"Organized Crime in Chicago Beyond the Mafia" Explaining Chicago's mix of crime, corruption, and politics

This book provides a comprehensive sociological explanation for the emergence and continuation of organized crime in Chicago. Tracing the roots of political corruption that afforded protection to gambling, prostitution, and other vice activity in Chicago and other large American cities, Robert M. Lombardo challenges the dominant belief that organized crime in America descended directly from the Sicilian Mafia. According to this widespread "alien conspiracy" theory, organized crime evolved in a linear fashion beginning with the Mafia in Sicily, emerging in the form of the Black Hand in America's immigrant colonies, and culminating in the development of the Cosa Nostra in America's urban centers.

Looking beyond this Mafia paradigm, this volume argues that the development of organized crime in Chicago and other large American cities was rooted in the social structure of American society. Specifically, Lombardo ties organized crime to the emergence of machine politics in America's urban centers. From nineteenth-century vice syndicates to the modern-day Outfit, Chicago's criminal underworld could not have existed without the blessing of those who controlled municipal, county, and state government. These practices were not imported from Sicily, Lombardo contends, but were bred in the socially disorganized slums of America where elected officials routinely franchised vice and crime in exchange for money and votes. This book also traces the history of the African American community's participation in traditional organized crime in Chicago and offers new perspectives on the organizational structure of the Chicago Outfit, the traditional organized crime group in Chicago.

"Lombardo recounts more than 100 years of the rise and decline of various criminal organizations, including the Syndicates, the Forty-Two Gang, and the Outfit, in this history explaining the role of organized crime in Chicago. Because Chicago crime is depicted in many popular books and movies, this history will find eager readers everywhere."--Booklist

"Lombardo argues persuasively that organized crime is not a foreign deviance implanted by will but rather a condition made possible by circumstances of the place. Recommended."--Choice

"An authoritative and colorful history that covers the whole sweep of organized crime in Chicago and puts politics, gangs, and ethnicity into clear perspective."--Dominic Candeloro, coeditor of Reconstructing Italians in Chicago: Thirty Authors in Search of Roots and Branches

Robert M. Lombardo is an associate professor of criminal justice at Loyola University Chicago and a former Chicago Police officer. He is the author of The Black Hand: Terror by Letter in Chicago.

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#OrganizedCrime Group Dismantled by @RCMPgrcpoliceand @CanBorder

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) - Serious and Organized Crime Unit - South West District (SOC-SW), in partnership with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and assistance from the Hamilton Police Service (HPS) have dismantled an organized crime group allegedly involved in importing and trafficking cocaine into the Greater Hamilton Area.

Following a six month investigation, numerous search warrants were executed and the members of this crime group were arrested. During the investigation over 5 kilos of cocaine were seized by CBSA officers at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The cocaine originated from different South American destinations. Several illegal marihuana grow operations were also dismantled as a result of this investigation.

"The RCMP and our partners are committed to ensuring a safe and secure Canada by reducing the threat and impact of organized crime groups. The importation and trafficking of harmful, illegal drugs and their related crimes have a devastating effect on our communities, like those in the Greater Hamilton Area. Project OPLATO is a fine example of inter-agency cooperation targeting organized crime groups that only seek to enrich themselves with no regard for the health and safety of our Communities." said Inspector Todd Gilmore, OIC-RCMP SOC-SW.

"I want to congratulate all the officers involved in this project on its successful outcome," said Goran Vragovic, Regional Director General, Greater Toronto Area Region, CBSA. "It's partnerships like these between the RCMP and CBSA, that ensure the safety and security of Canadians by stopping the flow of illegal narcotics at the border that are used to fuel criminal enterprises."

The subjects below have been arrested and charged with the following offenses:

•     Jorge Alejandro Rodriguez-Oliva (age 29) from Stoney Creek, Ontario
•     Edson Ariel Rosales (age 40) from Hamilton, Ontario
•     Nicolas Salciccioli (age 25) from Stoney Creek, Ontario
•     Importing cocaine contrary to section 6 (1) CDSA
•     Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence contrary to section 465 (1) of the CC

•  Edina Kalmar (age 29) from Waterdown, Ontario
•  Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence contrary to section 465 (1) of the CC

Further arrests and charges are anticipated.

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Supported by @DeCeccodal1886 “Opening the Vaults: Wonders of the 1893 World Fair” Opens @FieldMuseum

One hundred and twenty years after winning its first Gold Medal in the New World at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, De Cecco, the premiere Italian pasta company, will commemorate that singular honor with a special event at The Chicago Field Museum’s new exhibition:  “Opening the Vaults: Wonders of the 1893 World Fair,” which opens October 25.  Also known as the World’s Columbian Exposition, the retrospective exhibition takes a look at the Fair that was a glittering showcase of architecture, culture, technology, and food, and attracted people from around the world.

The Fair brought visitors closer than ever before to unique wonders like exotic animals, international cultures, as well as strange new products and technological innovations from around the world.  It was the birthplace of Juicy Fruit chewing gum, the Ferris Wheel and The Field Museum as well.  “De Cecco pasta was introduced to the world at this Fair as well, and was awarded the Gold Medal for superior manufacture, color and firmness after cooking,” says Marco de Ceglie, CEO of De Cecco USA.

To commemorate their prestigious honor and the innovations of the Victorian Era, De Cecco will sponsor a special luncheon featuring a mouthwatering menu of its award winning pasta, served up at the Museum’s prestigious Founder’s Room, followed by a docent tour of the exhibition on October 25th (also known as World Pasta Day).

De Cecco is Italy’s premium pasta, chosen by renowned chefs because they know the secret to making unsurpassed pasta – the De Cecco difference!  Carefully crafted in the mountains of Central Italy, De Cecco uses a proprietary process to make its 160 pasta varieties. Production starts with full control of the milling process and using only the heart of durum wheat to produce premium semolina, then mixing it with cool natural waters from De Cecco’s own mountain spring, drawing the semolina dough through bronze dies and drying the pasta very slowly at low temperature.  Over the years De Cecco has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, and was recently inducted to the Italian Trade Commission’s Hall of Fame. Founded in 1886 by the De Cecco brothers in the Abruzzo region of central Italy, today De Cecco exports to more than 87 countries and is the world’s third largest manufacturer of pasta. Their product line includes premium pasta, sauces, and its own brand of olive oil, among other related fine foods.

“Opening the Vaults: Wonders of the 1893 World’s Fair” will be on view at The Field Museum October 25, 2013 – September 7, 2014.

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"The JFK Collection" On DVD - 8 Films Covering His Life, His Death and His Legacy

HISTORY presents The JFK Collection, an impressive 3-disc DVD set exploring one of America’s most legendary families available on October 22 from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. Chronicling the life and legacy of our nation’s 35th President John F. Kennedy, the 8-film collection arrives just in time for the 50th anniversary of one of the most talked about moments in American history.

Featuring hours of content celebrating his iconic life, The JFK Collection 3-disc DVD set will be available for the suggested retail price of $19.98.

Go inside the life of John F. Kennedy, a reckless rich kid who lived on the edge and became a WWII hero and a president who challenged the nation as it had never been before. This comprehensive family portrait also includes hour-long biographies of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Joseph P. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Ted Kennedy.

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Courtroom Drama Spotlights The Right To Stand Your Ground - A Cry For Justice

No mother should have to endure the ordeal that Jackie Carpenter and her family were put through as a result of her son's arrest after he accidentally shot a man stealing from his worksite. And never in her wildest dreams could this Georgia mom have known that she would become an author as a result of this terrifying experience, that her two books would be made into an award-winning movie, or that her son's case would be considered "textbook” in the annals of legal cases and be taught to future first year law students!

Taking first place recently in the Alaska International Film Festival, Stand Your Ground: A Cry For Justice by Triple Horse Studios is the award-winning movie that tells the gripping story of Jackie Carpenter's quest to save her family. Jackie's idyllic life was frozen in time the day she heard her son was arrested for felony murder when all he did was defend his worksite from constant theft. Unfortunately, as he held the men at bay while waiting for the police to arrive, his gun accidentally fired and one of the men died. This is a movie that everyone needs to see because it shows how something that happens in a split second can change a life forever. While it has all the terror and tragedy of a blockbuster movie hit, this one is real life!

Stand Your Ground, showing in select theaters beginning January 17, 2014, tells the explosive story of the ten-month trial and how Jackie Carpenter's faith was tested to the max. The trailer for the movie won Award of Excellence in the Best Short Competition and Award of Merit in The Accolade Competition, and has been nominated as Best Picture in the ICVM Crown Awards and entered in the Gideon Film Festival! Please watch: http://acryforjusticemovie.com to see the exciting trailer.

Feeling physically, mentally and emotionally ill through the first six months of this ordeal resulted in Jackie questioning her faith. All this loving mom knew was that she needed God on her side throughout the trial and she prayed relentlessly, asking for strength and renewed faith. Once she stopped doubting, courage replaced fear and she knew that God heard her plea.

Jackie's first book, The Bridge: Between Cell Block A and a Miracle is Psalm 91 (Xulon Publishing) tells the traumatic events after her son's arrest and how she used the prayer of protection, Psalm 91, to help face the turmoil of emotions raging through her and help her find the strength to hold her family together. Her second book, Georgia Justice, is a story of building faith. Jackie was able to overcome the grips of doubt and depression and her book acts as a guide for anyone wanting to renew and strengthen faith and hope on the road to ultimate victory.

Jackie Carpenter has been a featured guest on television, radio, and in newspaper articles. For information on Jackie and her books, or the extraordinary movie that will have audiences white-knuckled and hanging on to the edge of their seats, please visit: www.bridgetoamiracle.com.

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