Vincent Maniaci
Vincent Joseph Maniaci was born on May 25, 1918 to Nunzio and Rose (Mercurio) Maniaci. One of Vincent’s brothers, August, was a suspected informant who was murdered by five gunshots to the head on September 11, 1975 in an alley outside his Milwaukee home.
An attempt was made on Vincent’s life on August 17, 1977. A bomb consisting of 18 sticks and 4 half-sticks of dynamite were found in his 1969 Buick Electra. The bomb did not go off because Maniaci had pushed down on the accelerator, jamming the device. Had he turned the ignition before hitting the accelerator, the bomb would have detonated.
August Palmisano was closely linked to Vincent Maniaci. A suspected informer, Palmisano, was slain by a car bomb at approximately on June 30, 1978.
Vincent Maniaci died on January 12, 1998 in Milwaukee.
1964
Rockford LCN member Phil Priola and Milwaukee member Mike Albano met with an informant in Milwaukee on July 16, 1964. [That this man was an informant was unknown to them — it was possibly one of the Maniaci brothers] With them was Sebastian “Knobby” Gulatta of Rockford, a candidate for membership. There was talk of a big meeting on August 2, with someone from San Francisco attending. Priola spoke in vague terms because Gulatta was not yet privy to such discussions.
1965
Four Rockford LCN members visited Milwaukee on May 11, 1965 — Phil Priola, Charlie Vince, Sebastian “Knobby” Gulatta and Frank Corrente. With them was Joe DiGerolamo of Beloit. They met with an informant [possibly a Maniaci brother], whom they told that Gulatta and Corrente had just been “made” within the last week. They were in search of Peter Balistrieri, but he was out playing golf. After dinner, they did eventually meet up with Peter Balistrieri as well as Frank Balistrieri. At this meeting, the informant was told of the mob murder of Charlie LaFranca committed in Elgin, Illinois in mid-January 1965 by Rockford members.
The FBI asked Appleton City Inspector Charles Magnette on December 13, 1965 if they had any contact with Nick Gentile. He said no, but he indicated that Vincent Maniaci had come in a few days earlier to apply for a liquor license for 512 West College Avenue, a building owned by L. H. Chudacoff Real Estate. Maniaci returned to Magnette’s office on December 15, this time with Gentile, and proposed the idea of an Italian restaurant and cocktail lounge called the Roman House. The buildings next to 512 were a typewriter shop and a tile shop. Maniaci, who did all the talking, said he hoped to have the restaurant up and running as soon as January or February. Magnette called the FBI back and said that although Maniaci was clearly in charge, he was under the impression from Gentile’s presence that he would have some sort of financial interest.
1966
Vincent Maniaci wrote an open letter to the Appleton Post-Crescent that was published on January 12, 1966. The newspaper had recently published a series of articles concerning Maniaci, and particularly his association with Nick Gentile. The Appleton police chief had publicly opposed the granting of a license to Maniaci. He cited his Appleton roots, saying his mother was born in Appleton on Thanksgiving and was baptized at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Maniaci pointed out that he had no criminal record and had held a Milwaukee bartenders license for 25 years. He specifically said that Gentile would “have no interest, financial or otherwise” in the restaurant, and pleaded that he had already invested thousands of dollars into remodeling the building.
On Thursday, January 13, 1966, Appleton’s welfare and ordinance committee decided to delay a decision on Vincent Maniaci’s license. Police Chief Earl Wolff attended the meeting and presented his written opposition. Mark Catlin, an Appleton attorney, and Max Goldsmith, Milwaukee attorney, appeared on Maniaci’s behalf and questioned why Maniaci should be denied because of guilt by association. They had heard that 13 aldermen had signed a resolution to oppose the license and demanded to know why. Alderman Glenn Thompson made a motion to hold the license in abeyance until the remodeling and inspections were done at 512 West College. He was seconded by Alderman Richard Huisman.
On January 18, 1966, Vincent Maniaci withdrew his license request. He was refunded his $275 license deposit. I believe it would be fair to say that the Appleton Post-Crescent, through the considerable coverage it gave the matter, was the reason behind the license’s controversy and ultimate dismissal.
Vincent Maniaci and Nick Gentile met Frank Balistrieri at The Scene on March 22, 1966.
When Rose Mercurio Maniaci [mother of August and Vincent Maniaci] died on April 17, 1966, at least three Rockford LCN members attended the wake on the 19th: Phil Priola, Charlie Vince and Frank Corrente. These men parked their car at Mike Albano’s restaurant and rode to the funeral with Albano to avoid having their license plate numbers written down by police. Phil Cannella and his wife were also there. After the funeral, they met up with Frank Balistrieri at The Scene nightclub. James Schiavo of Madison was also there.
Rockford LCN member Phil Priola called an FBI informant [possibly a Maniaci brother] on June 29, 1966 in search of Peter Balistrieri’s phone number. The informant was not home, but his wife did relay that information to Priola. Priola was looking for Balistrieri to inform him that Sebastian “Knobby” Gulotta had been kicked out of the Rockford LCN, and if he should come to Milwaukee, they should have nothing to do with him. The Rockford LCN suspected that Gulotta was telling too much to his girlfriend, though whether these suspicions were accurate is unclear.
1967
On August 27, 1967 there was a stag party at the Brown Derby (corner of VanBuren and Brady) for some relative of Santo Marino getting married [his son?]. There was a private poker and craps game. Vincent Maniaci and John Morn were there, and Sam Dentice was accepting $100 bets for the Packers-Cowboys exhibition game.
1968
On the evening of March 23, 1968, a dinner party was held at Rudy’s Pizzeria (corner of North and Oakland). Attending the party were Frank Balistrieri, Peter Balistrieri, Steve DiSalvo, Walter Brocca, Harry D’Angelo, Vincent Maniaci, August Maniaci, Joseph Enea and Paul Bogosian. [Somewhere around this time, Bogosian broke his leg.]
1969
Nunzio A. Maniaci, 6912 North 37th Street, submitted his name to be the agent for the Ad Lib on Friday, January 31, 1969. Maniaci, a real estate agent and bank teller, was replacing Jerome DiMaggio, whose application had been rejected after police said he had made a false statement in his application. DiMaggio had failed to report an arrest for petty theft in South Montello, Florida.
Frank Balistrieri threw a Christmas party on December 21, 1969 at the Kings IV Tavern (722 North Water Street). Approximately 150-200 guests were there, including Walter Brocca, Harry DeAngelo, Albert Albana, Frank Buccieri, Dominic Frinzi, Frank Stelloh, Steve DiSalvo, Benny DiSalvo, Jerry DiMaggio, John Rizzo, William Covelli, Dominic Gullo, Joseph Enea and the majority of the Milwaukee LCN. An informant told the FBI that Frank Balistrieri was telling people at this party that he would step down as boss of the Milwaukee Family because of his business (tax) problems. He also heard at this party that Jerry DiMaggio had been laid off from the Schlitz Brewery and tried to go work for Vincent Maniaci, but Maniaci told him to see Frank Balistrieri first. DiMaggio was then hired on as a bartender at the Downtowner.
1970
A party was held at the Kings IV on the evening of March 15, 1970. Police wrote down the license plates and found the following attendees: Frank Balistrieri, Peter Balistrieri, someone from Lando Enterprises (4702 West Vliet), Carl J. Dentice (8210 West New Jersey), someone from Glenbrook Corporation (6925 North Port Washington Road), Vincent Maniaci, Harry D’Angelo, someone from Schaub Buick (237 South Street in Waukesha), someone from Rank and Son Buick (4200 North Green Bay Avenue) Frank C. LaVora (3120 South 51st Street), Salvatore Dentice (1611 North Jackson), Sam J. Cefalu, Salvatore A. Librizzi, Joseph Caminiti and Albert Albana.
An informant told the FBI on April 3, 1970 that Vincent Maniaci would have to move his business because of freeway construction. Maniaci was contacted by Frank Balistrieri and was told that in his new business, he would be using coin-operated machines from Balistrieri (he currently was not). Maniaci told this as an affront to his honor and wanted a sit down with Balistrieri, Vito Seidita and Joseph Caminiti.
Frank Balistrieri threw a party at the Kings IV on July 26, 1970. He charged $15 a plate and roughly 100 people attended, including Vincent Maniaci and Steve DiSalvo.
1971
Vincent Maniaci was called by the Rockford branch manager of Servomation in early June 1971, telling him that he was no longer allowed to operate his coin operated machines in Chicago because the Outfit had forced him out in April. The man requested that Maniaci speak with the Rockford mob to see if he could continue his business there without any interference. [Although the file is redacted, this seems to be the man: Kenneth F. Ziske married Sandra L. Beyer on 11/14/64 in Milwaukee and at the time he was a private in the army. He was still living in Milwaukee in 1968 and by 1971 was living in Rockford with his occupation being the Branch Manager at Servomation, which was a business that dealt in coin operated machines.]
Vincent Maniaci was released from the hospital on October 23, 1971 after suffering a heart attack.
1972
An informant told the FBI in August 1972 that Vincent Maniaci and August Palmisano had gotten drunk and shot holes in the walls of Richie’s and Little Caesars.
Vincent Maniaci was at the Castaways Hotel, 16375 Collins Avenue in North Miami Beach on November 2, 1972. He stayed one night in Room 554.
Vincent Maniaci visited Jimmy Fazio in Florida on November 4/5, 1972. Jimmy said he did not think that members of the Chicago Outfit had killed Louis Fazio because Louis was too close of a friend to Sam DeStefano. [Given Sam’s rocky relationship with the Outfit and his own murder five months later, this hardly seems like a safety net.]
Vincent Maniaci was at the Castaways Hotel, 16375 Collins Avenue in North Miami Beach from November 10-12, 1972. He stayed in Room 205.
An informant told the FBI in December 1972 that tension had developed between August Palmisano and Vincent Maniaci because of Palmisano’s girlfriend, who was black.
1973
Around February 12, Vincent Maniaci was subpoenaed concerning a shooting at Eddie Carroll’s.
Vincent Maniaci was at the Castaways Hotel, 16375 Collins Avenue in North Miami Beach from March 2-5, 1973. He stayed in Room 104.
Vincent Maniaci returned to Milwaukee on March 9, 1973 after being in Florida for a week.
Vincent Maniaci was at the Castaways Hotel, 16375 Collins Avenue in North Miami Beach from April 6-10, 1973. He stayed in Room 507.
Carmelo Jerome Curro (Santo’s brother) died on April 12, 1973. Nick Gentile, Peter Balistrieri, Sam DiMaggio, Steve DiSalvo and Vincent Maniaci attended the funeral.
From 12:05am to 1:02am on April 23, 1973, Special Agent [Redacted] was at the Centre Stage Dinner Playhouse (624 North 2nd Street). He saw Frank Balistrieri in conversation at the bar with another man. Steve DiSalvo was walking around the lobby. At 12:12am, Balistrieri struck up a conversation with Vincent Maniaci. At 12:20am, the agent overheard Balistrieri speaking in hushed tones to an unknown man. He was able to catch the comment that Louis Fazio should have been offered protection by the FBI. Balistrieri further said he would be hiding the next day, and if he could not afford to take a vacation in Europe, he would just have to vacation in West Allis.
Frank Balistrieri threw a large graduation party for John Balistrieri (who received his law degree from Valparaiso) at his Center Stage night club on June 3, 1973 with over 1,000 guests. The entire Maniaci family was invited, with one notable exception: August Maniaci. Baby Joey Balistrieri was absent because he was in Las Vegas. Nick Gentile, Tony Machi, Angelo Alioto, Joe Dentice, Dominic Frinzi, Nick Fucarino, Sam Ferrara, Joe Enea, James Schiavo, Frank Stelloh, Vince Maniaci, Frank LaGalbo, Vito Aiello, August Palmisano and John Rizzo were in attendance. City clerk Allen Calhoun was there, as was Judge Vel Phillips. Restaurant owner Joseph Sardino was there, allegedly as a favor for loaning Balistrieri the money he needed to pay the IRS. The party started at 8pm and went until 2am, and was hot and overcrowded. John received some gifts and a large number of cash-filled envelopes. A fight broke out between Steve DiSalvo and Vincent Maniaci at 4:00am, probably fueled by alcohol. Agents from the Wisconsin Department of Investigation sat outside taking pictures while Dominic Frinzi and Joseph Balistrieri banged on the sides of their panel truck.
Frank LaGalbo threw a benefit party at Fish’s Tavern on June 10, 1973 for someone who was sick. Guests included Frank Balistrieri, Vince Maniaci, Sam Cefalu and Steve DiSalvo.
August Palmisano was surveilled meeting with Vincent Maniaci at Richie’s on June 14, 1973. An FBI agent was in the tavern on this day at 11:15am and sat at the bar. He overheard Palmisano say “7 in the 9th” and at one point, a man with a briefcase came in and gave Palmisano several slips of paper. A young black man was at the bar wearing a beret with a pencil in it. Palmisano took a cigar box from under the counter, pulled out some money, and gave it to the black man, who then left. At one point Palmisano’s girlfriend came in. At some point during surveillance Joseph Enea double parked and picked up a white female. The agent left at 1:45pm.
Vincent Maniaci and August Palmisano were surveilled entering an apartment building on July 9, 1973.
1974
On February 23 or 24, 1974, Vincent Maniaci, August Pamisano and another man ate dinner at Sally’s Steak House. Maniaci was at this point involved with Palmisano’s bookmaking operation.
A special agent, acting undercover, went into the Ad Lib on June 20, 1974 at 6:30pm. The 50-year old man sitting at the bar said the club was closed until 8:30pm. The agent then went to Nicolo’s on Brady at 7:00pm, and it was very crowded. There was a 25-year old male bartender and a 55-year old female manager. He went to Little Caesar’s at 8:00pm and saw an older Italian man sitting at the bar talking to Vincent Maniaci for 15 minutes. A 30-year old female bartender was working. He returned to the Ad Lib at 9:30pm where he saw a 48-year old bald bartender and three strippers. He overheard a stripper ask the bartender why he was upset, but could not hear the answer. There were approximately twenty customers there. At 10:30pm, the agent went to the New Yorker night club and saw two black strippers there, as well as three Italian men with a notebook (including a 50-year old bartender), and overheard the men say that “this is good gambling”.
Two special agents entered Little Caesar’s on the evening of August 14, 1974 and saw Vincent Maniaci at the bar. The bartender was approximately twenty years old and the seven customers were all roughly 18-21 years old.
An informant told Special Agent Eugene Murphy on September 19, 1974 that Vince Maniaci and August Palmisano met at Fazio’s on Jackson twice a week, and Maniaci was at Sally’s three or four times a week.
Vincent Maniaci was in St. Michael’s Hospital on October 9, 1974 for an abdominal checkup.
On Wednesday, October 22, 1974 [redacted] went to Little Caesar’s and talked to Vince Maniaci. Maniaci said that his expenses were getting difficult and asked the man about his job, knowing he hauled a lot of candy. Vince took the man out to dinner at the Town Hotel, and then they returned to Caesar’s and met up with a man named Frank. Vince and Frank spoke in Italian and then Frank told him he could get some guys to take a truckload of candy the next day. Frank gave the man a phone number to reach him at and it was the phone number of the Milwaukee Inn. On October 25, approximately 400 cases of assorted Hersheys Candy (much of it Christmas candy) valued at $9000 was taken. The man was given $450 for his troubles.
Two special agents were at Trovato’s restaurant on Farwell on October 31, 1974 at 7:30pm. It was very busy and they observed various people there. They next went to Little Caesar’s and saw Vincent Maniaci speaking with an older, overweight Italian man with curly hair and glasses. At 9:30pm, two young women (approximate age 18-20) came in and asked Maniaci about his recent hospital stay.
Phillip Blake was arrested by Bureau agents on November 26, 1974 for interstate transport of stolen property — four mink coats valued at $10,000 brought from Chicago to Milwaukee in September 1973. He had stolen them in order to pay off a $1500 debt he owed to Vincent Maniaci. Blake had previously been beaten up by a thug on Maniaci’s behalf for the money owed.
A special agent entered Little Caesars at 7:20pm on November 27 and witnessed a man coming in and saying to the bartender that he needed to see Vincent Maniaci immediately. The bartender said he “left a few minutes ago”. Blake insisted it was “pretty urgent”, as he had just been “popped”. Maniaci could not be reached. Shortly after, the phone rang and it was Maniaci. Also, an elderly man with glasses came in with a plastic bag saying he was looking for Maniaci. The special agent left at 8:50pm.
On November 27, 1974, Phillip Blake wore a body recorder to Sally’s Steak House and recorded Vincent Maniaci saying, “You understand what I mean. Don’t you dare put me in the middle. Be careful and keep your mouth shut, ’cause I’m going to tell you something. Any time you open your mouth, you stick your foot in it, ’cause if you open up your mouth, then you’re dead.” Maniaci was also recorded telling Blake to hire Max Goldsmith as his attorney because Goldsmith “handles all the boys” and would know what to do.
Also on November 27, Phillip Blake met with Maniaci at Sally’s Steak House at 8:35pm. He was now wearing a wire (body recorder) provided by the FBI. The two went into the men’s bathroom and Blake told Maniaci he had been picked up by the FBI for the stolen furs and candy. Maniaci repeatedly asked if he was wearing a wire, Blake repeatedly said no. Maniaci said, “Those guys, they fix ya up, ya know.” He remained suspicious and told Blake that, “I ain’t got nothing to do with you in any respect.” Blake then asked Maniaci to set him up with an attorney. Maniaci did not seem too happy about it and said, “you got me for 775 already”. He asked, “Did ya ever mention my name to anybody?” Blake lied, “No man, I ain’t told ’em nothing yet. I ain’t told ’em a damn thing. Ya know I ain’t gonna open my mouth, alright.” After more back and forth, Maniaci finally recommended Blake go see an attorney who worked in the Majestic Building and have him call Maniaci to set the defense up. Maniaci said the attorney “handles all the boys”. He further said Blake was probably lucky he got busted because Maniaci said he “was going to break your fucking head, to tell you the truth… because you were fucking me, fucked me around.”
The FBI interviewed a man on December 3, 1974 with knowledge of the criminal activity around Little Caesars. He said that the Hershey’s theft was done by a man named “Frank” who drove a black Dodge and was a salesman in Kenosha. The informant also said he knew of stolen lawn mowers that had gone through Vincent Maniaci earlier in the year and had helped unload one from Vince’s car and into his brother Augie’s car. He knew of stolen guns, motorcycles and the sale of narcotics. The source said Vince was specifically interested in napkins and paper supplies. He had never witnessed any gambling, however.
A special agent was in Little Caesars from 8:45 until 9:15pm on December 6, 1974. He saw Vincent Maniaci, made casual conversation, but heard nothing of a criminal nature.
A female source for the FBI went into Little Caesars on December 15 and witnessed Vincent Maniaci talking with a skinny Italian man in his 50s.
Two special agents were in Little Caesars on the evening of December 16 around 9:20pm. They saw the heavy man with glasses who had been seen twice before and this time caught that he was a carpenter. A man came in and told Vince that he had $40 for him and would have the rest on Friday. He then borrowed a dime for the telephone, and Vince jokingly said that he would owe him 20 cents on Friday. Someone (presumably Phillip Blake) came in around 9:30pm. Maniaci took him into the women’s bathroom and told the man that “they” knew he had talked and he was a “dead man”. Vince frisked the man, looking for a body recorder (he found none), and told him to take the Fifth at the grand jury. The man left around 9:50 and the agents left at 10:25pm.
On December 17, Frank Cicerello, 3454 North Humboldt, voluntarily appeared at the FBI Office. Cicerello said he knew Vince Maniaci quite well and frequently goes to Little Caesars, but he was not involved in any criminal activity with Maniaci, Hershey’s kisses or otherwise. He denied ever having been at McDonalds at 2520 West National Avenue (which still exists in 2012) or the McDonalds on 76th by the Southridge Shopping Center. He told the agents he drove an AMC Ambassador.
On the evening of December 17, Vincent Maniaci was in conversation with Nick Gentile and August Palmisano concerning the investigation of Maniaci. Gentile joked, “They can’t hang anything on me.” Around midnight, Gentile became upset (for reasons unknown) and had the music turned off, and asked the patrons and go-go dancers to go home. Shortly after midnight a man arrived with a package for Palmisano, to which he replied, “I’ve been waiting for these.”
Vincent Maniaci, 2025 East Greenwich Avenue, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Wednesday, December 18, 1974 for extortionate credit transactions. He was found to have threatened people with violence and to be indirectly responsible for Phillip Blake’s theft of fur coats. A bench warrant was issued, and Maniaci was picked up by the FBI the same day and brought before Magistrate John C. McBride. Bond was set at $30,000 personal recognizance. An internal FBI report at the time of arrest referred to Maniaci as “a financier, major fence, and mastermind behind numerous large thefts around the Milwaukee area.” They also suspected him of being a Mafia member, which appears to be incorrect.
Vincent Maniaci was overheard on December 24, 1974 taking a phone call. Maniaci said to the person on the phone, “you can eliminate people in Chicago, but you can’t do it here… what’s wrong with you?” He then added, “If you can’t do your job I’ll get somebody else to do it and they will take care of you, too.” Maniaci then told the person overhearing to move back and no more was heard. Vince was seen then making a phone call to New York.
On the evening of Saturday, December 28, 1974, Vincent Maniaci was inebriated at Little Caesars. He told those around him that they did not need to go to the New Yorker Lounge to see go-go dancers, and then began taking off his clothes. When all his clothes were off, he hopped on a chair and began dancing until he fell on the floor and passed out.
1975
The FBI interviewed Karl Lotharius, the owner of Oliver’s Cabaret (782 North Milwaukee) on January 3, 1975. Lotharius said that he once managed I.V. A-Go-Go at 151 North Jackson, but this business no longer exists. At the time, he also worked for the Wisconsin Gas Company. Since his business did not have a cabaret license, they had to close at 1:00am and he would often walk with his customers over to Little Caesars under the expressway. He thus became acquainted with Vincent Maniaci and August Palmisano. In September 1972, he purchased Oliver’s Cabaret. Three weeks later, Maniaci asked Lotharius (who he called “Carlo”) what sort of vending machines he had in his place of business, and Lotharius told him a cigarette machine, pool table and jukebox from Wisconsin Novelty Company. Maniaci said he did not have to honor that contract and told him to “throw them out” and offered him $1000 to start using another distributor (name redacted). Maniaci also offered to fix the ceiling above the band area. Lotharius “strenuously declined”. A few days later, Lotharius was drinking with six friends (names redacted) at Pitch’s Lounge when Palmisano pulled a gun on Lotharius. Palisano said, “You better know who your friends are. Your head is getting too big for your own good.” Lotharius told the FBI he had been drinking and therefore did not think to report it to the police at the time. Not long after, Maniaci (and a redacted man) again tried to get Lotharius to accept a machine, this time a sex-oriented one from someone named DeGeorgio (most likely Angelo B. DiGiorgio). Lotharius again declined. In the early part of 1974, he went to Oliver’s and found a new machine (a condom dispenser) installed in the bathroom. The cleaning lady had allowed an unknown man to come in the night before and install the machine. When a man came in to service it, Lotharius ripped the machine off the wall and told the man a “drunken sailor” had destroyed it. On May 10, 1974, two men (named redacted) asked for a tour of the club, and he showed them the club, including the basement where he kept the liquor. The next day, his club was broken into through the roof and the Wisconsin Novelty Company machines (including a jukebox and cigarette machine) were smashed. Over $1000 was taken. He was later told by (redacted) that (redacted) had committed the burglary. Lotharius later told the man he had a taped conversation between him and Maniaci just to see what the reaction would be. That night, his home was broken into and movie canisters were taken (which may have been thought to be audio tape).
On January 15, 1975, the FBI spoke with a man in Brooklyn who had been a former business associate of Karl Lotharius. The man said Karl was “tight” and therefore often had cash on hand, and had even purchased Oliver’s for $65,000 in cash. He was with Karl the night Palmisano pulled a gun on Karl and remembered Palmisano’s words almost as exactly as Lotharius did. The man added that Lotharius responded, “You’re the ones driving Cadillacs, not me.” With Palmisano were at least two other men and a woman who was also armed. The man recalled the company that was pressuring Lotharius to install machines was “Dino’s Vending Machines”. (This may actually be Leo Dinon’s vending company.) The man had a pretty good idea who was behind the burglaries (unfortunately much of this is redacted), and he identified the suspect as a “fall guy” for Maniaci and Palmisano. Around Christmas 1974 he ran across someone who told him that Karl “bought his suit”, implying the suit was purchased with money stolen from Lotharius. The man related a second-hand story about a bartender (name redacted) who worked for Maniaci but quit because Maniaci was a heavy drinker and was very abusive. After he quit Maniaci told him he would never work on the East Side again and if someone hired him, Maniaci would break both his legs.
Frank Cicerello voluntarily appeared at the office of US Attorney William J. Mulligan on January 21, 1975. Mulligan informed Cicerello that he was considering offering Cicerello immunity for his statements against Vincent Maniaci. Cicerello said he recalled meeting with Maniaci and Phillip Blake the previous October. That same evening, Cicerello said he called up the Candy House and spoke to someone there named Nick who knew Cicerello’s brother Sammy, a former prize fighter. He told the man he had 400 cartons of assorted Hershey’s candy. The man agreed to buy it. Blake was told to meet Cicerello at the McDonalds at 2520 West National Avenue the next morning at 10:00 (where Cicerello would have to stop on his soda distribution route). They met as planned, and Blake was with a hippie in a beat-up old car. Blake in turn brought the candy to Candy House where it was unloaded by an employee. Cicerello was paid $1000 (with $1500 to come later) and gave the money to Maniaci, who let him keep $300 for setting up the operation. A few days later, Nick paid Cicerello the remaining $1500 and it was turned over to Maniaci. Cicerello still maintained he was never at the McDonalds in Greenfield, as this was not one of his customers. He agreed to submit to a polygraph exam.
A man [name redacted] made a sworn statement to Special Agent Samuel M. Wichner in Brooklyn on January 27, 1975. He said he had been stationed in Milwaukee in 1969 and 1970 and knew about some of the problems his friend [redacted] was having with Vincent Maniaci and August Palmisano. In September or October of 1972, he was in Pitch’s and Palmisano pulled out a gun because of difficulties his friend was having regarding vending machines. He was in Milwaukee in December 1974 and was told who had committed a recent burglary [names of business and suspects redacted]. He had worked at a place in Milwaukee where he knew the combination of the safe, and only knew of two others who knew it.
The FBI interviewed a man at his residence on January 28, 1975. The man said he had been at Little Caesars the night before the truck of Hershey’s candy was stolen, and heard Vince Maniaci and Frank Cicerello talking about it. Cicerello then left and came back with a man connected to a local candy business who was willing to pay for the stolen candy.
Karl Lotharius spoke with the FBI at Oliver’s Cabaret again on February 3, 1975. He said for the past year Vincent Maniaci had been trying to convince Lotharius to let him be the entertainment manager for Oliver’s. Maniaci said because of his connections in Chicago, he could easily pay his wages with one good week. Lotharius was not interested, but kept in contact with Maniaci because he thought it was important to maintain a rapport with other bar owners. After his cabaret was burglarized, he started receiving calls with nobody speaking on the other end. Then one day Maniaci called and said, “Carlo, you need help. I’ll help you. I’m getting too old to run my own place.” (Maniaci was about 55 years old.) Lotharius told him he was not interested in a partner. After that, Lotharius attached a tape recorder to his phone and began recording his calls. On one, he recorded Maniaci denying any connection to the burglary at Oliver’s. Lotharius said on January 20 of this year, after his last talk with the FBI, he returned home to find that someone had broken in through a bedroom window, left his lights on, stole $300 in coins, urinated on his toilet seat, and left smoked Camel cigarette butts around the house. He reported it to the police. He told them the night before (February 2) he left work at 4:30am and had breakfast at George Webb, and then felt like he was being followed home. Shortly after getting home, someone slashed all of his tires, and he again reported this to the police.
The FBI visited Waupun State Prison on February 19, 1975 and spoke with a man there. He said in February or March 1973 he was approached by August Palmisano at the Shack bar (2011 South Kinnickinnic) to burglarize an apartment above Papa Joe’s bar, which was across the street. The man declined. Another time, at the Hideout Tavern on South 6th, he was again approached by Palmisano, this time with Vincent Maniaci. Palmisano told the man to meet him at Pitch’s (1801 North Humboldt), which he did, and then Palmisano told the man he wanted the Stone Toad and Hannah’s “torn up”. Hannah’s was on East Locust and the man was instructed to wait next door at the Comstock Lode until closing time, then break in and tear the place up. He was offered $1500 for each job. He was also told to go to Oliver’s and get in a fight with the owner, Karl Lotharius. Around this time, he was also taken to the basement of Richie’s on Broadway and Palmisano showed him a large quantity of dynamite. Palmisano told the man that one of the bartenders at Oliver’s would let them stay after closing so they could plant the dynamite. The man did not want to use any dynamite, but went back to Oliver’s to start a fight but the owner wasn’t there. He was given $750 up front to destroy the Stone Toad, and went on May 15, 1973. But when he got there the door was unlocked and the building was empty. He thought it was fishy, so left, and was arrested for burglary by waiting police outside. Not long after, the man was at Little Caesar’s and Vincent Maniaci asked about Oliver’s. The man said he didn’t want to get in any more trouble. Maniaci said he could use the money to pay his attorney from the Stone Toad incident, but the man refused. (I was not able to find this “burglary” in the paper to narrow down who this was. The Stone Toad, incidentally, was a club at 618 North Broadway run by Mike Cochran. It closed in 1983.)
Ervin Alvin Komassa, 57, 2621 West Pierce, voluntarily appeared at the FBI office on February 21, 1975. He said he was a part-time employee for the Candy House, with his primary job being making out-of-state deliveries to Michigan and Illinois, bringing chocolate to other stores with a Hertz rental truck. Komassa said he occasionally helped unload, but loads never got bigger than 50 cases — certainly never 400 or 500 cases. He denied knowing Frank Cicerello and Vincent Maniaci, and said he had rented a Budget truck, but it was for moving furniture. The FBI doubted his story and noted that his police record was extensive, with multiple counts of forgery, larceny, con games, disorderly conduct, fraud and embezzlement. Komassa had spent roughly five years at Waupun State Prison in the 1960s.
Phillip Jung, 43, was beaten by Casino Cabaret owner Theodore D. Beaver, 41, and Clarence J. Harris, 35, in the early morning hours of February 25, 1975 for testifying against Vincent Maniaci. John James Whitehall, 29, also took part in the beating. Jung suffered injuries to his eyes, neck, nose and head and required medical attention at the Central Clinic. The doctors there found him bruised with his eye swollen shut, his throat bruised from being choked, and he had a concussion though he did not have any broken bones. Beaver was arrested two days later by the FBI and held on $10,000 bond for obstruction of justice, but Harris remained at large. (Beaver had grown up in Rhinelander at the home of his grandfather, Austrian immigrant Jacob Miller.)
FBI agents and a detective from the Greenfield Police Department questioned the owner of the Candy House on February 28, 1975. He denied knowing Vincent Maniaci and Frank Cicerello and said he has only purchased candy through normal, legal means. He was familiar with Sammy Cicerello, who had been a boxer, and he admitted that Erv Komassa was employed by him off and on, but said he knew nothing of any dealings Komassa might have had with Cicerello and Maniaci and he had never loaned money to Komassa.
On Saturday, March 8, 1975, there was a “secret weekend John Doe investigation” in Washington County. Testifying were Frank Balistrieri, Joseph Enea, Jennie Alioto, Antonio Machi, Vincent Maniaci and Peter Balistrieri. Enea, Alioto and Peter Balistrieri were represented by Joseph Balistrieri. Frank Balistrieri’s testimony took about 20 minutes, and he probably said nothing. Both Enea and Alioto were granted immunity. Machi was represented by Gerald P. Boyle. State agent Gary Hamblin testified about his encounter with Steve DiSalvo. DiSalvo was scheduled to appear but did not, and was arrested for his failure to do so by the State Department of Justice and charged with criminal contempt. He was released on $1000 bond.
Around 12:30am on March 28, 1975, various people woke up to the sound of two shotgun blasts. Someone had two windows shot out. The vehicle where the shots came from appeared to be a black-over-red car. [The record is redacted, so it is unclear where this was, but it somehow involved Vincent Maniaci.]
On March 28, 1975, the US Attorney’s office noticed that two transcripts from a federal grand jury concerning Vincent Maniaci were missing.
The court reporter who was present during grand jury testimony concerning Vincent Maniaci was given a polygraph examination on April 7, 1975 to help clear up whether or not she had stolen the missing grand jury transcripts. Although appearing calm, she said she was quite nervous and asked whether the machine could tell the difference between nervousness and deception. Despite being prescribed tranquilizers on April 4, she claimed to have had no stimulants or depressants in the past 24 hours and had not had coffee that day. Her answers concerning how she handled court reports was “ambiguous” and she seemed to have no strict procedure. Eventually, she started crying and told the agent present that she had given the FBI a copy and not the original notes. (Where the original notes were is unclear to me.) Judge Myron Gordon suggested that if the transcripts were not found, the case against Maniaci might have to be dismissed. Her boss, Gene Kempfer, told the press, “The only thing that I can figure out is that when she takes the notes and she takes a break, someone could have very easily come in and ripped them off.”
An informant spoke with the FBI on April 19, 1975 and said he did not believe that Vincent Maniaci or his attorney were responsible for stealing the grand jury tapes. In fact, Maniaci seemed quite upset about the whole thing. He suggested that if Maniaci had taken the tapes, he would never have brought them back. Possibly it was someone who wanted to make Maniaci look bad so he would be found guilty.
On April 22, 1975, Phillip J. Blake, 26, testified about being beaten. After this, he talked to Vincent Maniaci, who told him, “If you fuck with me again, you’ll end up head first in the sewer.” The next day, he was followed to work by a man who confronted him in the parking lot at Mayfair and said, “I’m going to make sure you do things right and come across for Vince today.” Blake did not know the man, but said he carried a small pistol. Allegedly, Blake was followed by the man all day, even to Skokie, Illinois. Fearing the man, Blake stole four mink coats. One was given to Maniaci, two were sold to bookstore owner Thomas Hamm, and one was sold to Casino Cabaret employee John Whitehall, 29. The money he received ($1,400) was then given to Maniaci.
Vincent Maniaci took the stand in his own defense on Thursday, April 24, 1975. “I know I have never done anything with this gentleman (Blake),” he testified. “And I never wanted to get involved in anything he ever did.” He said he charged no interest on loans he gave to Blake and only loaned him money because “he begged me for it” and was “quite a good customer” and “always a gentleman. Maniaci later referred Blake to attorney Max Goldsmith as a favor “because I am that particular kind of individual.” Maniaci’s testimony was patently absurd given the overwhelming evidence that he was involved in fencing goods and ordering his friends to beat Blake.
Vincent Maniaci was found guilty of extortion and moving stolen goods on April 28, 1975 after seven men and five women deliberated for 5 1/2 hours after a 9-day trial. He was sentenced to three years in prison. The Journal reported that he “remained expressionless while the verdict was read, but wept while leaving the courtroom.”
Vincent Maniaci forfeited his operators license for Little Caesar’s (1758 North Water Street) in late April 1975 due to being convicted in federal court.
Defense attorney Gerald P. Boyle wrote a letter to Special Agent in Charge Herbert Hoxie on May 8, 1975 concerning the recent Maniaci case. He wrote, “I am hereby expressing to you our deepest admiration for the agents who were in charge of the investigation for their cooperation, objectivity and professionalism. This is in no way to say that we are happy that we lost… As a former prosecutor and at present a defense attorney, I admire professionalism and, knowing that we are all interested only in a search for the truth, I must commend the agents who worked on this case as being fair and upright. Finally, I hope we win on appeal.”
On June 4, 1975, Milwaukee aldermen indicated that Vincent Maniaci’s tavern license would not likely be renewed. Alderman Clarence Miller opposed the renewal, and Alderman Edward Griffin (who was Maniaci’s alderman) was not in favor. Griffin said his district had enough taverns and “I don’t need some guy who’s tied up with big crime. I just don’t need it.”
On the night of June 19, 1975, a gunman (suspected of being Butch Blasi) entered Sam Giancana’s kitchen in Oak Park, Illinois and shot him in the back of the head as he was frying sausage and peppers. After Giancana fell to the ground, the gunman turned him over and shot him six more times in the face and neck. This would mark a turning point for the Maniaci brothers in Milwaukee, as Giancana was seen as their protector (despite his falling out of favor with the Chicago Outfit).
On Monday, July 14, 1975, the License Committee castigated the Milwaukee Police Department for not updating Vincent Maniaci’s record. Maniaci, who was applying for a license renewal, did not have his extortion conviction on his application. Conversely, the police warned against Richard Czarnecki for his association with gamblers Palmisano, Halmo and Dulski and his “questionable moral character”, despite having no convictions. The Committee turned down Maniaci but accepted Czarnecki, who was to take over Little Caesar’s. Alderman Edward Griffin also objected to Czarnecki, and despite the tavern being in his ward, he was outnumbered. Alderman Warren Braun said that guilt by association was no reason to deny a license and the police were “not going to act like a Gestapo”.
Murder of Patricia Wisniewski – Gunshot – August 30, 1975
Patricia Wisniewski, 35, was shot in the chest and killed in her mobile home at about 1:00am on August 30, 1975 in Beecher, Marinette County. Her three small children were inside the trailer at the time but did not find her for almost seven hours because they had been asleep. Julie (8), Brenda (7) and Emil (3) walked to the home of neighbor Joan French and said their mother was “sick”. French found Patricia lying face down. After declaring her (obviously) dead, Wisniewski’s body was taken to Iron Mountain for an autopsy. Wisniewski’s husband, Antone, was a truck driver for Kohl’s Food Stores and had been a witness in the case of mobster Vincent Maniaci. Antone claimed he had received three anonymous calls threatening him and his wife between March and April, around the time of the trial. Maniaci’s involvement in this death is highly questionable (in my opinion). The death may have simply been a hunting accident, though there was speculation that someone had knocked on the door prior to shooting Wisniewski. Strangely, this had been the fourth fatal shooting in Marinette County in the last two months; prior to that, no one had been killed for three years.
Murder of August Maniaci – Gunshots – September 11, 1975
On September 11, 1975 gambling operator August Joseph Maniaci, a suspected informer, was murdered by five gunshots to the head (along with one to the left arm and one to the left shoulder) in an alley outside his Milwaukee home at 2121 North Newhall Street. The gun was a .22 with a silencer. The hit took place around 7:10 or 7:20am as Maniaci was preparing to go to work as a salesman for Prize Steak Products at 4264 South 27th Street, Milwaukee. Maniaci was moved to his garage. Augie’s wife, Mary, was hysterical, kneeling in his blood and shouting “Wake up! Wake up!” Vincent Maniaci, who rushed to the scene, was overheard by reporters muttering, “That son of a bitch. That son of a bitch.” The gun that killed him would later be found by a sanitation worker in a storm drain near the Milwaukee River.
Few Milwaukee hoodlums attended August Maniaci’s wake, with the exception of his brother Vincent. Attending were Tony Guardalabene, Santo Marino, Peter Sciortino, Jimmy Jennaro, Joseph Maniaci and Sam Cefalu. An informant told the FBI that Augie had been close friends with Sam Giancana, and it was interesting they were both killed by .22s with silencers.
Attorney Gerald P. Boyle argued Vincent Maniaci’s appeal on October 5, 1975 before a three-judge panel of the 7th Circuit Appeals Court. Boyle said that because the judge had referenced “The Godfather” during his jury instructions, the jury was biased and the court’s decision should be reversed. Judge Wilbur F. Pell told Boyle, “I don’t think you’re giving the Milwaukee jurors any credit.” Judge Luther M. Swygert concurred, pointing out that sometimes judges “say too much”, but this does not automatically qualify as an error.
Whitehall was acquitted on October 7, following the closing argument of his attorney, Joseph Hallows. Hallows acknowledged that Jung had “a black eye and a fat lip” but pointed out that Whitehall “never laid a finger” on him. He said it was not logical for a beating after grand jury testimony, rather than before, to be an obstruction of justice. And he further said the insinuation that Whitehall was Vincent Maniaci’s “henchman” was a stretch, as the two had only met a couple of times.
The last week of October 1975, an informant was in Richie’s on Broadway and spoke with Vincent Maniaci. Maniaci told the informant that Frank Balistrieri had been “pulling some unethical deals” on the Milwaukee guys, and he blamed Balistrieri for his brother’s death. “I feel like blowing that little son-of-a-bitch’s brains out,” he told the informant.
On November 28, 1975, a source told the FBI that August Palmisano was receiving football betting information, and also said that Pasquale’s on Capitol was beginning to get a reputation as a gambler hangout. The same source said that Vince Maniaci had been hosting craps games in his apartment, and numerous people were involved — losses were extensive.
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction of Vincent Maniaci on December 4, 1975.
1976
Vincent Maniaci began serving a three year sentence in Sandstone Federal Prison on January 20, 1976 for violating the Extortionate Credit Transaction statute. A prosecutor in the Eastern District formally declined on January 28 to prosecute Maniaci for threats he had made to Karl Lotharius because Maniaci was in prison. Prosecution of August Palmisano and another man was not initiated because the prosecutor did not feel there was sufficient evidence.
James P. Venske, 36, was interviewed at Sandstone Federal Prison on June 2, 1976. He said he had met a man and they hit it off, and the man [redacted] told him to come to Milwaukee some time. Venske did so in February 1976 and was taken to Sandino’s Cocktail Lounge and Richie’s tavern, where he met August Palmisano and Vincent Maniaci.
1977
An informant later said a meeting was held at the Shorecrest in May 1977 and Frank Balistrieri said, “Vincent Maniaci was a troublemaker and should be murdered like his brother.” (I have no guess as to who the informant was. Who was part of the “inner circle” after Augie Maniaci was killed, and would also speak to the FBI?)
On June 21, 1977 Vincent Maniaci was released from Metropolitan Correction Center in Chicago and placed in Milwaukee Inner City Halfway House at 2407 West Fond Du Lac Avenue. The administrator there was Clennistine Wilder.
On the morning of June 30, 1977, a blue Mercedes registered to John Balistrieri was observed following Vincent Maniaci.
July 1, 1977: Vince Maniaci entered Snugs restaurant at 10:45pm. Frank Balistrieri entered Snugs at 12:05am. They have a conversation, joined by a white female, until Maniaci leaves at 2:20am and goes to Pitch’s. Balistrieri leaves at 2:30am and goes to the Plankinton Hotel.
Roughly August 10, 1977, Vincent Maniaci was called before a grand jury to testify about the use of .22 pistols in gangland murders — over 25 such murders were known to have featured .22s in the last two years, including the murder of August Maniaci. Maniaci pleaded the Fifth.
On August 11, FBI agents witnessed John “Johnny Apes” Monteleone driving a silver car with Illinois plates and following the activities of Vincent Maniaci around 2121 Newhall at 7:17am.
Attempted Murder of Vincent Maniaci – Car Bomb – August 17, 1977
August 17, 1977: 6:30am, Vince Maniaci came downstairs and had a cup of coffee and watched the morning news with Wally Vivians, the financial counselor of the halfway house. He left at 7:06am and had trouble keeping up with traffic. A bomb consisting of 18 sticks and 4 half-sticks of dynamite (Red Arrow Dupont, 70% strength) was found in his 1969 Buick Electra at the Lake Front Car and Cycle Shop (1334 North VanBuren) by mechanic Thomas Wendlandt. Assistant Special Agent in Charge Ralph Hill arrived at 8:05am. Milwaukee police arrived at 8:20am and evacuated the surrounding buildings. The bomb did not go off because Maniaci had pushed down on the accelerator, jamming the device. Had he turned the ignition before hitting the accelerator, the bomb would have detonated. At 2:00pm, a conference was held at the Milwaukee Police Department between the police, ATF, FBI, Vincent Manaici and his attorney. Maniaci was put under 24-hour guard, and after Maniaci left the room, the Milwaukee Police representative berated the FBI agent for not telling the police that they knew a contract was out on Maniaci’s life. The agent denied the accusation, saying they had several meetings over the last few weeks where this issue was brought up.
On August 23, 1977, Vincent Maniaci was sent back to Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown Chicago by William Bycott, the Wisconsin community programs officer for the Federal Bureau of Prisons. “It was my judgment that his safety could not be assured in Milwaukee,” Bycott said. “It was my decision entirely. I wouldn’t want to have to ride in a car pool with him.”
An informant told the FBI on September 11, 1977 that he heard a rumor that Nick Gentile was told by Frank Balistrieri a week before the car bomb that Gentile should keep his distance from Vincent Maniaci.
FBI Agents looked over the registration cards at the Holiday Inn (201 North Mayfair Road) on September 12, 1977 and found someone of interest in the Maniaci bombing had stayed there in Room 204 on August 11. (The name is redacted, but the residence is shown to be Milwaukee, and he had a guest.)
An informant told the FBI on October 31, 1977 that Frank Balistrieri had been talking about “taking care of” August Palmisano because he was a close associate of Vincent Maniaci. Eight months later he would follow through on this threat.
Vincent Maniaci suffered a heart attack on December 18, 1977 while in the Metropolitan Correctional Center. He was rushed to the Cook County Hospital where he was in critical condition. Maniaci remained in the hospital until January 4.
1978
On the evening of January 5, 1978 from 5:35pm until 8:40pm, someone [redacted] hid a tape recorder to try to get more information concerning the bombing of Vincent Maniaci and murder of August Maniaci. Unfortunately, the tape came back unintelligible and laboratory enhancement did not help.
The FBI interviewed the operator of the Milwaukee halfway house (2407 West Fond du Lac Avenue) Vincent Maniaci stayed at on March 15, 1978. She said he parked his vehicle in the yard area, which was accessible from the alley behind the house. She further said he kept complete records of all visitors and every time someone came or left. She had learned since the bomb was discovered that if it had gone off near the halfway house, the explosion could have greatly damaged her home and injured or killed the eleven people living there at the time. She said she had once observed a small blue and white car with three men in it near the house, weeks before the bomb was planted, but otherwise had no recollection of anything unusual during the time Maniaci lived in the house.
Thomas J. Wendlandt, the mechanic who found the Maniaci car bomb, was interviewed by the FBI on March 16, 1978 at Lakefront Car and Cycle (1334 North VanBuren). Wendlandt told them about finding the bomb, and said that once they knew it was a bomb, Maniaci had walked away before police arrived. He did not say who might have planted it, and Wendlandt had not actually even seen him since that morning.
On March 22, 1978, the operator of the halfway house got back to the FBI with her personal notes. She had actually written down what she believed was the license plate number of the suspicious car she saw. She further advised the agents that Maniaci would occasionally spend time at Satin Doll’s Lounge, a tavern at 2337 West Fond du Lac Avenue (less than a block away). The tavern was run by Minette D. Wilson, a former dancer with Duke Ellington. (The license plate she wrote down traced to a man in Coon Valley who was on his local school board with no criminal record.)
On April 5, 1978, the FBI spoke with a parole officer to get information on a man who stayed at the halfway house with Vincent Maniaci and was said to be his friend. The man was determined to be a member of the Outlaws biker gang, had dealt drugs and was now living in Joliet, Illinois. A telephone call to the man indicated that he was willing to be interviewed by the FBI.
Special Agent W. D. Moberg traveled to Joliet on April 7, 1978 to talk with the Outlaw gang member who knew Maniaci. The agent called the gang’s clubhouse and a woman said that the man would be there after 2pm. When the agent called back, the man was there but said he was hesitant to speak to law enforcement because it was possible some of Maniaci’s associates might retaliate. The man was told anything he said would be in strict confidence. He said he would consider talking to someone in Milwaukee on April 10. (He did not contact anyone.)
Around April 24, 1978, the FBI received word that a former Milwaukee police officer was bragging that he had placed the bomb in Vincent Maniaci’s car. The man was an associate of Frank Balistrieri and had been forced to resign from the police department roughly two years prior. Inquiries with the police department and bomb squad indicated the man was divorced from his wife (who was from Heinesville, Georgia) and was known to be a braggart, whose claims should be taken with a grain of salt. The bomb squad members said it was certainly possible that the man had placed the bomb, but it was of such simple construction that almost anyone — with or without police training — could have done it. They believed the man now worked for Central Watch, an electronic protection company on Kilbourn Avenue.
On May 8, 1978, FBI agents (including SAC Hogan) met with Milwaukee police to discuss Vincent Maniaci. They believed that he was currently in Hawaii but would be returning to live in Milwaukee within the week, and would be a likely target of future assassination attempts. Arrangements were made for regular spot checks to be conducted on Maniaci.
On May 15, 1978, the FBI spoke with the ex-wife of the former police officer who had bragged about planting the bomb in Vincent Maniaci’s car. She said she rarely saw him, but confirmed he was a “braggart” and “loud-mouth” and should not be taken seriously.
A former Milwaukee police officer was interviewed by the FBI on June 9, 1978 in Room 1705 of the Clark Building (633 West Wisconsin Avenue) in the presence of his attorney. He had been a police officer for ten years, with four of those years being on the bomb squad, before he was pressured to retire because of personality conflicts. He said he had received his bomb training at the US Army facility at Redstone Arsenal. He freely admitted to casually knowing Vincent Maniaci and Frank Balistrieri, and said he knew attorney Joseph Balistrieri from chatting in a courtroom setting. He insisted that he knew nothing about the bomb beyond what he had read in the newspapers, had not instructed anyone on how to make a bomb and had not placed the bomb himself. He denied knowing either John Monteleone or Nick Montos. The former officer specifically said he would not have told anyone he was involved, even if he was intoxicated, contradicting what others had told the FBI.
Murder of August Palmisano – Car Bomb – June 30, 1978
A suspected informer, August Palmisano, was slain by a car bomb at approximately 8:53am on June 30, 1978. He was inside his underground garage at Juneau Village Garden Apartments at 1319 North Jackson Street. The bomb tore his 1977 Mercury apart and damaged twenty-eight other nearby vehicles. A small fire broke out after another damaged car suffered a gasoline leak. Total damage was estimated at $20,000 by Deputy Fire Marshal Kermit R. Krupka ($4,000 structural damage, $7,000 to Palmisano’s car and $9,000 to surrounding vehicles). The only evidence left behind was a Radio Shack alligator clip. When reporters asked neighbors about the murder, most refused to talk. His landlord said he was a good man, a friend of Vincent Manaici’s, and paid his rent on time. One unemployed man said that Palmisano was known to give money to the homeless and downtrodden. The FBI immediately suspected Balistrieri, knowing that Palmisano was a friend of the murdered August Maniaci and that he had been feuding with Balistrieri over bookmaking (Palmisano was told he had to do all bookmaking through LCN member Salvatore Librizzi).
District Attorney E. Michael McCann told the Journal, “This has all the appearances of a gangland slaying.” An unnamed source told reporter Dan Hanley that Palmisano was targeted because he was too vocal following the attempted bombing of Vince Maniaci. The paper reported that John Palmisano, Augie’s son, drove him home around 2:30am the night before in the same car, meaning whoever planted the bomb had done so within those few hours.
FBI agents interviewed Nick Montos in Forest Park, Illinois on July 6, 1978 concerning his possible role in the bombing of Vincent Maniaci. He claimed to have been visiting friends in Green Bay and stopped in Milwaukee on his way back through because he had a kidney stone attack and needed medical attention. Montos pointed out to the agents that his “M.O.” was burglary and thievery, not murder. (Montos had, indeed, been in the emergency room at 1:30am on the morning in question.)
On July 29, 1978, in the presence of an undercover agent, Peter Frank Balistrieri, Joseph Zito, Charles F. Vince, Phillip Joseph Emordeno, and Benjamin “Leftie” Ruggiero, Frank Balistrieri stated, with respect to August Palmisano, “he called me a name — to my face”; he was “arrogant” and “now they can’t find his skin.” In the same conversation, it is reported Frank Balistrieri stated, with respect to Vincent Maniaci, “he was an informer too.” Also with respect to the July 29 meeting, after the undercover agent was introduced to Frank Balistrieri, Balistrieri pointed a finger at the undercover agent and stated, “I know all about you,” “we been looking for you all week — we figured you were the G” — and “We were gonna hit him — we didn’t know what this was about — we thought he was the G.”
Just prior to August 1, 1978 [exact date unknown], a man was arrested at Satin Doll’s Lounge for being in possession of a handgun. Upon questioning, he admitted knowing Vincent Maniaci and August Palmisano and said he had on one occasion driven Maniaci home from work to the halfway house in order to provide him protection.
1979
On July 19, 1979, James Kopatich met with Frank Alioto at a newsstand (Wisconsin Avenue at 3rd Street) and purchased racing forms. Also there was Benny DiSalvo, whom Alioto described as Frank Balistrieri’s hitman who had killed “several” people for the Outfit. Kopatich and Alioto drove to the Arlington Race Track for the afternoon. Alioto further told Kopatich that Vincent Maniaci and August Palmisano were associates and “none of them were any damn good.”
On November 13, 1979, John Monteleone appeared before a federal grand jury investigating the attempted bombing of Vincent Maniaci and refused to answer questions, asserting his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination. The government did not pursue his testimony further at that time.
1980
On April 25, 1980, the FBI analyzed a hair that had been found taped to the dynamite under Vincent Maniaci’s hood. There were similarities and differences between this hair and a hair sample from Nick Montos. They needed a further sample from Montos to double check.
1982
On October 7, 1982, the FBI went to the Milwaukee Police Department to retrieve evidence from the bombing of August Palmisano and attempted bombing of Vincent Maniaci. The leg wires and alligator clips from the Palmisano bombing were still in evidence, though the ones from the Maniaci bombing were not (despite being written on the evidence inventory report). The inventory sheet did note six-foot red and white lead wires to be disposed of within thirty days. On October 12, the agents spoke with the detective who handled the Maniaci bombing at his home (he had retired) and the detective informed them that the last time he saw the wires and clips was in September 1981 when he retired, and they were still in the bomb room. He had intended to mount them to a display board, but never got around to it. On October 19, the bomb room was searched and nothing was found. The agents were advised that since the detective’s retirement, they had purchased a new bomb truck and only items absolutely necessary were kept. Photos of the Maniaci evidence were found, however, and they showed that the clips were not identical with the ones used in the Palmisano bombing.
1983
Testimony was given before a federal grand jury in the Eastern District on July 19, 1983. One man [name redacted] denied that he had been given orders not to testify to the federal grand juries in 1979 and 1980 investigating the attempted murder of Vincent Maniaci. He also refused to answer questions concerning his association with Steve DiSalvo.
1984
May 29, 1984: At Frank Balistrieri’s sentencing, a letter from Vincent Maniaci was entered into evidence. Maniaci wrote, “I wish to inform you that I have no knowledge or any indication whatsoever that Balistrieri was involved in the death of my brother, August Maniaci. In addition, I have no knowledge or reason to believe that Balistrieri attempted to kill me by placing a dynamite bomb in my automobile. I have no reason to fear any harm from Balistrieri. I have been living openly in Hawaii for over seven years. During that time, no harm has come to me nor has there been any indication that I was in any jeopardy whatsoever from Balistrieri. During the past seven years, I have traveled to Milwaukee three times. I have never been afraid to travel to Milwaukee for any reason whatsoever. During my past trips to Milwaukee, I did have occasion to meet with Balistrieri and our relationship has always been a cordial one. No harm befell me during my past visits to Milwaukee, nor was there ever any indication of any danger to me or my family. I have no reason to believe that my relationship with Balistrieri will be anything other than the continuation of the long-standing friendship we have enjoyed in the past.”