In February 1964, the Zarne brothers leased Joe’s Spaghetti House (519 West Wells) to Joseph Enea for two years. He was to pay $175 per month for six month, $200 for the second six months and $225 the whole second year. The hired cook was Edward Roman Slawinkowsi, 54, who was not known to have any criminal history beyond vagrancy and being drunk and disorderly.
On April 14, 1964 at 10:00am, a special agent accompanied Captain Fred Reinke of the Fire Department on an inspection of Joe’s Spaghetti House.
April 16, 1964: The FBI made a spot observation of Joe’s Spaghetti House, as they would do often around this time. Regular people present were Walter Brocca, Joe Enea, John Aiello and “cook swamper” Edward Slawnikowski. Slawnikowski was a shorter man (5’4″) and weighed only 120 pounds. Slawinkowski does not appear to have any family links to the mob and was likely an innocent employee.
April 17, 1964: SA John Gassaway met with an informant. The informant said that Walter Brocca operated Joe’s Spaghetti House on West Wells, though the license was in the name of Joseph Enea. The basement of the restaurant had a storeroom, but nothing like an office. The basement was not connected to the tavern next door, nor was there any access to the Wells Street Hotel.
May 3, 1964: SA John Gassaway spoke with his informant. The informant also said a Greek restaurant near Joe’s Spaghetti House recently closed and the cook there went to work for Joe’s. The informant thought the cook may be sleeping in the restaurant at night.
May 11, 1964: SA John Gassaway was told that the Belmont Coffee Shop was now closing at 8:00pm rather than being open all night. The reason for the change was because “a great many sexual perverts were frequenting the place.” This change likely meant the hoodlums at Belmont would now hang out at Joe’s Spaghetti House instead. The informant said Frank Balistrieri was willing to spend as much as $60,000 to support a bill that would legalize horse racing in Wisconsin. If passed, he would move to open a track in Fond du Lac or Oshkosh, far enough from Chicago to draw in a new crowd.
May 18, 1964: An informant told SA Gassaway that Joe’s Spaghetti House would run into trouble sooner or later because Walter Brocca and Joseph Enea have conflicting personalities. Also, the restaurant has become a hangout for August Maniaci and John Aiello, but not the Balistrieri faction.
May 24, 1964: John Gassaway’s informant said his prediction had been correct and Walter Brocca had a falling out with Joseph Enea. Enea left Joe’s Spaghetti House and Brocca is running it solo. Enea went to bartending at the Downtowner.
May 27, 1964: August Maniaci, John Aiello, Cono Librizzi and a “Joe Gernaro” went into Joe’s Spaghetti House. Librizzi tried to cash a $200 post-dated check, but Brocca turned him down.
June 11, 1964: An informant told John Gassaway that two black men from Chicago were hanging out at Joe’s Spaghetti House and were “narcotics pushers.” The informant said it was possible Brocca was buying dope off of them to supply to showgirls that hang out in the restaurant.
June 30, 1964: An informant said Buzz Wagner hung out at Joe’s Spaghetti House, but for the last two weeks was out of town selling roofing and siding.
August 2, 1964: Walter Brocca closed Joe’s Spaghetti House for remodeling.
August 6, 1964: An informant said the regulars at Joe’s were Izzy Tocco, Frank Scalise, Dr. Anthony Verdone, Vito Aiello, Angelo Aiello, and Buzz Wagner (also known as “Buster Brown”).
Sidney Brodson was overheard on the hidden microphone (648-C) at Joe’s Spaghetti House on September 10, 1964. What he was saying is unknown.
On November 20, 1964, an unknown man asked a waitress at Joe’s Spaghetti House where his .38 revolver was that he loaned out. She told him that she sold it.
December 10, 1964: An informant (possibly Maniaci) told Richard Thompson there were conflicting stories about Joe’s Spaghetti House. There was talk Brocca brought in another man to operate the restaurant 50-50. There was talk the restaurant was losing money. Brocca was waiting for Time Insurance to buy his lease. In addition to the restaurant, Brocca now had an Avis truck he used to buy and sell scrap metal.
December 11, 1964: An informant told SA Thompson that Brocca closed Joe’s Spaghetti House and may go to California soon. Brocca was scared. He owed a lot of money, and the business was in Joe Enea’s name. With Joe being “Frank’s boy” this could cause him trouble. Also, John Aiello was trying to get money out of a “sucker” but Brocca ruined the plan. Informant thought it was possible Brocca even got to the sucker before Aiello did.
February 5, 1965: The microphone (648-C) at Joe’s Spaghetti House was discontinued.