Update

Rockford Boss J. Zammuto (L) and Consigliere J. Zito

New Posts:

1. Joseph Zammuto (Rockford): Boss from the late 1950s. Fairly brief photo post along with some general info on Family inductions and deaths.

2. Joseph Zito (Rockford): Consigliere from at least the 1960s into the early 1980s. Mostly a photo post.

3. Angelo Polizzi (Los Angeles): Captain during the 1960s and 1970s.

Updated Posts:

A. Embarrato

1. Lucchese Family Ceremonies (1980s): Added Salvatore DiDonato (1950-2025), named as a Soldier in FBI lists from 1990 and 1998. His father 'Big Tommy' DiDonato (1926-1987) was a 19th Hole crew member likely inducted in the late 1970s.

2. Alfred Embarrato Crew (Mid-1987): Added info from November 1989 CI report stating that Embarrato had recently been 'knocked down' from Captain due to age.

3. Salvatore Tozzi (Bonanno): Added details given in a December 1991 debriefing of a Cooperating Witness (believed to be Former Lucchese Acting Boss Alfonso D'Arco).

Full list of posts here.

Joseph Zammuto (Rockford)

Nov. 1965

Joseph Zammuto (1896-1990) was Boss of the Rockford Family by the late 1950s.

Older brother Frank (1887-1953) was a Suspected Member.

Joseph was born February 16, 1896 in Aragona comune of Agrigento, Sicily, to Francesco (42y) and Maria Cannistraro (37y).

On March 12, 1913 he and older brother Rosario (24y) arrived at Port of New York aboard S.S. Sant'Anna. Destined for brother-in-law Mose Galluzzo (43y) residing at 165 Stone Ave in Brooklyn, New York's Ocean Hill section.

By June 1917 residing at 421 Knowlton St in Rockford.

By early 1921 married Lena Schiro (16y).

By April 1930 resided at 1027 Ferguson St and listed occupation as grocer.

Around the summer of 1943 witnessed Rockford Boss Antonio Musso's Petition for Naturalization.

Musso, born 1893 in Partinico in Palermo, Sicily, died in May 1958.

Jasper Calo (1891-1973), from Casteldaccia in Palermo, served in an acting capacity for a period of time, after which Zammuto was elected the official Boss with Calo as the Underboss.

As Boss of the Family, Zammuto ordered the murders of Donald Burton (21y) and Joseph Greco Jr. (21y), found in the trunk of an abandoned car on May 2, 1959.

He likely presided over the ceremony held within a day or two of the murders, in which Frank Buscemi (47y) and Philip 'Phil the Tailor' Emordeno (48y) were inducted.

Frank Buscemi (1911-1987), also from Aragona, was appointed the Family's official Underboss after Jasper Calo left for Sicily in the early 1960s.

LE Surveillance Photo (c. 1964)

By August of that year Zammuto was the subject of an FBI anti-racketeering investigation.

C. LaFranka

On January 10, 1965 Charles LaFranka (51y) disappeared. Six days later found beaten and strangled, his frozen body left in the trunk of abandoned car on East Chicago St in Elgin, Illinois.

After LaFranka disappeared, but before his body was located, a ceremony was held where Frank Correnti (53y), Sebastian 'Knobby' Gulotta (34y) and Joseph Maggio (28y) were formally inducted into the Rockford Family. Gulotta, family from Sambuca di Sicilia in Agrigento, sponsored by Zammuto.

Around mid-May 1965 another ceremony held where seventy-four-year old Joseph DiGirolamo, from Marsala in Trapani, was inducted. (DiGirolamo died that December.)

Sep. 1965

In September 1965 photographed for US Passport.

On November 9, 1965 picked up by Rockford PD. (See top.)

By 1966 the Family administration consisted of Boss Joseph Zammuto, Underboss Frank Buscemi and Consigliere Joseph 'Diamond Joe' Zito (1906-1981).

Lorenzo Buttice served as a Captain.

At the time the Rockford Family was believed to number around twenty members.

Almost the entire confirmed membership was Sicilian, primarily from Agrigento and Palermo provinces. (The one exception is Joseph 'Gramps' Marinelli, whose family was from Frosinone in Lazio.)

Known members circa January 1966 included:

1. Boss: Joseph Zammuto (1896-1990) [Aragona, Agrigento]
2. Underboss: Frank Buscemi (1911-1987) [Aragona]
3. Consigliere: Joseph 'Diamond Joe' Zito (1906-1981) [San Giuseppe Jato, Palermo]
4. Captain: Lorenzo Buttice (1892-1967) [Aragona]
5. Anthony Basile (1908-1977) [San Giuseppe Jato]
6. Filippo Caltagerone (1895-1971) [Aragona]
7. Philip Cannella (1914-1971) [Villafranca Sicula, Agrigento]
8. Al Cicero (1906-1994) [Sambuca di Sicilia, Agrigento]
9. Frank Correnti (1911-1985) [Linguaglossa, Catania]
10. Philip Emordeno (1911-1981) [San Giuseppe Jato]
11. Sebastian Gulotta (1930-2000) [Sambuca di Sicilia]
12. Joseph Maggio (1936-1980) [Sambuca di Sicilia]
13. Joseph Marinelli (1918-1980) [Frosinone, Lazio]
14. Salvatore 'Sam' Oliveri (1895-1969) [Corleone, Palermo]
15. Philip Priola (1907-1987) [Ficarazzi, Palermo]
16. Charles Vince (1907-1994) [Camporeale, Palermo]

On August 31, 1967 included in the FBI's list of 17 identified Rockford Family members. 6 deceased members also identified. (Jasper Calo, included in the list of living members, is believed to have transferred to a Family in Sicily by this time.)

L. Buttice

On October 3, 1967 Captain Lorenzo Buttice died.

On December 17, 1968 FBI CI (Milwaukee Member) reported: "[TE] advised he had received information from friends in Rockford, Illinois that the members of the Rockford LCN Family had received subpoenas to testify before a Federal Grand Jury at Freeport, Illinois. Receipt of these subpoenas has the Rockford LCN Family 'shook up'. TE expects to visit Rockford over weekend. Any information developed by TE will be forwarded."

Dec. 1968
Press

On December 20, 1968 among nine who appeared before the FGJ. Those called to testify in addition to Zammuto were Underboss Frank Buscemi, Captain Charles Vince and Soldiers Philip Cannella, Al Cicero, Frank Correnti, Joseph Maggio, Joseph Marinelli and Philip Priola.

On March 26, 1971 Rockford Member Filippo Caltagerone died.

Member Philip Cannella died about two months later on May 12.

F. Buscemi

In September 1972 FBI CI reported: "[If] Joe Zammuto steps down from his position as Capo of the Rockford Family there is no doubt that Frank Buscemi will take over. He said in his opinion when Buscemi becomes Capo, any member of the Family who is looking for some action will be able to get it and he would expect that Joe Maggio, Frank Correnti, Knobby Gulotta and Charlie Vince would fall into that category."

Zammuto's Former Underboss Jasper Calo died in Palermo on July 16, 1973.

c. Mid-1970s

Around mid-1970s issued Firearm Owners ID.

In January 1976 FBI reported: "The Rockford Family of the LCN continues as a separate entity with closer ties to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Springfield, Illinois than Chicago. The Chicago Family has virtually no influence in Rockford. Joseph Zammuto continues as Boss with Frank J. Buscemi as Underboss. This Family is relatively inactive having a membership of about fourteen persons. They exert little, if any, influence on the political, judicial or economic affairs in Rockford. There is some involvement with gambling activities in the area, however, this Family has elected to remain passive and uninvolved, being content to avoid publicity and exposure." (This was repeated verbatim in a report the following year.)

Anthony Basile, believed to have transferred to the Colorado Family earlier that decade, died July 4, 1977.

J. Maggio

On April 7, 1980 Rockford Member Joseph Maggio (43y) disappeared. Two days later he was found shot to death, his body lying in backseat of his car left in Rockford's far West End. He had been shot once in the side of the head at close range with a large-caliber firearm. Maggio was the last known Rockford member to be murdered and the only confirmed member of the Family to die violently after the 1930s.

During the rest of 1980 and 1981 at least three members, including Zammuto's Consigliere Joseph Zito, died of natural causes.

Soldier Frank Correnti, initiated by Zammuto in the mid-1960s, died January 1985 in Loves Park, Illinois.

In 1987 Frank Buscemi, Zammuto's (former?) Underboss, and Soldier Philip Priola died.

Joseph Zammuto himself died May 18, 1990 in Rockford and was buried in Saint Mary and Saint James Cemetery.

More Rockford Family posts can be found in the Index.

Joseph Zito (Rockford)

Aug. 1967

Joseph 'Diamond Joe' Zito (1906-1981) was Consigliere of the Rockford Family by the 1960s.

Brothers Frank (1893-1974) and Anthony (1900-1999) were members of the Family in Springfield, Illinois, where Frank served as Boss from the 1950s until his death in 1974.

Brother-in-law Jasper Calo (1891-1973), who married Joseph's sister, served in Rockford's Admin during the 1950s before returning to Sicily.

Joseph was born June 5, 1906 in San Giuseppe Jato comune of Palermo, Sicily, to Joseph and Laurenza Salamone.

By the early 1930s he was living in Rockford and had been questioned in at least two local murders.

On September 22, 1935 he married Mary Gaziano (19y). Suspected Springfield Member Vito Impastato acted as witness. Bride's family from Aragona comune of Agrigento, Sicily.

Feb. 1942

By February 1942 listed employment with Town Tavern located at 602 State St.

He was photographed the same month, probably related to a liquor license.

In 1946 Rockford PD advised FBI: "[Unsub] and Joe Zito are forming a syndicate to control the leased wires and furnish news service to the handbook establishments in Rockford and vicinity."

Dec. 1947

On December 30, 1947 arrested by the local PD.

Following month Rockford PD advised FBI: "[Joseph] Zito was known to have been active in bootlegging since prohibition and was also involved in white slave traffic. He characterized Zito as a former member of the 'Black Hand' and a member of the higher echelon of Rockford hoodlums." 

By the 1960s Zito resided at 2612 Rural St.

He was by then the Rockford Family's Consigliere.

Joseph Zammuto was Boss and Frank Buscemi the recently appointed Underboss.

Lorenzo Buttice served as a Captain.

At the time the Rockford Family was believed to number around twenty members.

Almost the entire confirmed membership was Sicilian, primarily from Agrigento and Palermo provinces.(The one exception is Joseph 'Gramps' Marinelli, whose family was from Frosinone in Lazio.)

Known members circa January 1966 included:

1. Boss: Joseph Zammuto (1896-1990) [Aragona, Agrigento]
2. Underboss: Frank Buscemi (1911-1987) [Aragona]
3. Consigliere: Joseph Zito (1906-1981) [San Giuseppe Jato, Palermo]
4. Captain: Lorenzo Buttice (1892-1967) [Aragona]
5. Anthony Basile (1908-1977) [San Giuseppe Jato]
6. Filippo Caltagerone (1895-1971) [Aragona]
7. Philip Cannella (1914-1971) [Villafranca Sicula, Agrigento]
8. Al Cicero (1906-1994) [Sambuca di Sicilia, Agrigento]
9. Frank Correnti (1911-1985) [Linguaglossa, Catania]
10. Philip 'The Tailor' Emordeno (1911-1981) [San Giuseppe Jato]
11. Sebastian 'Knobby' Gulotta (1930-2000) [Sambuca di Sicilia]
12. Joseph Maggio (1936-1980) [Sambuca di Sicilia]
13. Joseph Marinelli (1918-1980) [Frosinone, Lazio]
14. Salvatore 'Sam' Oliveri (1895-1969) [Corleone, Palermo]
15. Philip Priola (1907-1987) [Ficarazzi, Palermo]
16. Charles Vince (1907-1994) [Camporeale, Palermo]

On August 31, 1967 included in the FBI's list of 17 identified Rockford Family members. 6 deceased members also identified. (Jasper Calo, included in the list of living members, is believed to have transferred to a Family in Sicily by this time.)

Same month photographed for US Passport. (See top.)

Dec. 1968
Press

On December 17, 1968 FBI CI (Milwaukee Member) reported: "[TE] advised he had received information from friends in Rockford, Illinois that the members of the Rockford LCN Family had received subpoenas to testify before a Federal Grand Jury at Freeport, Illinois. Receipt of these subpoenas has the Rockford LCN Family 'shook up'. TE expects to visit Rockford over weekend. Any information developed by TE will be forwarded."

Apr. 1971

On April 27, 1971 Zito and member Philip Emordeno, along with their wives, were indicted by the US Attorney's Office in Freeport, Illinois. Rockford Register Star reported: "Tuesday's indictment charges Zito set up a sham operation in order to qualify for a state liquor license for the Grant Park Tavern in Southern Rockford. Zito is an alien and ineligible to hold a license. He is accused of failure to pay federal tax of $54 per year on a retail liquor operation. The four defendants also are charged with filing false occupational tax returns for the period from 1966 to 1970." After several delays Zito and the other defendants were each fined $1,000 in December 1972.

F. Buscemi

In September 1972 FBI CI reported: "[If] Joe Zammuto steps down from his position as Capo of the Rockford Family there is no doubt that Frank Buscemi will take over. He said in his opinion when Buscemi becomes Capo, any member of the Family who is looking for some action will be able to get it and he would expect that Joe Maggio, Frank Correnti, Knobby Gulotta and Charlie Vince would fall into that category."

F. Zito

On August 22, 1974 Joseph's eighty-one-year-old brother Frank Zito, still the Springfield Boss, died at St. John's Hospital in that city.

Joseph was observed attending Frank's wake held the following day.

In January 1976 FBI reported: "The Rockford Family of the LCN continues as a separate entity with closer ties to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Springfield, Illinois than Chicago. The Chicago Family has virtually no influence in Rockford. Joseph Zammuto continues as Boss with Frank J. Buscemi as Underboss. This Family is relatively inactive having a membership of about fourteen persons. They exert little, if any, influence on the political, judicial or economic affairs in Rockford. There is some involvement with gambling activities in the area, however, this Family has elected to remain passive and uninvolved, being content to avoid publicity and exposure." (This was repeated verbatim in a report the following year.)

Zito died June 14, 1981 at St. Anthony Hospital in Rockford.

Wake held three days later at Gasparini and Oliveri Funeral Home located at 707 Marchesano Drive.

More Rockford Family posts can be found in the Index.

Frank Correnti (Rockford)

Aug. 1962

Frank Correnti was a member of the Rockford Family inducted in 1965.

Born October 28, 1911 in Rockford, Illinois to Alfio (Mechanic; 54y) and Concetta (40y). Family from Linguaglossa comune of Catania, Sicily.

Over the next couple of decades the Correntis resided on Corbin St in Rockford. Frank's father worked as a mechanic and later at a foundry.

By the fall of 1940 Frank married and was living at 968 North Main St. He worked as a car salesman with Herb + Bussey Motors on North Madison St.

On August 3, 1962 arrested by Rockford PD. (See top)

Inducted into the Rockford Family at fifty-three years old on or around January 15, 1965.

Others made in the same ceremony were Sebastian 'Knobby' Gulotta (34y) and Joseph Maggio (28y). (In April 1980 Maggio was found shot to death; he is the last known Rockford member to be murdered and the only confirmed member of the Family to die violently after the 1930s.)

At the time of Correnti's induction the Rockford Family was believed to number around twenty members.

Almost the entire confirmed membership was Sicilian, primarily from Agrigento and Palermo provinces.(The one exception is Joseph 'Gramps' Marinelli, whose family was from Frosinone in Lazio.)

Known members circa January 1966 included:

1. Boss: Joseph Zammuto (1896-1990) [Aragona, Agrigento]
2. Underboss: Frank Buscemi (1911-1987) [Aragona]
3. Consigliere: Joseph 'Diamond Joe' Zito (1906-1981) [San Giuseppe Jato, Palermo]
4. Captain: Lorenzo Buttice (1892-1967) [Aragona]
5. Anthony Basile (1908-1977) [San Giuseppe Jato]
6. Filippo Caltagerone (1895-1971) [Aragona]
7. Philip Cannella (1914-1971) [Villafranca Sicula, Agrigento]
8. Al Cicero (1906-1994) [Sambuca di Sicilia, Agrigento]
9. Frank Correnti (1911-1985) [Linguaglossa, Catania]
10. Philip 'The Tailor' Emordeno (1911-1981) [San Giuseppe Jato]
11. Sebastian Gulotta (1930-2000) [Sambuca di Sicilia]
12. Joseph Maggio (1936-1980) [Sambuca di Sicilia]
13. Joseph Marinelli (1918-1980) [Frosinone, Lazio]
14. Salvatore 'Sam' Oliveri (1895-1969) [Corleone, Palermo]
15. Philip Priola (1907-1987) [Ficarazzi, Palermo]
16. Charles Vince (1907-1994) [Camporeale, Palermo]

On August 31, 1967 included in the FBI's list of 17 identified Rockford Family members. 6 deceased members also identified. (Jasper Calo, included in the list of living members, is believed to have transferred to a Family in Sicily by this time.)

On December 17, 1968 FBI CI (Milwaukee Member) reported: "[TE] advised he had received information from friends in Rockford, Illinois that the members of the Rockford LCN Family had received subpoenas to testify before a Federal Grand Jury at Freeport, Illinois. Receipt of these subpoenas has the Rockford LCN Family 'shook up'. TE expects to visit Rockford over weekend. Any information developed by TE will be forwarded."

On December 20, 1968 among nine who appeared before the FGJ. Those called to testify in addition to Correnti were Boss Joseph Zammuto, Underboss Frank Buscemi, Captain Charles Vince and Soldiers Philip Cannella, Al Cicero, Joseph Maggio, Joseph Marinelli and Philip Priola.

F. Buscemi

In September 1972 FBI CI reported: "[If] Joe Zammuto steps down from his position as Capo of the Rockford Family there is no doubt that Frank Buscemi will take over. He said in his opinion when Buscemi becomes Capo, any member of the Family who is looking for some action will be able to get it and he would expect that Joe Maggio, Frank Correnti, Knobby Gulotta and Charlie Vince would fall into that category."

On May 18, 1973 FBI CI reported: "Informant advised that on or about April 21, Charles Vince, Frank Correnti, Phil Emordeno, Knobby Gulotta, Joe Maggio and Phil Priola were together. Vince advised that the Madison, Wisconsin LCN Family had disbanded by vote of the membership. He did not say specifically when, but informant assumes that it was shortly before Vince so advised them. He said Vince stated two members voted to keep the Family alive and when the others voted to disband it was agreed these two would 'throw in' with the Milwaukee Family. Informant said since Vince is the Capodecina of the Rockford LCN Family, the members present took his statement as one of fact and not gossip." (By the spring of 1973 the Madison Family, headed by Carlo Caputo, numbered seven confirmed members.)

Oct. 1973

On October 1, 1973 issued Firearm Owners ID.

In January 1976 FBI reported: "The Rockford Family of the LCN continues as a separate entity with closer ties to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Springfield, Illinois than Chicago. The Chicago Family has virtually no influence in Rockford. Joseph Zammuto continues as Boss with Frank J. Buscemi as Underboss. This Family is relatively inactive having a membership of about fourteen persons. They exert little, if any, influence on the political, judicial or economic affairs in Rockford. There is some involvement with gambling activities in the area, however, this Family has elected to remain passive and uninvolved, being content to avoid publicity and exposure." (This was repeated verbatim in a report the following year.)

Correnti died January 7, 1985 in Loves Park, Illinois.

More Rockford Family posts can be found in the Index.

Joseph Marinelli (Rockford)

1963

Joseph 'Gramps' Marinelli was a member of the Rockford Family.

Born January 14, 1918 in Rockford, Illinois to Ambrosio (54y) and Rose Paci (40y). Family from Ferentino comune of Frosinone, Lazio.

By Fall 1930 the Marinellis were living at 812 Ferguson St. Ambrose worked in a machine shop.

By April 1940 resided at 2626 Knight Ave.

Later that year Marinelli listed his address approximately fifteen miles north at 814 Broad St in Beloit, Wisconsin, located right at the border with Illinois. Operated the Olympia Bakery at 924 Pleasant.

From April 1943 to November 1945 served in US Army.

 

Following his discharge from the army he was back in Rockford, first at 632 Cunningham St then, by early 1950, on Island Ave. Gave occupation as salesman for a collection company.

Marinelli was inducted into the Rockford Family, headed by Tony Musso, around the mid-1950s.

Joseph Zammuto was named Boss following Musso's death in 1958.

On June 22, 1963 arrested by Rockford PD.

On November 25, 1964 FBI CI, a Soldier in the Milwaukee Family, was contacted regarding activities in Rockford: "...Prior to interview of [CI] by [SAs], recent reports on Frank Buscemi and Joseph Zammuto furnished by Chicago were reviewed and names were selected therefrom for the purpose of stimulating [CI]'s recollections regarding the LCN Family in Rockford...Joseph 'Gramps' Marinelli - [CI] said Marinelli was a member of LCN, Rockford and was made while Tony Musso was Boss - perhaps ten years ago. He is a man in his 50s, and he runs around the country a lot and has been a siding salesman." Around that time Marinelli was designated the subject of an FBI anti-racketeering investigation.

The Rockford Family was believed to number around twenty members.

Aside from Marinelli, confirmed members were all Sicilian, primarily from Agrigento and Palermo provinces.

Known members circa January 1966 included:

1. Boss: Joseph Zammuto (1896-1990) [Aragona, Agrigento]
2. Underboss: Frank Buscemi (1911-1987) [Aragona]
3. Consigliere: Joseph 'Diamond Joe' Zito (1906-1981) [San Giuseppe Jato, Palermo]
4. Captain: Lorenzo Buttice (1892-1967) [Aragona]
5. Anthony Basile (1908-1977) [San Giuseppe Jato]
6. Filippo Caltagerone (1895-1971) [Aragona]
7. Philip Cannella (1914-1971) [Villafranca Sicula, Agrigento]
8. Al Cicero (1906-1994) [Sambuca di Sicilia, Agrigento]
9. Frank Correnti (1911-1985) [Linguaglossa, Catania]
10. Philip 'The Tailor' Emordeno (1911-1981) [San Giuseppe Jato]
11. Sebastian 'Knobby' Gulotta (1930-2000) [Sambuca di Sicilia]
12. Joseph Maggio (1936-1980) [Sambuca di Sicilia]
13. Joseph 'Gramps' Marinelli (1918-1980) [Frosinone, Lazio]
14. Salvatore 'Sam' Oliveri (1895-1969) [Corleone, Palermo]
15. Philip Priola (1907-1987) [Ficarazzi, Palermo]
16. Charles Vince (1907-1994) [Camporeale, Palermo]

On August 31, 1967 included in the FBI's list of 17 identified Rockford Family members. 6 deceased members also identified. (Jasper Calo, included in the list of living members, is believed to have transferred to a Family in Sicily by this time.)

On December 17, 1968 FBI CI (Milwaukee Member) reported: "[TE] advised he had received information from friends in Rockford, Illinois that the members of the Rockford LCN Family had received subpoenas to testify before a Federal Grand Jury at Freeport, Illinois. Receipt of these subpoenas has the Rockford LCN Family 'shook up'. TE expects to visit Rockford over weekend. Any information developed by TE will be forwarded."

On December 20, 1968 among nine who appeared before the FGJ. Those called to testify in addition to Marinelli were Boss Joseph Zammuto, Underboss Frank Buscemi, Captain Charles Vince and Soldiers Philip Cannella, Al Cicero, Frank Correnti, Joseph Maggio and Philip Priola.

On February 27, 1969 FBI CI (Milwaukee Member) reported:
"

On 2/23/1969, [CI] was visited by Nick Gentile, a former Milwaukee hoodlum, not an LCN member, who is now working for Foreman Brothers selling siding in the Beloit, Wisconsin area. Gentile told him that he received a telephone call in [Beloit] on 2/21/1969 from a Joe Roberts. Roberts is employed also in the siding business and was working in the Beloit area for the Jarvis Enterprises, Inc., whose offices are located in Rockford, Illinois. Roberts told him during the phone call he would give Gentile five days to get out of Beloit. According to Gentile, Roberts 'shot off his mouth' that Gentile may have Frank Balistrieri in Milwaukee, but he had more powerful friends in Rockford.

On 2/24/69 [CI] called Roberts and asked him what the story was in connection with his telephone call to Nick Gentile. [CI] said that he knew Roberts from the past, and Roberts told him he would drop the whole matter.

On 2/25/1969, [CI] received a telephone call from Knobby Gulotta, LCN member of the Rockford, Illinois Family. Gulotta said he understood Joe Roberts was in trouble in Beloit, WI and he either wanted to come to Milwaukee or wanted [CI] to come to Rockford to straighten the matter out. [CI] told him he did not think he should come to Rockford unless he was given authority to do so. On 2/26/1969, [CI] received a call from Charley Vince, LCN member of the Rockford Family, who told [CI] it would be permissible for him to come to Rockford. [CI] then made arrangements to meet both Vince and Gulotta in Rockford on 3/2/1969. [CI] said he recalled Joe Roberts was in the past a close friend of Joseph 'Gramps' Marinelli of the Rockford LCN Family, and if [CI] was correct, had in the past worked with Marinelli. [CI] did not know if Roberts was presently working for or closely associated with Marinelli.

"

On March 13, 1969 FBI CI reported:
"

[CI] said he went to Rockford, Illinois over the weekend of 3/1-2/1969 for the purpose of straightening out the incident involving Joe Roberts and Nick Gentile, which possibly involved the Rockford LCN Family. On 3/2/69, [CI] met with Frank Buscemi, Underboss of the Rockford LCN Family, and Charley Vince, Rockford LCN Member.

...Buscemi made the statement that as of the present time the entire Rockford LCN Family is experiencing a great deal of trouble. The entire membership has been forced to testify before a Federal Grand Jury, and they feel they will all have to go to Chicago to continue their testimony before the Grand Jury. He said the Federal and local authorities have been exerting tremendous pressure on many of the operations connected with the Rockford Family to the point where they are not able to make any move without being under the scrutiny of the authorities. In view of this added pressure, Buscemi said he wants no incidents to take place and was extremely upset at the possibility there was some possible 'muscle action' being exerted by Joe Roberts in connection with Nick Gentile. Buscemi said he wanted this matter to be straightened out completely, and later on that same day he was arranging with [CI] to meet personally with Roberts so this problem could be solved.

Before leaving, Buscemi told him if Joe Marinelli should come to Milwaukee, [CI] was to give him nothing, show him no respect, and make no effort to have any contact with him. Buscemi gave no reason for his instructions re Marinelli, but [CI] was of the opinion any individual who is treated in this manner is in bad straits with the LCN Family, and in many instances, many individuals who received this type of treatment are possibly set up for a 'hit'. [CI] commented the possibility existed Marinelli may have been suspected of talking to the Grand Jury about LCN matters.

...[CI] said he received the impression through the above meeting that everyone in the Rockford LCN Family is upset at the recent action by the Federal Grand Jury in that the pressure exerted by the Federal and local authorities has brought their gambling and other illegal activities to a standstill in Rockford.

"

On July 15, 1976 among nine indicted by the US Attorney's Office in Illinois on mail and wire fraud related charges.

In January 1976 FBI reported: "The Rockford Family of the LCN continues as a separate entity with closer ties to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Springfield, Illinois than Chicago. The Chicago Family has virtually no influence in Rockford. Joseph Zammuto continues as Boss with Frank J. Buscemi as Underboss. This Family is relatively inactive having a membership of about fourteen persons. They exert little, if any, influence on the political, judicial or economic affairs in Rockford. There is some involvement with gambling activities in the area, however, this Family has elected to remain passive and uninvolved, being content to avoid publicity and exposure." (This was repeated verbatim in a report the following year.)

Marinelli died June 5, 1980.

More Rockford Family posts can be found in the Index.

Chicago / Rockford Hierarchy (1976)

Excerpts from a January 1976 FBI status report on the various LCN Families: