Alfred Polizzi - Knowledge

475:. Corn sugar could not only be substituted for grain as the mash ingredient but also permitted faster production of the final liquor. Control of the corn sugar industry as well as the distribution of illegal liquor was critical to creating wealth, and the Porrellos produced and distributed most of the corn sugar in northeast Ohio. Frank Milano wanted the Porrellos' business, and in early 1930 invited Joseph Porrello and his top lieutenant, Sam Tilocco, to meet at Milano's Venetian Restaurant as 12601 Mayfield Road in Cleveland. Polizzi attended the meeting. It quickly became apparent to Porrello that Milano wanted to take over his business, not form a partnership. Porrello made a counter-proposal: That he be allowed to join the East End BiPartisan Political Club, an organization Milano had founded to put mafia money and organizational muscle behind preferred political candidates. Milano refused. 811:, and Sammy Tucker. Polizzi and the Cleveland crime family were asked to also provide capital. Polizzi turned down the deal, afraid that gambling licenses wouldn't be issued and the family would lose their investment. A few years later, this group sold a piece of their investment to John Angersola, Frank Milano, and Alfred Polizzi. Polizzi agreed to prevent other organized crime figures from interfering with the casino and in return became a "silent partner" in the casino. Profits skimmed from the casino continued to flow to the Polizzi and the Cleveland crime family until 553:

Brewing Company of Cleveland. He changed the name to Tip Top Brewing, and the purchased an independent beer distributor. Polizzi established a fake bank account at the Morris Plan Bank in Cleveland under the name of Fred W. Garmone, a well-known local criminal defense attorney who did extensive work for the Cleveland crime family. The money in this account was used to guarantee loans the bank made to retail customers of Tip Top. In return, the retailers purchased their alcoholic beverage exclusively from Tip Top. This created a "

414:, who engaged in bootlegging and smuggling. The Cleveland Syndicate preferred to give a cut of its profits to mobsters in other criminal organizations, who then did the actual work of bootlegging or running illegal gambling operations. John Angersola and Alfred Polizzi were the two members of the Cleveland crime family to do bootlegging for the Syndicate. The Polizzi-run bootlegging operation moved large amounts of high-quality liquor into northeast Ohio and northwest 5089: 1004:. The Purple Gang was an extremely violent Jewish gang in Detroit that engaged in bootlegging, drug running, extortion, hijacking, jewelry store robberies, murder, and other crimes. The Purple Gang brought Yonnie Licavoli, his brother Pete, and his cousin James, to Detroit as gunmen. The Purple Gang had close connections with Moe Dalitz and Chuck Polizzi, as Detroit was one of the main entry points in the United States for illegal liquor. 299:, also known as Albert Polizzi. Chuck Polizzi was born Leo Berkowitz. His parents were Russian Jews who had emigrated to Cleveland but died soon after their son was born. Historians Michael Newton and Hank Messick say Chuck was unofficially adopted by the Polizzis, but historian Albert Fried says the adoption was formalized. Chuck Polizzi is often mistakenly called Alfred's brother; Alfred himself said he felt Chuck to be a cousin. 685:$ 1.00 ($ 18 in 2023 dollars) for every case of liquor imported. The scheme worked so long as the state of Ohio and the federal government believed the imported liquor remained in warehouses and was not sold. For this, Peerless and Polizzi needed warehouse receipts. Through a series of middlemen, Polizzi purchased legitimate warehouse receipts for use by his liquor distributors. The scheme made an extremely large amount of money. 747:

hunting. Alfred Polizzi put in $ 35,000 ($ 477,585.693 in 2023 dollars) into Tucson Motels, making him the biggest investor. Chuck Polizzi, Dalitz, Kleinman, Rothkopf, and Tucker each put up $ 14,000 ($ 477,585.693 in 2023 dollars). Tucson Motels constructed several luxury hotels in the area, which were used by visiting mobsters. Arizona quickly became heavily infiltrated by organized crime.

630:, to another family. (It is unclear whether he did so on his own initiative, or at the request of another crime family.) The Cleveland crime family continued to receive 25 percent of the profits from the Youngstown rackets (primarily gambling and vending machines), which averaged about $ 5,000 to $ 6,000 ($ 84,621 to $ 101,545 in 2023 dollars) a month in the 1970s. 618:

in Mexico, occasionally traveling to see and consult with him. Polizzi partnered with Dalitz in various illegal enterprises while head of the Cleveland crime family, which allegedly made both men wealthy. Nevertheless, at one point U.S. Senate investigators characterized Polizzi as one of the most influential members of the American mafia.

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The scheme fell apart when Polizzi's warehousemen failed to produce the proper receipts for federal inspectors. Polizzi and three others were arrested in late December 1943 on 28 counts of federal liquor and tax law violations. Deciding to get out of the brewery business, Polizzi sold Tip Top Brewing

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The venture proved so profitable that Polizzi made a new deal with Peerless. Peerless agreed to register the Ohio Department of Liquor as an importer of out-of-state liquor and as a liquor retailer. Out-of-state liquor manufacturers often found themselves with excess stock they could not sell, or for

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Polizzi also invested widely in distilleries. These investments were an attempt to "go legit" (invest in legal business enterprises), Among the more important ones was Lubeck Brewing and Distributing of Cleveland, which he obtained control of in 1939. The following year, Polizzi purchased the Sunrise

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Italian and Sicilian mafia in the United States routinely blocked Jewish gangsters from becoming members, although they associated with them and used their services. This began to end after the establishment of The Commission, although some crime families continued to adhere to the old rules barring

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It's unclear how much control Polizzi had over the Cleveland mafia. Cleveland mafia historian Rick Porrello has written that The Commission made it clear to Polizzi that Syndicate leader Moe Dalitz was the real authority in Cleveland. Dalitz and Polizzi also stayed in routine touch with Frank Milano

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Alfred Polizzi used a number of aliases during his career. "Big Al" was the most common nickname, because at 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) in height he was the tallest of all his friends and criminal associates. He was also known as "Albert Allen" and by variations on his own name (e.g.,

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In testimony before the committee on February 19, 1951, Polizzi admitted to bootlegging during Prohibition and to having had a substantial ownership interest in Buckeye Catering, which at one time controlled 25 percent of the illegal slot machine business in northeast Ohio. He denied having had any

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registered, and taxes paid on the alcohol. Polizzi purchased 1,501 cases of liquor from Peerless and sold it to tavern owners at a price $ 9.00 ($ 158 in 2023 dollars) above the legal price. Of this markup, $ 5.00 ($ 88 in 2023 dollars) went to Peerless and $ 4.00 ($ 70 in 2023 dollars) to Polizzi.

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to avoid prosecution for income tax evasion. As Milano could not run the Cleveland crime family from across the border, he stepped down as boss and was succeeded by Alfred Polizzi. Although most sources say Polizzi was officially named boss in 1935, former Cleveland FBI chief Joe Griffin says power

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Milano and the Mayfield Road Mob were now in control of the Cleveland crime family. Polizzi, who fled the scene of the crime, was wanted by the police for questioning. By the time he turned himself in to the police at the end of July, the police declined to interview him. The investigation into the

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held hearings in Cleveland, Ohio, in January 1951. Among area organized crime figures testifying where Alvin Giesey, Thomas J. McGinty, Arthur McBride, and Anthony Milano. Alfred Polizzi also testified after being subpoenaed by the committee. Polizzi's initial testimony before the committee was so

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By his own account, Polizzi moved to Florida with $ 300,000 to $ 500,000 ($ 5,300,000 to $ 8,800,000 in 2023 dollars) in profits from past criminal and legitimate activities. Media reports in 1951 said the amount was closer to $ 300,000, although mafia historian Rick Porrello puts the amount at $

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Cleveland police arrested Milano in March 1932 for being a "suspicious person". Police officials at the time suspected him of bootlegging and attempting to take over a number of different rackets in the area. A court dismissed the charge, saying being "suspicious" is not enough to warrant arrest.

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In late June, Porrello established his own political club. On July 4, Polizzi telephoned Porrello and arranged a meeting for the following day at the Venetian Restaurant. Polizzi greeted Porrello and Tilocco as they arrived shortly before 2 PM on July 5. Also present were Milano and Mayfield Road

770:, Angelo Lonardo, Chuck Polizzi, Milton Rockman (Scalish's brother-in-law), Angelo Sciria, and 17 other Cleveland area mobsters were indicted for running numbers rackets. Although the indictments were a secret, most of these individuals fled Cleveland secretly aboard Arthur McBride's yacht, the 722:

In 1947, Polizzi went into business with Forrest Thompson. About six months earlier, Cleveland mafioso Vincent "Doc" Mangine introduced the two. Assisted by attorney Nick Mangine, Vincent's brother, they formed Thompson-Polizzi Construction in Coral Gables. By this time, Arthur McBride was also

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Polizzi and McBride often co-invested as individuals in construction projects which made substantial profits. Their first business transaction together occurred in 1948 when they formed H.&I. Holdings, a real estate development company. Both men turned over property to the company as their

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Lonardo says he sought permission from boss Frank Milano to kill Giuseppe "Dr. Joe" Romano, whom Lonardo believed to be involved in the murder of his father, Joseph "Big Joe" Lonardo. Milano approved the assassination, which occurred on June 10, 1936. The revenge-killing of a crime family boss

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Polizzi was also involved in Arizona real estate. On August 8, 1947, members of the Cleveland crime family and the Cleveland Syndicate formed Tucson Motels. Polizzi had become interested in Arizona during his 1937 and subsequent visits, and Moe Dalitz had a large ranch there which he used for

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At the time, the state of Ohio had a monopoly on the sale of liquor, which sold it to dealers and retailers at a set price. Liquor was scarce due to World War II, so the state permitted liquor to be purchased from out-of-state manufacturers. The state required that out-of-state suppliers be

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Polizzi became a naturalized citizen on June 8, 1928. The federal government sued in June 1939 to have his naturalization annulled on the grounds that he had lied about having no previous arrests. The suit was unexpectedly dropped in November. Polizzi sought a federal pardon from President

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In December 1932, Polizzi and eight others from the Cleveland Syndicate and the Cleveland crime family formed Buckeye Enterprises Company. Buckeye Enterprises invested in a wide range of legal and illegal businesses, including the Thomas Club (a luxury casino in the Cleveland suburb of

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with federal prosecutors about September 20, 1944, under which he agreed to plead guilty to a single count of selling liquor without a federal wholesale liquor dealer's license. Polizzi was sentenced to two years in jail, and required to pay a $ 5,000 fine ($ 100,000 in 2023 dollars).

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Alfred had three brothers, Joseph (b. 1893?-d. 1965), Jasper (b. 1895?-d. 1957), and James (b. 1910?-d. 1979), and two sisters, Carmela (or Carmelina; b.1892?-d. 1963) and Catherine (b. 1920-d. ?). Joseph was also involved in mafia activity, although at a low level.

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purchased the Desert Inn in 1967. Polizzi continued to receive part of the "skim" even in retirement, about $ 1,000 to $ 2,000 ($ 9,391 to $ 18,782 in 2023 dollars) a month. U.S. Senate investigators and former mafia members said Polizzi also invested secretly in the

665:" and member of any mafia) from assassination, Alfred Polizzi was forced to defend the killing before a meeting of the Commission. Lonardo was permitted to live only because Polizzi successfully argued that as a "civilian" he did not yet know the rules of the mafia. 534:), the Continental Supper Club (a casino and restaurant located at 8591 Carnegie Avenue in Cleveland), Shaw-Clair Catering, Superior Catering, Eastern Service Company (a company which laundered income from Buckeye Enterprises so as not to draw attention from the 370:

in the area, forcing customers to lease them at high prices and skimming part of the profits. The Mayfield Road Mob attempted to take over the business, and Polizzi and Colletti were believed to have placed the explosives at Weisenberg's home in September 1928.

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George and John Angersola settled near Coral Gables as well. Polizzi loaned them a large amount of money, and went into business with them. The three established the Polkin Company (an amalgam King—the Angersola alias—and Polizzi) to build homes and hotels.

758:, in the early 1950s, Polizzi staked him the cash he needed to form his own real estate company. McGinty was one of a large group of gangsters who rapidly built up Palm Beach, and ending up owning extensive real estate north and south of the city as well. 625:

and U.S. Senate investigators believed that Polizzi controlled the wire service in Cleveland, bringing him extensive income from betting shops and parlors. During Polizzi's tenure as boss in Cleveland, he relinquished control of mafia activities in

637:. The casino, established in 1937, was one of the most lucrative gambling establishments in the region and heavily patronized by organized crime leaders. Polizzi received a portion of the profits, and continued to do so long after he had retired. 425:, in 1926, and featured bootleg liquor and illegal gambling. A few years later (probably no later than 1929), Polizzi became an investor in the Arrowhead Club along with other members of the Cleveland crime family and the Syndicate. 2490: 4661: 873: 354:, bootlegging, and other crimes. By the time he retired in 1945, he had been arrested seven times (four while using the alias "Albert Allen"). He was first arrested in 1920. He was convicted of violating the 723:

involved in real estate development in southern Florida. Partnering with McBride, Thompson-Polizzi Construction built extensively in and around Coral Gables. The company built two luxury movie theaters, an

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involvement in casinos, and claimed to have left organized crime in 1938. Polizzi also told the committee that he had invested his earnings in real estate development, which included the Sands Hotel in

644:, Yonnie Licavoli's cousin, asked Polizzi for permission to operate in Cleveland. The Licavolis had left Detroit for Toledo in 1931, but returned to Detroit about 1933 or 1934. The establishment of the 823:

Polizzi was also suspected of running several illegal gambling rackets and assisting traffickers in illegal narcotics while living in Florida. He openly associated with organized crime figures such as

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as its circulation manager, and McBride hired young toughs like Polizzi not only to hawk newspapers but to intimidate sellers of other papers. In the summer of 1917, Polizzi worked as a lifeguard at

4980: 905:, while attending his granddaughter's college graduation. His funeral was held at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Coral Gables, and he was buried at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery in 220:, Ohio, from 1935 to 1945. He stabilized the Cleveland crime family after a period of revenge killings, and was one of the most influential mobsters in the United States. He retired to 926:

in March 1953, but again the pardon was denied. The federal government sought to strip him again of his citizenship in 1952, but a court ruled against the government in December 1953.

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The other investors consisted of Dalitz, Rothkopf, and Tucker from the Syndicate and John Angersola, Chuck Polizzi, Martin O'Boyle, and Harry Potter from the Sicilian-Italian mafia.

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Polizzi co-owned Tornello Importing Co., an olive oil, pasta, and tomato paste importation business, with Frank Milano. It was a front for numerous illegal activities, and used to

545:. With Frank Milano and Moe Dalitz, Polizzi was also a partner in the Molaska Corporation. Formed in 1933 just 10 days after the end of Prohibition, it manufactured dehydrated 28: 933:, younger brother of Thomas J. Licavoli, was best man at their wedding. The couple had three children: sons Raymond (b. 1932) and Nicholas (b. 1935), and daughter Joanne. 549:

for use in alcohol manufacturing nationwide. This product was also used in the illegal manufacture of alcohol, which was sold tax-free and often adulterated.

820:. He shared in the $ 50,000 ($ 500,000 in 2023 dollars) a month cut with John Angersola and John T. Scalish, a practice that continued into the mid-1960s. 479:

mobsters John Angersola and Charles Colletti. The six men played cards and discussed business. Gunfire erupted, and both Porrello and Tilocco were killed.

250:, settled the family on Woodland Avenue in one of Cleveland's Italian enclaves. He quit school at the age of 14 to sell newspapers on the street for the 336: 324: 4519: 446: 766:

While in prison awaiting trial, Polizzi was involved in helping a number of gangsters to flee Cleveland. In 1943, George Angersola, John Angersola,

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In addition to his partnerships with Moe Dalitz, Polizzi continued to engage in a wide range of lucrative criminal activities on his own. Mobster

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Polizzi's sudden interest in Yonnie Licavoli was because of the close relationships the Cleveland crime family and the Syndicate had with the

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in 1978, Polizzi had earned more than $ 100 million ($ 1,692,421,441.7745 in 2023 dollars) from illegal gambling and slot machine activities.

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A sister, Angelina, was born in 1912 and died at the age of one. Another sister, Jenny, was born in 1922 and died at the age of 8 months.

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crystals, the mixture can be poured into shallow pans where it will crystallize. It is generally sold in slabs, as pellets, or in chips.

5141: 441:, and both Alfred and Chuck Polizzi sometimes acted as bodyguards for Lonardo and his family. Lonardo was assassinated in June 1927 by 4222: 652:

left the Licavolis with no room to operate. Polizzi gave Licavoli permission to resettle in Cleveland and begin criminal activities.

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Block, Alan A. (1994). "Organized Crime: History and Historiography". In Kelly, Robert J.; Chin, Ko-Lin; Schatzberg, Rufus (eds.).

399: 4644: 595:, a seven-member group of American mafia families that handled high-level disputes, and began to associate with mobsters such as 511:. Although the Cleveland crime family had a reputation for using murder as a way of dealing with threats, Polizzi came to favor 4242: 2451: 978:

and then heating the mixture under pressure for several minutes. When filtered, clarified, concentrated, and seeded with a few

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which they lacked bottles. Peerless obtained this excess stock and brought it to Ohio. Polizzi illegally sold the liquor, and

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in 1926; he served six months in prison and was fined $ 1,000 ($ 15,209 in 2023 dollars). He was arrested again in 1928 when

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Another early legitimate investment was the incorporation of Garbo Foods Specialty, a luxury food importer and distributor.

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Most sources say Alfred Polizzi was present for the meeting. Michael Newton says Chuck Polizzi, not Al, was at the meeting.

499:, Alfred Polizzi was one of the top leaders of the Cleveland crime family under Milano's rule. Police believed he ran more 224:

in 1945, where he was involved in the construction industry. He used several aliases, including "Big Al" and Albert Allen.

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Other organized crime figures who invested in Buckeye Catering were John Angersola, Chuck Polizzi, and Nathan Weisenberg.

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Peerless was one of the largest manufacturers of alcohol illegally imported into the United States during Prohibition.

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In 1943, Polizzi got involved in an illegal liquor sales operation that later led to a conviction under federal law.

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Balboni, Alan (1999). "Moe Dalitz: Controversial Founding Father of Modern Las Vegas". In Davies, Richard O. (ed.).

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in Coral Gables and built homes there. The deal was worth at least $ 102,000 ($ 1,291,717.84232 in 2023 dollars).

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required approval by The Commission, approval that had not been sought. To protect Lonardo (who was not then a "

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neighborhood. As part of the Mayfield Road Mob, Polizzi became a close associate of mobsters Fred Angersola,

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Investigation of Organized Crime in Interstate Commerce. Part 1. United States Senate. 81st Cong., 2d. sess

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Investigation of Organized Crime in Interstate Commerce. Part 7. United States Senate. 81st Cong., 2d sess

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Investigation of Organized Crime in Interstate Commerce. Part 6. United States Senate. 82d Cong., 1st sess

538:), and Buckeye Catering (which acted as a front for a slot machine leasing and profit-skimming business). 4765: 246:

Indelicato) Polizzi. He emigrated from Italy to the United States with his family in 1909. His father, a

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25 Years After Valachi. Committee on Government Operations. United States Senate. 100th Cong., 2d sess

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supermarket, and other structures which are now landmarks in the city. He built a shopping center for

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Alfred Polizzi married Philomena Valentino, a second cousin of the wife of Anthony Milano. Mobster

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Polizzi gained a seat on the Grand Council of the Sicilian Mafia, a group of nine leaders of the

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Polizzi was released in prison in late 1945 (having served a total of two years), and moved to

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magazine ran an article on organized crime which mentioned Polizzi, he sued the magazine for

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Porrello/Tilocco murder had turned up no clues, and the police had no questions to ask him.

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from a group of mobsters that included Moe Dalitz, Maurice Kleinman, Thomas J. McGinty,

5041: 4926: 4901: 4851: 4810: 4366: 4085: 3292: 2959: 2200: 682: 208:; March 15, 1900 – May 26, 1975) was a Sicilian emigrant to the United States who was 5021: 4638: 4632: 4202: 4131: 3830: 3747: 3677: 3656: 3635: 3614: 3593: 3572: 3536: 3515: 3467: 3446: 3425: 3404: 3383: 3362: 3341: 3320: 3299: 3276: 3255: 3248: 975: 832: 804: 689:

in July 1944 for $ 1 million ($ 17,607,692.30769 in 2023 dollars). Polizzi reached a

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Simon, Todd (January 14, 1951). "Smudged Roughnecks Buy Power; How Do They Do It?".

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in June 1950 and demanded $ 500,000 ($ 6,331,950.20747 in 2023 dollars) in damages.

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Pomeroy, Lawrence K. (August 11, 1966). "Ex-Clevelanders Testify In Vegas Probe".

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United States Senate Special Committee to Investigate Crime in Interstate Commerce

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Polizzi himself strenuously denied that he was engaged in anything illegal. After

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Special Committee to Investigate Organized Crime in Interstate Commerce (1951).

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Special Committee to Investigate Organized Crime in Interstate Commerce (1951).

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Special Committee to Investigate Organized Crime in Interstate Commerce (1951).

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McAuley, Robert J. (May 8, 1978). "A First: Attacking Mafia As An Enterprise".

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initial investment. About 1949 or 1950, Polizzi and McBride purchased a former

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in the area than any other criminal, and he became close to Cleveland mobsters

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Kernan, Edward (February 20, 1951). "Al Polizzi Is Unconvincing to Kefauver".

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