Chicago's Man in VegasAnthony Spilotro (1938-1986)(Continued from Page 2) Exposure At the time, Mafia organizations had cultivated contacts within the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The underworld was therefore able to learn of Mafiosi who seemed ready to cooperate with investigators. Spilotro had apparently received information about conversations between federal agents and Fratianno. It appeared that Fratianno would be willing to testify against some of his former associates in exchange for $10,000.
Spilotro sent word to Fratianno that he would give him an immediate payment of $10,000 and "all the money he wanted" later on, if Fratianno would remain silent. Subsequent arrests of Los Angeles mob leaders for the 1977 killing of Frank Bompensiero, who served in the dual role of government informant and San Diego crime boss, convinced L.A. boss Dominic Brooklier and Spilotro that Fratianno had decided to talk. In fact, Fratianno claimed he did not decide to cooperate with investigators until after he learned that Spilotro and Brooklier had ordered him killed. Once again, Spilotro's tendency toward violence had helped send an ally to the other side. By the end of 1978, Fratianno was supplying evidence to federal agents and prosecutors, and Spilotro's involvement in Las Vegas casinos was clear. The Nevada Gaming Commission added Anthony Spilotro to its Black Book in December 1978. The following summer, investigators began to pick apart the company that managed the Stardust and the Fremont. That company was ostensibly run by Allen R. Glick, but the government discovered that Glick was fronting for Spilotro and the Chicago Outfit. Spilotro's partnership in a nationwide gambling racket based in Ohio was also discovered, as was his cooperation on gambling ventures with representatives of the Kansas City, Milwaukee and St. Louis crime families. The Internal Revenue Service was involved in the investigations by early December of 1980. Narcotics agents joined the pile-on early in 1983. Las Vegas agents tried to catch Spilotro in a narcotics sting operation, but the savvy gangster refused to step into the trap. Brother Michael
Anthony Spilotro's brother Michael, who remained behind in Chicago, was throwing his weight around. Michael, six years younger than Anthony, probably idolized his wealthy and powerful sibling. Michael was affiliated with the Outfit but not yet an inducted member. His primary source of income was local gambling rackets. In the early 1980s, he began to use the same strongarm tactics as his brother, while taking over rival bookmaking operations. Michael appeared to believe that his brother's name was all the protection he needed as he became increasingly noteworthy and increasingly hated in the Chicago underworld.
Decline In the middle of October, 1983, federal investigators had all the information they required. Spilotro and 14 other racketeers from Chicago, Milwaukee and Kansas City crime families were indicted in connection with a multi-million-dollar casino skimming conspiracy. Spilotro's co-defendants in the case were:
A quote attributed to Anthony Spilotro at the time was: "'The United States of America versus Anthony Spilotro.' Now what kind of odds are those?" The indictments virtually shut off the flow of Vegas gambling dollars into the Chicago, Milwaukee and Kansas City families. That tremendous loss of income was widely blamed on the mistakes of Anthony Spilotro. His ambition had led to notoriety. His suspicion and hostility had caused productive Mafiosi to become damaging government witnesses. Spilotro once again proved a winner in the courtroom. His April 1986 racketeering trial ended in a mistrial. But Spilotro's fate was probably already sealed. As federal prosecutors geared up for a retrial, Spilotro was called to Chicago to meet with his superiors. In June, Anthony and Michael Spilotro were reported missing. (Continued on Page 4) |
 |
|
