Samuel Carlisi

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Samuel A. Carlisi (December 15, 1914-January 2, 1997) aka Black Sam, and Sam Wings, was the alleged boss of the Chicago Outfit after Joseph Ferriola died from medical problems. Carlisi died while serving his prison term.

Carlisi started as a driver for Joseph Aiuppa when he was boss of the Cicero crew. When Aiuppa was convicted in 1986 for the skimming of the Las Vegas casinos, Carlisi was released and served as his replacement and as a frontman. He earned his nickname "Wings" because of his flying around the country as a mob courier during the 1970s. Often serving as a representitive of then high ranking cxapo Joseph Ferriola, Carlisi was underboss during Ferriola's reign (following the murders of Michael and Tony Spilotro, in which Carlisi had supposedly been involved). However, Ferriola was diagnosed with cancer, and following advise given by Aiuppa, Ferriola assigned day to day activities to Carlisi. That gave Carlisi more power and after Ferriola died, Carlisi was the new boss. In March 1996, he was convicted of mob racketeerings, loansharking, and arson in connection with an illegal gambling business in the Chicago area and the West suburbs. He died of a heart attack. Convicted with him were his chauffeur James "Little Jimmy" Marcello, Anthony Zizzo (was released in 2001 and is missing as of September 2006), Anthony Chiarmonti (who was killed gangland style at a Brown's Chicken & Pasta), and others.