The Milwaukee Mafia, 1918-present
The Milwaukee crime family is an American Mafia crime family based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The crime family was considered a branch of the Chicago Outfit. The family’s most influential boss was Frank “Mr. Big” Balistrieri, who was greatly involved in the Las Vegas skimming casinos. Today the family is nearly extinct with the Chicago Outfit gaining the control over the illegal rackets in the area.

While the term “Mafia” is technically incorrect, I use it here because this is how the FBI repeatedly refers to the Milwaukee hoodlums, and because it is the commonly used term. More accurate terms would be “the mob”, La Cosa Nostra (LCN) or simply “organized crime”.

From Italy to America
The Italians came to America at various times on various ships and wound up in various cities, often neighborhoods of larger cities.

Giovanni “John” Alioto, a later mob boss, was born in Porticello di S. Flavia, Sicily either on August 25 or September 9, 1888 to Giuseppe Alioto and Francesca Orlando. Italian birth records do not match his American identification. He came in on the ship Liguria through the port at New York on March 20, 1904 (aged 15). He would become naturalized in Milwaukee on September 13, 1926 and marry Catarina “Catherine” Alioto (born either July 24, 1891 or November 11, 1892 in Sant Elia, Sicily) at Our Lady of Pompeii Church on July 20, 1913. Together they would have several children, including Joseph and Angelo Alioto, and Antonina — who would marry future boss Frank Balistrieri.

Vito Guardalabene: 1913-1921
In April 1913, a “Guito” Guardalabene (probably the same man) was arrested along with two other Italians regarding a shooting in the Third Ward. He was represented by attorney E. G. Wurster.

Mariano “Mario” Alioto — brother of future mob boss John Alioto — was gunned down in 1917 by the Black Hand (also known as the LaFata gang, the forerunner of the Mafia) on Columbus Avenue in San Francisco while trying to fight the extortion racket. This had been a deadly year for the family. A few months earlier, Mario married Angelina Ingrassia, daughter of Gaetano Ingrassia, a successful masonry contractor. Gaetano had been gunned down by the same gang on Thanksgiving Day, 1916.

The first known crime boss for the Milwaukee La Cosa Nostra Family was Vito Guardalabene. His criminal organization is thought to have existed as a branch of the Chicago Outfit. Guardalabene would rule as crime lord from 1918 until his death on February 6, 1921 from natural causes.

G. Peter Guardalabene: 1921-1924
The son of Vito Guardalabene.

During Peter’s reign, future mob leader Frank Balistrieri was born on July 28, 1921 to Joseph and Benedetta (nee Picciurro) Balistrieri.

Peter, known as “the Prince of Little Italy” during his father’s reign, quickly asserted himself as a cagey and cable leader in his own right. Quickly separating himself from the sideshow manager he was in the early ’20s when he served as manager for John Giaginati, a moderately built coal shoveler known for his voracious appetite. Peter moved to strengthen his position and the organization he inherited from his father by surrounding himself with loyal and trusted aides like his brother Angelo and brother-in-law Matthew Deleano. Guardalabene insulated himself from the law by shielding his illicit activities behind a facade carefully constructed around the Monte Carlo club.

The Monte Carlo was a popular prohibition era nightclub known for its extravagant shows and extensive liquor selection. The Monte Carlo was frequently listed among the most flagrant violators of the law banning the sale of intoxicating liquors. On several occasions federal prohibition agents conducted high profile raids on the Monte Carlo failing at every turn to convince Milwaukee authorities to declare the place a public nuisance thereby banning it from operation. With each raid, the influence of the Guardalabene organization grew and the brothers continued to expand there operation through the 20s on into the early 30s.

“Papa” John Alioto started Alioto’s Garden in the old Third Ward of Milwaukee in 1923.

Joseph Amato: 1924-1927
Joseph Amato succeeded Peter Guardalabene as boss of the Milwaukee crime family in 1924. Amato ruled over the city’s underworld until his death from natural causes on March 28, 1927.

Joseph Vallone: 1927-1949
It was during Vallone’s tenure that the National Commission, a governing body of La Cosa Nostra crime families, was formed. The criminal council decided that the Milwaukee LCN Family would answer directly to and remain under the influence of the Chicago Outfit.

Peter Guardalabene was raided on July 15, 1927, and accused of being the owner of the Caldron Club, a night life establishment at 67 East State Street. On July 25, he was freed by court commissioner Harry L. Kellogg. Katie Miller, a notorious night life figure known as Kittie Williams for 30 years, testified that she owned the building and leased it to Edward Grabenheimer, not Guardalabene.

John Alioto took a position with Milwaukee’s Bureau of Street Sanitation on May 4, 1931. He would work his way up from ward laborer to labor foreman over the next 25 years.

On June 13, 1932, Angelo Guardalabene posted $2000 in bond. So did Albert Tusa, Joseph Vallone, and Joe Domanik. Tusa said to the press, “I can’t understand it. I’ve never been in the racket and never been in any kind of trouble with the federal government. This whole thing is hurting my family and my business.” His business? Running a fight club.

On August 4, 1933, G. Battista “Pete” Guardalabene was raided at a farm north of Port Washington, where they had a 600-gallon still. Also arrested were Charles Giangrasso (622 East Clybourn Street), Clarence Kruke and Jake Medinger of Port Washington. Rudy McBride and Durlin Meyers of Watertown, Vieta and Angelo Aielo of 1503 North Van Buren Street, Ralph Rinaldi of 1435 North Van Buren Street, and Paul Eichbaum of 1551 North Warren Avenue.

On the early morning of Tuesday, June 8, 1937, Frank La Galbo (of 416 East Juneau Avenue) was with William Jack Dentice at the Miami Club (618 East Clybourn Street). Later, around 1:50am, Dentice was found dead, shot in the head. The body was left in Dentice’s car at the corner of North Jefferson and East Menomonee. Police immediately arrested La Galbo, and Dentice’s clothes were sent to Professor J. H. Matthews in Madison for examination. La Galbo’s hands were given wax impressions by Detective Elmer Kahn, and it was shown that gunpowder was on his hands — he had recently fired a gun. Police suspected two men were involved — one held Dentice’s hair while the other man shot him. (La Galbo was the nephew of Milwaukee “vice lord” Vince Crupi who was deported to Italy in 1932.)

What was Milwaukee’s connection to crime in New York? On June 13, 1939, Deputy Inspector Michael F. McDermott arrested four crooks in Brooklyn: Frank Sbeglia, 46, a real estate broker at 164 Kane Street; Charles Fishgold, 65, of 1849 80th Street; Mrs. Barbara Oddario, 36, of 146 Amity Street; and Josephine Sbeglia, 42, Frank’s wife.

Sbeglia had the idea to use an elderly man afflicted with cancer and heart disease, Alfredo Oddario, in a life insurance scam against Prudential Life Insurance. Oddario lived in a furnished room run by Fishgold. They had another man, who was healthy, take a physical exam for Oddario in February 1936, getting two life insurance claims for $5000 a piece. The healthy man later married Barbara McAndrews on March 9, 1938 — and she had her name changed to Oddario. When Alfredo Oddario passed on February 6, 1939, Barbara walked into the insurance company with the death certificate and claimed “her” $10,000. Sbeglia gave her $1000, but refused to give her husband a cut — leading him to report the fraud to the insurance company, and they in turn told the police.

Detectives went to the home of Frank’s brother, Mariano Sbeglia, 55, of 1658 74th Street, Brooklyn at 11:00am. There he was arrested, along with Milwaukee hoods Michael Amato and John Alioto, for violating the Sullivan law — all three men had pistols sitting on a writing desk. The Sullivan Act required licenses for New Yorkers to possess firearms small enough to be concealed. Possession of such firearms without a license was a misdemeanor, carrying them was a felony. Sbeglia had an Automatique Modele 1920 caliber 6-35, marked action #30379 fully loaded with 6-25 caliber cartridges. Alioto had a .38 caliber Colt Police Positive Special #148423 fully loaded with six .38 caliber cartridges. Amato’s pistol of choice was a fully loaded .32 Colt. What connection did Alioto and Amato have to the Sbeglias? What were hoods from Milwaukee doing crashing in the apartment of a Brooklyn man? This mystery remains unsolved.

LCN member Sam Ferrara was cited for serving alcohol after hours at his tavern at 1443 North VanBuren Street on June 29, 1942. Ferrara would soon be the next boss, and this address would be the location for at least one gang slaying. (This bar went by the name of the Peacock from 1943-1948 — it is unclear if the tavern had this name before or after these dates.)

Joseph Vallone retired from the rackets in 1949 and died of natural causes on March 18, 1952.

Sam Ferrara: 1949-1952
Sam Ferrara was alleged to have been the next boss, ruling until November or December of 1952. His reign as boss is earmarked by one particular event. Just prior to his retirement, it is believed that the rank and file membership of the Milwaukee LCN Family deposed of him by vote. All evidence suggests that members requested intervention by the Chicago Outfit to have Ferrara step down. The Chicago LCN Family assisted and Ferrara vacated his position.

The man who would soon be Ferrara’s replacement was making a name for himself in the Italian community. He approached the owner of the Ardmore Bar on the corner of 16th and Wisconsin and offered his services if he ever got in “trouble”. By August 1951, the owner came to Alioto’s tavern and said he needed help. Alioto asked, “Where’s the envelope?” “What do you mean, envelope?” “We’ve got to put the fix in and pay off a couple of guys.” The owner walked away, saying it was a minor infraction and he preferred to see his day in court.

John Alioto: 1952-1961
John Alioto was chosen to fill the position held by the ousted Ferrara. He would serve from late 1952 until 1961. The FBI was aware of Alioto’s leadership as early as December 6, 1952, knowing that Sam Ferrara had stepped down. They also believed that Frank La Galbo was now “head of the younger section” of Mafia crew. During Alioto’s reign as boss the Milwaukee rackets grew at a fierce pace. Most notably was the growing relationship with organized labor.

John DiTrapani, along with his wife Angeline and daughter Rosalind ate at Chico’s bar-B-Q (1548 North Farwell), owned by Frank La Galbo, on March 18, 1954. That evening, John was murdered, his bullet-riddled body was found behind the wheel of his Cadillac on North Van Buren Street. Attorney for DiTrapani’s estate, Fred R. Wright, suggested that Frank Balistrieri take over DiTrapani’s bar — Johnny’s Round Up at 2665 North 27th Street (Balistrieri was his nephew and worked as a bartender). The committee rejected this because of Balistrieri’s youth.

An unidentified reporter for a Milwaukee newspaper wrote a memo on November 3, 1955: “While [Frank] Balistrieri has no police record, and is a clean character, he does mix with undesirable elements.”

Small-time hoodlum Jack Enea, 46, (1506 North Jackson Street) was found in a ditch on Plainview Road two miles northwest of Sussex, Waukesha County on Tuesday, November 29, 1955. Enea had been killed between 10:00am and noon. He had seven bullets from a .38 in him, and the last person known to see him alive was cement contractor Walter “Blackie” Brocca (1668 North VanBuren Street). Enea and Brocca had previously operated a tavern at 1932 West St. Paul Avenue.

An unidentified FBI informant speculated that the killing was ordered by John Alioto at the request of Joseph Sciortino. Sciortino was Enea’s uncle, and owned a bakery on VanBuren Street adjacent to Alioto’s tavern. Allegedly, Enea burglarized the bakery and stole $1400. The informant also believed that a black Cadillac was involved and that at least two killers were used — one was identified as John Aiello. This seems questionable, because in 1947 Peter Sciortino moved the bakery from VanBuren to 1101 East Brady Street, and his father (possibly named Joseph) had returned to Italy. So, for this to be correct, the informant would have to have a) confused Sciortino’s name and b) meant to say that Sciortino used to own a bakery on VanBuren, though the one that was burglarized was on Brady.

Detective Inspector Rudolph Glaser of the Milwaukee Police Department believed that a black Cadillac picked Enea up from 1443 North VanBuren, where his Buick was parked. 1443 was previously (and possibly currently) the address of former boss Sam Ferrara’s tavern. He narrowed the car down to a 1948 or 1949 Cadillac after a witness informed him that the car had fin fenders.

Frank Balistrieri met with Milwaukee Phil and an unidentified Chinese man on May 1, 1956 at a barbecue restaurant. (Quite possibly the restaurant was the one owned by Phil’s wife.)

Miss Greta Cotier claims she began working at Club 166 (pwned by Dominic Picciurro) as a prostitute in July 1956. That summer, Picciurro asked her to have sex with Sheriff Michael Lombardi to “keep the heat off” the club. Cotier says that Lombardi, who was friends with Picciurro, was having a drink at the club when Picciurro sent her with Lombardi to the Wind Blew Inn near Mequon, where they rented a room.

Balistrieri was cited by the police on November 20, 1956 for keeping the blinds closed at his tavern. He told the police he was sick of being picked on.

The Wind Blew Inn was raided on January 18, 1957. Milwaukee man Joseph Latona (1846 North Warren Avenue) was cited for running a disorderly house.

Of all the years John Alioto lived in Milwaukee, he was only ever confronted by police once: on July 2, 1957. He was given a mere $5 citation for failing to yield the right-of-way to a vehicle while he was leaving a parking spot. Aside from this and his violation years ago in New York, Alioto would remain clean. Constant surveillance from the FBI amounted to nothing.

On November 14, 1957, Frank Balistrieri likely attended the so-called Apalachin Meeting of the Mafia in Apalachin, New York. Figures representing every crime family in America were present. While his involvement is only speculative, he was registered at a local motel. Balistrieri likely used the Apalachin Summit to introduce himself to all the Bosses from across the United States.

By December 1957, based on information from an incarcerated informant, the FBI began to believe that the Mafia operated in Milwaukee “under direct orders of” Tony Accardo in Chicago. The informant also identified Balistrieri as Alioto’s “lieutenant” and said another member was August Maniaci. An informant (possibly the same one) spoke to the FBI again on January 10, calling John Alioto the “big wheel” of the Milwaukee “syndicate”.

John Alioto phoned someone in the area of San Francisco, California on December 25, 1957, causing the FBI to check if that number was connected to any crime in that state. While their search results are unclear, it would not be surprising to find out the number simply belonged to innocent relatives, especially since the call took place on Christmas.

In February 1958, the city purchased property from John and Catherine Alioto located at 514 and 522 North Van Buren Street for a total of $25,000. These properties fell in the area where Milwaukee was implementing its Urban Redevelopment Plan. (Today, this spot is a parking lot.)

John Alioto retired from his day job as labor foreman for the Milwaukee Bureau of Street Sanitation on April 6, 1958. He continued to work at Alioto’s Food market at 2500 North Booth Street.

The FBI investigated a connection between John Alioto and Anthony A. Musso, the alleged head of the Rockford, Illinois crime family in May 1958. Telephone records showed that Alioto had called Musso at his residence at 2117 North Court Street, Rockford. On May 1, a Rockford police officer advised the Feds that “in his twenty-three years with the department Musso has never been brought into the station but that Musso is a known local hoodlum but has never been caught in any specific offense.” The investigation led them to digging up rumors about Musso’s criminal activities and his connections to known gambler George Saladino. Few connections between Musso and Alioto were found. Completely by coincidence, on May 22, 1958, Tony Musso died of cancer at age 64. He was succeeded temporarily by Jasper Calo and then later by Joseph Zammuto.

Angelo Alioto, John’s son, became a founder of the National Italian Invitational Golf Tournament for Charities, believed to be the oldest ethnic golf tournament in the United States. First held in 1958, the annual tournament continues to raise money for charities and scholarships.

Joseph Sciortino was served an eviction notice in May 1959 by Judge William F. Shaughnessy for his bakery at 536 North VanBuren Street (adjacent to John Alioto’s tavern). The bakery was condemned by a jury to make way for the lower third ward “slum clearance project”.

Isadore Pogrob, a night club owner, was killed on January 6, 1960. Milwaukee mayor Frank P. Zeidler contacted Senator Alexander Wiley on January 11 and asked to be put in contact with the FBI, because he did not believe that local law enforcement was handling the gang situation well. Zeidler told the agent that he believed Pogrob was killed for “squealing” on Louis Fazio. He also said they had three other unsolved gangland style killings: John “Blackie” Sullivan, Jack Enea and John DiTripani. An agent informed Zeidler that the FBI did not have jurisdiction in local cases. Director Hoover noted also that in his opinion Zeidler, a socialist, “had a hostile attitude” towards the FBI and was a “bigot”.

Frank Balistrieri bought his home on Shepard Avenue on October 22, 1960 — the same house he would live in until his death. He bought it for $36,000 — $20,000 coming from insurance loans.

In the summer of 1961, Frank was having tax problems and called a friend to help him find a “good tax man”. The friend referred him to a man named Art, and the two met at the Fireside Restaurant in Wauwatosa some time in July.

October 7, 1961 — Special agents were at Gallagher’s Steak House at 829 North Third Street, and they witnessed Balistrieri come in around 9:30pm. He immediately pulled up a chair to a table with two middle-aged men, a middle-aged woman and a younger woman (none of whom were identified by the agents). He talked with them a short while, then went and talked to a waitress, and finally “busied himself” around the restaurant for 25 minutes. He conversed with the table a bit more and then went to go answer a telephone call. About 15 minutes later, they were joined by yet another middle-aged man. From about 11:00 to 11:30, Balistrieri spoke with one of the men while the others had left the table. At 1:30am, everyone left except Balistrieri. They departed in three cars — a light-colored 1956 Chevrolet coupe, a white 1962 Chevrolet Impala and a 1961 Chevrolet. These people were somehow connected to Frank’s tax problems, and ultimately this investigation led to a bribery charge.

On December 27, 1961 Alioto attended a civic testimony honoring Dr. Vito Guardalabene. The social event, honoring the son and grandson of the Guardalabenes, would also serve as the official induction of Balistrieri as the new boss of the Milwaukee LCN Family.