Section I Big Ange and the Death of

Section I

"Big Ange" and the Death of the Cleveland Mafia

In 1983, Angelo Lonardo, 72, one-time Cleveland Mafia boss, turned government informant. He shocked family, friends, law enforcement officers and particularly, criminal colleagues with his decision which was made after being sentenced to life plus ciento tres years for drug and racketeering convictions. The sentence came after a monumental investigation by local, state and federal agencies had all but wiped out the particular Cleveland Mafia.

"Big Ange" as he was called, was the highest rank mafioso to defect. He spoken in 1985 at the Las Vegas online casino "skimming" trials in Kansas City as well as in 1986 at the New York Mafia "ruling commission" trials. Many of the nation's biggest mob leaders were convicted due to these trials.

During his account, Lonardo told how at age eighteen, he avenged his father's murder by killing the man believed to be in charge. He further testified that after that will murder, he was responsible for the killings of several of the Porrello friends, business rivals of his father during Prohibition.

Chapter II

Birth of the Cleveland Mafia

During the later eighteen hundreds, the four Lonardo brothers and seven Porrello siblings were boyhood friends and man sulphur mine workers in their hometown of Licata, Sicily. They came to America in the early nineteen lots and eventually settled in the Woodland region of Cleveland. They remained buddies. Several of the Porrello and Lonardo brothers worked together in small business owners.

Lonardo clan leader "Big Joe" became a successful businessman and group leader in the lower Woodland Opportunity area. During Prohibition, he grew to be successful as a dealer in corn sugar which was used by bootleggers to generate corn liquor. "Big Joe" supplied stills and raw materials to the bad Italian district residents. They would associated with booze and "Big Joe" would most likely buy it back giving them a commission. He was respected and feared as the "padrone" or godfather. "Big Joe" became the leader of a powerful and even vicious gang and was known as the corn sugar "baron. " May well Porrello was one of his corporals.

Chapter III

The First Bloody Corner

With the advent of Prohibition, Cleveland, just like other big cities, experienced the wave of bootleg-related murders. The particular murders of Louis Rosen, Salvatore Vella, August Rini and several others produced the same suspects, but no indictments. These suspects were people of the Lonardo gang. Several of typically the murders occurred at the corner associated with E. 25th and Woodland Voltil. This intersection became known as the "bloody corner. "

By this time, Joe Porrello had left the employ within the Lonardos to start his own sugar wholesaling business.

Porrello and his six siblings pooled their money and eventually became productive corn sugar dealers headquartered in the upper Woodland Avenue area around Elizabeth. 110th Street.

With small competitors, sugar dealers and bootleggers, mysteriously dying violent deaths, the Lonardos' business flourished as they gained some sort of near monopoly on the corn sugars business. Their main competitors had been their old friends the Porrellos.

Raymond Porrello, youngest of his / her brothers was arrested by private federal agents for arranging a sale for 100 gallons of whiskey in the Porrello-owned barbershop at E. 110th and Woodland. He was sentenced to the Dayton, Oh. Workhouse.

The Porrello brothers paid the influential "Big Joe" Lonardo $5, 000 to obtain Raymond out of prison. "Big Joe"

failed in his attempt but for no reason returned the $5, 000.

Meanwhile, Ernest Yorkell and Jack Brownstein, small-time self-proclaimed "tough guys" right from Philadelphia arrived in Cleveland. Yorkell in addition to Brownstein were shakedown artists, and their intended victims were Cleveland bootleggers, who got a chuckle out from how the two felt it essential to explain that they were tough. Serious tough guys didn't need to notify people that they were tough. After providing Cleveland gangsters with a laugh, Yorkell and Brownstein were taken over a "one-way ride. "

Chapter IV

Corn Sugar and Blood

"Big Joe" Lonardo in 1926, at this point at the height of his riches and power left for Sicily to visit his mother and

family. He left his closest uncle and business partner John in charge.

During "Big Joe's" six-month deficiency, he lost much of his $5, 000 a week profits to the Porrellos who took advantage of John Lonardo's lack of business skills and the support of a disgruntled Lonardo employee. "Big Joe" returned and business discussions between the Porrellos and Lonardos started off.

They "urged" the Porrellos to return their lost clientele.

On Oct. 13th, 1927 "Big Joe" plus John Lonardo went to the Porrello barbershop to play cards and talk business with Angelo Porrello as they had been doing for the past week. Being the Lonardos entered the rear room of the shop, two gunmen opened open fire. Angelo Porrello ducked under a table.

Cleveland's underworld lost its' earliest boss as "Big Joe" took place with three bullets in his brain. John Lonardo was shot in the chest and groin but drew his gun and managed to follow the attackers through the barbershop. He / she dropped his gun in the shop nevertheless continued chasing the gunmen into the street where one of them turned, in addition to out of bullets, struck Lonardo in the head several times with the butt of his gun. John fell unconscious and bled to death.

The Porrello brothers were arrested. Angelo was charged with the Lonardo brothers' murders. The charges were later fell for lack of evidence. Joe Porrello succeeded the Lonardos as hammer toe sugar "baron" and later appointed him self "capo" of the Cleveland Mafia.

Part V

The Cleveland Meeting

Typically the trail of bootleg blood persisted to flow with numerous murders stemming from the Porrello-Lonardo conflict.

Lawrence Lupo, a former Lonardo bodyguard seemed to be killed after he let it end up being known that he wanted to take over the particular Lonardos' corn sugar business.

Anthony Caruso, a butcher who observed the Lonardos' killers escape was basically shot and killed. It was believed that he knew the identities with the gunmen and was going to reveal them to police.

On Dec. 5th, 1928, Joe Porrello and his lieutenant and even bodyguard Sam Tilocco hosted the first known major meeting of the Cricca at Cleveland's Hotel Statler. Countless major Mafia leaders from Chicago to New York to Florida have been invited. The meeting was raided before it actually zoo habitat construction began.

Later on Profaci, leader of a Brooklyn, And. Y. Mafia family was the most well-known of the gangsters arrested. Within a few hours, to the astonishment of police plus court officials, Joe Porrello gathered thirty family members and friends who put up their houses as assets for the gangsters' bonds. Profaci seemed to be bailed out personally by Porrello. A great controversy over the validity within the bonds followed.

Several theories are actually given as to why the meeting was initially called. First, it was thought that the gangsters, local presidents of the Unione Siciliane, an immigrant aid society compromised by the Mafia, were there to decide a new national president. Their earlier president, Frankie Yale had been recently killed by order of Chicago's notorious Al Capone. Second, it was believed that the meeting may have been referred to as

to organize the highly lucrative corn sugar industry. It was also stated that the men were there to "confirm" Dude Porrello as "capo" of Cleveland.

Capone, a non-Sicilian was reported to be in Cleveland for the meeting. This individual left soon after his arrival in the

advice of associates who declared that the Sicilians did not want him there.

Chapter VI

The Second Weakling Corner

As Joe Porrello's electric power and wealth grew, heirs in addition to close associates to the Lonardo friends grew hot for revenge.

Angelo Lonardo, "Big Joe's" 18-year-old young man along with his mother and his cousin, went to the corner of E. 110th and Woodland, the Porrello castle. There Angelo sent word of which his mother wanted to speak to Redentore "Black Sam" Todaro. Todaro, today a Porrello lieutenant, had proved helpful for Angelo's father and had been believed to be responsible for his murder. In later years it was believed that he was actually among the gunmen.

As Todaro approached to schedule an appointment Mrs. Lonardo whom he highly regarded, Angelo pulled out a gun and emptied it into "Black Sam's stocky frame. Todaro crumpled to the pavement and died.

Angelo and his cousin disappeared for several months reportedly staying hid in Chicago courtesy of Lonardo friend Al Capone. Later it absolutely was believed that Angelo spent amount of time in California with his uncle Dominick, 4th Lonardo brother who fled west when indicted for a payroll theft murder in 1921.

Eventually Angelo and his cousin were arrested together with charged with "Black Sam's" homicide. For the first time in Cleveland's bootleg killing history justice was served seeing that both young men were convicted together with sentenced to life. Justice although offered would be shortlived as they would be introduced only a year and a half later right after winning a new trial.

Chapter VII

Rise of the Mayfield Road Mafia

On October 20th, 1929, Honest Lonardo, brother to "Big Joe" and John was shot to death while playing cards. Two ideas were given for his death; it turned out in revenge for the murder regarding "Black Sam" Todaro and, which he was killed for not paying wagering debts. Mrs. Frank Lonardo, any time told of

her husband's murder screamed, "I'll get them. I'll find them myself if I have to kill a whole regiment! "

By 1929, Little Italy crime boss Frank Milano had risen to power as chief of his own gang, "The Mayfield Road Mob. " Milano's team was made up in part of remnants belonging to the Lonardo gang and was also associated with the powerful "Cleveland Syndicate, " Morrie Kleinman, Moe Dalitz, Sam Tucker and Louis Rothkopf. The Cleveland Syndicate was responsible for most of the Canadian booze imported via Lake Erie. In later years they got into the gambling establishment business. One of the their largest and many profitable enterprises was construction of the Desert Inn Hotel/Casino in Vegas. Dalitz would become known as the "Godfather of Las Vegas. "

Joe Porrello admired Milano's political organization, the particular East End Bi-Partisan Political Pub and, seeing the value in such impact, wanted to ally himself with the party. Milano refused. Later, Porrello seemed to be reported to have affiliated himself considering the newly formed 21st District Republican Driver. He hoped to organize the Wood land Avenue voters as Milano was basically doing on Mayfield road.

Part VIII

More Corn Sugar and Blood

By 1930, Milano had grown quite powerful. He had no longer so far as to demand a piece of the lucrative Porrello corn sugar enterprise. On July 5th, 1930, Porrello received a phonecall from Milano who had requested a conference at the Venetian Restaurant on Mayfield Road. Sam Tilocco and Joe Porrello's brother Raymond urged him to never go.

At about 2: 00 p. m., Joe Porrello and Sam Tilocco arrived at Milano's restaurant and even speakeasy. Porrello, Tilocco, and Frank Milano sat down in the cafe and discussed business. Several of Milano's henchmen sat nearby. The ambiance was tense as Porrello rejected to accede to Milano's needs.

Porrello reached into his win for his watch to check time. Two of Milano's men, possibly thinking that Porrello was reaching for his or her gun opened fire. Porrello passed away instantly woth three bullets in his head Simultaneously, a third member of Milano's gang fired at Tilocco who had been struck three times but managed to stagger out the door toward his new The cadillac. He fell to the ground because the gunmen pursued him, finishing your pet off with another six bullets.

Frank Milano and several of his or her restaurant employees were arrested yet only charged with being shady persons. The gunmen were do not ever actually identified. Only one witness seemed to be present in the saloon when the shooting started. He was Frank Joiner, a new slot machine distributor whose only account was that he "thought" he observed Frank Milano in the restaurant throughout the murders.

Cleveland's aggressive and blunt Safety Director Edwin Barry, frustrated by the continually rising number of pirated murders, ordered all known sweets warehouses to be padlocked. He bought a policeman to be detailed at each one to make sure that no sugar had been brought in or removed.

Meanwhile, typically the six Porrello brothers donned dark silk shirts and ties and buried their most successful good friend. The showy double gangster funeral was one the largest Cleveland experienced ever seen. Two bands in addition to thirty-three cars overloaded with blossoms led the procession of the slain don and his bodyguard. Over 100 fifty automobiles containing family and friends followed. Thousands of mourners and curious on-lookers lined the sidewalks.

Cleveland's underworld was tense with rumors associated with imminent warfare. Porrello brother Vincente-James spoke openly of wiping out everyone responsible for his brother's murder.

Three weeks after his brother's killing, Jim Porrello still wore some sort of black shirt as he entered the I &amp; A grocery together with meat market at E. one hundred and tenth Street and Woodland. As he chosen lamb chops at the meat resist, a Ford touring car, its' curtains tightly drawn, cruised bit by bit past the store. A couple of shotguns poked out and two lasts of buckshot were fired, one with the front window of the store then one through the front screen door.

Typically the amateur gunmen got lucky. Two pellets found the back of Porrello's head and entered his human brain. He was rushed to the hospital.

Phase IX

"I think maybe they'll kill all us Porrellos"

"I think maybe they'll kill each and every one us Porrellos. I think maybe they are going to kill all of us except Rosario. That they can't

kill him - he's within jail. " Thus Ottavio Porrello grimly but calmly predicted the probable fate of he fantastic brothers as he waited outside Jim's hospital room. Jim Porrello passed away at 5: 55 p. mirielle.

Two local petty gangsters have been arrested and charged with killing. One was discharged by instructed verdict and the other was rehabilitated. Like almost all of Cleveland's bootleg relevant murders, the killers never noticed justice.

About this time, it was rumored that the Porrello brothers were notable for extermination. The surviving

brothers went into hiding. Raymond, known for his cocky attitude and hot temper spoke like his brother Wayne did of seeking revenge. Raymond was smarter though, he got active measures to protect himself.

In August 15th, 1930, three weeks after James Porrello's murder, Raymond Porrello's house was leveled within a violent explosion. He was not home at the time since he had taken his or her family and abandoned his home pending the attack.

Four days later Frank Alessi, a witness towards the murder of "Big Joe" Lonardo's brother Frank, was gunned down. From his death bed, he / she identified Frank Brancato as their assailant. Brancato was known generally as a Lonardo supporter and think in several murders. Brancato was found not guilty of Alessi's murder.

Chapter Back button

In March of 1931, Serie Porrello was paroled from Ohio's London Prison Farm where he had served one year for carrying a gun in his car.

In mid-1931, National Cricca "capo di tutti capi" (boss of all bosses) Salvatore Maranzano seemed to be killed. His murder set in motion the formation of the first Mafia National Ruling Commission created to stop the numerous killers resulting from conflicts between and within just Mafia families and to promote using modern business practices to transgression.

Charles "Lucky" Luciano was the key developer of the commission and has been named chairman. Also named to the commission were Al Capone of Chicago, Joe Profaci of Brooklyn and Frank Milano of Cleveland.

In Dec. of 1931, Angelo Lonardo and his cousin Dominic Suspirato were released from prison following being acquitted of "Black Sam" Todaro's murder during a second trial offer. Because he had avenged his dad's death and (for the most part) gotten away with it, he grew to become a respected member of Frank Milano's Mayfield Road Mob.

The being thirsty for revenge had not been satisfied for members of the Lonardo family. It had been generally believed

that "Black Sam" Todaro instigated and perhaps took part in the murders of "Big Joe" and John Lonardo. However it has been believed by members of the Lonardo family that the remaining Porrello siblings, particularly the volatile John and Raymond and eldest brother Rosario still posed a threat because of

the particular murders of Joe and Wayne Porrello.

On Feb. 25th, 1932 Raymond Porrello, his brother Rosario and their bodyguard Dominic Gulino (known also by several aliases) were playing cards near E. 110th and Woodland Avenue. The front door burst open and in a hail of bullets the Porrello siblings, their bodyguard and a bystander went down. The Porrellos died at the scene. Gulino died a couple of hours later. The bystander eventually recovered from his

wounds.

Several hours after the murders, Frank Brancato, with a bullet in his abdomen, dragged himself into St. John's hospital on Cleveland's west aspect. He claimed he was chance in a street fight on the west side. A few days later, tests on the bullet taken from Brancato revealed it came from a gun found at the Porrello brothers murder scene. Although never ever convicted of either of the killers, Brancato was convicted of perjury for lying to a Grand Jury about his whereabouts during the killing. He served four years following a one to ten year sentence has been commuted by Governor Martin L. Davey.

In 1933, Prohibition has been repealed. The bootleg murders mainly stopped as organized crime joined other enterprises. Angelo Lonardo continued his crime career as a respectable member of the Cleveland family eventually rising through the ranks to run the particular northeast Ohio rackets in 1980.

In early 1933, in a sequel towards the tragedy of the large Porrello household, Rosario's son Angelo, 21, has been killed in a fight over a swimming pool game in Buffalo. It was stated that he and his Uncle John are there trying to muscle in on the hammer toe liquor business.