Gotti enjoyed the limelight very much. He wanted everyone to know he was the boss. DiFronzo despises attention and rejoices every time he sees people like the late Joe Ferriola catch the heat in the newspapers as if he were boss. DiFronzo always towered Ferriola in Outfit stature. Not very many people were aware of this. Ferriola’s own family thought he was the boss of bosses – and that is how DiFronzo likes it (again feriolla is dead).

Gotti murdered his boss Paul Castellano and DiFronzo merely conspired with Joe Aiuppa to murder Outfit boss Jack Cerone (though it was not necessary as Cerone died on his own). Gotti killed any man that would look at his wife the wrong way. DiFronzo is rumored to have murdered his wife’s first husband because he wanted her instead. Gotti dated younger women, while DiFronzo dates old hens.

Gotti fixed juries when he was under indictment. DiFronzo does not seem to need to, as he appears to magically avoid indictments. Gotti trusted the wrong person and it ended his reign of terror. So far, DiFronzo seems to have trusted the right people. Gotti brought his son in to the rackets. DiFronzo never considered it for a minute.

Gotti is long gone, while DiFronzo remains here living a simple life, consisting largely of drinking enough alcohol at the Loon Café almost every day to barely drive home. I suspect he does not feel threatened by River Grove Police Chief Rodger Loni’s Police Department.

There is no question that the better gangster is DiFronzo. No matter what, both gangsters will face the burning gates of Hell for the rest of eternity. We know Gotti has already begun his sentence. Amen.

Chicago has been home to a number of special people, from Jane Adams to Michael Jordan. Among this illustrious company you would surely find Clara Russo Cerone.

On February 13, 1917, toward the end of World War I, Chicago had one inch of snow on the ground, accumulation from a couple of modest snowfalls earlier that month. The temperature was in the average range with a high of 31 and a low 15. It was a wholly unremarkable day until the birth of Clara A. Russo would mark it in the hearts and minds of many.

At a young age, Clara’s persistency and determination emerged. Her halo of red, curly hair made her stand out from the other little girls at school. She decided she had to straighten her rosy curls, ironing her hair in order to address the supposed problem. Aunt Clara would be hands on with her destiny for her whole life. This creative energy and raw determination, exhibited from such a young age, colored her interactions with the world at large.

Clara grew up in a Jewish part of the City of Chicago, and she could speak Yiddish, along with several other languages, fluently. She was a stickler for proper etiquette and grammar. Along with her linguistic acumen Clara possessed a number of artistic talents, much like the other Russo children, particularly Clara’s now late brother Leo the Artist. She was a talented dancer and singer. Aunt Clara would eventually teach many young children how to dance (including me – although I was not a good student).

Not only could Clara sing and dance, her mastery of the culinary arts rivaled the talents of many professional chefs. Everything from small get-togethers to massive parties and formal family functions were expertly catered by Clara. No one ever went away hungry or unsatisfied.

Clara’s dad, Frank Russo, was a serious man, a good father and husband. Frank Russo knew Al Capone and others like him. Through these connections Frank Russo found employment for his young daughter at the old Rock Garden in Cicero, Illinois, which was located at Cermak and Cicero Ave. The Rock Garden was a highline gambling parlor that featured a supper club and had entertainment. Al Capone had a man by the name of Jimmy Patimus, as his managing partner of the Rock Garden. Through Frank Russo’s connections Clara’s safety was guaranteed, as it became well known to the others that Clara was untouchable. Well, untouchable to almost everyone, accept for a young, good-looking (but bald) man by the name of Jack Cerone.

Jack Cerone was a dealer at the Rock Garden, a humble beginning for the man who would become one of the most powerful Mob bosses in world history, much like Al Capone. The devastatingly beautiful Clara Russo caught Jack’s eye immediately. The enterprising young man that he was, Jack insisted on driving her home from work one night while Clara was waiting for a ride. It was the beginning of a relationship that would ultimately culminate in marriage.

Clara loved being a wife and mother. Although she expressed her disappointments to me about her husband, among them his lack of hair and inability to dance, I am a witness to the fact he was an excellent provider. Together they raised their two children, Jack and Jill, gifting them with names synonymous with the nursery rhyme. While it might seem this naming scheme was planned, it was advice from Marie Capezio that caused Clara to name her daughter Jill. Jack Sr. was Tony Capezio’s apprentice, which understandably explains the influence Marie would have over the Cerones. Later on Clara had her chance to do the same honor when Joe ‘Gags’ Gagliano’s wife asked for advice on a name for her new son. Clara named the baby boy Tore.

She did a fine job raising her children. She taught her son Jack to cook better than most adults by age 12.

If Aunt Clara liked you, you could do no wrong in her eyes. If she gave someone a hard time, it was because she did not like the person. In her words to me, she liked Joe and Tore Gagliano, Willie Messino, Sr, Joe B (Anthony Accardo, Sr.), Joe Aiuppa, Charlie Nicosia, Jack ‘Romie’ Nappi, Rich (and Judy) Penachio, John DiFronzo, Joe Lombardo, Joe Andriacchi, Gerry Magnafichi, Rudy Fratto, Sr (not the tax evader/extortionist) and me. Of course, I do not have to mention her immediate family, as she loved every single one of them with every bit of her beautiful heart. All of us that knew Clara well will always have a little of her inside of us.

Her husband’s tremendous power allowed her to hob-nob with the cream of society. She was at home in the most fascinating and glamorous social circles, including the Rat Pack, Bob Hope and scores of other high profile entertainers. Her nimble mind and sharp wit meant she was never at a loss among these giants of American culture.

Clara and I were as close as a mother and son. In fact, she told me stories that she swore she never told her own son. Out of respect for my late friend and second mother, I will take those stories to my grave.

One day in the year 2002, while I was having something to eat with Clara at her Inverness home, I became aware of a visit that she received from FBI Special Agent Andrew Hickey. He was curious about what she remembered the night of Rich Penachio’s death. The all business suit and tie Fed was not aware of what a comical person Aunt Clara could be. She asked Agent Hickey if he earned his name from kissing girls on the neck when he was in high school. Needless to say the FBI Agent was left flat-footed. Later on Aunt Clara told me of the information she refused to divulge to Hickey, some of which I found to be extremely startling. Nonetheless, I am confident that justice will prevail some day.

It is one of my great regrets that I could not be with Aunt Clara at the end of her life. I became estranged before she passed away, due to the legal problems between her son and me. Of all the vindictive things her son has done to me, preventing me from saying goodbye to my second mother has certainly hurt me the most.

The Outfit’s Rose, Clara Cerone, was a beautiful person, inside and out. Rest in peace Aunt Clara (1917-2008).

Tragically, Michael was affected by negative influences early in his life. The root of this negative influence is the late Chicago Outfit Boss Jackie Cerone. Michael, who already had a wonderful dad of his own, came to think of Jackie as a second father figure. Jackie loved Michael as if Michael was his own son.

Michael served Cerone as an apprentice. The two were together night and day for nearly 10 years. This makes for an extraordinary circumstance. Jack Cerone is one of the most powerful Mob Bosses of all time. Michael experienced first-hand what mob-watchers could only dream about. During those years Jackie and Michael spent together, it was a common occurrence for Michael to find himself among people that most others could only read about. Some of these people include, Joe B (Anthony Accardo), Joe Aiuppa, Gus Alex, John DiFronzo and Willie Messino, Sr. In 1981 Michael even had a chance to meet Meyer Lansky, courtesy of his patron Jackie.

Michael was once of the largest bookmakers that Chicago had ever seen, though I believe that he has been retired from such illegal activity for at least 10 years. In the days when Michael was at the top of his game, you would never see him in the same threads twice. He certainly possessed a style and flair that most could only dream of. As a young man he had expensive automobiles and two thousand dollar sports coats, and was always surrounded by throngs of gorgeous women. He was so successful that, before turning 30, Michael managed to acquire one million dollars in cash that he tucked away in his safety deposit box.

Stuff like this made men like Rudy Fratto, Jr. sick to their stomachs with jealousy.

Most people that knew of Michael thought of him as the prince of the City of Chicago. State Senators like Jimmy DeLeo were at Michael’s beck and call. Judges like Joe Casciato, and others like him in boss Johnny DiFronzo’s pocket, gave Michael carte blanche. There was little this man could not accomplish. He was so influential that in the late 90s the Chicago Crime Commission listed Michael (with a slightly misspelled last name) as a Lieutenant for the Chicago Outfit.

As time passed tensions rose between Michael and John DiFronzo, the man who would eventually come to run the Outfit. Michael lost a lot of respect for DiFronzo when it became clear that John had little respect for Jackie Cerone and Michael’s father, Lee. This drove John and Michael increasingly apart.

While a personal conflict between him and the head of the Chicago Outfit could certainly have spelled ruin for Michael, his greater enemy would prove to be his own sense of responsibility to his friends and family.

Joseph Fosco and Michael G. Magnafichi
Michael’s big heart is what actually compromised his position in life. Michael gave his friends whatever they needed. Like a true Robin Hood, he took from wealthy people that he considered bad people, like Jack P. Cerone, Esquire (son of Jackie Cerone), so he could take care of good, albeit less fortunate, people. While Michael has no love for Jack P. Cerone, he feels a great deal of love for Cerone’s estranged wife Judy and her four daughters. In fact, Michael was involved in a romance many years ago, back when he was a rising Chicago gangster, with now Cook County Circuit Court Judge Jill Cerone-Marisie.

The turn of the century marked a new horizon for Michael. For the first time in Michael’s life he fell in love. She was a tall beautiful blonde-haired woman. While Michael had known many beautiful women in his lifetime, this one was like no other. Aside from her breathtaking appearance and genuine good nature, this woman is the daughter of one of the richest men in America. Most people might think that her wealth was the attraction, and for those who believe this, they obviously do not know Michael.

The only problem for Michael is that the love of his life is a married woman. Michael accepted this fact, deciding that he would not let it bother him. Sadly, the situation only enhanced his already compromised position in life, and made Michael emotionally vulnerable.

While Michael has proven his love for this woman many times over, letting her return to her husband, the sad love story continues to pause. The whole ordeal has left Michael in an extremely depressed state.

Some may think that this former apprentice to one of the most powerful Mob Bosses in World History has degenerated into a lovesick fool. The twists and turns of life, combined with chance and circumstance, may shape us, but in the end it is how we act, in times good and bad, that tells our story. Michael chose his friends first, making enemies of powerful men. He chose love first, even though that road ultimately held little hope for true happiness.

If we all could say these things of ourselves, I think the world would be a much better place.

I am glad to say Michael Magnafichi is my pal. He is living proof that anyone, despite past problems, can make it in the world. My thoughts and prayers are always with him.

After submitting my payment to the Marshals Office, I could not resist visiting Vito Scavo’s courtroom. I am sure that I will visit the courtroom again, if only to watch Drumhead in action.

Vito ‘Drumhead’ Scavo, former Melrose Park Police Chief

My friend Buddy had a pet nickname for Vito Scavo – Drumhead. Buddy sure was good at giving people nicknames. Anyone that has ever seen Scavo would agree that his head is very large, not to mention shiny. While I am sure his nogin lacks the acoustic qualities of a real drumhead, I have no doubt there is a long list of people that would be willing to try a drumroll on it. First in line seems to be the federal government.

Scavo is fighting the government’s allegations that he was running a private security company through the Melrose Park Police Department. I arrived at his courtroom at roughly 11:00 AM. As soon as I entered the room, Scavo and I locked eyes for a couple of seconds. I offered Vito a smile when I saw him, but not as big a smile as I offered Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Andersson. Mr. Andersson is a phenomenal prosecutor. And I am pleased that he is working on the Scavo case. Mr. Andersson has a wealth of knowledge on matters involving Melrose Park. If his boss, Mr. Fitzgerald, had anything to do with assigning the Scavo case to Mr. Andersson, I applaud Mr. Fitzgerald for making a great decision.

I am sorry that I missed the testimony of Melrose Park Police Lt. Joseph Urso. I once filed a complaint against Urso’s father, Cook County Judge Joe Urso, for allegedly having unethical involvement in a case lodged against me by Jack P. Cerone. What I find very interesting about Lt. Urso’s cooperation with the government is, in my opinion, if it were not for Chicago Outfit Boss Joe Aiuppa, both Ursos might be working as menial laborers instead of having prestigious jobs.

Mr. Andersson was the prosecutor when my late friend Buddy Ciotti was dealing with his federal indictment on gambling-related charges. The day that Buddy was sentenced was the first time that I had the chance of seeing Mr. Andersson. I recall his hair being a little longer back then. I like his hairstyle is much better now.

Since the Ciotti sentencing (which cannot be compared to the Scavo matter as Ciotti was man enough to admit fault), I was sure to read whatever media articles that I came across involving Mr. Andersson. This is how I have determined that Mr. Andersson is a phenomenal prosecutor. If anyone should be appointed to a federal judgeship, it is Mr. Andersson. I believe it was Mr. Anderson that assisted the government in confiscating 1.3 million dollars from the fat and bald Rocco Infelise (and his rap-partner) in the 1990s.

While I was watching the testimony of a witness in the Scavo case, I was thinking of all of the bad things that I know about Scavo. One of the last times that I saw Scavo, he was eating some homemade ‘supersot’ that Johnny DiFronzo brought toIllinois State Representative Skip Saviano’s house in Elmwood Park while celebrating Good Friday. Funny, I never saw Mrs. Peter DiFronzo there.

I have one question, though. How can Drumhead afford his legal defense? Could it be that he made a ridiculous fortune in the security business? If I were called to testify against Scavo, I would offer that he collected a small fortune from my friend Buddy Ciotti, who admitted to running an illegal gambling operation in Melrose Park (and its surrounding suburbs). I am certainly not the only person who knows these things. Drumhead has made his share of enemies who know much more than I do about his illict operations. That being said, I bet that Scavo’s racketeering charges should stick.