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| c. 1981 |
Steve DiSalvo was a member of the Milwaukee Family who served as Underboss to Frank Balistrieri.
Born July 5, 1918 in Milwaukee to Vincenzo and Angela Foti, both from Milazzo comune of Messina, Sicily.
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| 1947 |
On May 5, 1947 arrested by Milwaukee PD on a charge of violating Sugar Rationing laws. DiSalvo was apprehended at the Belmont Hotel attempting to sell 2,000 worth of forged rationing stamps for $500. The US Department of Agriculture took over the case and DiSalvo subsequently received a sentence of thirty days in the Milwaukee House of Correction, eighteen months Federal probation and a $100 fine. The FBI later noted: "At the trial [DiSalvo] stated that he had purchased the coupons from a stranger at a race track near Chicago and had sold them to an unknown individual in a Milwaukee hotel."
On November 1, 1960 FBI CI reported: "[DiSalvo], generally regarded as a petty thug has recently become one of the 'muscle men' and gambling associates of Frank Peter Balistrieri."
On January 9, 1961 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised that a large gambling setup has been operating in Kenosha, Wisconsin which is run by Johnnie Rizzo with the assistance of Buster Balestrere and Steve DiSalvo. [CI] advised that he has first-hand information that on many occasions either Buster Balestrere or Steve DiSalvo were present to supervise the gambling operations. This supervision of gambling activities takes place in both Milwaukee and Kenosha. He advised that Frank Balistrieri actually owns the dice games but Steve DiSalvo acts as his supervisor. CI called Steve DiSalvo the lieutenant or strong-arm man of Balistrieri."
In September 1961 an informant noted that the Family had broken into three 'cliques' following a dispute over Balistrieri's leadership. DiSalvo was counted among the Balistrieri loyalists.
DiSalvo was later named as a participant in the January 1963 abduction and murder of jukebox operator Anthony Biernat.
In February/March 1963 he was inducted into the Milwaukee Family alongside Frank Balistrieri's younger brother Peter. The ceremony was held at the residence of the Balistrieris' father Giuseppe, a longtime Family member.
By 1968 DiSalvo and Peter Balistrieri were both Captains.
Made members of DiSalvo's crew included Vito Aiello, Albert Albana, Salvatore 'Sam' Ferrara (Former Boss), Santo Nick Marino and Salvatore 'Ted' Seidita.
In October 1971 an informant provided a breakdown of Family leadership and noted: "[CI] did not believe that [Underboss] Joseph Caminiti would take any active part as Acting Boss of the Family but all Family matters would be handled by Steve DiSalvo while Frank Balistrieri was in prison [for tax evasion]."
By June 1974 members of DiSalvo's crew included Vito Aiello, Albert Albana, Nick Collura, Nick Fucarino, Santo Marino, John Pernice, Giuseppe Rizzo and Salvatore Seidita.
In July 1978 Consigliere Vito Seidita died. Longtime Underboss Joseph Caminiti was shifted to Consigliere to replace Seidita.
Frank Balistrieri made Steve DeSalvo his new Underboss.
In 1981 both men were indicted on various Federal charges arising out of the FBI's Donnie Brasco operation. Others charged included Bonanno Members Benjamin 'Lefty' Ruggiero and Michael Sabella.
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| DiSalvo (Early 1980s) |
On October 9, 1983 DiSalvo and others were convicted in USDC Milwaukee on gambling charges. He was given eight years the following May.
On December 2, 1985 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised that [Milwaukee Soldier] Sam DiMaggio [has] said the LCN Milwaukee is comprised of old inactive men like him and no leadership figure has surfaced now that Frank Balistrieri and Steve DiSalvo are in prison."
On May 18, 1990 DiSalvo was released from Federal prison.
He died June 9, 1990 in Clark, Nevada.
Further information on DiSalvo can be found at the Milwaukee Mafia site.
