Brief descriptions, in chronological order, of known Milwaukee Family induction ceremonies under Frank Balistrieri's leadership.
Dates are approximate and usually indicate when news of the induction was first reported to LE, not necessarily when the ceremony itself took place.
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c. February / March 1963
Location: Residence of Joseph Balistrieri (7807 Santa Monica Blvd; Fox Point, WI)
Attendees:
- Frank Balistrieri (44y) (Boss) (Died 1993) [Son to Joseph]
- Others
Dates are approximate and usually indicate when news of the induction was first reported to LE, not necessarily when the ceremony itself took place.
===
c. February / March 1963
Location: Residence of Joseph Balistrieri (7807 Santa Monica Blvd; Fox Point, WI)
Attendees:
- Frank Balistrieri (44y) (Boss) (Died 1993) [Son to Joseph]
- Others
 |
| P. Balistrieri (L) and S. DeSalvo (R) |
Joseph Balistrieri (1894-1971) was Frank Balistrieri's father and a longtime Milwaukee member.
===
c. April 1963
Location: Basement of Alioto's Restaurant (Highway 100; Milwaukee)
Attendees:
- Frank Balistrieri (44y) (Boss) (Died 1993)
- Others
c. April 1963
Location: Basement of Alioto's Restaurant (Highway 100; Milwaukee)
Attendees:
- Frank Balistrieri (44y) (Boss) (Died 1993)
- Others
 |
| L to R: A. Albana; H. D'Angelo; B. DiSalvo; D. Principe |
Members Inducted:
- Albert 'Cadillac Al' Albana (62y) (Died 1977)
- Harry D'Angelo (54y) (Died 1991)
- Benedetto 'Benny' DiSalvo (46y) (Died 2009)
- Dominic 'Pops' Principe (50y) (Died 1970)
Alioto's Restaurant was owned by John Alioto, Former Milwaukee Boss and Frank Balistrieri's father-in-law.
===
Possible Ceremony (Summer 1963)
Attendees:
- Frank Balistrieri (45y) (Boss) (Died 1993)
- Others?
Members Possibly Inducted:
- Angelo Alioto (39y) (Died 2011)
In August 1964 an FBI CI (likely Maniaci) stated that Alioto was 'definitely not' a member. The previous year it was reported that Alioto had been 'taken in' after the death of his brother Joseph, but this same report misidentifies others as made. He is also absent from Federal membership charts compiled in 1985 and 1993.
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Possible Ceremony (c. Summer 1970?)
- Albert 'Cadillac Al' Albana (62y) (Died 1977)
- Harry D'Angelo (54y) (Died 1991)
- Benedetto 'Benny' DiSalvo (46y) (Died 2009)
- Dominic 'Pops' Principe (50y) (Died 1970)
Alioto's Restaurant was owned by John Alioto, Former Milwaukee Boss and Frank Balistrieri's father-in-law.
===
Possible Ceremony (Summer 1963)
Attendees:
- Frank Balistrieri (45y) (Boss) (Died 1993)
- Others?
Members Possibly Inducted:
- Angelo Alioto (39y) (Died 2011)
In August 1964 an FBI CI (likely Maniaci) stated that Alioto was 'definitely not' a member. The previous year it was reported that Alioto had been 'taken in' after the death of his brother Joseph, but this same report misidentifies others as made. He is also absent from Federal membership charts compiled in 1985 and 1993.
===
Possible Ceremony (c. Summer 1970?)
Attendees:
- Frank Balistrieri (52y) (Boss) (Died 1993)
- Others
Members Inducted:
- Frank Balistrieri (52y) (Boss) (Died 1993)
- Others
Members Inducted:
- Walter 'Blackie' Brocca (55y) (Died 1995)
- Joseph Enea (38y) (Died 1976) [Sponsored by G. Spera]
- James 'Jimmy' Jennaro (39y) (Died 2003)
- Rudolph Porchetta (55y) (Died 2009)
In the first half of 1968 an FBI member source named the above four as proposed associates who were expected to be inducted shortly.
On December 3, 1968 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised that the present rumor concerning the 'making' of four new LCN members is that the initiation will take place at 'The Pub', 724 North Water Street on the opening night of the club. It is noted 'The Pub' is being built by Frank Balistrieri, Milwaukee LCN Boss. The four proposed LCN members who will be 'made' at this time are Walter Brocca, [Redacted; Joseph Enea, James Jennaro, Rudolph Porchetta]."
On January 30, 1969 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised that according to LCN member [Redacted], Frank Balistrieri expects to open his new nightclub at 722 North Water Street on 2/15/1969 and is planning a party for 2/14/1969, at which time all the husbands and wives of the Milwaukee LCN members will be invited. [CI] strongly suspects that in conjunction with this party the LCN members will retire to another room and at that time an initiation will be held for Walter Brocca, [Redacted; Joseph Enea, James Jennaro and Rudolph Porchetta] and they will be taken in as members of the Milwaukee LCN Family. [CI] advised that an effort to make the party look like it was legitimate would include an appearance by two Vice Squad Sergeants from the Milwaukee Police Department."
On February 12, 1969 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised that The Pub, 722 North Water Street, which was expected to open 2/14/1969 probably would not do so because of problems with the building inspectors. Further, [CI] advised that in view of this, it would appear the initiation of Brocca, [Jennaro, Porchetta] and [Enea] into the Milwaukee LCN Family would be delayed."
On August 12, 1970 FBI CI reported: "...Re any current members of the LCN, [CI] provided the following names: [Redacted]; Joe Enea; Walter Brocca, aka Walter Blackie; [Redacted]; [Redacted] (ph)...[CI] further advised that the membership for the LCN is now closed, but Frank Balistrieri has a number of 'young Italians' that frequent his presence. [CI] advised the owner of [Redacted] is not a member of the LCN, but is seeking membership."
In February 1987 an FBI informant referred to 'a number of older LCN members, i.e. Benny DiSalvo and Walter Brocca' frequenting a restaurant on Brady Street.
None of the group is included in the Federal membership charts from 1985 / 1993.
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c. Early-to-Mid 1970s
- Joseph Enea (38y) (Died 1976) [Sponsored by G. Spera]
- James 'Jimmy' Jennaro (39y) (Died 2003)
- Rudolph Porchetta (55y) (Died 2009)
In the first half of 1968 an FBI member source named the above four as proposed associates who were expected to be inducted shortly.
On December 3, 1968 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised that the present rumor concerning the 'making' of four new LCN members is that the initiation will take place at 'The Pub', 724 North Water Street on the opening night of the club. It is noted 'The Pub' is being built by Frank Balistrieri, Milwaukee LCN Boss. The four proposed LCN members who will be 'made' at this time are Walter Brocca, [Redacted; Joseph Enea, James Jennaro, Rudolph Porchetta]."
On January 30, 1969 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised that according to LCN member [Redacted], Frank Balistrieri expects to open his new nightclub at 722 North Water Street on 2/15/1969 and is planning a party for 2/14/1969, at which time all the husbands and wives of the Milwaukee LCN members will be invited. [CI] strongly suspects that in conjunction with this party the LCN members will retire to another room and at that time an initiation will be held for Walter Brocca, [Redacted; Joseph Enea, James Jennaro and Rudolph Porchetta] and they will be taken in as members of the Milwaukee LCN Family. [CI] advised that an effort to make the party look like it was legitimate would include an appearance by two Vice Squad Sergeants from the Milwaukee Police Department."
On February 12, 1969 FBI CI reported: "[CI] advised that The Pub, 722 North Water Street, which was expected to open 2/14/1969 probably would not do so because of problems with the building inspectors. Further, [CI] advised that in view of this, it would appear the initiation of Brocca, [Jennaro, Porchetta] and [Enea] into the Milwaukee LCN Family would be delayed."
On August 12, 1970 FBI CI reported: "...Re any current members of the LCN, [CI] provided the following names: [Redacted]; Joe Enea; Walter Brocca, aka Walter Blackie; [Redacted]; [Redacted] (ph)...[CI] further advised that the membership for the LCN is now closed, but Frank Balistrieri has a number of 'young Italians' that frequent his presence. [CI] advised the owner of [Redacted] is not a member of the LCN, but is seeking membership."
In February 1987 an FBI informant referred to 'a number of older LCN members, i.e. Benny DiSalvo and Walter Brocca' frequenting a restaurant on Brady Street.
None of the group is included in the Federal membership charts from 1985 / 1993.
===
c. Early-to-Mid 1970s
Members Inducted:
- Salvatore 'Sam' Cefalu (60y) (Died 1983)
Cefalu, identified by informant(s) in the 1960s as a Family associate involved in gambling, was listed as an LCN member in a January 1976 FBI report.
If the above ceremony involving Brocca and the others was carried out, Cefalu might have been an additional inductee.
===
c. May 1984
Cefalu, identified by informant(s) in the 1960s as a Family associate involved in gambling, was listed as an LCN member in a January 1976 FBI report.
If the above ceremony involving Brocca and the others was carried out, Cefalu might have been an additional inductee.
===
c. May 1984
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| John (L) and Joseph Balistrieri (R) Press |
Members Inducted:
- John Balistrieri (35y) (Died 2024)
- Joseph 'Joey Bal' Balistrieri (43y) (Died 2010)
- Joseph 'Joey Bal' Balistrieri (43y) (Died 2010)
This ceremony was reported to have been held between the Balistrieri family's April 1984 attempted extortion conviction and late May 1984, when Frank Balistrieri was sentenced.