Giovanni “John” Alioto
John Alioto was the 6th Boss of the Milwaukee Mafia, from 1952–1961, replacing Sam Ferrara. Allegedly, Sam Ferrara had tried to steal the Ogden Social Club, a profitable gambling enterprise, from Frank Balistrieri. Ferrara attempted to oust Balistrieri from the Family, but John Alioto protested to Chicago, and there was a sit down involving top Chicago mobsters Tony Accardo, Rocco Fischetti and Sam Giancana. Alioto was made the new boss of Milwaukee, and Balistrieri was reinstated and promoted to capodecina under his father-in-law.
The Aliotos were deeply connected to crime through blood and marriage, setting up the Milwaukee Family to be among the most intra-related in the country.
Under Alioto’s rule, the muscling of gamblers and legitimate businesses stopped, but internal dissent continued. John DiTrapani spread the word that he would pay for “hits” in order to get the leadership role. This would lead to his eventual death, and cause his ally, Frank LaGalbo, to lose stature and to transfer his membership. Another ally, Jack Enea, would be killed, too.
John Alioto was largely in the background during his reign. Early in life, he was a murder suspect in the death of Albert Scorsone, and was loosely tied in to an insurance scam in New York City. Alioto tended to focus more on his legitimate business prospects, and did as little as possible to bring on the heat from police and federal authorities.
John Alioto, 1972 (Milwaukee Journal)
John Alioto’s mugshot
Born in Santa Flavia, Italy on August 25, 1888
- August 27, 1972
- Cemetary: Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum, Milwaukee
John married Caterina “Catherine” Alioto at Our Lady of Pompeii Church in Milwaukee on July 20, 1913.
- Frances Mary, who married Joseph E. Dentice
- 21 Dec 1917 – 3 Sep 1978
- Antonia Benedetta, who married Frank Balistrieri
- 11 Jan 1920 – 15 Sep 1997
- Joseph John Alioto
- 5 Oct 1921 – 21 May 1963
- Angelo J. Alioto
- 17 Oct 1923 – Feb 2011
- Mary, who married Joseph Caminiti, Jr.
Giuseppe Alioto and Francesca (Orlando) Alioto
Check out the John Alioto episode of the Milwaukee Mafia Podcast!
More Information:
Retiring from the city in April 1958, John Alioto spent his later years working in his restaurant and the Alioto Food Market at 2500 North Booth Street. His connections were still evident through phone records, though — calls were traced to Louis Fratto in Des Moines, Tony Musso in Rockford, and Alioto was present at the funeral for Sam Giancana’s wife. Bill Bonanno wrote in “Bound by Honor” that Alioto was present at his (Bonanno’s) “making” ceremony.
Alioto Market, 2500 N. Booth
Naturalization Index, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1848 – 1990; NAI Number: 6948573; Record Group Title: Wisconsin, Milwaukee Naturalization Index; Record Group Number: Rg 21
Some establishments associated with John Alioto:
- Express Bar at 801 East Michigan St.
- Alioto’s Supper Club at the corner of Van Buren and Michigan
- Alioto Gardens at the corner of Clybourn and Jefferson
- Alioto Food Market at 2500 North Booth St.