Whats up fellas?! As I previously promised, Im back with another free article and from this point on, Ill post only free articles so that everyone will be able to read it. Screw all paywalls and shit like that. I know that most of you already saw many documentaries or read books regarding Accardo but this is different. So open up your beer cans or wine bottles, light up your cigars or splifs, and enjoy the article 'cuz its a long one. Cheers


INTRO

Tony Accardo’s criminal history shows to us the real nature of some criminals, and his criminal actions also suggest that more sophisticated crimes avoid arrest and provide more benefits. So Accardo’s main goal was to escape criminal prosecution, while the illegal money was “raining from the sky”. Accardo was convicted for minor crimes but during his criminal career, no one was able to provide sufficient evidence so they can place him in jail, not even the U.S. government.

Age had little importance as a means of social control in Accardo’s criminal career and in fact, Accardo's violent nature and onset was the direct result of rebellion against the social institutions and like any other powerful criminal, he was looking for a more extravagant life and to live next to the high-society, which previously denied his access. That’s why Accardo always kept the so-called “street” mentality which in fact was the main reason for his constant companionship with other individuals with the same criminal mindset, while on the other hand he often avoided contact with police officials and government representatives, thus making him a true “Cosa Nostra” leader in the eyes of his peers for a very long time period.

Accardo’s prospects within Chicago’s underworld provided him with the luxuries he always desired and it was his criminal associations that provided him with the ability to attain his goals and to advance his criminal career. His membership in the American-Italian Mafia and also ability to make money, landed him his long-time desired role to live the same way as the high-society. Accardo’s criminal associations within the underworld grew to the point that members of the criminal brotherhood shielded him with their own lives and freedom. Although despite the great amount of prosperity that Accardo attained with the help of his association, he always viewed others as potential enemies, something which provided nothing but death for his peers.

But like any other career, whether its legitimate or illegal, it had its own ups and downs and when Accardo learned new forms of crime and made the necessary associations with other criminals to execute them, down the road many people again lost their lives. This is a story regarding one of the world’s most infamous and “bloodthirsty” criminal bosses who in turn was present on the criminal scene for almost a century and the U.S. government was simply powerless against him.




BORN IN THE U.S.A.

Anthony Frank Accardo was born on Chicago’s Northwest Side, on April 28, 1906 and was the son of a Sicilian immigrant and alleged shoemaker. Accardo was the second of six children of Francesco Accardo and Maria Tilotta Accardo. One year before his birth, the Accardos had emigrated from Castelvetrano, in the Province of Trapani, Sicily, Italy to America. Accardo was allegedly baptized at the Holy Name Cathedral as Antonio Leonardo Accardo, less than seven blocks away from his home which was located at 1353 West Grand Avenue, on the city’s Northwest side.


Grand Avenue 1920’s

At the age of five Accardo enrolled in school at the James Otis Elementary School and when he reached the age of 14, he became disenchanted with the education system. Story goes that his father Francesco wasn’t impressed with his son’s progress and so like many others of that era, he filed a delayed birth-record stating that his son had allegedly been born in 1904. The additional two years allowed Accardo to drop out of school and began working various jobs such as a delivery boy, grocery clerk and truck driver. So, if Francesco or Frank had connections to falsify his son’s birth date after arriving in the U.S., I wonder if he already had other connections.

Not much is known regarding the beginning of Accardo’s criminal career, although some researchers say that he had several minor brushes with the law at the age of 17 or in 1922 when he was arrested for a motor vehicle violation, and the following year in 1923 when he was charged because of an incident at a pool hall where organized crime figures were known to hang out. According to court records, Accardo said that he was still living with his parents and that he was employed as a truck driver at the time.

During those days the city’s Northwest Side was mainly ruled by the Sicilian Mafia, especially the West Grand Avenue area where Accardo grew up. Besides the Italian criminal brotherhood, there were also many local non-Italian gangs that were either independent or were in alliance with the Mafia. Even today many researchers still don’t have a straight answer regarding the individual who probably introduced Accardo to the criminal life, but I personally believe that it was his father Frank, again a situation which will be explained later during the story.


Young Tony Accardo


THE LIFE

Some sources say that it was Accardo’s brutal nature which caught the eye of some the gangsters and Mafiosi from around the Northwest Side. During the mid 1920’s a bloody conflict erupted within Chicago’s underworld and one of the largest warring groups was headed by John Torrio and Al Capone from the South Side. In October 1926, North Side gang leader Hymie Weiss was riddled with bullets by two hitmen and some of the bullets even hit the cornerstone of the Holy Name Cathedral directly across the street. According to the cops, Vincenzo Gibaldi aka Jack McGurn was allegedly behind one of the tommy guns while the other shooter remained unknown. Some sources say that another Capone loyalist Sam "Golf Bag" Hunt was allegedly supporting McGurn from a nearby building, where police later found his signature which was a golf bag with a shotgun inside. As for the second gunman who was in the same car with McGurn, some speculate that it was young Tony Accardo. Later in life Hunt would become a close associate of Accardo.


Sam Hunt (first from the left) and Tony Accardo (second from left)

Sources say that one of Accardo’s main associates and also personal friend became Tony Capezio, allegedly because Capezio was connected to many young criminals and used them for various crimes. Capezio was closely connected to two of Capone’s personal hitmen John Moore aka Claude Maddox and William Heeney. By being a strapping, five-nine, 200 pound gangster, young Accardo enjoyed the company of killers such as McGurn, Hunt, Capezio, Maddox and Heeney, with their headquarters the Circus Cafe which was located at 1857 W North Avenue. Besides showing his loyalty as a killer for the organization, Accardo was also involved in the bootlegging racket by overseeing beer trucks for Capone and also working as a part time truck driver himself, especially if the shipment crossed through areas controlled by rival gangs. As associate of the Mob, Accardo was also obliged to give percentage to his boss from his illegal earnings. Young Accardo also lurked the streets of the Grand and Milwaukee neighborhood, and controlled many burglary and car theft operations and story goes that Capezio’s all-time favorite crime was burglary and so together with Accardo they shared the same passion for crime. During this period Prohibition was still in full effect and so Capezio, Maddox and Accardo were known for stealing liquor from small time bootleggers and later resold it on the streets or in bars and other joints.


Tony Capezio


Claude Maddox

But in 1928 everything changed when Accardo’s boss Al Capone became a made member of the American Mafia and was instantly elevated to the position of “capo” or a captain of a crew which included other made men and also had the privilege to make other members, on his own. Many of Accardo’s Italian mentors became made members of the Mafia and also many non-Italian associates like Hunt and Maddox also received their own districts and operations, obviously under Capone’s jurisdiction.

I personally don’t know for sure on who was made member or capo which Accardo reported to, although many researchers believe that it was either McGurn or Capezio but I think differently. It seems that Capone’s ally and also member of the old Sicilian Mafia who in turn betrayed his old associates, Lawrence Mangano, was allegedly the main guy who controlled rackets around the Northwest Side. So, it is possible that Mangano had close connections to both Capezio and Accardo and acted as some type of mentor.


Lawrence Mangano

During this period Capone was still in conflict with rival members from the Mafia brotherhood and also other rival gangs, and so his life was in constant danger. So, when Capone began looking for new and trusted bodyguards, it is possible that Accardo’s name popped up. At the time, Capone himself was accommodated at The Hawthorne Hotel at 4823 22nd Street and believe it or not, his main protection were members of the so-called Circus Cafe gang. Capone was at the top floor while Willie Heeney was on the floor right below him and next door to Heeney was Claude Maddox Every room, window, and door in the hotel was completely dedicated to the safety of Capone, with double locks, latches, and buzzer systems. Tony Accardo was allegedly always seated in the lobby of the hotel with a Tommy gun in his lap which was covered with his coat. The information regarding Accardo being Capone’s personal bodyguard is completely false, meaning he was probably the “first line” of defense.

In 1929 Accardo’s associates and mentors Tony Capezio and Claude Maddox were implicated in the infamous St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, which was executed on the orders of Al Capone. The involvement of Accardo’s associates in the massacre gave birth to the legend or myth that Accardo himself was also allegedly involved in the murder plot, something which is completely not true. Although it seems that by now Accardo became a known name within Chicago’s underworld, including law enforcement. That same year or in August 1929, someone bombed the shop of one Francesco “Frank” Accardo which was located on the Northwest Side. Because of that, I rightfully speculate that the bombing of the shop of Frank Accardo had something to do with the conflict which still lasted at the time, and it is possible that Frank was either the prime target or someone made a mistake at the time by bombing the wrong shop and it was possibly a case of mistaken identity, although during those days the old Chicago Mafia was known for killing relatives of their rivals.

The reason behind the bombing of the shop was possibly form just two months before when three high level members of the Sicilian Mafia were killed on Capone’s orders and sources say that before being shot to death, all three victims were almost beaten to death. Legend goes that Accardo was allegedly one of the hitmen who almost beat to death all three victims, a situation which allegedly gave him the nickname “Joe Batters”. If you look at the autopsy report and pictures from all three victims, you might notice that the corpses didn’t have some specific traumas from a blunt object or numerous hematomas. Again, this means that this situation also might be included in all of the previously mentioned myths regarding Accardo, although I’m one hundred percent sure that he received his infamous nickname from some similar situation, if not the same one.


Accardo in 1930


MADE MAN

In February 1930, Accardo was arrested together with Jack McGurn on concealed gun charges and while being on the scene, McGurn allegedly told the cops do not get excited because his gun was in his left pocket. McGurn and Accardo were arrested while riding in a taxicab minutes after the murder of government prosecutor Julius Rosen. In October 1930 Accardo spent three nights in jail and later his alleged boss Lawrence Mangano swaggered into the police station and paid Accardo’s bond on vagrancy charges. Both Mangano and Accardo left the police station while being accompanied by several bodyguards and Mangano allegedly told the press “We public enemies must stick together, lets celebrate with spaghetti dinner.” The next month Accardo was released on all charges.

Mike Heitler was an old-time racketeer who was involved in both gambling and prostitution since the beginning of the 20th century and his main area was the Northwest Side, including the Elmwood Park area. Mangano was also in business relationship with Heitler but in 1931 that same relationship completely changed. Sources say that Mangano allegedly began extorting Heitler who in turn wrote letters to the press regarding who was who in the Italian underworld, if something happened to him. In April 1931, Heitler was murdered and later his body was burned and sources say that the last guy who the late Heitler saw before his slaying was Mangano and that Accardo was also allegedly involved in the slaying. In May 1931, Accardo was arrested together with Mangano and two other Chicago hoodlums during a meeting at the Club Floridian located at 674 West Madison Street. That same month Accardo’s brother Martin Accardo and another crew member John Mattheis were arrested regarding the extortion of one Glenview saloonkeeper Richard Seifert and also for forcing him to buy only Capone’s liquor.


Young Martin Accardo

I personally believe that after the murders of “high level targets” such as Weiss, Rosen and Heitler, it is quite possible that Tony Accardo finally received his “button” and became a made member of Chicago’s Italian Mafia, and was also made by none other than Al Capone himself. After Capone’s imprisonment in 1932, the next boss for the Chicago Outfit was Capone’s number two guy Paul Ricca who in turn came from the West Side, especially from the Taylor Street area, something which was very important regarding the future of Accardo’s criminal career.

It is quite possible that Accardo’s mentor Lawrence Mangano was elevated to the position as capo for one of the largest West Side crews, with additional interests around the Near North Side and also the large South Side. So I personally believe that both Accardo and Capezio were absorbed in the Mangano crew which also included Mangano’s brother Philip, Louis Clementi, Rocco Fanelli, James Belcastro, James Adducci, William O’Donnell, Louis Romano, John Barry, Joseph Mondo aka Mundo, John Borcia and Frank Laino, followed by younger associates of both Accardo and Capezio such as John and Frank DeBiase, John Matteis, Capezio’s brother James, Accardo’s brother Martin, William and George Aloisio, Sam, Phil and James Mesi, and the Cerone clan which included the brothers Frank and James, followed by their cousins Jack and Anthony.


John Borcia


John DeBiase


Willie Aloisio


CHICAGO OUTFIT CAPO

In 1932, Accardo reached the number 7 spot on the crime commission’s Public Enemy list and one of the main problems was the imprisonment of his boss Al Capone and both the media coverage and law attention which came with it. In November 1932, Accardo was arrested together with his old pal Sam Hunt, Rocco aka Robert DeGrazio and Daniel Covico in a barbershop located at 954 W Harrison Street, and that same day one of Mangano’s places was also raided by the cops which was located 528 South Halsted Street. In April 1933, Accardo was arrested again with Sam Hunt, followed by Nick Kramer, Mike Spranze, Edward Guida and Louis Romano regrading one kidnapping case. The following month, Accardo was again arrested at 1511 Taylor Street, and was charged with disorderly conduct but this time the rising gangster had enough from the government and complained to the judge that he was constantly “pushed around” by government agents. Accardo admitted that he didn’t have any legitimate job at the time and that he was a gambler, and allegedly lied to the investigators regarding his home address. When the judge asked Accardo on why he gave them a wrong address, Accardo replayed “If I gave the police my right address, they would be all over my place all the time.” So the judge imposed a fine and as usual, Accardo was later released allegedly with the help of one mob associate and state representative from the 21st district Robert Petroni.

This made a positive change in Accardo’s private life because in 1934, Accardo met one Polish girl known as Clarice Pordzany and so they fell in love. Later they married and received two daughters, although there are some rumors that Accardo allegedly always wanted a boy and so he adopted two sons, Joseph Frank and Anthony Ross.

Another change occurred but this time within the Outfit’s structure when in 1935, Ricca’s alleged underboss Frank Rio died of natural causes and his position was allegedly inherited by Louis Campagna, another of Accardo’s longtime associates from the West Side. So it is possible that Campagna’s personal crew was inherited by Frank Nitto, while the huge Mangano group was divided on two crews with Mangano keeping his position as capo for one portion of the group, while Accardo was elevated to the capo position and became a leader for the “younger” generation. Mangano kept his interests around the Near North Side and also around the West Side, including some of his interests on the south, while Accardo took the Elmwood Park area but shared the Grand Avenue area together with Mangano. It is possible that the dividing of the crews and Accardo receiving his own crew, aside the one controlled by Mangano, had another purpose.


Paul Ricca and Louis Campagna

Accardo receiving the position as capo for the newly created Elmwood Park crew wasn’t just because of his close relationship with both the Outfit’s boss and underboss, but I believe that since Mangano previously belonged to the rival Mafia faction, it is possible that both Ricca and Campagna didn’t trust him and that’s why they created a new crew which previously was a part of Mangano’s large group, and placed a trusted member who in turn was none other than Tony Accardo. Later the suspicions of both Ricca and Campagna against Mangano will come true.


Outfit capo Tony Accardo

Accardo also made his way up with the help of his illegal operations. During the mid 1930’s the Outfit was entering many new criminal ventures obviously because the end of Prohibition, and some sources say that Accardo became big in both the gambling and union racketeering businesses. His mentor, Tony Capezio, probably didn’t have the brains to bring such income to the table mainly because the guy still lived for the adrenaline rush which he mainly received it through bank robberies and murder, but Accardo was obviously different which was one of the main reasons for his new position.

In 1939, Chicago newspapers dubbed Accardo "The Big Tuna", after a fishing expedition to Wedgeport, Nova Scotia, Canada where Accardo caught a giant 400 pound tuna and was famously photographed with his catch. Decades later Accardo had a walking cane with a tuna made out of wood at the top.


Accardo with his big catch


DEFENDING THE THRONE

In 1943, the whole Outfit leadership was imprisoned in the infamous Hollywood extortion case, including Accardo’s “protectors” Ricca and Campagna. Sources say that Mangano was secretly making a plan together with remnants from the old Sicilian faction which by now controlled the whole North Side and acted as Capone loyalists since 1931. The plan was to take over the Outfit’s throne and everything with it, but their plan was disrupted when the imprisoned Ricca appointed Charles Fischetti, Tony Accardo and Jake Guzik as “keepers of the throne”. Same as Ricca, Fischetti was also probably original member of Capone’s first crew and with the help of Accardo as his number two guy, they managed to eliminate every rebel from the North Side crew, including Lawrence Mangano. This means that from 1944 until 1946 Fischetti was the Outfit’s acting boss, while Accardo was probably his acting underboss and they ruled the Outfit with an “iron fist” and also managed to hunt down more than six Mafiosi in a three-year period and silenced their ambitions forever.


Outfit acting boss Charles Fischetti


Outfit acting underboss Tony Accardo

While in jail, the bosses were constantly visited by some of their messengers such as Accardo and Murray Humphreys who in turn used other names and aliases and posed as lawyers, so they can enter the prison. Both Accardo and Humphreys often used the alias of one of their lawyers and alleged made member of the Outfit, Joseph Bulger Imburgio and transferred messages between Ricca and the guys on the outside such as Fischetti and Guzik. In addition, Imburgio was also the supreme president of the Italo-American union at the time, previously known as the Unione Siciliani.

In December 1946, representatives of the American Mafia held a meeting in Havana, Cuba; and members of the Chicago “delegation” were allegedly Fischetti, Accardo and Sam Giancana, although other sources named only Accardo.


BOSS OF THE OUTFIT

On August 13th, 1947 Ricca, Campagna and some of the other fellas were set free after just 3 years and 4 months of their ten years sentences. This became a very strange situation since they were handed sentences without the possibility of parole. The whole corruption scandal obviously caused an uproar among the U.S. citizens, media and some federal authorities. According to some reports, major players in making the parole come true were Chicago’s bosses Tony Accardo and Jake Guzik.


Jake Guzik

Because of his loyalty towards the Outfit and its bosses, and also because of defending the organization from any potential rivals, that same year Accardo received the position as the day-to-day boss or chief executive for the Chicago’s criminal brotherhood. Because of the huge government “heat” and the national investigations regarding the early releases, both Ricca and Campagna took a step back from the daily affairs but they still had the last word on all important decisions by overseeing the whole organization from the “shadows”, including Accardo’s every move.

Accardo’s underboss or number two guy became Sam Giancana who in turn belonged to Campagna’s and Ricca’s personal Taylor Street crew. Previously both Accardo and Giancana had their “ventures” with the law like in 1945 when both were arrested for disorderly conduct and questioned regarding the murder of one of Guzik’s lieutenants who in turn was probably killed by the opposition at the time. So, this means that Accardo trusted Giancana and both set their sights on spreading their gambling rackets.


Sam Giancana