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Top 10 Most Famous Cleveland Gangsters And Mobsters

The history of mobsters and gangsters in Cleveland, Ohio, is intricately intertwined with the rise and fall of the Cleveland crime family, a notorious and influential organized crime syndicate that operated in the region for many years. The Cleveland crime family, also known as the Cleveland Mafia, was comprised primarily of Italian-American mobsters who wielded considerable power and influence in the criminal underworld.

These mobsters were known for their involvement in a wide range of illicit activities, including extortion, racketeering, illegal gambling, labour union corruption, and loan sharking. They operated through a system of hierarchical structures, with high-ranking bosses, underbosses, and soldiers who carried out the orders of the higher-ups. These individuals were known for their ruthless and cunning tactics in pursuing their criminal enterprises, often resorting to violence and intimidation to achieve their goals.

In addition to the Cleveland crime family, some other criminal organizations and gangs operated in Cleveland during different periods. These included street gangs involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, and other forms of organized crime. Some of these gangs had affiliations with larger criminal syndicates, while others operated independently.

Over the years, law enforcement efforts to combat organized crime in Cleveland have led to the arrests and convictions of many mobsters and gangsters. This has resulted in the dismantling of some criminal organizations, while others have continued to operate, albeit with diminished power and influence.

The history of mobsters and gangsters in Cleveland is a complex and intriguing chapter in the annals of organized crime in the United States, marked by a constant struggle between law enforcement and criminal elements vying for control of the lucrative criminal underworld.

1. Joseph Porrello

Joseph “Big Joe” Porrello was a prominent figure in the criminal underworld during the late 1920s. Known for his imposing stature and commanding presence, Porrello was a key figure in the Cleveland crime syndicate, which operated during the Prohibition era. He was involved in various illegal activities, including bootlegging, gambling, and racketeering.

Porrello’s reign as a mobster was short-lived but intense. He rose to power in 1927, succeeding his brother Rosario Porrello, who was murdered in a power struggle within the syndicate. Under Porrello’s leadership, the Cleveland crime family expanded its operations, engaging in illicit activities throughout the Midwest, including Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

However, Porrello’s criminal empire came to an abrupt end in 1930 when he was brutally gunned down in a hail of bullets during the infamous Porrello Mafia massacre, a violent and bloody power struggle within the Cleveland crime family. His death marked the end of an era and left a power vacuum in the syndicate, setting the stage for future mobsters to rise to prominence.

2. Danny Greene

US-amerikanische Bundesregierung, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Daniel John Patrick Greene, a prominent Irish-American organized crime figure, rose to power in the criminal underworld of Cleveland, Ohio during the 1960s and 1970s. Initially gaining influence as the president of the local chapter of the International Longshoremen’s Association, Greene eventually became a full-time crime boss.

He was known for his aggressive tactics and rivalry with other crime families in the city. He formed his crew called the Celtic Club, which included enforcers and had a close alliance with outlaw biker gangs, establishing himself as a formidable force in the criminal underworld.

During the 1970s, Greene aligned himself with labour union leader John Nardi in his war against Jack Licavoli, who was vying for leadership of the Cleveland crime family. This resulted in a violent and bloody feud, with multiple bombing attempts and murders, many of which were successful. Despite facing multiple assassination attempts, Greene taunted his rivals in the media, referring to them as “maggots,” which further escalated the tension between the factions.

However, Greene’s luck eventually ran out, and he was assassinated in 1977 by enforcers from the Los Angeles crime family. Subsequent police investigations revealed that Greene’s murder had been part of a criminal conspiracy involving Italian-American crime families from Cleveland, New York City, and Southern California.

The investigation also led to the defections of key figures like Ray Ferritto and Jimmy Fratianno, as well as the exposure and arrest of a mole within the Cleveland FBI. This investigation laid the groundwork for successful federal prosecutions against the Italian-American Mafia in various cities across the United States, resulting in a significant blow to organized crime in the country.

3. Frank Milano

Frank Milano, also known as “Frankie,” was a prominent mobster who succeeded Joseph Porrello as the leader of the Cleveland crime family after Porrello’s death. Milano was known for his suave demeanour and business acumen, which helped him consolidate power and expand the syndicate’s criminal operations.

During his tenure, Milano continued the syndicate’s illegal activities, including bootlegging, gambling, and labour racketeering. He was known to have connections with other crime families, including the Chicago Outfit and the New York Mafia, and established lucrative partnerships with them to further his criminal enterprises.

However, Milano’s reign as a mobster was short-lived. In 1935, he was gunned down in a hail of bullets, falling victim to a power struggle within the Cleveland crime family. His death marked another violent chapter in the tumultuous history of the syndicate, as new leaders emerged to vie for control.

4. John Scalish

John Scalise, also known as “Johnny King,” was a prominent figure in the Cleveland crime family, who rose to power after the death of Alfred Polizzi. Known for his strategic mind and ability to forge alliances, Scalish was a respected mobster who led the syndicate for over three decades.

During his tenure, Scalish expanded the Cleveland crime family’s operations, engaging in various illegal activities, including gambling, loan sharking, and labour racketeering. He was known to have close connections with other crime families, including the New York Mafia and the Detroit Partnership, and was involved in national criminal enterprises. Scalish’s leadership was marked by a relatively stable period for the Cleveland crime family.

5. Alfred Polizzi

Alfred Polizzi, also known as “Allie,” was a notorious mobster who rose to power in the Cleveland crime family following the death of Frank Milano. Polizzi was known for his ruthless nature and connections with other crime families, which helped him solidify his position within the syndicate.

Under Polizzi’s leadership, the Cleveland crime family continued its illegal activities, including illegal gambling, extortion, and labour racketeering. He was known to have close ties with the New York Mafia and was involved in various criminal enterprises, including the distribution of illegal narcotics.

Polizzi’s reign as a mobster came to an end in 1944 when he was murdered in a power struggle within the Cleveland crime family. His death marked yet another violent shift in leadership within the syndicate, leading to further turmoil and instability.

6. Angelo Lonardo

Angelo “Big Ange” Lonardo was a prominent mobster who assumed leadership of the Cleveland crime family after Licavoli’s imprisonment. Known for his imposing stature and shrewd business acumen, Lonardo was involved in various criminal activities, including illegal gambling, labour racketeering, and drug trafficking.

During his brief tenure as the leader of the Cleveland crime family, Lonardo faced internal power struggles and external law enforcement scrutiny. In 1983, he turned government informant and cooperated with law enforcement, providing crucial information that led to the conviction of several high-ranking mobsters.

Lonardo’s decision to become a government witness led to a major upheaval within the Cleveland crime family and the downfall of several prominent mobsters. He entered the federal witness protection program and lived the remainder of his life under a new identity, away from the criminal underworld.

7. John Tronolone

John “Peanuts” Tronolone was a mobster who assumed leadership of the Cleveland crime family after Angelo Lonardo’s defection. Tronolone, known for his charismatic personality and savvy business dealings, was involved in various criminal activities, including illegal gambling, labour racketeering, and extortion.

During his tenure, Tronolone faced challenges from rival factions within the Cleveland crime family, as well as increased law enforcement scrutiny. He was known to have connections with other crime families, including the Chicago Outfit and the Buffalo crime family, and was involved in national criminal enterprises.

Tronolone’s leadership was marked by a period of relative stability within the Cleveland crime family, as he sought to consolidate power and maintain the syndicate’s criminal operations. However, his reign came to an end in 1991 when he was convicted on federal charges and sentenced to prison, effectively ending his criminal career.

8. James Licavoli

James “Jack White” Licavoli was a notorious mobster who rose to prominence as the leader of the Cleveland crime family in the late 1970s. Licavoli, known for his suave demeanour and cunning intelligence, was involved in various criminal activities, including illegal gambling, loan sharking, and extortion.

During his tenure, Licavoli faced numerous legal challenges, including indictments and convictions for racketeering and murder. He was known to have connections with other crime families, including the New York Mafia and the Detroit Partnership, and was involved in national criminal enterprises.

Licavoli’s leadership was marked by a period of internal strife within the Cleveland crime family, as rival factions vied for power. His reign came to an end in 1982 when he was convicted on federal charges and sentenced to life in prison. He died in 2015 while serving his sentence, leaving a legacy of infamy in the annals of organized crime.

9. Joseph Iacobacci

Joseph “Joe Loose” Iacobacci was a mobster who assumed leadership of the Cleveland crime family after Tronolone’s imprisonment. Iacobacci, known for his calculated approach and strategic thinking, was involved in various criminal activities, including illegal gambling, loan sharking, and labour racketeering.

During his tenure, Iacobacci faced challenges from law enforcement and internal power struggles within the Cleveland crime family. He was known to have connections with other crime families, including the New York Mafia and the Detroit Partnership, and was involved in national criminal enterprises.

10. Joseph Iacobacci

Joseph “Joe Loose” Iacobacci, a notorious figure in the world of organized crime, operated as a mobster for over a decade. With a history that spanned from 1993 to 2006, Iacobacci was known for his involvement in various criminal activities and his affiliation with the Italian-American Mafia.

During his criminal career, Iacobacci was associated with one of the most notorious crime families in the United States. He was believed to have been a member of the Cleveland crime family, a powerful and influential organized crime syndicate that operated in the Cleveland, Ohio area. Iacobacci was known to be involved in illegal activities such as extortion, racketeering, and loan sharking, among others, which earned him a reputation as a ruthless and cunning mobster.

However, Iacobacci’s criminal activities eventually caught up with him. In 2006, he was arrested and subsequently convicted on multiple charges, including racketeering and extortion. He was sentenced to a lengthy prison term, effectively putting an end to his criminal career. Iacobacci’s arrest and conviction were seen as a significant victory for law enforcement in their efforts to combat organized crime and dismantle the Cleveland crime family. His involvement in the criminal underworld and his subsequent legal troubles marked a significant chapter in the history of organized crime in the United States.