Gerald Scarpelli

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Gerald Hector Scarpelli (1938–May 2, 1989) was a hitman for the Chicago Outfit criminal organization who later became a government witness.

An Outfit member under boss Jerry Ferriola for several years, Scarpelli gained a reputation during the late 1980s as a leading loan shark. He oversaw illegal gambling operations in the suburban neighborhoods of Southwest Chicago. On July 31, 1988, Scarpelli was arrested for interstate robbery by federal agents. After being confronted with wiretap conversations from informant James "the Duke" Basile discussing assassination methods, Scarpelli agreed to become an informant. Scarpelli later admitted his involvement in the 1980 murders of William Dauber, an associate of gangster Albert Caesar Tocco, and Dauber's wife, Charlotte. With a record of 18 previous arrests and three prison terms, Scarpelli attempted to arrange his release from federal custody in exchange for his testimony.

On May 2, 1989, two days before a court ruling on his robbery charges, Gerald Scarpelli committed suicide by asphyxiation in the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago.

[edit] References

United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Governmental Affairs. Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. Organized Crime, U.S. G.P.O., 1988. [1]