What factors in my opinion of the Outfit in 2013...
1. According to the FBI, approximately 25-30 made members and a little over 100 associates.
2. Scope of activity does not extend beyond Chicago and it's suburbs within Cook County, for the most part.
3. Down to two or three crews.
4. Still involved in street rackets like sports betting, video poker and stolen goods. Legit/quasi-legit interests include things like DiFronzo's companies, trucking companies, strip clubs, trade shows, etc.
5. Little to no involvement in narcotics.
6. Only residual influence in the unions. There hasn't been a labor racketeering indictment involving the Outfit in years. The 2002 Stier report resulted in no prosecutions.
7. Significant connections to politicians, judges, etc. seem based more on hearsay, innuendo, and speculation than anything else. Whatever influence is left seems to be grossly exaggerated by some.
8. Some examples of financial scams though unclear if they are directly connected to the Outfit or individuals acting on their own.
9. Murders of Jarrett, Chiaramonti, and Zizzo shows the Outfit is still willing and capable of using violence. Low number of informants shows it still maintains cohesion and discipline.
10. General attrition has taken a huge toll and will see the end of the Outfit, more so than indictments, and in spite of cohesion and discipline.
Great post as usual Ivy! I think this has been brought up before and this isn't really related to this post but do you keep tons of word documents with listings of different families members and their activities and indictments ect? Your knowledge and ability to post REAL information is amazing! Thank you for making this forum informative and interesting buddy!
