Joseph “Joey Doves” Aiuppa

AiuppaJoseph Aiuppa was the Chicago mob boss depicted as Remo Gaggi in the film Casino. In his early years, he was known as Joey O’Brien. In 1962 Chicago mobster Joseph Aiuppa was stopped in the Pittsburg, Kansas area by the local police and F.B.I. agents. He was found to be in possession of 567 frozen mourning doves.  Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 it is illegal to possess more than 24 doves per person outside of hunting season.  Following a series of appeals, Aiuppa was eventually sentenced in August 1966, and received a 3-month jail sentence and a $1,000 fine. Prior to this conviction Aiuppa was never referred to as “Doves.” After this conviction, he would be forever known as Joey Doves. I found these FBI documents reporting an informant telling the Bureau that Aiuppa was making arrangement to go dove hunting in the Frontenac, Kansas area. The same informant said that Aiuppa had hunted previously in that area with some Kansas City residents who had extensive contacts with the “hoodlum element.”

Aiuppa informant 30001

Aiuppa informants 20003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 thoughts on “Joseph “Joey Doves” Aiuppa”

  1. It’s always nice to see articles on Mr. Aiuppa even though it is in a bad light. At least he hasn’t been forgotten. I grew up in Frontenac and remember him well. He made many trips to our town to visit with Raymond Pallucca and stay at this home. When limo’s were spotted we knew who was here. Those of us who are Italian miss the old ones and how the town was then. They kept order and made sure it was a safe place for us kids to grow up. Now they are all gone and the town has gone to hell.

    1. Thanks for your input about that time in Frontenac. Very interesting little town. I understand that most of the early residents were from Italy through Ellis Island and worked in the mines.

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