So I just went down a rabbit hole and refreshed myself on some of the most prolific/notorious hitters from NY. Mainly DeMeo/and the Gemini Lounge crew/Casso/Perisco. I've always heard there is a stark difference between how Chicago vs the East Coast used violence, but did the Outfit have any people/crews that is even remotely comparable to the worst of the worst back east? And what are some of the other big differences in how they operated vs NY? When it comes to Chicago hitters I can't think of many names outside of Mad Sam, Aleman, Spilotro, and Frank the German. Looking forward to hearing your responses, I know there's some well studied Outfit guys on here.

Frank Calabrese
Frank Cullotta
Michael Sarno....still have never found Anthony Zizzo.

Chuck Nicoletti, Marshall Caifano, Fiore Buccieri, Vincent "Saint" Inserro, Sam "RIP" Alex, Alex Ross, Lenny Patrick, Dave Yaras, William Bock and many many many more.

Chicago was allegedly the bloodiest family from the 1920s until the late 80s.

During the 70s they ordered around 100 hits and so if we also include all the decades the number of kills might be tremendous.

I think one poster once posted a convo from Colombo members i think, in which they stated that Chicago allegedly had one non-made guy who killed more people than the whole Colombo family, or something like that.

Just who I was hoping to hear from! It seems Chicago had a fair amount of non italian/made guys doing their wet work for them over the years.

Thats right. The non-Italian group was involved in large number of all the killings, especially the Jewish and Greek groups from the West Side and South Side factions. For example Yaras and Patrick allegedly did a lot of important jobs/kills for the organization.

Dont forget that during those decades the non-Ital group had their own seat and representative on Chicagos round table and so they had their own vote on who was going to be whacked or even on who was going to be the new Chicago boss. They even transferred the hit lists from the top hierarchy to the rest of the capos and non-Ital crew bosses.

Same as the Italian made guys, the non-Ital hitters did all the killings for the organization, meaning they didnt receive any cash but instead they showed loyalty and in return sometimes they received their own territories and specific rackets. For example Alex controlled the Loop and First Ward, or Patrick who controlled Lawndale and also Rogers Park, Ralph Pierce around the south or Francis Curry in Joliet, and if some made or non-made guys from different crews wanted to operate in their areas, first they needed an "ok" from Alex or the other non-Ital district bosses.

......in addition to my last or previous post, heres one example or list of victims allegedly killed by ONLY ONE of all the non-Ital crews aka the Yaras/Patrick crew. This is the time period when the Patrick/Yaras crew literally handed down on a silver platter all West Side ops to the Outfit, in which the duo was closely connected to....

In January 1944, Patrick, Bock and Yaras killed Capone associate, gambling boss and political fixer Ben Zuckerman, also known as "Zookie the Bookie", allegedly as favor for Outfit capo Lawrence Dago Mangano. After Ben's murder the Outfit received complete power in the 24th Ward under the protection of Alderman Jake Arvey.

In August 1944, Dago Mangano was murdered by three hitmen. Story goes there was a conflict between the Fischettis, Accardo VS. Mangano, and so Patrick and Yaras allegedly informed the guys about Manganos activities against the new leadership (since Ricca, Campagna, D'Andrea etc. were in prison at the time) and so that was Mangano's end, who in turn joined his dead companions and allies from the old North Side crew. Some reports say that the three hitmen mightve been the "Three Doms" (Nuccio, Brancato and DiBella from the North Side), while other reports say that it was the Yaras/Patrick/Bock trio, which I personally believe was the truth.

In April 1945, Patrick and Yaras murdered big time West Side bookmaker Willie Tarsch who in turn was previously connected to both the late Zuckerman and also the late Mangano.

James Ragen was old time Capone associate who during the 1940’s controlled the number one racing service, which serviced thousands of bookies between Chicago and Los Angeles. In June 1946 the Yaras/Patrick/Bock trio got into a truck and followed James Ragen's car. They pulled off their shotguns and aimed at Ragen’s vehicle. Two blasts were fired and one tore through Ragen’s upper right arm and shoulder. Ragen was still alive and was in critical condition and remained alive until August, when he died under mysterious conditions or allegedly he was poisoned while in hospital. After Ragen's death, the Outfit controlled his racing wires.

In December 1947, Patrick and Yaras murdered Harry “The Greener” Krotish who in turn was another associate and also big time West Side gambling operator.

In May 1948, lucrative gamblers and robbers George Stathatos and Leo “Little Sneeze” Friedman were also murdered by Patrick, Yaras and Bock.

In June 1948, another West Side associate, gambler and robber Norton Polsky was also killed by Patrick and Yaras.

In March 1950, Patrick's crew member Edward Murphy was also killed by Patrick and Yaras because of territorial problems. Story goes that Murphy was involved in a conflict with Rocco Fischetti and Murray Humphreys aka the Cicero/South Side faction, including with Humphreys brother Jack. After Murphy's murder, there was a sitdown between Patrick and Fischetti, which was chaired by Accardo, and so the conflict was solved.

In 1952 Patrick carried messages from the Outfit leaders to Charles Gross the Republican Committeeman from the 31st Ward. Patrick told Gross “They don’t want you to run for mayor. If you are smart, you won’t run, or you get killed.” In February 1952, Gross was blown away by seven shotgun blasts outside his Kedzie Avenue home by one Outfit hitman, who in turn was allegedly Patrick himself. Other sources say that the killer mightve been Alex.

In May 1952, Patrick and Yaras again killed one of their operators known as David Zatz who in turn was connected to mobsters from around the country and controlled various lucrative operations for the Patrick crew.

In June 1952, one of Patrick's biggest gambling operators Milton Glickman was killed by his crew boss (Patrick) and his associate Harry Kovin.

From what I've read, Harry Aleman was a prolific hitman.

The 26th street Crew headed by Angelo Lapietra which was filled with many guys who made killing their bread and butter. Angelo's reputation was to hang you by a meat hook and torture you to death which usually took 2-3 days.

Frank Calabrese Sr. was his main enforcer and collector.

Mob trusted violent crew

"When Outfit bosses needed someone killed, they called people they trusted," said Whisman, now an agent with the FBI's Kansas City office. "They needed people who couldn't talk on them because they had already killed people. There were several people from the 26th Street Crew who had killed people. They were the logical choice."

Led by street captains such as Angelo "the Hook" LaPietra and John "Johnny Apes" Monteleone, the 26th Street Crew--one of six street crews that investigators say operate as part of the Chicago Outfit--prowled a territory south of the Eisenhower Expressway that included Chinatown's gambling dens and South Side auto chop shops.

The 26th Street Crew--also known as the "Chinatown Crew" or "South Side Crew"--emerged in the 1950s and flourished through the '60s and '70s, collecting a cut of revenues from the area's storage and trucking companies, railroad depots, junkyards and chop shops, or auto yards that dismantle stolen cars. Crew bosses reported to and delivered a percentage of all revenue to Chicago's head mob boss at the time.

Truck hijackings and cartage thefts were common, said Vincent Inserra, who headed the organized crime squad of the Chicago FBI office from the early 1960s to the mid-'70s.

"They were known for bombings," he said. "Not necessarily to kill people. But if they wanted to put fear into the hearts of people, that would do it."

Gambling made the 26th Street Crew big money and established it as a vital spoke in the Outfit wheel, according to court documents and federal agents. Headed by Frank "Skids" Caruso from the late 1950s through the 1970s, the crew set up illegal backroom betting parlors to take wagers on everything from horseraces to Chicago Bears games and doled out "juice loans," where money is lent at extortionate rates.

If a gambler couldn't cover his loss, the crew would offer him a juice loan to pay it back, said Jack O'Rourke, a former FBI agent who monitored the 26th Street Crew for more than 10 years. If he fell behind on juice payments, it meant baseball-bat beatings, torture or death, O'Rourke said.

The 26th Street Crew was also responsible for Chinatown, located just blocks north on Wentworth Avenue.

Using Asian liaisons such as Joe Wing and Ken Eto and their own enforcers, the crew collected a cut of the action from the illegal Fan Tan and Maj Jong games operating behind the neighborhood's storefronts.

When Asian heroin flooded Chicago's Chinatown in the 1970s and '80s, the crew took a piece of profits as well, charging dealers and helping to enforce payments without dealing directly in the drugs, court records show.

Under LaPietra, the crew's boss in the 1980s, the epicenter for the crew became the Old Neighborhood Italian-American Club, at its former location of 26th Street and Princeton Avenue. Crew bosses and enforcers dropping off payments would enter under the "Members Only" sign over the door and discuss dealings or join illicit crap games in the back room.

LaPietra's nickname, "the Hook," came from his reputation for hanging enemies from meat hooks while torturing them to death.

Standing just 5-foot, 5-inches with thick glasses and heavy-lidded eyes, LaPietra was beloved in his neighborhood. He invested in community projects and held a block party every summer.

In addition, during the 50s and 60s the LaPietras were mainly collectors and loan sharks (also involved in narcotics) who belonged to the Buccieri crew and operated around Cicero, Chinatown and the South Side but they belonged to the West Side faction. When by the late 60s or early 70s Gus Alex relinquished almost all of his ops around the Near South and South Side, the Buccieri crew entered the area and when Skids Caruso decided to completely retire in 1976/77, LaPietra became the new Chinatown capo for the Buccieri/Torello crew and inherited all of Caruso's fromer crew members, while Turk Torello (Buccieri's successor back in 1973) was his rep on the Outfits round table until his death in 79. Story goes that after Torellos death, there was some alleged conflict between LaPietra (Chinatown) and Ferriola (Cicero) regarding the late Torello's high position on the Outfit's board of directors. And so LaPietra became the new South Side rep with Ferriola as his capo in Cicero, meaning the power switched from Cicero to Chinatown.Thats why when LaPietra went to jail, Ferriola (Cicero) took his place as rep for the Cicero/South Side faction and Jimmy LaPietra became his new Chinatown capo, or in plane words the Ferriola/Cicero crew was again in charge of the new South Side faction. Also, thats why many investigators at the time wrongfully thought that Ferriola was the new Outfit boss, while the reality was that Carlisi (Aiuppa's protege) was in fact the new boss with DiFronzo (Cerone's protege) as his number two guy or underboss, and Accardo and Alex as their senior advisors.

I believe Johnny Torrio was key in the creation of The Outfit a multi ethnic organization, but also part of Cosa Nostra.

The Chicago Family was working with non Italians before Torrio arrive in Chicago just like other Families were.

Big Jim Colosimo (a Calabrian) was an original in Chicago as I'm sure most of you know. Johnny Torrio and his young minion Al Capone joined Colosimo at the behest and with the support of Downtown Brooklyn's Camorrista. Frankie Yale, Little Augie Pisano, Toddo Dell, etc.

The Sicilians ran a small Mafia Family within the city as well, separate and apart from the Calabrese and Napolitani. For that matter, the "Terrible Gennas" - the Genna brothers were also a force to be reckoned with at the time.

But there were always racketeers and gangsters of other ethnicities. Not only in Chicago, but other cities as well. After much strife and in-fighting and betrayals and killings, it later became a blending of organizations.

Giacomo Colosimo was indeed the big guy it seems he got his last name, like Vito Corleone, when he arrived in NYC he was born in Colosimi, Calabria.

The crucial moment or time period which created the close alliance between the Italians and non-Itals in Chicago was the internal conflict within the city's local Italian Mafia.

The original Irish mob under Mike McDonald and James O'Leary or German mobster Mont Tennes ruled Chicago's underworld and politics during the early and mid 1900's and so they formed a underworld commission (probably the first in Chicago) which included Irish (mostly), German, Jewish, northern Italian and African-American representatives. Jim Colosimo was allegedly also one of the guys on the round table, probably together with Kenna and Coughlin, and he was probably the only southern Italian rep at the time, meaning there wasnt any rep from the Sicilian Mafia which at the time was mostly looked upon as a bunch of extortionists or "Black Hand" gangs.

Even though many bombings occurred at the time, still Colosimo was never directly involved in any of the conflicts but instead he flourished in the prostitution, gambling and protection rackets, under the jurisdiction and also protection of Kenna and Coughlin.

This means that Colosimo came up under two Irish political bosses and did business with all ethnic criminal groups.

I personally dont know if Colosimo or his wife or her brothers had any New York Italian connections, like the Mafia or Camorra, but somebody obviously had for bringing Torrio and Robert Vanella to Chicago. Some researchers showed evidences that there wasnt any blood relation between Torrio and Colosimos wife, meaning the whole story is a possible myth. Although Torrio and Vanella coming to Chicago is a good evidence that someone from the Colosimo group obviously had a New York connection to some criminal group or organization from that area, probably the Frankie Yale crew.

Also, Torrio's arrival is another proof regarding my previous statement that Colosimo allegedly wasnt interested in violence and conflicts because of his high level and multi-ethnic political, gambling and prostitution connections, but by the late 1900's and also during the 1910's the Sicilian Mafia was also rising withing Chicago's underworld and politics and was becoming a force to be reckoned with. And so Colosimo obviously needed protection against his "relatives" with Sicilian blood and allegedly brought Torrio in 1909/10.

So I personally believe that Colosimo was among the first Italian bosses in Chicago who worked with everyone and created a multi-ethnic and unique organization (with the Italians at the top) which later gave birth to the Chicago Outfit which also operated under similar principals.

Frankie Yale and Joe the boss were probably the first two Mafia bosses from New York who recognized that same situation in Chicago and probably thats why they started sending more people, mostly Mainlanders. But those same guys were the ones who later orchastrated the murder of their boss Yale, and so in 1928 Joe the boss made a half-smart move by making Capone a made guy for the Mafia and instantly elevated him to capo.

Masseria explanied to Capone all Mafia rules and gave him the authority to make his own ten guys. Thats when additional Mainlanders like the Fischettis arrived from NY that same year. Masseria also told Capone to eliminate all D'Aquila allies in Chicago and so it was done.

Many of the jobs included non-Italian hitmen and also most of Capones political contacts and protection was overseen again mainly by the non-Itals. In fact Chicagos Italians inherited all political connections from their non-Ital associates.

As I said, Joe the boss made a half-smart move because again or in 1931 he and his fellas were also killed by those same guys in alliance with their young friends on the east coast. For example Vito and Ricca together killed Polaccia.

With the murders of Yale, Lombardo (D'Aquila ally), Aiello (D'Aquila) and Masseria, the former Colosimo/Torrio group or the new Capone/Chicago Outfit made their independence and created their own organization, in their own image under their old rules which included the non-Italian allies, and received a seat on the commission.

Jake Guzik was probably one of the first high level non-Itals who received official position in the Outfit until his death in 1956 and was replaced by Murray Humphreys who also died in 1965 and was replaced by Gus Alex.

There was a line of succession which is the main proof regarding the non-Itals having a official spot on the Outfits board of directors. Later Alex received even higher position next to Accardo, until the late 80s or early 90s.

Interesting history. Thanks.

You mentioned Northern Italian having a seat at that commission, who were they?

You're welcome.

The Gazzolos from Genoa or Genova (North Italy). They had numerous saloons, gambling dens and brothels all over Chicagos West Side and were one of the dominating forces in Chicagos West Side politics and political corruption at the time. They even had their own crew.

Despite whatever "position" and power guys like Jake Guzik, Murray Humphreys, Gus Alex, etc., may have had within the Chicago Syndicate, these were always "unofficial" positions of power. None of them were ever on the same level as the "core" bosses of the Outfit. These men served at the pleasure of a Anthony Accardo, Paul DeLucia, etc.

In many instances they may have had (and did) have actual inducted Mafia soldiers serving under them, assigned to them by the Cosa Nostra hierarchy to further the ultimate goals of the Mafia. A Guzik, Humphreys, Alex, etc., may have even sat on the so-called (unofficial) "board of directors" for that matter. Some of these men were very important and respected hoodlums in their own right. They controlled "the police pad," payoffs to judges, the judiciary, etc. The had solid "connections" that helped grease the Chicago Mob's wheels so to speak. They also could be viewed as "bosses" over certain segments of Chicago.

But make no mistake about it. At the end of the day, there was only one entity that held the ultimate control, and the power of life and death, over Chicago's underworld. Especially after the 1930-early 40s Capone era. And that was the "core" Italian Mafia that oversaw it all.

They were the "nucleus" of it all.

I agree since we're are talking about the US Italian Mafia (not the European) and as I already said, the Italians were at the top of the organization but DONT FORGET that the non-Itals had a OFFICIAL SPOT in the Chicago Outfit (under the Italian top spots), like having the right for their own vote on who was going to be whacked (both made and non-made), or who was going to be the new Cosa Nostra Outfit boss (like when Humphreys was present at the meeting for Giancana), or if they should take care of widows or sons of deceased or imprisoned made or non-made guys or even former Italian bosses (like the example in which Giancana and Alex voted against the help for the Capone family, while Humphreys was all about it because he belonged to the old school). Chicagos non-Itals were involved in the Italian structural changes.

Dont forget this and pls forget the mainstream propaganda like the new operational vs organizational bullshit. They stole this idea from the original Traditional Vs. Modern idea. Chicago belonged to the "modern" or AMERICAN TYPE OF organizations, not the traditional or European ones.

Joe Watts from NY Gambinos never belonged to a LINE OF SUCCESSION, or Rockman from Cleveland. Those guys were powerful BUT never had official spots and so they can be considered as simple associates.

Chicago was different by having a OFFICIAL POSITION for their non-Ital "members".

Again, Chicago was different and thats way far from being a myth.

Thats not exactly true TD. Guys like Guzik, Humphreys, Alex, etc., NEVER had an "official" spot in the Chicago Outfit. They may have been powerful (which they were). They may have even had inducted mafia soldiers assigned to them for various operations (which they did). They may have even sat on an "unofficial" board of directors (for lack of a better term). But they always operated at the pleasure of an Accardo or DeLucia. They were consulted because their opinions were respected. And because guys like them oversaw certain rackets and the police "pad," payoffs to judges and elected officials, their input was needed and helpful to make wise decisions for Chicago's underworld. They may have even been consulted as to who should get whacked or saved.

But at the end of the day, only one person makes the ultimate decision about life and death, and major shifts in racket policy. And thats the "boss" of the Cosa Nostra Family that governs that city. Period!...Any thoughts to the contrary are pure fantasy and wishful thinking on the part of those wishing for it to be true.

Fellas like Guzik, Humpherys and Alex were mob bosses in their own right. Thats a given. But each of them, ultimately, served at the behest and for the betterment of the Mafia.
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And like any smart boss, who heads a large organization, be it legal or illegal, it's only intelligent to consult and get the opinions of the men who head and oversee different departments of that organization. The men who actually are hands-on, before you make your final decision. Whether that be about who to bribe, who to kill, or why a guy should not be killed. But ultimately an Accardo, DeLucia, or whoever led Chicago's Cosa Nostra at that point in time had the final say.

Admittedly, Chicago's underworld was unique by comparison to other cities around the U.S. The level of non-Italians who enjoyed power and were given major responsibilities there is unprecedented. Other cities also had non-Italians as top associates, but Chicago was on another level....To a point! lol. And only to a point.
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And as far as operational vs organizational? Thats complete nonsense made up by people that contemplate why the sky is blue. Lol. It's all BS. I don't pay attention to such gibberish.

So that is Villian he'll go anywhere telling you Gus Alex was apart tof the Mafia Family in Chicago and had a say in LCN matters like who the Boss is.

As I previously stated, I agree with you almost on everything, especially the org vs ops illusion LOL

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Now lets look at the situation like this...I always argued and Im still doing it, that the old Chicago Outfit had two groups,

Yes, the leading group were the Italians since as I already said, we're talking about the US Cosa Nostra here.

Yes, the Italians had their own structure and brotherhood and different types of inductions, and the non-Itals had no business with it.

Yes, the Italians held all top positions (almost since things were different during the 70s and later ill explain it) and had the last word on every important decision, including all policy for the organization.

Yes, the Italians formed more than 90% of the Chicago Outfit.

BUT, again as I already stated that there was also another group which held a seat on the Outfit's board of directors.

Whats a official Mob position?

Chicago's non-Itals had the right to vote. Having the right to vote is just one part of a official position. Im not talking about advised or whatever, Im talking about official vote. I already gave one example regarding Humphreys being present with Ricca, Accardo and Ferraro during Giancanas election for boss in 1956, and ill give you another example from 1965 when Battaglia became the boss. You see there was an issue during Battaglias election for boss since Ricca and Accardo pushed for Cerone to take that position, while Giancana and Alderisio voted for Battaglia, and so everyone waited for the Humphreys/Alex group and their vote. In the end Battaglia got the position.There are many files confirming this besides what those "org vs ops" clowns are saying. Everyone voted, although it seems the boss like Giancana had the last word (mostly formed from all the votes), not Ricca and Accardo.

Next....demotion....during the late 50's or early 60s we have one convo between two Chicago made guys in which they talked about a rumor that Gus Alex was going to be DEMOTED from his position. Now what was that position? It was obviously official.

The non-Itals like Humphreys and Alex acted as mediators almost in every internal conflict that occurred within the Outfit at the time, Being a mediator is a similar position as Italian consigliere which again might be official.

Speaking about treasurer....back in the days, besides being called advisor, Jake Guzik was also often called treasurer especially by mob members or associates. Same thing goes for Humphreys, Ferraro and Alex. And so we have one interesting example in one convo between Humphreys and Alex in which they talked about one of the Outfit's most feared crews at the time aka the Willie Daddono/Daddano crew wanting some credit/juice so they can start some new operation. Humphreys told Alex not to give him much or something like that. So being a treasurer was another "skill" for an Italian consigliere which again was official position but in Chicago's case, again we have a non-Italian.

In 1973, Accardo told all capos that from that point on everyone of them will clear every decision either through Aiuppa or Alex. When Accardo was out of town and Aiuppa was sick, Alex was the only guy who transferred only the important decisions at the time. Another important part for the official position.

When the narcotics subject occurred, Alex and Accardo were against it, Aiuppa was in the middle, while Nicoletti was all about it. This created a conflict between Nicoletti (underboss at the time) and Alex and so in the end, Nicoletti lost the cold war and all made guys and associates were forbidden in getting involved in the dope trade. Thats called setting policy for the organization.

And Ill repeat myself again...the line of succession regarding that same non-Ital position is one of the main evidences regarding the official spot. If it wasnt official, then why Battaglia called for a meeting in 1965 or right after Humphreys death, on who was going to take his position? You get my point right?!

If you already have ten spots, and you give one to another ethnic group, by the end of the day you still control the organization but you have to take their vote into consideration also because more than 50% of your illegal or legal operations and political or business contacts are theirs or depend from them.

And this completely fits with your statement regarding Chicago being on another level to a point. And thats my point too. Lol


(cheers and ill take a small vacation because I can see some of the "ops vs org" fanatics are also here and they are constantly following me. what can i say, im their idol lol)

TD, I hear everything that you've said. And I don't necessarily disagree with your general viewpoints. I think the terminology may be getting in the way between us. Lol.

An "official" position to me, means the following; Capo Famiglia (Boss), Sotto Capo (underboss), Consigliere (Advisor), Capo di decina (Captains), Soldati (soldiers), Associati (formal associates, many of whom will later be formally "inducted" into the ranks of Cosa Nostra)....and then various "associates" of varying rank, importance, and value.

A "consigliere," in its most formal meaning, is not a "treasurer" per se. He is a "counselor" to both the rank-n-file members and the hierarchy alike. A "treasurer," although valuable, is NOT a formal rank. Neither is a TOP associate (no matter who he may be) who is asked his opinion, or is consulted for before certain decisions are made by the boss. He may be valued, even very highly in fact. The racket revenue he and his operations bring in may necessitate involving him in certain decision making processes. But its still NOT official.

And no matter how smart, resourceful, tough, etc., he may be. Or how many connections to the police department or the courts, he may have. He's STILL viewed as an "outsider." ALWAYS remember that! Because THAT is Cosa Nostra!....and by extension, THAT is Cosa Nostra, the Outfit, in Chicago as well.

So, I think, at the end of the day, it's really a matter of semantics and where you wanna place the handle on the pot. Because however we wanna look at it, the Chicago "Outfit" (and the core Mafia Family behind it)....admittedly worked like a charm for over 80 years. They must have been doing something right! Lol

Both of you guys should collab on a Chicago outfit write up. Great info between the two of you.

Thank you Big Tuna. And I think I can speak for both myself and TD when I say, "We appreciate the obvious vote of confidence you place in us by your statement." It's always a pleasure speaking and conversing with nice posters such as yourself, Toodoped, and others on this forum. Grazie!

This turned into such a knowledgeable discussion! I appreciate EVERYONES comments and information.

Thanks Big Tuna and i dont have problem with it lol NY Mafia is a very good researcher too.

+1

Again, +1lol

I agree on everything you said 100%.

In fact, theres one information regarding Ricca and Accardo being concerned or quite worried on whether Ferraro told anything about or explained the Italian brotherhood to Alex. . I dont remember whether the situation occurred after Ferraros death or while he was still alive. Everyone knew that Ferraro and Alex were very close friends since kids and both grew up around Mafia families and other underworld individuals. The same guys who worked for Ferraro, also worked for Alex.

According to one informant, he once asked Alex if he can go any higher in the organization and so according to Alex's own words he allegedly said that he reached the border and couldnt go any higher in the organization because he wasnt Italian and reffered to the Italian brotherhood as "they" and made some type of joke that he was the "King of all Greeks". This again raises the question on what was Alexs status at the time which reached some certain level, but i wont go there lol

So during the following years nothing happened to Alex and in fact by the late 60s he was still present on board meetings according to one file from 1968 i think. This probably means that even though Ricca and Accardo were worried about Alexs knowledge regarding their brotherhood, still it seems they trusted him and continued their close collaboration.

In fact by the early 70s Accardo kept Alex even closer to him and according to another informant, it was very unusual and unique for a non-Ital to receive such trust and high position right next to the top guys. Ralph Pierce (informant) heard a lot stories from Alex regarding the structure of the Italian group and on who was on what position. This means the trust between Alex and the Italians continued.

But again as you alteady stated, Alex wasnt able to receive one of the official Cosa Nostra spots because he wasnt Italian, but I think he still had some type of spot which was backed with trust and loyalty from the top level Italian brotherhood, a tradition that lasted for over 60 years. This is the original evidence regarding the original traditional vs modern theory, meaning Chicago probably belonged to the modern or Americanized group of families.

Non-Italians, regardless of what crew or what city that crew operates in, how much money they make for the borgata, how tough they are, how much "work" they did, or how much they're loved by their Italian counterparts, are completely limited in how far they can advance within that organizational structure called the Mafia or Cosa Nostra. And by extension, how much "ultimate" pull they can exert on the street...Period!

The boss could assign them a top spot as far as control over certain rackets, whole swaths of territory, etc. But, ultimately, regardless of who you wanna mention, they all operate at the "pleasure" of the core Mafia (Italian) hierarchy.

And regardless of who might wanna argue the point, or persuade you to think otherwise, there are NO two ways about it! And thats a fact!