Milwaukee crime family
Milwaukee crime family| Founded by |
Vito Guardalabene |
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| Founding location |
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
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| Years active |
1918–present |
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| Territory |
Greater Milwaukee and some cities in all Wisconsin (as Madison) |
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| Ethnicity |
Italians, Italian Americans are made men. Other ethnicities as "associates". |
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| Membership |
40 made members |
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| Criminal activities |
Skimming, gambling, narcotics, racketeering, murder, extortion, bookmaking, bribery, and loan sharking |
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| Allies |
Chicago and Bonanno crime families |
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| Rivals |
various street gangs in Milwaukee. |
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The Milwaukee crime family or Balistrieri crime family is an American Mafia crime family based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[1] 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.[2] Today, the crime family is nearly extinct, since Balistrieri died in 1993, with the Chicago Outfit gaining control over some of the illegal rackets in the area.[3]
Historical leadership
Boss (official and acting)
- 1918-1921 — Vito Guardalabene — died on February 6, 1921 from natural causes.[3]
- 1921-1927 — Peter Guardalabene — the son of Vito Guardalabene was boss until 1927.[3]
- 1927 — Joseph Amato — died of natural causes on March 28, 1927.[3]
- 1927-1949 — Joseph Vallone — the Commission decided that the Milwaukee family would answer to and remain under the Chicago Outfit's power. Vallone retired in 1949 and died on March 18, 1952 from natural causes.[3]
- 1949-1952 — Salvatore "Sam" Ferrara — in 1952 he was voted out by his family and members of the Chicago Outfit forced him to step down.[3]
- 1952-1961 — John Alioto — trained his son-in-law Frank Balistrieri.[3]
- 1961-1993 — Frank "Mr. Big" Balistrieri — imprisoned March 1967-June 1971. In the late 1970s, with his two sons Joseph and John worked with Bonanno crime family capo Michael Sabella. He was imprisoned from 1983-1991 for his involvement in Las Vegas skim racket. He died of natural causes on February 7, 1993.[3]
- Acting 1967-1971 — Joseph "Joey Bal" Balistrieri Sr. — Frank's son and capo, became underboss in 1993.
- Acting 1983-1993 — Peter "Pete Bal" Balistrieri — Frank Balistrieri's brother and underboss.[3]
- 1993-1997 — Peter "Pete Bal" Balistrieri — he died of natural causes on August 17, 1997 [3]
- 1997–2014 — Joseph "Joe Camel" Caminiti — he was Frank Balistrieri's consigliere Died January 2014.[3]
- 2014- Peter 'pitch' Picciurro
- Boss Peter 'pitch' Picciurro
- Consigliere John "Johnny Bal" Balistrieri — the Frank Balistrieri's son, John has served as lawyer until 1984, when he was suspended and each was later disbarred. John Balistrieri's application to get his law license back was rejected by the Wisconsin Supreme Court in August, 2014.[4]
- Soldier Aaron "Blue Eyes" Getrieri—operates loan sharking in nearby Brookfield[5]
Notes
Further reading
- Schmitt, Gavin. Milwaukee Mafia. Arcadia, 2012.
External links
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| Families | Five Families of
New York City | |
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| Structure | |
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| Events | | Meetings | |
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Closely related
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