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.