Probably the greatest consigliere in American mafia history, served as consigliere under three separate regimes (Ricca, Giancana, Aiuppa).
Joe Batters may have held the title of consigliere, but he was subservient to Ricca only. He held the real power when Giancana and Auippa were boss. Accardo had the final word on key decisions with those two, and that is beyond debate.
Agreed, when Ricca went to jail Accardo took over that family with Ricca in the background as a "consultant" and boss in name only, when accardo became consig in 57 the boss position was really a "front boss" (think salerno and chin) until the early 90s with all major decision decided by ricca and accardo
i rank accardo right up there with carlo gambino
Tommy Shots: They want me running the family, don't they know I have a young wife? Sal Vitale: (laughs) Tommy, jump in, the water's fine.
