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Scarpelli made several attempts to “go legitimate,” first by investing several thousand into a jewelry boutique, and when that failed, he worked at a shipping company owned by his brother. He ultimately wanted to own an auto salvage yard, but as a felon, licensing would have been difficult to obtain in Illinois. To make ends meet, he had a partnership with a small-time, unsuccessful bookie, and had his Outfit salary.
Scarpelli’s first arrest was in 1960 for robbery and served three prison terms through the years, but it was in the 1970s he did his major work. He was arrested in 1972 for armed robbery, but given probation, then he violated probation in 1973 with another armed robbery in Illinois, for which he received 15 years, but claimed his confession was made under duress. Released from prison in 1976 after the US Supreme Court ruled in his favor in Gagnon v. Scarpelli, he immediately worked as a hitman for many Outfit leaders and was a member of the Wild Bunch. He is credited with numerous murders for which he would have received orders, most notably Ned Bakes, a Capone-era mobster whose real name was Ignacius Spacchesi, who was once wanted for questioning in the murder of Bugsy Siegel.
In 1977, Chicago Heights lieutenant Al Tocco sought out his former associate, Gerry Scarpelli and the Wild Bunch for assistance in the Chop Shop Wars. Scarpelli and his partner Scalise killed junkyard owner Richie Ferraro and later his partner Frank Theo, both of whom were close to Scalise. Scarpelli would go on to commit several more murders as part of the Wild Bunch, finally taking part in ending the group with the murders of former partner Tony Borsellino and Petrocelli, with whom Scarpelli fell out.
Despite Scarpelli’s close ties to Petrocelli, Butch attempted to use his position to rob from Scarpelli. In the late 70s, Scarpelli and Duke Basile teamed up to rob two Brinks trucks. The first was in October of 1978 in Hammond, IN, the second was for $346,000 April of 1979, in Tinley Park. In addition, they robbed a Brinks courier in the lobby of a bank in Elmwood Park for $324,000, all of which netted him over a million dollars. After these armed robberies, Butch Petrocelli claimed “street tax,” in the name of the Outfit, but didn’t kick back to his bosses. This tax created a rift between Scarpelli and Petrocelli and Scarpelli demanded justice from Cicero capo Joe Ferriola, who knew nothing about the tax. This was the final straw for Butch Petrocelli.
Scarpelli spent the 1980s hustling, committing small robberies, and working for the Cicero crew. Throughout 1986 and 1987, he worked with Duke Basile on a number of robberies, often describing his Outfit work. Throughout this time, Basile was an FBI informant wearing a wire. At one point, the FBI trailed Scarpelli and Basile to a safe garage where vehicles and weapons were stored. They observed Scarpelli storing several firearms in preparation for a robbery that the FBI had set up in a residence the FBI had wired for sound. The FBI then returned to the garage and rendered the weapons inoperable.
After Scarpelli and Basile committed the robbery in Michigan City, the FBI approached him and advised him of his situation. Scarpelli initially refused to cooperate but agreed in time. He spent several hours speaking to the FBI describing the daily activities of the Outfit and offered to wear a wire, but because he was a murderer, the FBI would not release him. On the record, Scarpelli complained about the bosses, and the difficulty making real money. He stated murder was just business, and he was not compensated for it.
Scarpelli later recanted his earlier statements and complained that they were not the product of free-will. When his legal appeals against his testimony were found to be without merit, Scarpelli went to the correctional center shower and hanged himself. The FBI later stated that much of the information given has proven to have been deliberately false.
Murders:
- Richard “Richie” Ferraro: 6/13/1977, junkyard owner who refused to comply with Outfit tax on chop shops. Ferraro’s body was never found; he was declared dead in 1984. Jerry Scalise worked in Ferraro’s junkyard. In addition, per a 1990 memo by US Atty Dean Polales, Ferraro was killed on land owned by Charles Cruz, whose body would be found in 1997, 50 yards from the Scalise junkyard in Dupage County, IL
- Frank Theo: 7/15/1977, partner and associate of Richie Ferrara, a known associate of Jerry Scalise.
- Mark C. Thanasouras: ex-CPR district captain who served 18 months for shaking down businesses for protection rackets, had recently given testimony about crooked officers and Outfit members, cut down by two masked men with shotguns
- Richard Crofton: 12/22/1977, manager for South Side Catering, associated with John Lourgos, who also had business dealings with Mark C. Thanasouras. Owner of Southside Catering, Theresa Schaffer received death threats and her car was bombed. Rita Payonk, who was shot in the head (2/6/76), was a book-keeper for a restaurant owned by late John Schaffer. Crofton was killed by two masked men while a third drove a white Camaro.
- George Christofalos: 3/11/1979, known racketeer who came into competition with Tony Borsellino. Borsellino received approval to execute Christofalos. Jerry Scalise, Gerry Scarpelli, and Tony Borsellino waited for the victim outside the L&L #2 Club at Rt 41 and Buckley. Scarpelli pinned down on-lookers, while Borsellino shot Christofalos. Scalise drove.
- Tony Borsellino: 5/22/1979, higher ranking Butch Petrocelli blamed missing revenue on Borsellino and threw in a bit about him speaking to the police for good measure. Likely, both are true: Butch was lying, and Borsellino was skimming. Borsellino sought help from Frank Calabrese who asked Angelo LaPietra if Borsellino could switch crews. LaPietra stated that the only way to save Borsellino was for Calabrese to sacrifice himself in his place. Tony Borsellino would have trusted Scarpelli
- Gerald Carusiello: 9/28/1979, a driver for Joey Aiuppa, and partner of Tony Borsellino, Carusiello is a loose end to both the burglary murders
- Michael Oliver: 11/14/1979, a porn shop owner in competition with Vito Caliendo, who works under Butch Petrocelli. Butch orders crew to smash up shop, but at some point, Oliver is shot. He is buried in DuPage County. Killed by Robert Sarno, Gerry Scarpelli, Jerry Scalise, and Sal Cataudella
By Camillius Robinson
This podcast was done with the assistance of Camillius “Cam” Robinson, a Chicago based writer and mob historian.
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u guys have the wildbunch all wrong turk torello statred the wildbunch by introducing harry Aleman and Tony Borsellino a seasoned street guy who was just released from prision Turk loved Borsellino since they grow up with each other and Borsellino was well know for his big heart and genorisity and his demeanor was one that did not ask for respected it was given gladly by every walk of life Borsellino also was one of the tuffest sons of bitches u every want to meet i can speak now because i was close to him and at 90 yrs old everyone is gone said to say they where real men but iam so sick of listen to the bull shit about the wild bunch turk ask tony to school the young group Borsellino was reluctant since just been released and he never would take orders always doing his own thing Turk guaranteed Borsellino he had free rain only have to run things throw Turk for discusion Harry brought Butch Petrocelli and Tony Brought Jimmy Inedino Borsellino been all the men s senior from 10 to 14 yrs older Borsellino instruction where they where on their own having free reign over every part of city and suburbs answering to nobody but the street boss turk this made certain other groups mad but when they started being the biggest earners on the street with in a year everyone fell in with them it was a brillant move by Turk because competion brings sucess in the early 70s to late 70s the outfit was the most profitiable pobably in decades HERE is where u get it wrong I Iwas around tony everyday for most of the seventies Tony Harry and Jimmy where all on the same page Tony being very bright Harry also and Jimmy was a true money manager here where it gets tricky Tony and Harry become very close with each other and Jimmy is loved by both men Tony begins a hatred for Butch many reason being the other 3 men where well gromed and had alot of class butch was a low class who never broke a window discussion starts Borsellino tells harry that Butch was a piece of shit coward that only can beat up women Butch was a domestic violent abuser Borsellino hated that and that was the beging of Borsellino hate for butch point 2 Butch was very scared and jealous of Borsellino and used Harry s influence and friendship and partnership for Borsellino too tolerated Butch who Borsellino treated like a flunky and told harry i well respect ur wishes but iam not going or doing anything with him Harry agreed and the group was growing Borsellino And Harry where definitely the front of the food chain and brought a army of soldiers bettween them at one time they grow to over a100 associates and treated the men well and took care of them financially I know because i told Tony to let me come in there men where making avg of 1500 a week cash turn that in todays money and it was upper class living and the four partners cut up profits equally and turning over fifty percents to turk witch i heard the net operations being about 400000 200000 a month went to turk turk would takr care of whomever this was a winfall for the outfit thats what made them so famouse not all this bullshit about them being stone animal killers after a great 6 yr run they where the right hand of turk and Tony Accardo s 1st string crew Brsellino and harry where Tony ACCARDOS MAIN MEN Butch at this time being the low man got some sucess off of Harrys name and was Joey Aiuppa s Aaron boy because he and Aiuppa like to hunt so Butch cozied up with Joey and rain all his errands for there hunting adventures I was on Taylor Street U I C Pavilion for a fight between a local fighter from the neighbor hood and was metting Tony bors AKA that was his nick name nobody ever called him little tony with out getting There head knocked off nobody realize Borsellino was about 5 7 175 pounds of all muscle was a fanatic about his health and eatting habits he used to work out daily and joged everynight before he went to sleep at least 3 to 5 miles he would make all his close friends meet him at the gym and make us work out Lol but thats the kind of man he was u would follow him throw the depths of hell and know u would be ok because he had ur back got of the track U I C pavilion looking for Tony in the crowed so Butch in the crowed aproached him to ask him if he know where Tony was something u have to Know earlyer when i said i wanted to work for Tony he said know u have a great business id rather help u grow he gave me more jobs in my field construction it was hard for me to keep up i did a job for Butch he tryed to stiff me Tony brought the money to me and said dont worry i well be glad to collect from Butch for u never let friends or associates get hurt he payed for every job anyone did for him and payed every check in a bar or restaurant and when they tryed not to charge him he would answer i came here to support u not to get anything for free and believe me me and my wife and his wife and our group went out every saturday and we always had more fun every outting off track again aproached Butch Butch said something stupied coment about the question i asked i walk away so Tony ask me what was wrong i said nothing he know i was hiding something I told him he aproached Butch in the crowed and tolded him in away where Butch had to appologize to me i felt very uncomfortable Butch was defininitely know match forTony so when u hear bull shit that butch had tony killed wrong butch could not get near to TONY THE DOWN FALL OF THE WILDED BUNCH like i SAID iAM ALMOST 91 YRS OLD Tony would be 95 yrs old today 1978 Harry and jimmy get inddicted they go to jail both of the men leave Tony Bors in charge of there money and familys not Butch by this time Harry And Jimmy our through with Butch not allowed at there house s or around there familys because he could not be trusted with wifes or daughters because his reputations of know honor was a fact Harrys Wife told Harry that Butch was trying to hit on her and his daughter Butchs Know found power withTony Bors and Butch only two starters where left Tony meet with Butch and told him that he will handle all affairs for HARRY and JIMMY s familys and money matters this enraged Butch but Tony had absolute power over butch with turk knowing the truth the operation getting bigger Tony tells Turk we need to bring in trusted men he can school with Harry and Jimmy MIssing enters Jerry Scarpilla and Jerry Scalise Duke Basil and others at this point they our making moves Borsellino Turk where so smart they took over the chop shops the gambling bookmakers stood loyal to Borsellino Because he was fair to every one he did business everyone made big money spreaded the money around never greedy juice loans where taking off because Borsellino would give them a break and cut them lose where did u think they would go if needed a loan he had a very skilled business mind along with a sucessful trucking company he ran he didnt sit around taking bows thats why u never hear anything about him he worked took care of business and was a great family man Borsellino s bad luck Turk gets cancer enters Joe Ferriola who was fresh out of jail a couple of years ran with the big guys gets Turks spot brings in some of his guys trys to tell Tony he wanted him to turn in Harry and JImmys money witch Tony answer no to there my partners and this is the way we do it agreed by Harry and Jimmy JOE did not like that Borsellino and Joe got of to a bad start both men know each other for over the years running the streets with the same group of men but where not good friends both went to jail and got out and missed out on some opportunities Borsellino brought many opportunities to Joe the studios in chicago for movies that was Borsellino good friend joe said know one of his best friends Tony wanted Joe said no Borsellino back was aganist the wall because he felt that they where slowing him down Borsellino starts to offer 50 percents to other crews to move his business Turk is getting sicker he offers Joe to leave Butch and his crew with Joe just he was taking his end and moving Borsellino know this was a no no in this circles but he felt he earned the wright to spread out with his crew more bad news butch was living with Joes Niece he had Joes ear and was saying bad things about Tony not one was true everyone know Tony was solied like a rock but when u have two guys aganist u one being the street boss not much u can do Tony kept doing his job gave joe his end every month broke lose from Butch and the group became 2 factions Borsellino still taking care of Jimmy and Harry and there familys Tony was like a father to Harry and Jimmys kids help there wifes what ever they needed it then strike 3 Tony Accardo s house gets robbed bad move everyone has to understand this guys had fights sit downs but when it came down to it THEY WHERE STONE COLD OC to the bone they where the chicago mob stone to the bone they protected this city and all the territories and went and did what they had to do Borsellino first in last out kind of leader Suburban legend ACCARDOS house robbed all hands on deck u think u honesty can FUCK with the chicago mob boss in the 70 s u had to be FUCKED up SOME of the BADDEST men from the 40 s 50 s 60 s 70 s Running the chicago mob THE job was done men died not innocent men bad men the outfit only killed for business not like gangs that kill innocent kids with drive bys they got out of the car and shot u dead hurting nobody but the target IAM 91 yrs old i have a helper I dictate she wrights Accardo loved Borsellino I dont know for a fact but one of the first phone calls Accardo made WAS to my BEST friend Tony Bors the heat was on the mob over this murders here where the treachery comes to play BUTCH got JOES ear Butch plays nice with boss Joey aiuppa on there hunting trips lieing about Borsellino Turk dies Borsellino is a man alone still running his crew taking care of Harry and Jimmys family Joey Aiuppa makes a mistake and gives the ok for Borsellino to die thinking his covering lose ends Big mis take Turk dies of cancer in april of 1979 Borsellino dies in may of 1979 the last time i talked to my friend was monday he was going to meet some people who ever he meet set him up because he was to smart for the avg man A year latter they killed BUTCH realizing that he was arat with the F B I and the man who did it where rumored to say this is for Tony and tourched that sonofabitch Iam going to die soon i findly got to tell the truth i will see my friend soon and jimmy and Harry they where the wildbunch the one and only wildbunch started with nothing and created a dynasty that still lives see u soon by the way Tony made shure that harry and Jimmys family got what ever money he put on the side for them at his wake the outfit guys where told not to go that did not stop 100 of them to show up along with over 2000 others THATS a GOOD MAN RIP TONY BORS
Great story, thanks for straighting me out. I may make a short podcast entry from this. I don’t think you want credit, but, if you do email me at ganglandwire@gmail.com