not just three or four retired Italians in Rockford operating as a family,” said a top federal official. “The FBI also became interested in Rockford because it believes the family is in transition as the older hierarchy shifts much of the operation to younger members.”

In the early 1980s another influx of Sicilians into Rockford was reminiscent of the immigration from the late 1960s and early 1970s. When questioned about this in 1984 the Rockford Police speculated privately that this was another means to strengthen and expand the family. Did this indeed happen? 1980s FBI files delved into the Rockford LCN’s narcotics trafficking that was connected to operations in Buffalo, Boston, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Sicily and beyond. These same FBI files noted that the family was using mainly pizzerias as fronts for the distribution of the narcotics and the bureau was also investigating the family’s large-scale bookmaking and gambling operation as well as their control over the vending machine business in Rockford and their extortion and intimidation of over a dozen businesses in the Rockford area. The bureau was also investigating the LCN murder of member Joe Maggio and their files stated who they suspected as having killed him.

By 1985 Rockford FBI files had entries such as this: “The long-term objective of this investigation will be to identify those members of the Sicilian Mafia trafficking in narcotics in northern Illinois, identify the depth of their involvement and association with Sicilian Mafia elements in Buffalo and Boston.” For some reason in just over a year’s time the FBI wasn’t sure if there was a Rockford LCN family or the Sicilian Mafia operating in Rockford.

By 1986 the files were stating “For the information of Legat Canberra, this investigation was predicated on reliable informant information which indicates that numerous Sicilian immigrants residing in northern Illinois with ties to established Sicilian Mafia families in Sicily are involved in the importation and distribution of white heroin into the United States. The majority of these individuals are recent immigrants from Aragona, Agrigento Province, Sicily, and have been naturalized as United States citizens or are currently in the United States in a permanent registered alien status.”

More lengthy Rockford FBI files noted:

“Through March 15, 1987, 388 conversations believed pertinent to narcotics and gambling violations intercepted. Interception to date indicate [REDACTED] and several Sicilian associates involved in narcotics trafficking and substantial sports bookmaking. Several bookmakers to whom [REDACTED] identified. LCN membership of one individual verified. Involvement of Rockford LCN underboss [FRANK BUSCEMI] [REDACTED] bookmaking and ECT learned and several previously undetected Sicilian narcotics traffickers identified. “Peace making role” of Rockford LCN protégé in settling ECT generated dispute between Sicilians also noted.

Re bookmaking activities of [REDACTED] several Rockford and Chicago area bookmakers identified. AUSA Rockford interested in prosecution of major gambling offenses, however gambling not targeted and regarded as incidental to investigation. [REDACTED] Rockford LCN underboss FRANK BUSCEMI has however, been intercepted in several gambling conversations with [REDACTED] level of betting normally involved bets of $500-$1,000 or more per game with multiple games normally bet.

On 3/5/87. Chicago initiated Title III coverage on three lines at the SICILIAN II RESTAURANT [owned by GIUSEPPE “JOE” OCELLO] Title III coverage to date has confirmed that SALVATORE GALLUZZO is a Sicilian mafia member. Chicago has also determined through electronic coverage, that [REDACTED] of Rockford LCN underboss, [REDACTED] subjects [REDACTED] BUSCEMI are owed gambling money by [REDACTED] a previously identified [REDACTED] FRANK BUSCEMI, SR., was called in to mediate money dispute.”

In relation to Ocello, he was charged with selling just under two ounces of cocaine to an FBI informant on December 17, 1986 but the warrant was under seal for almost two years and he was arrested on December 1, 1988. Ocello had immigrated to the United States in 1972 from Burgio, Sicily which is not far from Aragona, Ribera or Cattolica Eraclea.

More FBI entries from April 20, 1987 noted:

“In various intelligence projects and investigative analyses, FBIHQ seeks to identify the relationships, and memberships of individuals criminals, with the LCN, Sicilian Mafia, Camorra, etc. These discoveries are used to formulate investigative programs and policies. Numerous communications in captioned case have carried FRANK BUSCEMI [REDACTED] as being a member of the Chicago LCN family, and this is confirmed by data in organized crime information system (OCIS). OCIS indicates that Chicago serials 183-542-29, 183-542-219-A, 92-1170-1766, and source [REDACTED].
Report that FRANK BUSCEMI, also known as FRANK BONTENO, is a member of the Chicago LCN family at Rockford, Illinois.

Chicago is requested to respond to the LCN/Sicilian mafia traffickers unit, as to the following:

1. The circumstances, persons, type of document, and the substance of the information reported that FRANK BUSCEMI is an LCN member from the file source materials listed above.
2. A synopsis, including quotes if appropriate, of the source information received by Chicago concerning BUSCEMI’s LCN membership.
And any other information available to Chicago, not entered into OCIS, regarding BUSCEMI’s LCN membership.

NOTE: This inquiry is made to verify the criteria utilized to include FRANK BUSCEMI as a member of the Chicago LCN family versus his being an associate, or possibly a Sicilian mafia member.”

So, the culmination of the narcotics trafficking began with the Pizza Connection case which the Rockford LCN was undoubtedly involved in but they couldn’t be tied to formally. The family had connections going back to 1966 with Pietro Alfano in Oregon, Illinois, who was charged in that landmark case. The mid 80s investigation was ultimately bundled into the 1988 Iron Tower II case and for all their investigations, wiretaps, money spent buying narcotics, etc. the bureau and related agencies only charged Giuseppe Ocello. What happened to all the other members/associates that were working on behalf of the family? Was there a family even? Supposedly by this time the Rockford LCN family dropped off the list of viable families in the United States. Some said the family was absorbed into the Chicago Outfit but none of the remaining Rockford LCN members ever showed up on the lists of made members for the Outfit which would have made sense. Was the family overtaken by an extension of the Sicilian Mafia? The bureau was never quite clear in this regard and it seemed they were confused as to how to label the Rockford LCN family.

Outfit informant Nick Calabrese had stated at some point in the early 1980s the 26th Street/Chinatown Crew entered into a 50-50 gambling partnership with three Rockford connected men- Frank “Gumba” Saladino, Joe W. Saladino and Frank Geraci. Calabrese stated at some point the Rockford men broke off from the partnership and a sitdown in Rockford was necessary to try and get the Rockford men back. The sitdown included the Rockford men as well as Sam Carlisi, acting boss of the Chicago Outfit, Angelo LaPietra, capo of the 26th Street crew and Jimmy Marcello, Carlisi’s chauffeur. Nick Calabrese stated that the sitdown didn’t go their way and the Rockford men stayed out in Rockford because “that’s where they belonged.” This sitdown was definitely before 1986 because that’s when LaPietra started serving his time in the Las Vegas casino skimming case.

This would indicate that a hierarchy was still in place in Rockford and that this hierarchy successfully argued that the three men belonged in Rockford which eventually happened.

The Rockford LCN seemed to have died a quiet death again until the 1991 bombing of the home of David Hall who regularly hosted gambling games. Hall decided not to pay the street tax to Rockford LCN capo Sebastian “Knobby” Gulotta and the FBI started another investigation into the family and its associates which broadened into narcotics, extortion and gambling yet again.

An FBI file at the time stated “For the information of Legats, Bonn, Brussels, Ottawa, and Rome, the captioned subject [Gulotta] is a suspected member/enforcer of the Sicilian Mafia faction in Rockford, Illinois. Instant matter was opened in May, 1991, and was predicated based upon a bomb that exploded at the site of a high stakes poker game, seriously injuring two of the participants. Investigation determined that in the weeks prior to the bombing, captioned subject [Gulotta] had been involved in attempts to extort “street tax” from the host of the game, who refused to pay. Numerous sources believe the subject to be responsible for the bombing. Recent investigation centers around the discovery of a newly established meeting site, a location frequented by most of the individuals suspected of being Sicilian Mafia members in the Rockford, Illinois, area. Activity at this location is consistent with that of illegal gambling/bookmaking, but additional details recently obtained point to these individuals’ involvement in narcotics activity.”

Sicilian Mafia faction? Rockford LCN members? The FBI did not differentiate on this but it seemed to be a moot point because they weren’t supposed to exist but on into the mid-1990s there were many potential members and associates left over from the Sicilian immigrant wave of the 1970s that were still around and involved in the bread and butter of narcotics, gambling, extortion, etc.

From their first quiet death around 1976 into at least the mid-1990s there wasn’t a lack of activity or a cessation of ongoing activity that’s in behalf of, and directed by, an LCN family. In fact, there seemed to be a substantial increase in the activity as well as activity in geographical scope. All of this illegal activity was ripe for RICO prosecution yet the FBI, DEA, IRS and other investigative agencies did not bring any charges against the family or members/associates. By 1997 according to Sebastian Gulotta’s files the FBI gave up yet again on prosecution of him and others in the family. They placed it in a closed status yet again, but in February 2006 in a joint effort the FBI and local law enforcement agencies arrested nine men in a gambling bust that included Frank “Gumba” Saladino and Joe W. Saladino. The FBI stated this gambling operation had operated since at least the early 1980s but no mention was made of any formal family however, a retired Winnebago County Sheriff’s deputy labeled Joe W. Saladino as a “field lieutenant for the Rockford mob.” Gumba Saladino had been dead almost a year and was listed as an unindicted co-conspirator.

The next year at a high stakes gambling game in October 2007 the FBI needed to be called in when the game’s host was shot and killed during an attempted robbery. Investigation revealed this game was part of a larger floating gambling operation called “The Soccer Club” and it was headed by Sicilian brothers Salvatore and Natale Galluzzo. Salvatore was noted in 1980s FBI files as being positively identified as a Sicilian Mafia member.

In conclusion, I requested a February 1997 FBI subfile regarding Chicago’s “faction crew Rockford” and it was denied because they stated it could compromise ongoing investigations. I then requested the FBI file of Alberto “Bino” Seminerio of Rockford. He has been dead since 2010 and was mentioned in 1980s FBI files as being tied to a Sicilian Mafia family in Aragona, Sicily and who was involved in narcotics trafficking in the Rockford area in the 1980s. This request was also denied as it was stated it could compromise ongoing investigations. In visiting Rockford over the years and speaking with friends/contacts/associates there I had heard on many occasions that Salvatore Galluzzo was “the man” and that this guy and that guy were mafia members. My quest for information and answers centers on how should this family have been labelled after 1980? Were they absorbed into the Chicago family; were they a Sicilian Mafia cell operating freely after taking over; was it just a loose bunch of guys cooperating together on schemes using the fear of the word “Mafia?” Did the FBI just give up on this family and stop listing them as viable and lump them under the Outfit? There was no lack of activity on their part, yet they just seemed to die off with no definitive death date.

Any help and direction as how to approach all this would be greatly appreciated.

[B.]

Not sure I have any advice on the direction you should go in, but I can say that you have single-handedly educated many of us about the Rockford family and its history. You're an incredibly reputable researcher who connects the right dots and provides the sorts of details I'm most interested in and it has benefited my own reseach into the wider organization of Cosa Nostra, so my only advive would be to keep doing what you've been doing. I hope more records and files become available in the next few years -- it's amazing how the smallest footnote can completely change our understanding of someone/something.

The inquiries into Sicilian mafia connections, especially about Buscemi's exact membership (which seems to "obviously" be Rockford, but opens questions about his history), are an area I hope we learn more about. We've talked about Aragona and the connection to Boston's Biagio DiGiacomo (from a Sicilian mafia background) before, but seems there's more there.I don't think a family like Rockford would simply get turned into a Sicilian mafia group on its own, even if they did rely on "zips", as there is no real precedent for that and it would require formal approval on the part of both US and Sicilian mafias.

As for how to classify them, I'd consider them the Rockford Cosa Nostra family until you have concrete evidence that says otherwise. Precedent and history are huge in the mafia, and the group you're referring to was always recognized as the Rockford family of Cosa Nostra. I'm not saying they're still around or they didn't get absorbed by another group, but I think it's easy to jump to conclusions and make inferences when we have a lack of info. For example, people came up with various theories for the Violi-Luppinos in Ontario only to find out they're still Buffalo members. I don't know what to say about the Chicago connection, only that there seems to be a lack of concrete organizational info on the relationship beyond criminal association.

My opinion from researching the organizational side of the mafia / Cosa Nostra is that these groups don't change what they are because of activity, where the members come from, or other circumstantial shifts. They remain the same organization within Cosa Nostra as they always were, and as long as they are formally recognized, that's what they are. It doesn't matter what they're doing or not doing. Now, it does seem like Rockford is a nonentity today, but if a tape recording came out of a Rockford member telling a Chicago member that Rockford still exists in some form, I'd go with that.

Has a made member ever cooperated in Rockford, or has there been any indication in FBI files they had a member CI? Augie Maniaci was close to them, as you've mentioned but he wasn't with them.

[Wiseguy]

Supposedly by this time the Rockford LCN family dropped off the list of viable families in the United States. Some said the family was absorbed into the Chicago Outfit but none of the remaining Rockford LCN members ever showed up on the lists of made members for the Outfit which would have made sense. Was the family overtaken by an extension of the Sicilian Mafia? The bureau was never quite clear in this regard and it seemed they were confused as to how to label the Rockford LCN family.

The last time the FBI had Rockford on a list of families was 1980. At least that I'm aware of.

From their first quiet death around 1976 into at least the mid-1990s there wasn’t a lack of activity or a cessation of ongoing activity that’s in behalf of, and directed by, an LCN family. In fact, there seemed to be a substantial increase in the activity as well as activity in geographical scope. All of this illegal activity was ripe for RICO prosecution yet the FBI, DEA, IRS and other investigative agencies did not bring any charges against the family or members/associates. By 1997 according to Sebastian Gulotta’s files the FBI gave up yet again on prosecution of him and others in the family. They placed it in a closed status yet again, but in February 2006 in a joint effort the FBI and local law enforcement agencies arrested nine men in a gambling bust that included Frank “Gumba” Saladino and Joe W. Saladino. The FBI stated this gambling operation had operated since at least the early 1980s but no mention was made of any formal family however, a retired Winnebago County Sheriff’s deputy labeled Joe W. Saladino as a “field lieutenant for the Rockford mob.” Gumba Saladino had been dead almost a year and was listed as an unindicted co-conspirator.

As you said, there was no mention of a Rockford family in the 2006 gambling case. And in the Family Secrets case the year before, Saladino had been listed as "a member of the South Side/26th Street crew."

It seems entirely possible that whatever guys left in Rockford were either affiliates of the Sicilian Mafia or remnants of the Rockford family. But there's not much evidence of a defined hierarchy (of an independent, self-standing family) and one can point to very little activity over the past 20+ years.

[Snakes]

Supposedly by this time the Rockford LCN family dropped off the list of viable families in the United States. Some said the family was absorbed into the Chicago Outfit but none of the remaining Rockford LCN members ever showed up on the lists of made members for the Outfit which would have made sense. Was the family overtaken by an extension of the Sicilian Mafia? The bureau was never quite clear in this regard and it seemed they were confused as to how to label the Rockford LCN family.

The last time the FBI had Rockford on a list of families was 1980. At least that I'm aware of.

From their first quiet death around 1976 into at least the mid-1990s there wasn’t a lack of activity or a cessation of ongoing activity that’s in behalf of, and directed by, an LCN family. In fact, there seemed to be a substantial increase in the activity as well as activity in geographical scope. All of this illegal activity was ripe for RICO prosecution yet the FBI, DEA, IRS and other investigative agencies did not bring any charges against the family or members/associates. By 1997 according to Sebastian Gulotta’s files the FBI gave up yet again on prosecution of him and others in the family. They placed it in a closed status yet again, but in February 2006 in a joint effort the FBI and local law enforcement agencies arrested nine men in a gambling bust that included Frank “Gumba” Saladino and Joe W. Saladino. The FBI stated this gambling operation had operated since at least the early 1980s but no mention was made of any formal family however, a retired Winnebago County Sheriff’s deputy labeled Joe W. Saladino as a “field lieutenant for the Rockford mob.” Gumba Saladino had been dead almost a year and was listed as an unindicted co-conspirator.

As you said, there was no mention of a Rockford family in the 2006 gambling case. And in the Family Secrets case the year before, Saladino had been listed as "a member of the South Side/26th Street crew."

It seems entirely possible that whatever guys left in Rockford were either affiliates of the Sicilian Mafia or remnants of the Rockford family. But there's not much evidence of a defined hierarchy (of an independent, self-standing family) and one can point to very little activity over the past 20+ years.

Rockford was definitely identified as a family past 1980, at least up until the mid to late 1980s. They are oftentimes mentioned as asides in Chicago files. The problem is that there is no FBI office in Rockford. The closest would have been Chicago and Milwaukee, who had to dispatch agents to Rockford to investigate, so they have a history of being overlooked. Not saying that is the case now but there is a reason we don't know much about them because most of the investigatory funds were directed towards the Outfit and Milwaukee (at least until the 1980s for the latter).

[Snakes]

In 1997, the following families were mentioned as having living members. Now, that could mean anywhere from 1 to 250 but I still think it is interesting. Unfortunately, numbers were not included (at least not with this file).

Bonanno
Buffalo
Chicago
Cleveland
Colombo
DeCavalcante
Denver
Detroit
Gambino
Genovese
Kansas City
Los Angeles
Luchese
Madison
Miami Florida
Milwaukee
New England
New Orleans
North Jersey
Orena Faction
Persico Faction
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Pittston
Rochester
Rockford
San Francisco
San Jose
St. Louis
Tampa
Tucson

I am unsure as to why Miami or North Jersey would be listed when Tampa and DeCavalcante already are but perhaps it is because they had uncategorized members residing in those areas that they could not place in a family. Although why they'd have them confirmed as members without knowing the family is beyond me.

[Pogo The Clown]

Rockford wasn't included in the 1988 list of families. Though that may have just been an oversight since places like San Francisco, San Jose, Denver and Tucson were included. I can't imagine those families were in much better shape at the time.


Pogo

[Patrickgold]

Cavita, great write up and I get what point you are trying to make. Throughout the history of Rockford, they have been listed as either “dead” or “non-viable”. With that being said, history seems to repeat itself and something comes up to say they are not dead. They are obviously their own functioning family. Joe Saladino is still very much alive and can be seen around town. Many of the alleged members are members of the st ambrosia club in the old Italian area, including Joe Saladino. The fact is, they have never had a Rico indictment on their leadership. In fact very few members have even been indicted. They are obviously still around. Did Chicago absorb them? With all the investigations into Chicago, very little has come out about Rockford. I think it would have come out on wiretaps or informants. I think what can be said about the recent Buffalo incidents is that the FBI does not take LCN as priority outside of NYC and completely botched their investigations into LCN activity in Buffalo. Rockford was and has never been a priority of the FBI. In fact, i believe they could never fully grasp that there was a fully functioning family in a small city like Rockford which was so close to Chicago. As for a independent Sicilian element in Rockford operating separate, I find that doubtful. The sit down in the mid 80s between the 26th st crew and Rockford leadership show that the group was LCN

I would love to know which Rockford LCN member was in the “Peace making role” and also considered a Rockford LCN protégé. Any ideas Cavita?

[Wiseguy]

They are obviously still around.

Who are "they?"

[Snakes]

Rockford wasn't included in the 1988 list of families. Though that may have just been an oversight since places like San Francisco, San Jose, Denver and Tucson were included. I can't imagine those families were in much better shape at the time.


Pogo

Rockford was considered a "faction" of Chicago, for whatever reason.

[Patrickgold]

Rockford wasn't included in the 1988 list of families. Though that may have just been an oversight since places like San Francisco, San Jose, Denver and Tucson were included. I can't imagine those families were in much better shape at the time.


Pogo

Rockford was considered a "faction" of Chicago, for whatever reason.

Snakes, I really do not think the FBI ever had a full grasp on what the Rockford LCN was. At times they indicated it was a faction of Chicago even though they never listed them on the Outfit charts. Also, remember the family secrets indictment they stated that Frank Saldino was boss of Rockford LCN which I know Cavita disputes. Not that there was a LCN family in Rockford but that Saladino was boss.

[Snakes]

Rockford wasn't included in the 1988 list of families. Though that may have just been an oversight since places like San Francisco, San Jose, Denver and Tucson were included. I can't imagine those families were in much better shape at the time.


Pogo

Rockford was considered a "faction" of Chicago, for whatever reason.

Snakes, I really do not think the FBI ever had a full grasp on what the Rockford LCN was. At times they indicated it was a faction of Chicago even though they never listed them on the Outfit charts. Also, remember the family secrets indictment they stated that Frank Saldino was boss of Rockford LCN which I know Cavita disputes. Not that there was a LCN family in Rockford but that Saladino was boss.

I think they only had them as a "faction" because they were never sure of their autonomy, which is puzzling considering they labeled a boss and underboss for the family in the mid-80s. Maybe they were unsure as to whether they had been absorbed by Chicago.

Saladino was actually not indicted as boss of Rockford and Nick doesn't mention anything about Rockford's status in his testimony, only that they had some partnerships and that Carlisi, LaPietra, and Marcello met with them after some disputes (around 1980 or 1981 to Nick's recollection).

[Patrickgold]

Rockford wasn't included in the 1988 list of families. Though that may have just been an oversight since places like San Francisco, San Jose, Denver and Tucson were included. I can't imagine those families were in much better shape at the time.


Pogo

Rockford was considered a "faction" of Chicago, for whatever reason.

Snakes, I really do not think the FBI ever had a full grasp on what the Rockford LCN was. At times they indicated it was a faction of Chicago even though they never listed them on the Outfit charts. Also, remember the family secrets indictment they stated that Frank Saldino was boss of Rockford LCN which I know Cavita disputes. Not that there was a LCN family in Rockford but that Saladino was boss.

I think they only had them as a "faction" because they were never sure of their autonomy, which is puzzling considering they labeled a boss and underboss for the family in the mid-80s. Maybe they were unsure as to whether they had been absorbed by Chicago.

Saladino was actually not indicted as boss of Rockford and Nick doesn't mention anything about Rockford's status in his testimony, only that they had some partnerships and that Carlisi, LaPietra, and Marcello met with them after some disputes (around 1980 or 1981 to Nick's recollection).

I swear there was some federal documents that stated he was boss of Rockford LCN. Maybe Cavita can confirm

[sdeitche]

I refuse to help cavita with anything until he writes a book about Rockford!!! Seriously overdue!

[PolackTony]

Great overview Cavita. One area that I find very interesting is the potential links between the Sicilian operatives working in both Rockford and Chicago in the 70s and 80s, given that investigators outlined that both families had Sicilian/Italian narcotics operations in that period. While it’s possible that they were tapped into distinct Sicilian-based networks, I think it’s reasonable to suspect that these operations were linked.

On a related note, in my thread on Chicago’s “zips”, you mentioned that Marco D’Amico seems to have had some link to Rockford in the 80s? If so, my suspicion is that this may have been related to the drug opps on some level, but it’s also of broader interest in that it would show that Rockford had ties to Chicago beyond the already documented relationship to the Chinatown crew.

[cavita]

Rockford wasn't included in the 1988 list of families. Though that may have just been an oversight since places like San Francisco, San Jose, Denver and Tucson were included. I can't imagine those families were in much better shape at the time.


Pogo

Rockford was considered a "faction" of Chicago, for whatever reason.

Snakes, I really do not think the FBI ever had a full grasp on what the Rockford LCN was. At times they indicated it was a faction of Chicago even though they never listed them on the Outfit charts. Also, remember the family secrets indictment they stated that Frank Saldino was boss of Rockford LCN which I know Cavita disputes. Not that there was a LCN family in Rockford but that Saladino was boss.

I think they only had them as a "faction" because they were never sure of their autonomy, which is puzzling considering they labeled a boss and underboss for the family in the mid-80s. Maybe they were unsure as to whether they had been absorbed by Chicago.

Saladino was actually not indicted as boss of Rockford and Nick doesn't mention anything about Rockford's status in his testimony, only that they had some partnerships and that Carlisi, LaPietra, and Marcello met with them after some disputes (around 1980 or 1981 to Nick's recollection).

I swear there was some federal documents that stated he was boss of Rockford LCN. Maybe Cavita can confirm

The 2003 Threat Assessment to Nick Calabrese said to the effect of "Information has been developed that Saladino is the boss of the Rockford LCN Family." How I interpret that is that is what Nick believed. When he was briefing the FBI as to who the threats to his safety were, that's how Nick described him. See, just because Nick was an informant didn't mean he knew everything. He gave info to the FBI how he knew it. His brother Frank may have told Nick that Saladino was the boss out there for whatever reason and Nick took it as gospel. As I've said before from what I personally knew of Saladino he was a made member but he was never more than a collector of street tax. He possibly could have been a capo after Gulotta died but that's it.