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{{short description|Italian-American bootlegger}}
{{good article}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
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|birth_place=[[Bagheria]], [[Sicily]], [[Kingdom of Italy]]
|birth_place=[[Bagheria]], [[Sicily]], [[Kingdom of Italy]]
|death_date={{death date and age|1930|10|23|1890|9|27|mf=y}}
|death_date={{death date and age|1930|10|23|1890|9|27|mf=y}}
|death_place=[[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], U.S.
|death_place=[[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], [[U.S.]]
|resting_place=[[Riverside Cemetery (Rochester, New York)|Riverside Cemetery]], [[Rochester, New York]], U.S.
|resting_place=[[Riverside Cemetery (Rochester, New York)|Riverside Cemetery]], [[Rochester, New York]], U.S.
|death_cause=Multiple gun shots
|death_cause=Multiple gun shots
}}
}}


'''Giuseppe "Joe" Aiello''' ({{IPA-it|dʒuˈzɛppe aˈjɛllo}}; September 27, 1890 – October 23, 1930) was an Italian-born [[Chicago]] bootlegger and organized crime leader during the [[Prohibition in the United States|Prohibition era]]. He was best known for his long and bloody feud with [[Chicago Outfit]] boss [[Al Capone]].
'''Giuseppe''' "'''Joe'''" '''Aiello''' ({{IPA|it|dʒuˈzɛppe aˈjɛllo}}; September 27, 1890 – October 23, 1930) was a [[Sicilians|Sicilian]] bootlegger and organized crime leader in [[Chicago]] during the [[Prohibition in the United States|Prohibition era]]. He was best known for his long and bloody feud with [[Chicago Outfit]] boss [[Al Capone]].


Aiello masterminded several unsuccessful attempts to assassinate Capone, and fought against his former business partner [[Antonio Lombardo]], a Capone ally, for control of the Chicago branch of the [[Unione Siciliana]] benevolent society. Aiello and his ally [[Bugs Moran]] are believed to have arranged the murder of Lombardo, which directly led Capone to organize the [[St. Valentine's Day Massacre]] in retaliation.
Aiello masterminded several unsuccessful attempts to assassinate Capone, and fought against his former business partner [[Antonio Lombardo]], a Capone ally, for control of the Chicago branch of the [[Unione Siciliana]] benevolent society. Aiello and his ally [[Bugs Moran]] are believed to have arranged the murder of Lombardo, which directly led Capone to organize the [[St. Valentine's Day Massacre]] in retaliation.


Despite being forced to flee Chicago multiple times throughout the gang war, Aiello eventually took control of the Unione Siciliana in 1929, and ranked seventh among the [[Chicago Crime Commission]]'s list of top "[[Public enemy (term)|public enemies]]". Aiello was killed after Capone gunmen ambushed him as he exited a Chicago apartment building where he had been hiding out, shooting him 59 times. After his death the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' described Aiello as "the toughest gangster in Chicago, and one of the toughest in the country".<ref name="CT10241930" />
Despite being forced to flee Chicago multiple times throughout the gang war, Aiello eventually took control of the Unione Siciliana in 1929, and ranked seventh among the [[Chicago Crime Commission]]'s list of top "[[Public enemy (term)|public enemies]]". Aiello was killed after Capone gunmen ambushed him as he exited a Chicago apartment building where he had been hiding out, shooting him 59 times. After his death, the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' described Aiello as "the toughest gangster in Chicago, and one of the toughest in the country".<ref name="CT10241930" />


==Early life==
==Early life==
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==Feud begins with Al Capone==
==Feud begins with Al Capone==
[[Image:Al Capone in 1930.jpg|thumb|235 px|right|Joe Aiello made several unsuccessful attempts to assassinate his rival, [[Al Capone]] (pictured).]]
[[Image:Al Capone in 1930.jpg|thumb|235 px|right|Joe Aiello made several unsuccessful attempts to assassinate his rival, [[Al Capone]] (pictured).]]
In November 1925 Lombardo was named head of the [[Unione Siciliana]], a Sicilian-American benevolent society that had been corrupted by gangsters. An infuriated Aiello, who had wanted the position himself, believed Capone was responsible for Lombardo's ascension and he resented the non-Sicilian's attempts to manipulate affairs within the Unione.<ref name="Keefe216" /> Aiello severed all personal and business ties with Lombardo and entered into a feud with him and Capone,<ref name="Keefe216" /><ref name="Eghigian135">{{Harvnb|Eghigian|2005|p=135}}.</ref> essentially ending a Chicago gang peace treaty that had been in force since the 1926 murder of Capone rival [[Hymie Weiss]].<ref name="Eghigian135" /> Aiello allied himself with several other Capone enemies, including [[Dean O'Banion]],<ref name="Capeci83">{{Harvnb|Capeci|2005|p=83}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Parr|2005|p=169}}</ref> and the trio of [[Billy Skidmore]], [[Barney Bertsche]] and [[Jack Zuta]], who ran vice and gambling houses together,<ref name="Eghigian136" /><ref name="CT01051928">{{Cite news |title=Gang Bullets Again Riddle the Aiello Brothers Bakery |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=January 5, 1928 |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1928/01/05/page/3/article/gang-bullets-again-riddle-the-aiello-brothers-bakery |location=[[Chicago]] |page=3}}</ref> although they became less receptive to Aiello after Capone personally approached and threatened Skidmore.<ref name="Keefe216" /> While newspapers falsely reported that Aiello had also entered into an active alliance with [[Bugs Moran|George "Bugs" Moran]] and his [[North Side Gang]] at this time, Moran in fact pledged no specific support to Aiello until later,<ref name="Keefe216" /><ref>{{Harvnb|Keefe|2005|p=381}}.</ref> and instead privately supported Aiello from the sidelines without actively participating.<ref name="Keefe218">{{Harvnb|Keefe|2005|p=218}}.</ref>
In November 1925 Lombardo was named head of the [[Unione Siciliana]], a Sicilian-American benevolent society that had been corrupted by gangsters. An infuriated Aiello, who had wanted the position himself, believed Capone was responsible for Lombardo's ascension and he resented the non-Sicilian's attempts to manipulate affairs within the Unione.<ref name="Keefe216" /> Aiello severed all personal and business ties with Lombardo and entered into a feud with him and Capone,<ref name="Keefe216" /><ref name="Eghigian135">{{harvnb|Eghigian|2005|p=135}}.</ref> essentially ending a Chicago gang peace treaty that had been in force since the 1926 murder of Capone rival [[Hymie Weiss]].<ref name="Eghigian135" /> Aiello allied himself with several other Capone enemies, including [[Dean O'Banion]],<ref name="Capeci83">{{Harvnb|Capeci|2005|p=83}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Parr|2005|p=169}}</ref> and the trio of Billy Skidmore, Barney Bertsche and [[Jack Zuta]], who ran vice and gambling houses together,<ref name="Eghigian136" /><ref name="CT01051928">{{Cite news |title=Gang Bullets Again Riddle the Aiello Brothers Bakery |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=January 5, 1928 |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1928/01/05/page/3/article/gang-bullets-again-riddle-the-aiello-brothers-bakery |location=[[Chicago]] |page=3}}</ref> although they became less receptive to Aiello after Capone personally approached and threatened Skidmore.<ref name="Keefe216" /> While newspapers falsely reported that Aiello had also entered into an active alliance with [[Bugs Moran|George "Bugs" Moran]] and his [[North Side Gang]] at this time, Moran in fact pledged no specific support to Aiello until later,<ref name="Keefe216" /><ref>{{Harvnb|Keefe|2005|p=381}}.</ref> and instead privately supported Aiello from the sidelines without actively participating.<ref name="Keefe218">{{Harvnb|Keefe|2005|p=218}}.</ref>


Aiello plotted to eliminate both Lombardo and Capone, and starting in the spring of 1927 made several attempts to assassinate Capone.<ref name="Eghigian135" /> On one occasion he offered money to the chef of [[Joe Esposito (author)|Diamond Joe Esposito]]'s Bella Napoli Café, Capone's favorite restaurant, to put [[prussic acid]] in Capone's and Lombardo's soup; reports indicated he offered between $10,000 and $35,000.<ref name="Keefe216" /><ref name="Sifakis5" /> Instead, the chef exposed the plot to Capone,<ref name="Eghigian135" /><ref name="Lyle111260">{{Cite news|last=Lyle |first=John H. |title=Chicago in the Capone Era: a City in Chains |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=November 12, 1960 |url= http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1960/11/12/page/11/article/chicago-in-the-capone-era-a-city-in-chains |location=[[Chicago]] |page=11}}</ref> who responded by dispatching men to destroy one of Aiello's stores on West Division Street with machine-gun fire.<ref name="Eghigian135" /> More than 200 bullets were fired into the Aiello Brothers Bakery on May 28, 1927, wounding Joe's brother Antonio.<ref name="Keefe216" /> During the summer and autumn of 1927 a number of hitmen Aiello hired to kill Capone were themselves slain. Among them were Anthony Russo and Vincent Spicuzza, each of whom had been offered $25,000 by Aiello to kill Capone and Lombardo.<ref name="Eghigian135" /> Aiello eventually offered a $50,000 reward to anyone who eliminated Capone.<ref name="Sifakis5" /><ref name="Eghigian135" /> At least 10 gunmen tried to collect on Aiello's bounty, but ended up dead.<ref name="Keefe216" /> Capone ally Ralph Sheldon attempted to kill both Capone and Lombardo for Aiello's reward, but Capone henchman [[Frank Nitti]]'s intelligence network learned of the transaction and had Sheldon shot in front of a West Side hotel, although he didn't die.<ref name="Eghigian136">{{Harvnb|Eghigian|2005|p=136}}.</ref>
Aiello plotted to eliminate both Lombardo and Capone, and starting in the spring of 1927 made several attempts to assassinate Capone.<ref name="Eghigian135" /> On one occasion he offered money to the chef of [[Joe Esposito (mobster)|Joseph "Diamond Joe" Esposito]]'s Bella Napoli Café, Capone's favorite restaurant, to put [[prussic acid]] in Capone's and Lombardo's soup; reports indicated he offered between $10,000 and $35,000.<ref name="Keefe216" /><ref name="Sifakis5" /> Instead, the chef exposed the plot to Capone,<ref name="Eghigian135" /><ref name="Lyle111260">{{Cite news|last=Lyle |first=John H. |title=Chicago in the Capone Era: a City in Chains |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=November 12, 1960 |url= http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1960/11/12/page/11/article/chicago-in-the-capone-era-a-city-in-chains |location=[[Chicago]] |page=11}}</ref> who responded by dispatching men to destroy one of Aiello's stores on West Division Street with machine-gun fire.<ref name="Eghigian135" /> More than 200 bullets were fired into the Aiello Brothers Bakery on May 28, 1927, wounding Joe's brother Antonio.<ref name="Keefe216" /> During the summer and autumn of 1927 a number of hitmen Aiello hired to kill Capone were themselves slain. Among them were Anthony Russo and Vincent Spicuzza, each of whom had been offered $25,000 by Aiello to kill Capone and Lombardo.<ref name="Eghigian135" /> Aiello eventually offered a $50,000 reward to anyone who eliminated Capone.<ref name="Sifakis5" /><ref name="Eghigian135" /> At least 10 gunmen tried to collect on Aiello's bounty, but ended up dead.<ref name="Keefe216" /> Capone ally Ralph Sheldon attempted to kill both Capone and Lombardo for Aiello's reward, but Capone henchman [[Frank Nitti]]'s intelligence network learned of the transaction and had Sheldon shot in front of a West Side hotel, although he didn't die.<ref name="Eghigian136">{{harvnb|Eghigian|2005|p=136}}.</ref>


==Gang war with Capone escalates==
==Gang war with Capone escalates==
In November 1927 Aiello organized machine-gun ambushes across from Lombardo's home and a cigar store frequented by Capone, but those plans were foiled after an anonymous tip led police to raid several addresses and arrest [[Milwaukee]] gunman [[Angelo La Mantio]] and four other Aiello gunmen. After the police discovered receipts for the apartments in La Mantio's pockets, he confessed that Aiello had hired him to kill Capone and Lombardo, leading the police to arrest Aiello himself and bring him to the South Clark Street police station.<ref name="Eghigian136" /><ref name="Keefe217">{{Harvnb|Keefe|2005|p=217}}.</ref> Upon learning of the arrest, Capone dispatched nearly two dozen gunmen to stand guard outside the station and await Aiello's release.<ref name="Eghigian136" /><ref name="Sifakis77">{{Harvnb|Sifakis|2005|p=77}}.</ref> The men made no attempt to conceal their purpose there, and reporters and photographers rushed to the scene to observe Aiello's expected murder.<ref name="Lyle111260" /> Capone gunmen Frank Perry, Sam Marcus and [[Louis Campagna|Louis "Little New York" Campagna]] were arrested as they tried to enter the front of the station and placed in the cell next to Aiello, who Campagna told, "You're dead, friend, dead. You won't get up to the end of the street still walking".<ref name="Keefe217" /><ref name="Sifakis77" /> Aiello pleaded for mercy and promised to sell his possessions and leave Chicago with his family if they let him go, but Campagna refused the request.<ref name="Eghigian136" /><ref name="Sifakis77" /> When released, Aiello was given a police escort out of the station to safety. He later failed to make a court appearance after his attorney claimed he suffered a nervous breakdown.<ref name="Eghigian136" /> Aiello disappeared with some family members to [[Trenton, New Jersey|Trenton]], NJ, where he continued his campaign against Capone and Lombardo.<ref name="Keefe217" />
In November 1927 Aiello organized machine-gun ambushes across from Lombardo's home and a cigar store frequented by Capone, but those plans were foiled after an anonymous tip led police to raid several addresses and arrest [[Milwaukee]] gunman Angelo La Mantio and four other Aiello gunmen. After the police discovered receipts for the apartments in La Mantio's pockets, he confessed that Aiello had hired him to kill Capone and Lombardo, leading the police to arrest Aiello himself and bring him to the South Clark Street police station.<ref name="Eghigian136" /><ref name="Keefe217">{{Harvnb|Keefe|2005|p=217}}.</ref> Upon learning of the arrest, Capone dispatched nearly two dozen gunmen to stand guard outside the station and await Aiello's release.<ref name="Eghigian136" /><ref name="Sifakis77">{{Harvnb|Sifakis|2005|p=77}}.</ref> The men made no attempt to conceal their purpose there, and reporters and photographers rushed to the scene to observe Aiello's expected murder.<ref name="Lyle111260" /> Capone gunmen Frank Perry, Sam Marcus and [[Louis Campagna|Louis "Little New York" Campagna]] were arrested as they tried to enter the front of the station and placed in the cell next to Aiello, who Campagna told, "You're dead, friend, dead. You won't get up to the end of the street still walking".<ref name="Keefe217" /><ref name="Sifakis77" /> Aiello pleaded for mercy and promised to sell his possessions and leave Chicago with his family if they let him go, but Campagna refused the request.<ref name="Eghigian136" /><ref name="Sifakis77" /> When released, Aiello was given a police escort out of the station to safety. He later failed to make a court appearance after his attorney claimed he suffered a nervous breakdown.<ref name="Eghigian136" /> Aiello disappeared with some family members to [[Trenton, New Jersey|Trenton]], NJ, from whence he continued his campaign against Capone and Lombardo.<ref name="Keefe217" />


Aiello's brother Dominick returned to Chicago in January 1928 to attend to family matters while his brother remained in New Jersey. One day he received a telephone call warning him to leave town,<ref name="Keefe217" /> after which the Aiello Brothers Bakery was shot up by gunmen.<ref name="CT01051928" /><ref name="Keefe217" /> Aiello briefly allied himself with former Capone employer and friend [[Frankie Yale]], meeting with him regularly in New York City and plotting Capone's overthrow, until Yale himself was murdered.<ref>{{Harvnb|Keefe|2005|p=227}}.</ref> Aiello was said to have fled to [[Wisconsin]] under the protection of the [[Milwaukee crime family]],<ref name="Critchley295">{{Harvnb|Critchley|2008|p=295}}.</ref> and also briefly took refuge in Buffalo with his ally there, crime family boss [[Stefano Magaddino]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Bonanno|2003|pp=119&ndash;120}}</ref> With Aiello still in hiding, Capone started targeting Aiello's men and killed several over the next few years,<ref name="Eghigian144">{{Harvnb|Eghigian|2005|p=144}}.</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Eghigian|2005|p=167}}.</ref> including his brother Dominick.<ref name="Eghigian144" /> Aiello returned to Chicago in the summer of 1928 and once again approached Moran, whose relationship with Capone had degenerated even further, making him much more receptive to an active alliance with Aiello.<ref name="Keefe2128">{{Harvnb|Keefe|2005|p=228}}.</ref> They conspired to eliminate Lombardo, a task they assigned to hitmen [[Frank Gusenberg|Frank "Tight Lips"]] and [[Peter Gusenberg]]. Lombardo was shot to death on a busy Chicago street on September 7, 1928, and although never arrested, at least one of the Gusenberg brothers is believed to have been among the shooters.<ref>{{Harvnb|Shmelter|2008|p=158}}.</ref> After Lombardo's death, Aiello attempted to elevate his ally Peter Rizzito to the Unione Siciliana position, but Rizzito was killed by shotgun blasts outside his home.<ref>{{Harvnb|Eghigian|2005|p=147}}.</ref>
Aiello's brother Dominick returned to Chicago in January 1928 to attend to family matters while his brother remained in New Jersey. One day he received a telephone call warning him to leave town,<ref name="Keefe217" /> after which the Aiello Brothers Bakery was shot up by gunmen.<ref name="CT01051928" /><ref name="Keefe217" /> Aiello briefly allied himself with former Capone employer and friend [[Frankie Yale]], meeting with him regularly in New York City and plotting Capone's overthrow, until Yale himself was murdered.<ref>{{Harvnb|Keefe|2005|p=227}}.</ref> Aiello was said to have fled to [[Wisconsin]] under the protection of the [[Milwaukee crime family]],<ref name="Critchley295">{{Harvnb|Critchley|2008|p=295}}.</ref> and also briefly took refuge in Buffalo with his ally there, crime family boss [[Stefano Magaddino]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Bonanno|2003|pp=119&ndash;120}}</ref> With Aiello still in hiding, Capone started targeting Aiello's men and killed several over the next few years,<ref name="Eghigian144">{{harvnb|Eghigian|2005|p=144}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Eghigian|2005|p=167}}.</ref> including his brother Dominick.<ref name="Eghigian144" /> Aiello returned to Chicago in the summer of 1928 and once again approached Moran, whose relationship with Capone had degenerated even further, making him much more receptive to an active alliance with Aiello.<ref name="Keefe2128">{{Harvnb|Keefe|2005|p=228}}.</ref> They conspired to eliminate Lombardo, a task they assigned to hitmen [[Frank Gusenberg|Frank "Tight Lips"]] and [[Peter Gusenberg]]. Lombardo was shot to death on a busy Chicago street on September 7, 1928, and although never arrested, at least one of the Gusenberg brothers is believed to have been among the shooters.<ref>{{Harvnb|Shmelter|2008|p=158}}.</ref> After Lombardo's death, Aiello attempted to elevate his ally Peter Rizzito to the Unione Siciliana position, but Rizzito was killed by shotgun blasts outside his home.<ref>{{harvnb|Eghigian|2005|p=147}}.</ref>


==Rise to Unione Siciliana leader==
==Rise to Unione Siciliana leader==
Aiello was also believed to have masterminded the murder of [[Pasqualino Lolordo|Pasqualino "Patsy" Lolordo]], Lombardo's successor as head of the Unione, who was killed in his home on January 8, 1929.<ref name="Eghigian153">{{Harvnb|Eghigian|2005|p=153}}.</ref><ref name="CT01011929">{{Cite news |title=Police Accuse Joe Aiello As Lolordo Slayer |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=January 1, 1929 |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1929/01/10/page/8/article/police-accuse-joe-aiello-as-lolordo-slayer |location=[[Chicago]] |page=8}}</ref> Police alleged that Aiello suggested a truce with Lolordo, and when Lolordo invited Aiello into his home for a toast of friendship, Aiello and two others shot him to death. When police later questioned Lolordo's widow, she screamed when she was shown a photo of Aiello, but refused to explain why she was afraid and would not answer questions about him.<ref name="CT01011929" /> Capone focused his retaliation against Moran by organizing the [[St. Valentine's Day Massacre]],<ref name="Eghigian153" /> a hit that wiped out the Gusenberg brothers, decimated Moran's forces and resulted in the loss of a significant amount of Aiello's support. Shortly afterward Aiello persuaded Capone killers [[Albert Anselmi]] and [[John Scalise]] to betray their employer and convinced Joseph "Hop Toad" Giunta, the new head of the Unione Siciliana, to support Aiello in eliminating Capone and taking control of the North Side of Chicago following the departure of Bugs Moran. However, Capone learned of Aiello's plot in April 1929 and killed all three men.<ref name="Sifakis20">{{Harvnb|Sifakis|2005|p=20}}.</ref><ref name="Eghigian155">{{Harvnb|Eghigian|2005|p=155}}.</ref>
Aiello was also believed to have masterminded the murder of [[Pasqualino Lolordo|Pasqualino "Patsy" Lolordo]], Lombardo's successor as head of the Unione, who was killed in his home on January 8, 1929.<ref name="Eghigian153">{{harvnb|Eghigian|2005|p=153}}.</ref><ref name="CT01011929">{{Cite news |title=Police Accuse Joe Aiello As Lolordo Slayer |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=January 1, 1929 |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1929/01/10/page/8/article/police-accuse-joe-aiello-as-lolordo-slayer |location=[[Chicago]] |page=8}}</ref> Police alleged that Aiello suggested a truce with Lolordo, and when Lolordo invited Aiello into his home for a toast of friendship, Aiello and two others shot him to death. When police later questioned Lolordo's widow, she screamed when she was shown a photo of Aiello, but refused to explain why she was afraid and would not answer questions about him.<ref name="CT01011929" /> Capone retaliated against Moran by organizing the [[St. Valentine's Day Massacre]],<ref name="Eghigian153" /> a hit that wiped out the Gusenberg brothers, decimated Moran's forces and resulted in the loss of a significant amount of Aiello's support. Shortly afterwards Aiello persuaded Capone killers [[Albert Anselmi]] and [[John Scalise]] to betray their employer and convinced [[Joseph Giunta (mobster)|Joseph "Hop Toad" Giunta]], the new head of the Unione Siciliana, to support Aiello in eliminating Capone and taking control of the North Side of Chicago following the departure of Bugs Moran. However, Capone learned of Aiello's plot in April 1929 and killed all three men.<ref name="Sifakis20">{{Harvnb|Sifakis|2005|p=20}}.</ref><ref name="Eghigian155">{{harvnb|Eghigian|2005|p=155}}.</ref>


The violent retaliation against Aiello indirectly led him to finally become head of the Unione.<ref name="Eghigian155"/><ref>{{Harvnb|Keefe|2005|p=247}}.</ref> During a conference in [[Atlantic City]], numerous mob bosses supported Aiello's promotion with the hopes of restoring order in Chicago, and Capone apparently accepted the decision, at least temporarily.<ref name="Eghigian155"/> Retired Chicago mob boss [[Johnny Torrio]] was said to have mediated a peace agreement among Capone, Aiello and Moran, in which they agreed to end the gang warfare and murders.<ref name="Eghigian155"/><ref>{{Harvnb|Critchley|2008|p=142}}.</ref> However, Aiello's accession coincided with Capone serving a year in prison for carrying a concealed weapon, which Aiello saw as an opportunity to take control of some of Capone's territory and scheme yet again for his assassination.<ref name="Parr244" /><ref name="Eghigian173">{{Harvnb|Eghigian|2005|p=173}}.</ref> Aiello gained a measure of nationwide notoriety around this time after ranking seventh on [[Chicago Crime Commission]] Chairman [[Frank J. Loesch]]'s "[[Public enemy (term)|public enemies]]" list, released in April 1930, which identified the top 28 people he saw as corrupting Chicago.<ref>{{Harvnb|Sifakis|2005|p=370}}.</ref><ref name="Vozenilek">{{Cite web |last=Vozenilek |first=Gina P. |title=Tell 'Em Nothin' &ndash; The Murder of Joseph Aiello |date=November 17, 2011 |url=http://wakegreatlakes.org/content/nonfiction/murder-joseph-aiello-tell-em-nothin?page=0,1 |work=Wake |publisher=[[Grand Valley State University]] |accessdate=January 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225259/http://wakegreatlakes.org/content/nonfiction/murder-joseph-aiello-tell-em-nothin?page=0,1 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The violent retaliation against Aiello indirectly led him to finally become head of the Unione.<ref name="Eghigian155"/><ref>{{Harvnb|Keefe|2005|p=247}}.</ref> During a conference in [[Atlantic City]], numerous mob bosses supported Aiello's promotion with the hopes of restoring order in Chicago, and Capone apparently accepted the decision, at least temporarily.<ref name="Eghigian155"/> Retired Chicago mob boss [[Johnny Torrio]] was said to have mediated a peace agreement among Capone, Aiello and Moran, in which they agreed to end the gang warfare and murders.<ref name="Eghigian155"/><ref>{{Harvnb|Critchley|2008|p=142}}.</ref> However, Aiello's accession coincided with Capone serving a year in prison for carrying a concealed weapon, which Aiello saw as an opportunity to take control of some of Capone's territory and scheme yet again for his assassination.<ref name="Parr244" /><ref name="Eghigian173">{{harvnb|Eghigian|2005|p=173}}.</ref> Aiello gained a measure of nationwide notoriety around this time after ranking seventh on [[Chicago Crime Commission]] Chairman [[Frank J. Loesch]]'s "[[Public enemy (term)|public enemies]]" list, released in April 1930, which identified the top 28 people he saw as corrupting Chicago.<ref>{{Harvnb|Sifakis|2005|p=370}}.</ref><ref name="Vozenilek">{{Cite web |last=Vozenilek |first=Gina P. |title=Tell 'Em Nothin' &ndash; The Murder of Joseph Aiello |date=November 17, 2011 |url=http://wakegreatlakes.org/content/nonfiction/murder-joseph-aiello-tell-em-nothin?page=0,1 |work=Wake |publisher=[[Grand Valley State University]] |access-date=January 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225259/http://wakegreatlakes.org/content/nonfiction/murder-joseph-aiello-tell-em-nothin?page=0,1 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


Through his Mafia boss allies Magaddino and [[Gaspar Milazzo]], Aiello arranged a meeting with [[Joe Masseria]], the [[capo di tutti capi]] based in New York City, seeking support in Aiello's efforts against Capone.<ref name="Capeci83" /> During the meeting Masseria offered to support Aiello in exchange for control of the east side of Chicago, which would allow Aiello to keep the city's west side. The offer infuriated Aiello, who threatened Masseria and ordered him to leave the city. In turn, Masseria spread false rumors that Aiello attempted to kill Masseria, giving him a pretext to support Capone in retaliation.<ref name="Bonanno87">{{Harvnb|Bonanno|2003|pp=87&ndash;88}}</ref> Mafioso [[Joseph Bonanno]] later described as a key incident in starting the [[Castellammarese War]] in New York City.<ref name="Bonanno87" /><ref name="Critchley171">{{Harvnb|Critchley|2008|pp=171&ndash;172}}</ref> Masseria openly supported Capone, requiring a strong alliance with him following the death of Masseria ally [[Giuseppe Morello]].<ref name="Capeci83" /> He also offered territory to Milazzo if he betrayed Aiello, an offer Milazzo rebuffed and considered insulting.<ref name="Bonanno87" /><ref name="Critchley171" /> As a result, Aiello backed [[Salvatore Maranzano]] in the Castellammarese War, providing the Maranzano forces with $5,000 a week for their war chest.<ref name="Sifakis5" /><ref>{{Harvnb|Critchley|2008|p=179}}.</ref>
Through his Mafia boss allies Magaddino and [[Gaspar Milazzo]], Aiello arranged a meeting with [[Joe Masseria]], the [[capo di tutti capi]] based in New York City, seeking support in Aiello's efforts against Capone.<ref name="Capeci83" /> During the meeting Masseria offered to support Aiello in exchange for control of the east side of Chicago, which would allow Aiello to keep the city's west side. The offer infuriated Aiello, who threatened Masseria and ordered him to leave the city. In turn, Masseria spread false rumors that Aiello attempted to kill Masseria, giving him a pretext to support Capone in retaliation.<ref name="Bonanno87">{{Harvnb|Bonanno|2003|pp=87&ndash;88}}</ref> Mafioso [[Joseph Bonanno]] later described as a key incident in starting the [[Castellammarese War]] in New York City.<ref name="Bonanno87" /><ref name="Critchley171">{{Harvnb|Critchley|2008|pp=171&ndash;172}}</ref> Masseria openly supported Capone, requiring a strong alliance with him following the death of Masseria ally [[Giuseppe Morello]].<ref name="Capeci83" /> He also offered territory to Milazzo if he betrayed Aiello, an offer Milazzo rebuffed and considered insulting.<ref name="Bonanno87" /><ref name="Critchley171" /> As a result, Aiello backed [[Salvatore Maranzano]] in the Castellammarese War, providing the Maranzano forces with $5,000 a week for their war chest.<ref name="Sifakis5" /><ref>{{Harvnb|Critchley|2008|p=179}}.</ref>
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==Death==
==Death==
In 1930, upon learning of Aiello's continued plotting against him, Capone resolved to finally eliminate him.<ref name="Sifakis5" /> In the weeks before Aiello's death Capone's men tracked him to [[Rochester, New York]], where he had connections through Magaddino, and plotted to kill him there, but Aiello returned to Chicago before the plot could be executed.<ref name="Critchley295" /> Aiello, angst-ridden from the constant need to hide out and the killings of several of his men,<ref name="Eghigian174" /> set up residence in the Chicago apartment of Unione Siciliana treasurer Pasquale "Patsy Presto" Prestogiacomo at 205 N. Kolmar Ave.<ref name="Sifakis5" /><ref name="CT10291930">{{Cite news |title=3d [sic] Machine Gun Nest is Found in Aiello Killing |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=October 29, 1930 |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1930/10/29/page/8/article/3d-machine-gun-nest-is-found-in-aiello-killing |location=[[Chicago]] |page=8}}</ref> He moved in on October 13, 1930,<ref name="CT10281930">{{Cite news |title=Slain Aiello's Partner Comes Out of Hiding |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=October 28, 1930 |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1930/10/28/page/4/article/slain-aiellos-partner-comes-out-of-hiding |location=[[Chicago]] |page=4}}</ref> and rarely left the apartment. However, his wife and child occasionally visited him, and Frank Nitti biographer Mars Eghigian Jr. theorized that Capone's forces located Aiello by tracking his family members.<ref name="Eghigian174">{{Harvnb|Eghigian|2005|p=174}}.</ref> Men who gave the names Morris Friend and Henry Jacobson rented rooms in an apartment across the street overlooking Prestogiacomo's apartment building and began observing Aiello.<ref name="CT10241930" /><ref name="Eghigian174" /> On October 23, Aiello made plans to permanently leave Chicago and apparently move to Mexico,<ref name="Sifakis5" /><ref name="Eghigian174" /> although Prestogiacomo later told police Aiello was simply leaving the house for a barber's appointment.<ref name="CT10281930" /> Upon exiting Prestogiacomo's building to enter a taxicab, a gunman in a second-floor window across the street started firing at Aiello with a submachine gun.<ref name="Sifakis5" /><ref name="CT10291930" /> Aiello was said to have been shot at least 13 times before he toppled off the building steps and moved around the corner,<ref>{{Harvnb|Parr|2005|p=258}}</ref> attempting to move out of the line of fire. Instead, he moved directly into the range of a second submachine gun positioned on the third floor of another apartment block, and was subsequently gunned down.<ref name="Sifakis5" /><ref name="CT10291930" />
In 1930, upon learning of Aiello's continued plotting against him, Capone resolved to finally eliminate him.<ref name="Sifakis5" /> In the weeks before Aiello's death Capone's men tracked him to [[Rochester, New York]], where he had connections through Magaddino, and plotted to kill him there, but Aiello returned to Chicago before the plot could be executed.<ref name="Critchley295" /> Aiello, angst-ridden from the constant need to hide out and the killings of several of his men,<ref name="Eghigian174" /> set up residence in the Chicago apartment of Unione Siciliana treasurer Pasquale "Patsy Presto" Prestigiacomo at 205 N. Kolmar Ave.<ref name="Sifakis5" /><ref name="CT10291930">{{Cite news |title=3d [sic] Machine Gun Nest is Found in Aiello Killing |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=October 29, 1930 |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1930/10/29/page/8/article/3d-machine-gun-nest-is-found-in-aiello-killing |location=[[Chicago]] |page=8}}</ref> He moved in on October 13, 1930,<ref name="CT10281930">{{Cite news |title=Slain Aiello's Partner Comes Out of Hiding |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=October 28, 1930 |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1930/10/28/page/4/article/slain-aiellos-partner-comes-out-of-hiding |location=[[Chicago]] |page=4}}</ref> and rarely left the apartment. However, his wife and child occasionally visited him, and Frank Nitti biographer Mars Eghigian Jr. theorized that Capone's forces located Aiello by tracking his family members.<ref name="Eghigian174">{{harvnb|Eghigian|2005|p=174}}.</ref> Men who gave the names Morris Friend and Henry Jacobson rented rooms in an apartment across the street overlooking Prestigiacomo's apartment building and began observing Aiello.<ref name="CT10241930" /><ref name="Eghigian174" /> On October 23, Aiello made plans to permanently leave Chicago and apparently move to Mexico,<ref name="Sifakis5" /><ref name="Eghigian174" /> although Prestigiacomo later told police Aiello was simply leaving the house for a barber's appointment.<ref name="CT10281930" /> Upon exiting Prestigiacomo's building to enter a taxicab, a gunman in a second-floor window across the street started firing at Aiello with a submachine gun.<ref name="Sifakis5" /><ref name="CT10291930" /> Aiello was said to have been shot at least 13 times before he toppled off the building steps and moved around the corner,<ref>{{Harvnb|Parr|2005|p=258}}</ref> attempting to move out of the line of fire. Instead, he moved directly into the range of a second submachine gun positioned on the third floor of another apartment block, and was subsequently gunned down.<ref name="Sifakis5" /><ref name="CT10291930" />


After the ambush the two apparent shooters ran from the buildings and fled in a [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] sedan; the car was later discovered to have been set on fire and destroyed. Aiello's body was loaded into the taxicab and taken to Garfield Park Hospital,<ref name="CT10241930" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=Aiello, Gang Chief, Slain in Chicago |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 24, 1930 |location=[[New York City]] |page=18}}</ref> where he was pronounced dead. The coroner eventually removed 59 bullets, weighing over a pound, from the body.<ref name="Sifakis5" /> He was shot more times than any single victim of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.<ref name="Eghigian174" /> A third machine gun position, which was ultimately not used, was later discovered by police in another nearby building, which had been rented a week before the murder by a man who gave the name Lon Celespe.<ref name="CT10291930" /> Police, prosecutors and federal agents immediately and publicly speculated that Capone was behind the assassination,<ref name="CT10241930" /><ref name="NYT10251930">{{cite news |title=Say Aiello Killing Saved Al Capone |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 25, 1930 |location=[[New York City]] |page=36}}</ref> noting that the precision machine-gun ambush was typical of his attacks. However, at least one press story at the time speculated Moran could have been behind the hit.<ref name="Eghigian174" /> Prestogiacomo, fearful for his life, went into hiding for three days after Aiello's death before turning himself in to police.<ref name="CT10281930" /> He was charged as an accessory before the fact of Aiello's murder, a charge also filed against John Sorce, an employee of Aiello's importing company.<ref name="CT10291930" /> Detectives questioned whether Prestogiacomo provided Aiello's enemies with information about his whereabouts,<ref name="CT10281930" /><ref name="NYT10251930" /> something he vehemently denied.<ref name="CT10281930" /> Police claimed Prestogiacomo was not cooperative and lied about his relationship with Aiello.<ref name="CT10291930" /> The charges against Prestogiacomo went to a grand jury but were ultimately dropped.<ref name="Vozenilek" /> Frank Nitti was also wanted by police for questioning in connection with the murder.<ref>{{Harvnb|Eghigian|2005|p=177}}.</ref>
After the ambush the two apparent shooters ran from the buildings and fled in a [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] sedan; the car was later discovered to have been set on fire and destroyed. Aiello's body was loaded into the taxicab and taken to Garfield Park Hospital,<ref name="CT10241930" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=Aiello, Gang Chief, Slain in Chicago |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 24, 1930 |location=[[New York City]] |page=18}}</ref> where he was pronounced dead. The coroner eventually removed 59 bullets, weighing over a pound, from the body.<ref name="Sifakis5" /> He was shot more times than any single victim of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.<ref name="Eghigian174" /> A third machine gun position, which was ultimately not used, was later discovered by police in another nearby building, which had been rented a week before the murder by a man who gave the name Lon Celespe.<ref name="CT10291930" /> Police, prosecutors and federal agents immediately and publicly speculated that Capone was behind the assassination,<ref name="CT10241930" /><ref name="NYT10251930">{{cite news |title=Say Aiello Killing Saved Al Capone |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 25, 1930 |location=[[New York City]] |page=36}}</ref> noting that the precision machine-gun ambush was typical of his attacks. However, at least one press story at the time speculated Moran could have been behind the hit.<ref name="Eghigian174" /> Prestigiacomo, fearful for his life, went into hiding for three days after Aiello's death before turning himself in to police.<ref name="CT10281930" /> He was charged as an accessory before the fact of Aiello's murder, a charge also filed against John Sorce, an employee of Aiello's importing company.<ref name="CT10291930" /> Detectives questioned whether Prestigiacomo provided Aiello's enemies with information about his whereabouts,<ref name="CT10281930" /><ref name="NYT10251930" /> something he vehemently denied.<ref name="CT10281930" /> Police claimed Prestigiacomo was not cooperative and lied about his relationship with Aiello.<ref name="CT10291930" /> The charges against Prestigiacomo went to a grand jury but were ultimately dropped.<ref name="Vozenilek" /> Frank Nitti was also wanted by police for questioning in connection with the murder.<ref>{{harvnb|Eghigian|2005|p=177}}.</ref>


Some historians later suggested Mafia forces outside of Chicago may have been behind the hit as part of the Castellammarese War, but Virgil Peterson, an expert on Chicago organized crime, believed the murder was strictly related to city gang warfare.<ref name="Critchley171" /> Aiello's family ordered an $11,000 coffin for him.<ref name="CT10291930" /> Before eventually being placed in [[Riverside Cemetery (Rochester, New York)|Riverside Cemetery]] in Rochester, New York,<ref>{{cite news|last=Naparsteck |first=Martin |title=Graves of the famous and infamous |work=[[Buffalo News]] |date=May 30, 2010 |url=http://www.buffalonews.com/graves_of_the_famous_and_infamous.html |accessdate=January 10, 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305141549/http://www.buffalonews.com/graves_of_the_famous_and_infamous.html |archivedate=March 5, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Aiello was originally buried in [[Mount Carmel Cemetery (Hillside)|Mount Carmel Cemetery]] in Chicago on October 29, 1930, close to former friend-turned-rival Lombardo.<ref>{{cite news|title=Aiello's funeral |year=1930 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/photos/chi-chi_mob_hits_01320080730084317-photo.html |accessdate=January 10, 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065402/http://www.chicagotribune.com/photos/chi-chi_mob_hits_01320080730084317-photo.html |archivedate=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Capone continued to hunt down Aiello's allies even after his death. One month after Aiello was killed, police discovered an abandoned machine gun nest, manned by alleged Capone gangsters, in a house opposite the home of four of Aiello's former henchmen.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Gang Machine Gun Nest Found Opposite Home of Aiello Aids |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=November 15, 1930 |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1930/11/15/page/3/article/gang-machine-gun-nest-found-opposite-home-of-aiello-aids |location=[[Chicago]] |page=8}}</ref> Aiello's nephew, Frank Aiello Jr., was fatally shot through a window while he was playing cards in his Milwaukee home on May 23, 1931. Authorities believed the killing was related to the Chicago feud, despite Frank's apparent lack of ties to organized crime.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Milwaukee Assassin Kills Nephew of Slain Joe Aiello |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=May 25, 1931 |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1931/05/25/page/3/article/milwaukee-assassin-kills-nephew-of-slain-joe-aiello |location=[[Chicago]] |page=3}}</ref> Aiello's death left Capone effectively unchallenged in his control over Chicago, and brought 70 years of peace to the city in terms of the Chicago Outfit leadership.<ref>{{Harvnb|Capeci|2005|p=281}}</ref> Aiello was believed to be responsible for the deaths of at least 24 people throughout his life, according to the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'', which described Aiello as "the toughest gangster in Chicago, and one of the toughest in the country".<ref name="CT10241930" />
Some historians later suggested Mafia forces outside Chicago may have been behind the hit as part of the Castellammarese War, but Virgil Peterson, an expert on Chicago organized crime, believed the murder was strictly related to city gang warfare.<ref name="Critchley171" /> Aiello's family ordered an $11,000 coffin for him.<ref name="CT10291930" /> Before eventually being placed in [[Riverside Cemetery (Rochester, New York)|Riverside Cemetery]] in Rochester, New York,<ref>{{cite news|last=Naparsteck |first=Martin |title=Graves of the famous and infamous |work=[[Buffalo News]] |date=May 30, 2010 |url=http://www.buffalonews.com/graves_of_the_famous_and_infamous.html |access-date=January 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305141549/http://www.buffalonews.com/graves_of_the_famous_and_infamous.html |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Aiello was originally buried in [[Mount Carmel Cemetery (Hillside)|Mount Carmel Cemetery]] in Chicago on October 29, 1930, close to former friend-turned-rival Lombardo.<ref>{{cite news|title=Aiello's funeral |year=1930 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/photos/chi-chi_mob_hits_01320080730084317-photo.html |access-date=January 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065402/http://www.chicagotribune.com/photos/chi-chi_mob_hits_01320080730084317-photo.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Capone continued to hunt down Aiello's allies even after his death. One month after Aiello was killed, police discovered an abandoned machine gun nest, manned by alleged Capone gangsters, in a house opposite the home of four of Aiello's former henchmen.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Gang Machine Gun Nest Found Opposite Home of Aiello Aids |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=November 15, 1930 |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1930/11/15/page/3/article/gang-machine-gun-nest-found-opposite-home-of-aiello-aids |location=[[Chicago]] |page=8}}</ref> Aiello's nephew, Frank Aiello Jr., was fatally shot through a window while he was playing cards in his Milwaukee home on May 23, 1931. Authorities believed the killing was related to the Chicago feud, despite Frank's apparent lack of ties to organized crime.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Milwaukee Assassin Kills Nephew of Slain Joe Aiello |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=May 25, 1931 |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1931/05/25/page/3/article/milwaukee-assassin-kills-nephew-of-slain-joe-aiello |location=[[Chicago]] |page=3}}</ref> Aiello's death left Capone effectively unchallenged in his control over Chicago, and brought 70 years of peace to the city in terms of the Chicago Outfit leadership.<ref>{{Harvnb|Capeci|2005|p=281}}</ref> Aiello was believed to have been responsible for the deaths of at least 24 people throughout his life, according to the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'', which described him as "the toughest gangster in Chicago, and one of the toughest in the country".<ref name="CT10241930" />

==See also==
* [[List of homicides in Illinois#Organized crime|List of organized crime killings in Illinois]]


==References==
==References==
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===Bibliography===
===Bibliography===
*{{cite book |last=Bonanno |first=Joseph |author-link=Joseph Bonanno |date=January 20, 2003 |title=A Man of Honor: The Autobiography of Joseph Bonanno |location=[[New York City]] |publisher=[[St. Martin's Press]] |isbn=0312979231 |ref=harv}}
*{{cite book |last=Bonanno |first=Joseph |author-link=Joseph Bonanno |date=January 20, 2003 |title=A Man of Honor: The Autobiography of Joseph Bonanno |location=[[New York City]] |publisher=[[St. Martin's Press]] |isbn=0312979231 }}
*{{cite book |last=Capeci |first=Jerry |date=January 4, 2005 |title=The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Mafia |location=[[New York City]] |publisher=[[Alpha Books]] |edition=2 |isbn=1592573053 |ref=harv}}
*{{cite book |last=Capeci |first=Jerry |date=January 4, 2005 |title=The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Mafia |location=[[New York City]] |publisher=[[Alpha Books]] |edition=2 |isbn=1592573053 }}
*{{cite book |last=Critchley |first=David |date=September 15, 2008 |title=The Origin of Organized Crime in America: The New York City Mafia, 1891-1931 |location=[[New York City]] |publisher=[[Routledge]] |asin=B001OFIDHC |ref=harv}}
*{{cite book |last=Critchley |first=David |date=September 15, 2008 |title=The Origin of Organized Crime in America: The New York City Mafia, 1891-1931 |location=[[New York City]] |publisher=[[Routledge]] |asin=B001OFIDHC }}
*{{cite book |last=Eghigian Jr. |first=Mars |date=June 15, 2005 |title=After Capone: The Life and World of Chicago Mob Boss Frank "The Enforcer" Nitti |location=[[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]], [[Tennessee]] |publisher=Cumberland House Publishing |isbn=1581824548 |ref=harv}}
*{{cite book |last=Eghigian |first=Mars Jr.|date=June 15, 2005 |title=After Capone: The Life and World of Chicago Mob Boss Frank "The Enforcer" Nitti |location=[[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]], [[Tennessee]] |publisher=Cumberland House Publishing |isbn=1581824548 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/aftercaponelifew0000eghi }}
*{{cite book |last=Keefe |first=Rose |date=March 15, 2005 |title=The Man Who Got Away: The Bugs Moran Story: A Biography |location=[[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]], [[Tennessee]] |publisher=Cumberland House Publishing |isbn=1581824432 |ref=harv}}
*{{cite book |last=Keefe |first=Rose |date=March 15, 2005 |title=The Man Who Got Away: The Bugs Moran Story: A Biography |location=[[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]], [[Tennessee]] |publisher=Cumberland House Publishing |isbn=1581824432 }}
*{{cite book |last=Parr |first=Amanda J. |date=October 8, 2005 |title=The True and Complete Story of Machine Gun Jack McGurn |location=[[Leicester]] |publisher=Matador |isbn=1905237138 |ref=harv}}
*{{cite book |last=Parr |first=Amanda J. |date=October 8, 2005 |title=The True and Complete Story of Machine Gun Jack McGurn |location=[[Leicester]] |publisher=Matador |isbn=1905237138 }}
*{{cite book |last=Shmelter |first=Richard J. |date=January 10, 2008 |title=Chicago Assassin: The Life and Legend of "Machine Gun" Jack McGurn and the Chicago Beer Wars of the Roaring Twenties |location=[[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]], [[Tennessee]] |publisher=Cumberland House Publishing |isbn=1581826184 |ref=harv}}
*{{cite book |last=Shmelter |first=Richard J. |date=January 10, 2008 |title=Chicago Assassin: The Life and Legend of "Machine Gun" Jack McGurn and the Chicago Beer Wars of the Roaring Twenties |location=[[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]], [[Tennessee]] |publisher=Cumberland House Publishing |isbn=978-1581826180 }}
*{{cite book |last=Sifakis |first=Carl |date=June 2005 |title=The Mafia Encyclopedia |location=[[New York City]] |publisher=Checkmark Books |edition=3 |isbn=0816056951 |ref=harv |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/mafiaencyclopedi00sifa_0 }}
*{{cite book |last=Sifakis |first=Carl |date=June 2005 |title=The Mafia Encyclopedia |location=[[New York City]] |publisher=Checkmark Books |edition=3 |isbn=0816056951 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/mafiaencyclopedi00sifa_0 }}


==External links==
==External links==
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{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
{{succession box | title=[[Unione Siciliane]] Boss <br> 1929-1930 |
{{succession box | title=[[Unione Siciliane]] Boss <br> 1929–1930 |
before=[[Joseph Giunta (mobster)|Joseph Giunta]] (1929) | after=[[Salvatore Loverde]] (1930–1931) | years=}}
before=[[Joseph Giunta (mobster)|Joseph Giunta]] (1929) | after=Salvatore Loverde (1930–1931) | years=}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}


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[[Category:Al Capone associates]]
[[Category:Al Capone associates]]
[[Category:Italian emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Italian emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:American mobsters of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Murdered American gangsters of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Mobsters killed during the Castellammarese War]]
[[Category:People of Sicilian descent]]
[[Category:Murdered American mobsters of Sicilian descent]]
[[Category:Chicago Outfit mobsters]]
[[Category:Mobsters from Chicago]]
[[Category:People murdered by the Chicago Outfit]]
[[Category:People murdered by the Chicago Outfit]]
[[Category:Prohibition-era gangsters]]
[[Category:Prohibition-era gangsters]]
[[Category:American mobsters of Sicilian descent]]
[[Category:Gangsters from the Metropolitan City of Palermo]]
[[Category:People murdered in Illinois]]
[[Category:People murdered in Illinois]]
[[Category:Deaths by firearm in Illinois]]
[[Category:Deaths by firearm in Illinois]]

Revision as of 22:30, 15 August 2024

Giuseppe Aiello
Joe Aiello
Born(1890-09-27)September 27, 1890
Bagheria, Sicily, Kingdom of Italy
DiedOctober 23, 1930(1930-10-23) (aged 40)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Cause of deathMultiple gun shots
Resting placeRiverside Cemetery, Rochester, New York, U.S.

Giuseppe "Joe" Aiello (Italian pronunciation: [dʒuˈzɛppe aˈjɛllo]; September 27, 1890 – October 23, 1930) was a Sicilian bootlegger and organized crime leader in Chicago during the Prohibition era. He was best known for his long and bloody feud with Chicago Outfit boss Al Capone.

Aiello masterminded several unsuccessful attempts to assassinate Capone, and fought against his former business partner Antonio Lombardo, a Capone ally, for control of the Chicago branch of the Unione Siciliana benevolent society. Aiello and his ally Bugs Moran are believed to have arranged the murder of Lombardo, which directly led Capone to organize the St. Valentine's Day Massacre in retaliation.

Despite being forced to flee Chicago multiple times throughout the gang war, Aiello eventually took control of the Unione Siciliana in 1929, and ranked seventh among the Chicago Crime Commission's list of top "public enemies". Aiello was killed after Capone gunmen ambushed him as he exited a Chicago apartment building where he had been hiding out, shooting him 59 times. After his death, the Chicago Tribune described Aiello as "the toughest gangster in Chicago, and one of the toughest in the country".[1]

Early life

Aiello was born on September 27, 1890, in Bagheria, Sicily, to father Carlo Sr., Aiello was part of a large and impoverished family of at least nine other brothers and many cousins. His mother died when he was a child.[2] In July 1907, at the age of 17,[3] Aiello immigrated to the United States to join family members already residing there. After arriving in New York City by boat, he worked a series of menial jobs in Buffalo and Utica, New York, before connecting with his father, brothers and cousins in Chicago. The family set up several businesses in both New York and Chicago, including the financially successful Aiello Brothers Bakery, and they become importers of such groceries as olive oil, cheeses and sugar.[2]

Aiello was the co-owner of a cheese importing business with a fellow Sicilian, Antonio "Tony the Scourge" Lombardo, an ally of organized crime figure Al Capone.[4] Aiello was president of the company, which was called Antonio Lombardo & Co., and Capone was said to have lent both men $100,000 to start the enterprise.[1] With the enactment of Prohibition and the start of bootlegging, the sugar import business brought Aiello into contact with organized crime, along with his brothers Dominick, Antonio, Andrew[4] and Carlo.[5] In Chicago they made a small fortune selling sugar and other home-cooked alcohol components to the Genna crime family,[2] and Aiello earned enough money to buy a three-story mansion in Rogers Park. However, he craved recognition and prestige in addition to money,[2] something he was gaining as he was becoming known as the top organized crime boss of Chicago.[4][6] When the Genna family lost power in Chicago following gang wars, the Aiellos believed themselves the successors of their territory.[5][7]

Feud begins with Al Capone

Joe Aiello made several unsuccessful attempts to assassinate his rival, Al Capone (pictured).

In November 1925 Lombardo was named head of the Unione Siciliana, a Sicilian-American benevolent society that had been corrupted by gangsters. An infuriated Aiello, who had wanted the position himself, believed Capone was responsible for Lombardo's ascension and he resented the non-Sicilian's attempts to manipulate affairs within the Unione.[2] Aiello severed all personal and business ties with Lombardo and entered into a feud with him and Capone,[2][8] essentially ending a Chicago gang peace treaty that had been in force since the 1926 murder of Capone rival Hymie Weiss.[8] Aiello allied himself with several other Capone enemies, including Dean O'Banion,[9][10] and the trio of Billy Skidmore, Barney Bertsche and Jack Zuta, who ran vice and gambling houses together,[11][12] although they became less receptive to Aiello after Capone personally approached and threatened Skidmore.[2] While newspapers falsely reported that Aiello had also entered into an active alliance with George "Bugs" Moran and his North Side Gang at this time, Moran in fact pledged no specific support to Aiello until later,[2][13] and instead privately supported Aiello from the sidelines without actively participating.[14]

Aiello plotted to eliminate both Lombardo and Capone, and starting in the spring of 1927 made several attempts to assassinate Capone.[8] On one occasion he offered money to the chef of Joseph "Diamond Joe" Esposito's Bella Napoli Café, Capone's favorite restaurant, to put prussic acid in Capone's and Lombardo's soup; reports indicated he offered between $10,000 and $35,000.[2][4] Instead, the chef exposed the plot to Capone,[8][15] who responded by dispatching men to destroy one of Aiello's stores on West Division Street with machine-gun fire.[8] More than 200 bullets were fired into the Aiello Brothers Bakery on May 28, 1927, wounding Joe's brother Antonio.[2] During the summer and autumn of 1927 a number of hitmen Aiello hired to kill Capone were themselves slain. Among them were Anthony Russo and Vincent Spicuzza, each of whom had been offered $25,000 by Aiello to kill Capone and Lombardo.[8] Aiello eventually offered a $50,000 reward to anyone who eliminated Capone.[4][8] At least 10 gunmen tried to collect on Aiello's bounty, but ended up dead.[2] Capone ally Ralph Sheldon attempted to kill both Capone and Lombardo for Aiello's reward, but Capone henchman Frank Nitti's intelligence network learned of the transaction and had Sheldon shot in front of a West Side hotel, although he didn't die.[11]

Gang war with Capone escalates

In November 1927 Aiello organized machine-gun ambushes across from Lombardo's home and a cigar store frequented by Capone, but those plans were foiled after an anonymous tip led police to raid several addresses and arrest Milwaukee gunman Angelo La Mantio and four other Aiello gunmen. After the police discovered receipts for the apartments in La Mantio's pockets, he confessed that Aiello had hired him to kill Capone and Lombardo, leading the police to arrest Aiello himself and bring him to the South Clark Street police station.[11][16] Upon learning of the arrest, Capone dispatched nearly two dozen gunmen to stand guard outside the station and await Aiello's release.[11][17] The men made no attempt to conceal their purpose there, and reporters and photographers rushed to the scene to observe Aiello's expected murder.[15] Capone gunmen Frank Perry, Sam Marcus and Louis "Little New York" Campagna were arrested as they tried to enter the front of the station and placed in the cell next to Aiello, who Campagna told, "You're dead, friend, dead. You won't get up to the end of the street still walking".[16][17] Aiello pleaded for mercy and promised to sell his possessions and leave Chicago with his family if they let him go, but Campagna refused the request.[11][17] When released, Aiello was given a police escort out of the station to safety. He later failed to make a court appearance after his attorney claimed he suffered a nervous breakdown.[11] Aiello disappeared with some family members to Trenton, NJ, from whence he continued his campaign against Capone and Lombardo.[16]

Aiello's brother Dominick returned to Chicago in January 1928 to attend to family matters while his brother remained in New Jersey. One day he received a telephone call warning him to leave town,[16] after which the Aiello Brothers Bakery was shot up by gunmen.[12][16] Aiello briefly allied himself with former Capone employer and friend Frankie Yale, meeting with him regularly in New York City and plotting Capone's overthrow, until Yale himself was murdered.[18] Aiello was said to have fled to Wisconsin under the protection of the Milwaukee crime family,[19] and also briefly took refuge in Buffalo with his ally there, crime family boss Stefano Magaddino.[20] With Aiello still in hiding, Capone started targeting Aiello's men and killed several over the next few years,[21][22] including his brother Dominick.[21] Aiello returned to Chicago in the summer of 1928 and once again approached Moran, whose relationship with Capone had degenerated even further, making him much more receptive to an active alliance with Aiello.[23] They conspired to eliminate Lombardo, a task they assigned to hitmen Frank "Tight Lips" and Peter Gusenberg. Lombardo was shot to death on a busy Chicago street on September 7, 1928, and although never arrested, at least one of the Gusenberg brothers is believed to have been among the shooters.[24] After Lombardo's death, Aiello attempted to elevate his ally Peter Rizzito to the Unione Siciliana position, but Rizzito was killed by shotgun blasts outside his home.[25]

Rise to Unione Siciliana leader

Aiello was also believed to have masterminded the murder of Pasqualino "Patsy" Lolordo, Lombardo's successor as head of the Unione, who was killed in his home on January 8, 1929.[26][27] Police alleged that Aiello suggested a truce with Lolordo, and when Lolordo invited Aiello into his home for a toast of friendship, Aiello and two others shot him to death. When police later questioned Lolordo's widow, she screamed when she was shown a photo of Aiello, but refused to explain why she was afraid and would not answer questions about him.[27] Capone retaliated against Moran by organizing the St. Valentine's Day Massacre,[26] a hit that wiped out the Gusenberg brothers, decimated Moran's forces and resulted in the loss of a significant amount of Aiello's support. Shortly afterwards Aiello persuaded Capone killers Albert Anselmi and John Scalise to betray their employer and convinced Joseph "Hop Toad" Giunta, the new head of the Unione Siciliana, to support Aiello in eliminating Capone and taking control of the North Side of Chicago following the departure of Bugs Moran. However, Capone learned of Aiello's plot in April 1929 and killed all three men.[28][29]

The violent retaliation against Aiello indirectly led him to finally become head of the Unione.[29][30] During a conference in Atlantic City, numerous mob bosses supported Aiello's promotion with the hopes of restoring order in Chicago, and Capone apparently accepted the decision, at least temporarily.[29] Retired Chicago mob boss Johnny Torrio was said to have mediated a peace agreement among Capone, Aiello and Moran, in which they agreed to end the gang warfare and murders.[29][31] However, Aiello's accession coincided with Capone serving a year in prison for carrying a concealed weapon, which Aiello saw as an opportunity to take control of some of Capone's territory and scheme yet again for his assassination.[7][32] Aiello gained a measure of nationwide notoriety around this time after ranking seventh on Chicago Crime Commission Chairman Frank J. Loesch's "public enemies" list, released in April 1930, which identified the top 28 people he saw as corrupting Chicago.[33][34]

Through his Mafia boss allies Magaddino and Gaspar Milazzo, Aiello arranged a meeting with Joe Masseria, the capo di tutti capi based in New York City, seeking support in Aiello's efforts against Capone.[9] During the meeting Masseria offered to support Aiello in exchange for control of the east side of Chicago, which would allow Aiello to keep the city's west side. The offer infuriated Aiello, who threatened Masseria and ordered him to leave the city. In turn, Masseria spread false rumors that Aiello attempted to kill Masseria, giving him a pretext to support Capone in retaliation.[35] Mafioso Joseph Bonanno later described as a key incident in starting the Castellammarese War in New York City.[35][36] Masseria openly supported Capone, requiring a strong alliance with him following the death of Masseria ally Giuseppe Morello.[9] He also offered territory to Milazzo if he betrayed Aiello, an offer Milazzo rebuffed and considered insulting.[35][36] As a result, Aiello backed Salvatore Maranzano in the Castellammarese War, providing the Maranzano forces with $5,000 a week for their war chest.[4][37]

During the early months of 1930 Aiello arranged several unsuccessful assassination attempts against Capone bodyguards, including Jack McGurn, Phil D'Andrea and Rocco De Grazia. Aiello hoped to leave Capone vulnerable by depleting his security, and Capone began to suspect Aiello had spies within the Chicago Outfit because he seemed to have inside knowledge about where his targets would be and when.[38] In August 1930, two months before Aiello's death, the state's attorney conducted a raid on Aiello's home, obtaining records as part of a series of raids by the United States government to fight against gangland activities in Chicago.[39]

Death

In 1930, upon learning of Aiello's continued plotting against him, Capone resolved to finally eliminate him.[4] In the weeks before Aiello's death Capone's men tracked him to Rochester, New York, where he had connections through Magaddino, and plotted to kill him there, but Aiello returned to Chicago before the plot could be executed.[19] Aiello, angst-ridden from the constant need to hide out and the killings of several of his men,[40] set up residence in the Chicago apartment of Unione Siciliana treasurer Pasquale "Patsy Presto" Prestigiacomo at 205 N. Kolmar Ave.[4][41] He moved in on October 13, 1930,[42] and rarely left the apartment. However, his wife and child occasionally visited him, and Frank Nitti biographer Mars Eghigian Jr. theorized that Capone's forces located Aiello by tracking his family members.[40] Men who gave the names Morris Friend and Henry Jacobson rented rooms in an apartment across the street overlooking Prestigiacomo's apartment building and began observing Aiello.[1][40] On October 23, Aiello made plans to permanently leave Chicago and apparently move to Mexico,[4][40] although Prestigiacomo later told police Aiello was simply leaving the house for a barber's appointment.[42] Upon exiting Prestigiacomo's building to enter a taxicab, a gunman in a second-floor window across the street started firing at Aiello with a submachine gun.[4][41] Aiello was said to have been shot at least 13 times before he toppled off the building steps and moved around the corner,[43] attempting to move out of the line of fire. Instead, he moved directly into the range of a second submachine gun positioned on the third floor of another apartment block, and was subsequently gunned down.[4][41]

After the ambush the two apparent shooters ran from the buildings and fled in a Ford sedan; the car was later discovered to have been set on fire and destroyed. Aiello's body was loaded into the taxicab and taken to Garfield Park Hospital,[1][44] where he was pronounced dead. The coroner eventually removed 59 bullets, weighing over a pound, from the body.[4] He was shot more times than any single victim of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.[40] A third machine gun position, which was ultimately not used, was later discovered by police in another nearby building, which had been rented a week before the murder by a man who gave the name Lon Celespe.[41] Police, prosecutors and federal agents immediately and publicly speculated that Capone was behind the assassination,[1][45] noting that the precision machine-gun ambush was typical of his attacks. However, at least one press story at the time speculated Moran could have been behind the hit.[40] Prestigiacomo, fearful for his life, went into hiding for three days after Aiello's death before turning himself in to police.[42] He was charged as an accessory before the fact of Aiello's murder, a charge also filed against John Sorce, an employee of Aiello's importing company.[41] Detectives questioned whether Prestigiacomo provided Aiello's enemies with information about his whereabouts,[42][45] something he vehemently denied.[42] Police claimed Prestigiacomo was not cooperative and lied about his relationship with Aiello.[41] The charges against Prestigiacomo went to a grand jury but were ultimately dropped.[34] Frank Nitti was also wanted by police for questioning in connection with the murder.[46]

Some historians later suggested Mafia forces outside Chicago may have been behind the hit as part of the Castellammarese War, but Virgil Peterson, an expert on Chicago organized crime, believed the murder was strictly related to city gang warfare.[36] Aiello's family ordered an $11,000 coffin for him.[41] Before eventually being placed in Riverside Cemetery in Rochester, New York,[47] Aiello was originally buried in Mount Carmel Cemetery in Chicago on October 29, 1930, close to former friend-turned-rival Lombardo.[48] Capone continued to hunt down Aiello's allies even after his death. One month after Aiello was killed, police discovered an abandoned machine gun nest, manned by alleged Capone gangsters, in a house opposite the home of four of Aiello's former henchmen.[49] Aiello's nephew, Frank Aiello Jr., was fatally shot through a window while he was playing cards in his Milwaukee home on May 23, 1931. Authorities believed the killing was related to the Chicago feud, despite Frank's apparent lack of ties to organized crime.[50] Aiello's death left Capone effectively unchallenged in his control over Chicago, and brought 70 years of peace to the city in terms of the Chicago Outfit leadership.[51] Aiello was believed to have been responsible for the deaths of at least 24 people throughout his life, according to the Chicago Tribune, which described him as "the toughest gangster in Chicago, and one of the toughest in the country".[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Joe Aiello Slain in Ambush". Chicago Tribune. Chicago. October 24, 1930. p. 1.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Keefe 2005, p. 216.
  3. ^ Critchley 2008, p. 204.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Sifakis 2005, p. 5.
  5. ^ a b "Carlo Aiello is Sought in Old Police Killing". Chicago Tribune. Chicago. June 14, 1928. p. 7.
  6. ^ Oursler, Will; Smith, L.D. (February 22, 1953). "Mafia – a power behind underworld of 'dope'". Chicago Tribune. Chicago. p. 12.
  7. ^ a b Parr 2005, p. 244
  8. ^ a b c d e f g Eghigian 2005, p. 135.
  9. ^ a b c Capeci 2005, p. 83
  10. ^ Parr 2005, p. 169
  11. ^ a b c d e f Eghigian 2005, p. 136.
  12. ^ a b "Gang Bullets Again Riddle the Aiello Brothers Bakery". Chicago Tribune. Chicago. January 5, 1928. p. 3.
  13. ^ Keefe 2005, p. 381.
  14. ^ Keefe 2005, p. 218.
  15. ^ a b Lyle, John H. (November 12, 1960). "Chicago in the Capone Era: a City in Chains". Chicago Tribune. Chicago. p. 11.
  16. ^ a b c d e Keefe 2005, p. 217.
  17. ^ a b c Sifakis 2005, p. 77.
  18. ^ Keefe 2005, p. 227.
  19. ^ a b Critchley 2008, p. 295.
  20. ^ Bonanno 2003, pp. 119–120
  21. ^ a b Eghigian 2005, p. 144.
  22. ^ Eghigian 2005, p. 167.
  23. ^ Keefe 2005, p. 228.
  24. ^ Shmelter 2008, p. 158.
  25. ^ Eghigian 2005, p. 147.
  26. ^ a b Eghigian 2005, p. 153.
  27. ^ a b "Police Accuse Joe Aiello As Lolordo Slayer". Chicago Tribune. Chicago. January 1, 1929. p. 8.
  28. ^ Sifakis 2005, p. 20.
  29. ^ a b c d Eghigian 2005, p. 155.
  30. ^ Keefe 2005, p. 247.
  31. ^ Critchley 2008, p. 142.
  32. ^ Eghigian 2005, p. 173.
  33. ^ Sifakis 2005, p. 370.
  34. ^ a b Vozenilek, Gina P. (November 17, 2011). "Tell 'Em Nothin' – The Murder of Joseph Aiello". Wake. Grand Valley State University. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  35. ^ a b c Bonanno 2003, pp. 87–88
  36. ^ a b c Critchley 2008, pp. 171–172
  37. ^ Critchley 2008, p. 179.
  38. ^ Parr 2005, p. 245
  39. ^ "U.S. Joins in Investigating Books of Gangland Leaders". Chicago Tribune. Chicago. August 31, 1930. p. 5.
  40. ^ a b c d e f Eghigian 2005, p. 174.
  41. ^ a b c d e f g "3d [sic] Machine Gun Nest is Found in Aiello Killing". Chicago Tribune. Chicago. October 29, 1930. p. 8.
  42. ^ a b c d e "Slain Aiello's Partner Comes Out of Hiding". Chicago Tribune. Chicago. October 28, 1930. p. 4.
  43. ^ Parr 2005, p. 258
  44. ^ "Aiello, Gang Chief, Slain in Chicago". The New York Times. New York City. October 24, 1930. p. 18.
  45. ^ a b "Say Aiello Killing Saved Al Capone". The New York Times. New York City. October 25, 1930. p. 36.
  46. ^ Eghigian 2005, p. 177.
  47. ^ Naparsteck, Martin (May 30, 2010). "Graves of the famous and infamous". Buffalo News. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  48. ^ "Aiello's funeral". Chicago Tribune. 1930. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  49. ^ "Gang Machine Gun Nest Found Opposite Home of Aiello Aids". Chicago Tribune. Chicago. November 15, 1930. p. 8.
  50. ^ "Milwaukee Assassin Kills Nephew of Slain Joe Aiello". Chicago Tribune. Chicago. May 25, 1931. p. 3.
  51. ^ Capeci 2005, p. 281

Bibliography

Preceded by Unione Siciliane Boss
1929–1930 		Succeeded by
Salvatore Loverde (1930–1931)
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