The American Mafia - Charles Binaggio

Charles Binaggio
1909 to April 5, 1950.

Near the end of Prohibition, Texas native Binaggio emerged as a key member of John Lazia's underworld organization in Kansas City. Binaggio worked as a political boss in the Democratic machine of the city's North Side - affiliated with the massive Pendergast operation - as well as in gambling (including a racing news service) and liquor rackets in Kansas City and St. Louis.

It appears that Binaggio graduated to lead the local Mafia clan near the start of World War II, but it is also possible that Binaggio's underworld strength overshadowed the quiet continuation of the Joseph DiGiovanni Mafia clan. Charles Carollo might have been the previous boss of Binaggio's organization or he might have served as a front man for Binaggio from about 1934. Binaggio was clearly in charge when Carollo was sent off to prison on a tax evasion conviction and other offenses around 1940.

Binaggio and his chief lieutenant Charles "Mad Dog" Gargotta were murdered April 6, 1950, at the Jackson County Democratic Club headquarters, 720 Truman Road. The assassins did a thorough job. Binaggio was shot in the head four times - two slugs entered his skull in front of the left ear, one behind the left ear and one over the left eye. Powder burns indicated that the firearm used was held almost against Binaggio's skin.

Gargotta initially was shot from a greater distance. He apparently struggled to leave the building before his attacker fired three more shots into his head at close range.

In the year before his death, Binaggio had been engaged in a political battle to legally open St. Louis to gambling. Newspapers said he took enormous contributions from Missouri gangsters to fund the unsuccessful effort.

After Binaggio's death, Palermo-born James Balestrere briefly became the most prominent Mafioso in Kansas City. He had been a partner with Joseph DiGiovanni in bootlegging ventures. And his rise seems to represent a resurrection of the old DiGiovanni clan.

Much of the information on Binaggio was obtained through the Kansas City Public Library biography; Dopking, Al, "Binaggio, Kansas City political figure, Gargotta, ex-convict, found shot to death in club," Sedalia MO Democrat, Thurs., April 6, 1950, p. 1.; and "Binaggio received kiss of death in St. Louis hotel," Maryville MO Daily Forum, April 7, 1950, p. 1.