Cosa Nostra News

Tony Spilotro was sent by the Chicago Outfit to oversee their interests in Las Vegas, and was the inspiration for the Joe Pesci character in Martin Scorsese's Casino . Caifano Spilotro protected the Outfit's money, aka the skim (illegal casino profits "skimmed” off the top). Because the Outfit 's interests in Las Vegas predate Spilotro, before Tony the Ant, another mobster terrified people on the fabled Las Vegas strip (as well as in Chicago and elsewhere). Marshall Caifano was sent to Las Vegas to purchase land but also looked out for the Outfit's interests, which included the Riviera casino then run by Gus Greenbaum, formerly of the Flamingo. Caifano was a suspect in numerous unsolved murders, typically involving Outfit associates. He was also suspected of committing the notorious, grizzly murder of Estelle Carey, a beautiful young cocktail waitress. One of the perceived motives for the killing is that she was "made an example of" to keep he...

Frank Cullotta warned "Frankie Blue" An interesting story on  Tony Spilotro is on Gangland Wire : On June 9, 1980, the night Frank Bluestein, aka “Frankie Blue” , was murdered, Frank Cullotta had warned him that the Las Vegas police department was following him. "Frankie Blue" knew someone was on his ass, but he was certain it was criminals -- a group with bad intentions, looking to rob him. And that didn't give him a moment's pause. It was actually an occupational hazard. Garbage men may tweak their back while hefting trash cans, mobsters might get shot or robbed or both. So "Frankie Blue" was like “ I got a gun if anybody tries to rob me .”

Larry Neumann: Despite mountains of evidence, was never Charged for a double homicide he committed when someone "disrespected" his ex-wife. He was a member of Frank Cullotta's crew in Las Vegas, the Hole in the Wall Gang. June 2, 1981. Morning. An apartment located behind the P.M. Pub drinking establishment in Lakemoor, Ill. (If a reader recalls another apartment located behind a bar , it wouldn't be inappropriate.) Two people are found dead in the living room. One of the dead had been the owner of the P.M., 37-year-old Ronald Scharff; the other was barmaid Patricia Freeman. The previous evening was actually her first night working at the pub. As noted on the website Murder in McHenry , Lakemoor, situated about 50 miles northwest of Chicago, was then a community that had served as home to around 800 souls.

Dennis Griffin has written several books on organized crime in America. Dennis Griffin writes about a lot of things, perhaps most notably, the Mafia (see story on Andrew Didonato , about whom Denny wrote Surviving the Mob , one of my favorite mob books ). When I interviewed him recently, one of my first questions was: "What do you consider the most difficult part of the book-writing process?" I expected a few possible responses, one or two involving a firearm. "Promotions," he said immediately as if that answer had been lurking on the tip of his tongue all along. I nearly fell out of my chair. "What about the research?"

Want to attend an Organized Crime Seminar ? Anyone interested should call the phone number below.

R Frank Cullotta, 1970s? Sky Valley Chronicle Washington State News : "So what's Frank Cullotta doing these days in his golden years? At the age of 75 he's running five-hour bus tours in Las Vegas to the former murder scenes and other crime haunts he inhabited during his mobster years in Vegas. Back then Cullotta says his crew "controlled Las Vegas" on behalf of the Chicago mob . Now he says he wants to show visitors the reality of life as a mobster." Cullotta gave the BBC Radio 5 show an interview about his new job that you can listen to here . Gotta say, I wasn't impressed with the broadcaster; his questions, for the most part, were repetitive. Seems like he wasn't listening to Cullotta, just asking fabricated questions.

Frank Cullotta I am interviewing a former Outfit guy at an undisclosed location at an undisclosed time and day... Well, not really -- I am interviewing him, just don't know when exactly. By phone... Got my list of questions for Frank Cullotta, but if any of you Mafia enthusiasts have a question you'd like me to ask Tony Spilotro 's former pal, who killed people on The Ant's orders (until Frank flipped and then the Ant tried to get him whacked), leave it in the comments. Serious questions only; others will be, you got it, deleted.... Here's some background on the guy: Frank Cullotta, the Hitman Turned Vegas Tour Guide - The Daily Beast : Retired Chicago mobster Frank Cullotta comes from a family of wheelmen. Making a clean getaway is in his blood.