Ross Prio

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Ross Prio (May 1901-December 1972) was a Chicago mobster and member of the Chicago Outfit between 1930s until the early 70s. Prio also had a reputation as one of the syndicates leading torture and murder specialist and, according to one account, was able to persuade a plaintiff to drop a million-dollar lawsuit against a prominent Chicago politician on the basis of his reputation alone. He was also suspected by authorities in several gangland slayings and bombings throughout his criminal career, particularly a series of bombings of dairy firms which competed with his own legitimate milk companies.

Born in Sicily, Prio arrived with his adoptive parents to the United States in 1909 and eventually settled in Chicago, Illinois. Although possessing an extensive arrest record, his arrest record prior to 1929 was destroyed by a court order. During the later years of Prohibition however, Prio would become involved in bribery of politicians and police officials for the Chicago Outfit. He also extended loans to several high ranking law enforcement officials including at least one member of police intelligence unit.

Appearing before the McClellan Committee during the 1950s, Prio pled the Fifth Amendment at least 90 times during which time he claimed to be a businessman with legitimate businesses including cheese and canned whipped topping, several currency exchanges, office buildings, hotels, motels, nightclubs, restaurants, finance companies, vending machine outfits and attendant services for clubs and hotels as well as owning interests in oil wells, real estate and Las Vegas casinos.

Although second to Sam Giancana, Prio was consulted on all syndicate murder contracts. However, according to federal wiretaps, mobster Jackie "The Lackey" Cerone was heard warning mobsters to avoid Prio, who was known to be vacationing in the area at the time, as they prepared for the assassination of Giancana in Hollywood, Florida. This specific attempt on Giancana's life was later abandoned, reportedly by Prio himself who had been informed of Cerone's activities. By the time of his death of natural causes in 1972, Prio had reportedly amassed a fortune far greater then Chicago Outfit founder Al Capone.