Milwaukee crime family

Milwaukee crime family

Frank Balistrieri, the most influential boss of the Milwaukee crime family.
In	Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Founded by	Vito Guardalabene
Years active	1918–present
Territory	Various neighborhoods over Milwaukee
Ethnicity	Italian and Italian American are made men. Other ethnicities as "associates".
Membership	Less than 15
Allies	Chicago Outfit, Bonanno crime family and others crime families

The Milwaukee crime family is an American Mafia crime family based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.^[1] The crime family was considered a branch of the Chicago Outfit. The family's most influential boss was Frank "Mr. Big" Balistrieri, who was greatly involved in the Las Vegas skimming casinos.^[2] Today the family is nearly extinct with the Chicago Outfit gaining the control over the illegal rackets in the area.^[3]

Bosses of the Milwaukee crime family

• 1918-1921 - Vito Guardalabene - died on February 6, 1921 from natural causes^[3]
• 1921-1927 - Peter Guardalabene - the son of Vito Guardalabene was boss until 1927^[3]
• 1927- Joseph Amato - died of natural causes on March 28, 1927^[3]
• 1927-1949 - Joseph Vallone - the Commission decided that the Milwaukee family would answer to and remain under the Chicago Outfit's power. Vallone retired in 1949 and died on March 18, 1952 from natural causes.^[3]
• 1949-1952 - Sam Ferrara - in 1952 he was voted out by his family and members of the Chicago Outfit forced him to step down.^[3]
• 1952-1961 - John Alioto - trained his son-in-law Frank Balistrieri^[3]
• 1961-1993 - Frank "Mr. Big" Balistrieri imprisoned March 1967-June 1971. In the late 1970s, with his two sons Joseph and John worked with Bonanno crime family capo Michael Sabella. He was imprisoned from 1983-1991 for his involvement in Las Vegas skim racket. He died of natural causes on February 7, 1993.^[3]
  • Acting 1967-1971 - Peter Balistrieri - Frank Balistrieri's brother and Underboss
  • Acting 1983-1993 - Peter Balistrieri - Frank Balistrieri's brother and Underboss, he became boss in 1993^[3]
• 1993-1997 - Peter Frank Balistrieri - he died of natural causes on August 17, 1997 ^[3]
• 1997–present - Joseph P. Caminiti ^[3] - he was Frank Balistrieri's Consigliere

References

Notes

1. ^ Peter J. Devico The Mafia Made Easy: The Anatomy and Culture of La Cosa Nostra. (pg.154-156)
2. ^ United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin Searches Conducted on March 8, 1980
3. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k} Jay C. Ambler. "Milwaukee, WI Crime family" (2000) Rick Porrello's American Mafia.com

External links

• American Gangland: Balistrieri Crime Family
• Dieland: The Milwaukee Family
• Milwaukee Mafia, 1918-present
• http://americanmafia.com/Cities/Milwaukee.html