Florida Mafia Crew Dismantled by Operation Money Fish

Members of the New York-based Bonanno crime family were making millions of dollars in South Florida cashing counterfeit checks, running telemarketing scams, defrauding Medicare, and stealing and selling people’s identities. But when they hooked up with a shady businessman to help them launder all that money, they got more than they bargained for.

The businessman with supposed connections in the banking industry was really one of the FBI's undercover agents, and he infiltrated the mafia crew for nearly a year. The evidence he gathered, along with intercepted phone calls and other electronic surveillance, was enough to put the entire 11-member operation out of business and behind bars.

“The mafia has always been in South Florida,” the agent explained. “Each of New York’s five families has crews that operate here. They make a lot of money and send part of it back to the main guys up north.”

The Bonanno family’s criminal enterprise in South Florida—led by Tommy Fiore, the nephew of reputed Bonanno capo Gerry Chili—was wide ranging. In addition to the scams mentioned above, the crew also participated in arson, extortion, drug trafficking, and buying and selling stolen cigarettes, TVs, and other ill-gotten goods.

Operation Money Fish began in the summer of 2008, when our agent—who was known as Dave Stone—met Fiore. The Bonanno crew was manufacturing counterfeit payroll checks from large companies and needed help cashing them. They would copy a legitimate check, change the account numbers and the amount, and get Dave Stone to use his banking connections to turn the bad paper into cash. Dave and the crew then split the profits. (In reality, since we controlled the operation, no businesses were actually defrauded.)

The crew’s most lucrative scam, though, came from “boiler rooms”—bogus telemarketing operations that are rampant in South Florida. A dozen people working the phones out of someone’s condo can generate big profits. A popular pitch now involves the resale of time share properties. The criminal telemarketers claim they will help people resell their time share, or the fee charged will be refunded in full. Unsuspecting victims on the other end of the line—mostly older people unable to sell the properties on their own—send in the $5,000 or $6,000 fee, and that’s the last they ever see of their money. No services are rendered, and none were ever intended to be.

With the overwhelming evidence against them, the Bonanno crew all pled guilty to racketeering and other charges. “It was a good feeling to bring these guys down,” the undercover agent said. “They were getting away with a lot of crimes. There’s no telling how many people they had hurt or swindled before we got involved.”

But “Dave Stone” and his colleagues on the FBI’s organized crime squads understand that while you can disrupt the mafia’s activities in South Florida and elsewhere, it’s only a matter of time before the bosses in New York establish other crews.

“Absolutely they will try to start up again,” the agent said. “The Bonanno family in New York—like the other families—has to have somebody down here making money because the guys at the top don’t do anything. They rely on the crews to support them. But if they do show up again,” he said, “we will be ready.”

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Al Capone and The Chicago Outfit Cocktails Among Highlights of The Walnut Speakeasy in Elgin

There's more to a cocktail than the ingredients and preparation. Sipping a highball in an empty bar reeking of last night's party with a distracted barkeep can surely ruin any cocktail experience. At the Walnut Speakeasy, you can choose from a number of enticing cocktails (or beers from their Connoisseur's Beer List) and enjoy an engaging staff, and local blues in a cozy 1930's speakeasy atmosphere.

Premium liquors and classic suggestions. The Walnut Speakeasy is dominated by a large wrap-around bar (made from solid walnut) carrying everything from Belvedere to Louis XIII. As if the selection weren't enough, they know how to put a cocktail together. Templeton Rye is a mainstay here as it was created during the prohibition era and was one of Capone's favorites. "The Capone" is a stiff drink made with Templeton rye and a perfect combination of Grand Marnier, bitters and champagne. Other selections from the cocktail menu include "The Chicago Outfit" (a spin on a chocolate raspberry martini) and "The Cat's Meow".

Unique music and local artists. This place can swing! Owner Alex Matsas has put together a jazzy line up ranging from local blues sensations, Nick Moss & The Flop Tops, to jazz crooners John & Cassy . This is one of the only bars around you can bank on for you blues fix every weekend.

"Form, meet function." Bricks pulled from prohibition-era buildings and burled walnut wood-working invite guests to relax in the feel of an upscale 1930's Chicago bar. This is no neighborhood bar kitchen either! State of the art infrared grills and proper pizza ovens give weight to the quality of the cuisine. There are no bar smells and from the front door to the kitchen floor, this place is spotless!

General Information

Location: 214 Walnut Ave Elgin, IL 60123
Hours: Mon -Thurs 11 am -1 am, Fri & Sat 11am -2 am, Sun 11am - 11 pm
Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Price: Excellent value, beer & wine prices available online
Parking: free lot on west side of building, at peak times you may have to park street nearby
Music: Blues & Jazz

Thanks to the Examiner

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Lawyers Look to Ditch Reputed Mobsters Over Money

Defense attorneys for two of the three Chicago hoodlums who were arrested last April for allegedly plotting bank heists, are asking to withdraw because their clients are broke.

Marc Martin and Terrence Gillespie will appeal to U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber on September 7th saying they do not want to work for free, or pro bono, on behalf of Robert "Bobby" Pullia, 69 or Arthur "The Genius" Rachel, 71. According to motions filed this week, Martin and Gillespie will tell the judge that the Outfit-related case has "over 50 hours of recordings and many hours of surveillance video," according to motions filed Tuesday.

This comes two weeks after a hearing at which Judge Leinenweber asked Pullia, Rachel and a third defendant Joseph "Jerry" Scalise, 73 if they had issues with being represented by attorneys from a related law firm. The judge noted that such an arrangement could result in conflict of interests during legal proceedings. The men agreed to have the attorneys continue their representation and waived any future conflict claims.

Pullia and Rachel are out on bond. Scalise was granted bond but prosecutors are appealing and he remains in custody pending the a district court ruling. Scalise was part of a gangland hit squad and involved in numerous mob murders, according to government filings in the case.
Federal authorities say they arrested the three aging mob figures as they were preparing to rob the Bridgeport mansion of deceased Chinatown Outfit boss Angelo "The Hook" LaPietra. The men were arrested outside the LaPietra home with burglary tools, guns, ammo and communications equipment, according to federal agents.

At the time, mobologists speculated that Scalise and crew were going into LaPietra's former castle-like residence to retrieve the famous Marlborough diamond-missing since a daring daylight burglary in 1980. The 45-carat diamond was stolen from Graff Jewelers in London, UK. Scalise and Rachel were arrested as they arrived at O'Hare Airport that evening, sans diamond.

Although both men were convicted in the theft of the diamond-among $4 million in stolen gems-and served time in a British penitentiary, the royal Marlborough diamond was never recovered.

Some investigators have long held that the huge diamond was mailed to mob bosses in Chicago.

Thanks to Ann Pistone and Chuck Goudie

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