AFFIDAVIT OF JOHN J. O'ROURKE
OFFICE OF THE INDEPENDENT HEARING OFFICER
LABORERS’ INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA
No. 98-43D In re JOHN MATASSA, JR.
Affidavit of John J. O’Rourke
I, John J. O’Rourke, state:
A. Introduction
1. I have been employed since May of 1996 as an Inspector with the Inspector General’s Office of the Laborers’ I International Union of North America (“LIUNA”). My duties are to conduct investigations of corruption and alleged organized crime influence within LIUNA in the Chicago area.
2. Immediately prior to my employment with LIUNA, I spent 32 years in law enforcement. First, I served as a Special Agent for the Office of Naval Intelligence in Chicago and Washington DC for six years, until approximately 1969. Following that, I joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) and served for 26 years until my retirement in 1995. Upon my retirement from the FBI, I became an Inspector with the Cook County Sheriffs Office assigned to the FBI Task Force in Chicago.
3. Of my 32 years of experience in law enforcement, I spent 23 years directly investigating Organized Crime in Chicago. From approximately 1973 to 1995, 1 worked in the Organized Crime section of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. As an Inspector with the Cook County Sheriff s Office in 1995 and 1996, 1 was assigned to the FBI task force investigating major thefts and Organized Crime in Chicago.
4. As a sworn law enforcement officer, I personally participated in all aspects of the investigation of Organized Crime including surveillance, court-approved wiretaps, tape recording of conversations by cooperating individuals, informant development, interviews of cooperating witnesses, review of court records, obtaining and executing search and arrest warrants, and analysis of intelligence reports from the FBI and other law enforcement agencies.
5. During my 23 years investigating Organized Crime in Chicago, I participated in several hundred Organized Crime investigations and I played a role in approximately 75 convictions of Organized Crime related figures from the Chicago area either as case agent or as part of a team of FBI agents working on the same case.
6. I received approximately 100 letters of commendation from the Director of the FBI or other law enforcement agencies.
7. In 199 1, I received an award for excellence in law enforcement from the Chicago Chamber of Commerce.
8. As a field police instructor for the FBI, I taught classes on Organized Crime, hostage negotiations, crisis negotiations, criminal psychology, and informant development.
9. I testified at the disciplinary hearing of John A. Matassa, Jr., held in Chicago, Illinois from December 7, 1998 to December 10, 1998.
10. The testimony provided at that hearing, and the information contained in this Affidavit, are based upon interviews I personally conducted (unless otherwise noted), and my training, background and experience investigating Organized Crime in the Chicago area.
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B. The Structure of Organized Crime In Chicago
11. The-FBI defines Organized Crime as any group having some manner of formalized structure whose primary objective is to obtain money through illegal activities.
12. Organized Crime groups maintain their position through the use of violence or threats of violence, corruption of public officials, graft and extortion.
13. La Cosa Nostra (“LCN”), sometimes referred to as the “mob” or the “mafia” is one of the major Organized Crime groups operating in the United States. The branch of the LCN operating in Chicago is know as the “Chicago Outfit.”
14. The LCN has a code of conduct. That code is to put the organization above wife, children, country and religion; to follow orders of superiors without question, including orders to commit murder; to furnish no information or help to law enforcement; to pay assessments imposed by superiors, regardless of purpose; to disclose nothing about the organization to outsiders; to respect all other members, regardless of personal feelings; never to injure, steal from or make disparaging remarks about another member; and to refrain from associating with the wives, sisters and daughters of other members, except with honorable intentions.
15. The FBI maintains an inventory of members and associates of the Chicago Outfit.
16. The FBI defines a “made member” as a person who has participated in a formalized ceremony and has the right to share in the profits of the Chicago Outfit. A made member has the right to run his own street crew; to make loans known as “juice loans”; to extort “street tax” from local businesses and from gamblers and bookmakers; and to otherwise take control of gambling and bookmaking in his area. A made members is also entitled to the respect of other made members.
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17. An “associate” of the Outfit is a person who works on behalf of a made member in the day-to-day activities of the Outfit such as collecting interest on juice loans; collecting street tax; contacting bookmakers; and settling debts. Other “associates” of the Outfit do not participate in the day-to-day criminal activities of Organized Crime but help facilitate these activities.
18. The FBI keeps an inventory of individuals who are associates or members of Organized Crime. In order for the FBI to categorize a person as a member or associate of Organized Crime, certain requirements must be met. Generally, those requirements are that two known made members are heard on a wiretap discussing another person as a made member; or that two known made members are heard discussing a third person as a made member, in the presence of an undercover FBI agent; or that two reliable organized crime informants independently identify a person as a made member.
C. Information Relating to John A. Matassa, Jr.
19. A “cooperating witness” is an individual with information about Organized Crime (or some other criminal activity) who can be publicly identified and to potentially testify in federal and/or local court.
20. A “confidential informant” is an individual with information about Organized Crime (or some other criminal activity) who is not willing to be named publicly or to testify out of fear of injury or retribution.
21. I have personally interviewed at least 8 cooperating witnesses and 10 confidential informants who provided information regarding John A. Matassa, Jr. (“Matassa”) and his associations with Organized Crime.
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Cooperating Witnesses
22. I personally interviewed Joseph Granata, on November 4, 1996 and on numerous occasions between June 13, 1997 and December 1998, including an interview on July 14, 1997. Over the past year, I have spoken to Mr. Granata several times per month. These interviews occurred after I joined the LIUNA IG’s office. The subject of these interviews was the influence of Organized Crime on the Laborers’ Union in Chicago.
23. Mr. Granata has related the following to me: Mr. Granata was a part of the Cicero crew under Joe Ferriola. Mr. Granata’s father, Frank Granata, Sr. was a deeply involved in Organized Crime for many years and Mr. Granata’s brother, Frank “Gig? Granata, Jr., was associated with the Elmwood Park crew. Mr. Granata’s father was related by marriage to Paul DeLucia a/k/a Paul “the Waiter” Ricca who was a major Boss in the Chicago Outfit in the 1940’s. Mr. Granata worked as an undertaker at the Galewood Funeral Home in the 1800 block of North Harlem Avenue. Mr. Granata’s own associates in the Chicago Outfit include Joseph Ferriola, Harry Aleman, a hit man, Butch Petrocelli and Jimmy Inendino among others.
24. Through Mr. Granata’s own associations with the Chicago Outfit and through his discussions with other Chicago Outfit members and associates, Mr. Granata knew Matassa to be a made member of the Outfit-and knew that Matassa’s father was a Chicago police officer and worked as a bodyguard/driver for Sam Giancanna.
25. Mr. Granata made several controlled drug buys of cocaine and heroin as well as consensual tape recordings that were used in criminal trials; he did not testify in any trial that I am aware of. Mr. Granata entered the Witness Security Program in the early 1990s and his 5
information is current as of that time. My understanding is that Mr. Granata’s information has been independently verified and found to be reliable by the FBI.
26. I personally interviewed Mr. LaValley on numerous occasions between 1990 and 199 3, before I joined the LIUNA IG’s Office. Mr. Matassa was not the target or principal subject of these interviews. I interviewed Mr. LaValley again on September 16, 1996 after I
joined the LIUNA IG’s Office. The information he provided was consistent.
27. Mr. LaValley was indicted and agreed to cooperate with the FBI in 1990 and his information about Organized Crime in the Chicago Outfit was current as of that time. Mr. LaValley testified in several federal criminal trials. He testified in cases involving James Bollman, a book maker; Nick Gio, who was convicted of extortion, arson and murder; and Gus Alex, who was convicted RICO, extortion and sentenced to 17 years in federal prison. In addition, Mr. LaValley testified in the trial of Sam Carlisi which involved approximately 17 defendants all of whom were found guilty.
28. James LaValley was a collector and enforcer for organized crime. He worked for Leonard Patrick, Mario Rainone and Gus Alex. His partner was Nick Gio, now serving life in prison for murder.
29. Mr. LaValley-stated that, based on 20 years as an Outfit member, collector and enforcer, he knew Matassa. to be a part of the Northside crew and to be a made member of the Outfit. Mr. LaValley stated that he believed Matassa to be the boss of the Northside crew. Mr. LaValley had seen Matassa at the Brookwood Country Club, a country club that Mr. LaValley knew to be controlled and frequented by members of the Outfit. Mr. LaValley observed
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conversations between Matassa, and Jack Cerone, an underboss of the Outfit, and other members of the Outfit, on numerous occasions. Mr. LaValley stated that, even though Matassa and Cerone were both members of the club, it would be extremely unusual for them to speak frequently in the manner that he observed if Matassa was not a made member. From discussions with other associates and members of the Chicago Outfit, Mr. LaValley also knew Matassa, to be associated with Vince Solano, Mike Glitta and other mob figures.
30. Mr. LaValley has provided information to the FBI regarding the structure and
activities of organized crime in Chicago. My understanding is that Mr. LaValley’s information
has been independently verified and found to be reliable by the FBI.
31. I personally interviewed Leonard Patrick several times in 1990-91, prior to my joining the LIUNA IG’s Office. Mr. Matassa was not the target or principal subject of my interview.
32. In the early 1990s, Leonard Patrick was arrested on extortion charges, agreed to cooperate with the FBI and pled guilty to organized crime related activity. It is my understanding that, at the time Mr. Patrick provided testimony for the federal Government, he was the highest ranking member of the Chicago Outfit ever to do so.
33. Mr. Patrick was involved in Organized Crime for approximately 50 years, beginning in the 1930’s and 40’s. He was involved in the top levels of gambling and served as the main conduit for Jewish bookmakers on the west side of Chicago and later the northside. In the 1950’s he was told by Sam Giancana that he would report to Gus Alex and he, in fact, did report to Gus Alex until his arrest and cooperation with the FBI.
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34. Mr. Patrick testified in several federal criminal trials, including a case against Mario Rainone, Nick Gio and Gus Alex in which they were all convicted; a case against Sam Carlisi and members of his crew in which they were all convicted; and a case in San Diego, California, against John DiFronzo, the boss of the Elmwood Park crew, which resulted in convictions.
35. During the San Diego trial, Mr. Patrick testified about his own role in a murder and attempted to create an alibi. At sentencing, he was given an extra year for attempting to provide untruthful testimony about his own role in that murder.
36. During extensive debriefings of Mr. Patrick about the structure and workings of the Chicago Outfit conducted by myself and others during the early 1990s, Mr. Patrick was asked about the Northside crew and the identity of its members and associates. At that time, Mr. Patrick indicated that he knew Matassa to be associated with the Northside Crew which had been operated over a number of years under Vince Solano.
37. Mr. Patrick provided reliable information to the FBI regarding the structure and operations of the Chicago Outfit. My understanding is that the information about the Chicago Outfit provided by Mr. Patrick was independently verified and found to be reliable by the FBI.
38. I personally interviewed Umberto Filippi on October 22, 1996, November 20, 1996, January 13, 1997, January 16, 1997 and January 28, 1997.
39. Mr. Filippi was an Italian-born immigrant living in Chicago. Mr. Filippi was a cocaine user for a period of years and, prior to the time I spoke with him, he had been institutionalized for a time in Europe to overcome his problem.
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40. Mr. Filippi came to the United States in 1978 and obtained a job as a waiter and Maitre de at the Zorini-Club associated with Arnie Morton’s Steak House in the New Berry Plaza Building in Chicago.
41. While working at the Zorini Club, Mr. Filippi met and became friendly with Salvatore “Sal Mango” Termini. Mr. Filippi soon learned that Mr. Termini was a highly involved with the Chicago Outfit. Mr. Filippi became Mr. Termini’s driver, cook and helper while Mr. Termini was dying of cancer and became a trusted friend of Mr. Termini. Mr. Filippi stated that Mr. Termini provided him with cash, paid his rent and that he and Mr. Termini were together on a regular and daily basis.
42. Through his close and continuous association with Mr. Termini, Mr. Filippi met numerous persons involved in the Chicago Outfit. Specifically as to Mr. Matassa, Mr. Filippi stated that he first met Mr. Matassa in 1989. Mr. Filippi would regularly go to National Consolidated Industries, Limited (“NCI”) located at 505 North Shore Drive in Chicago with Mr. Termini, Mr. Matassa and Mr. Matassa’s cousin, Tommy Matassa. Mr. Filippi stated that NCI provided optical services to the Laborers’ Union. Mr. Filippi stated that Mr. Termini became President of Health Marketing, Inc. (“HMI”) which provided health services to the Laborers’ Union, beginning in approximately March 1993.
43. Mr. Filippi stated that Mr. Termini would pay cash kick-backs to John Matassa, Tom Matassa and John Serpico. Mr. Filippi stated that Mr. Termini would write company checks drawn on the NCI account in the amounts of approximately $2,000, $3,000 or $5,000 and then other employees of the company would cash the checks and return the cash to Mr. Termini. Mr. Filippi stated that he personally witnessed cash payments, made on the first Sunday of every
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month on the 24th floor of the Harbor Point Towers at Michigan and Randolph Streets, in Chicago in approximately the following amounts: $5,000 to John Serpico; $3,500 to John Matassa; and $1,500 to Tommy Matassa.
44. Mr. Filippi stated that he cooked and served breakfast to Mr. Termini, Mr. Serpico, Mr. John Matassa and Mr. Tom Matassa on these occasions. He stated the meetings would begin around 9:00 or 9:30 am and last two to three hours. Mr. Filippi stated that he was personally present and able to hear the conversation which included discussion of stocks, bonds, investments and small talk.
45. Mr. Filippi stated that the cash kick-backs occurred from approximately March, 1993 until Mr. Termini’s death in April, 1994.
46. Mr. Filippi provided information about Mr. Termini, and others, including John Matassa, Jr., to the FBI. Mr. Filippi has not testified in court to my knowledge.
47. 1 personally interviewed Mr. Wemette in the early to mid 1990s, prior to my joining the LIUNA IG’s Office. Mr. Matassa was not the target or principal subject of my interview.
48. William “Red” Wemette was associated in the day to day activities of the Chicago Outfit as an operator of a pornographic bookstore. At various times, he was an associate of the Rush Street crew and the Grand Avenue crew.
49. Mr. Wemette was a confidential informant for the FBI for approximately 20 years. Mr. Wemette was shaken-down by Frank “the German” Schweihs, a mob hit man and enforcer, and agreed to cooperate and testify for the government. He kept records of street tax payments
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and videotaped them secretly for the FBI.
50. Mr. Wemette testified at the trial of Mr. Schweihs and his partner Anthony “Jeeps” Daddino. Both men were convicted and given prison sentences.
51. Mr. Wemette provided information to the FBI on the structure and activities of Organized Crime in Chicago. His information was independently verified and found to be reliable by the FBI.
52. During debriefings with Mr. Wemette that I personally conducted in the early 1990s while Mr. Wemette was serving as an FBI informant, I went through a list of associates and members of the Chicago Outfit. As an associate of the Rush Street crew himself from
approximately the mid- I 970s to the mid- I 980s, Mr. Wemette informed me that Matassa, was associated with the Northside crew and actively involved in Organized Crime.
Samuel Louis
53. I personally interviewed Samuel Patrick Louis on January 24 and January 30, 1997; on November 26, 1996, and on December 10, 1996 in my capacity as an Inspector in the LIUNA IG’s Office and as an Inspector working for another union.
54. Mr. Louis told me and another Inspector, Mr. Robert Scigalski, the following: Mr. Louis was a Chicago Police Officer and Detective from 1971 until he voluntarily resigned in 198 1. While a Chicago police officer, Louis began working as a bookmaker and continued to do so after he resigned from the police department. Mr. Louis obtained a job as an organizer and business agent for the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union (“HEREIU”), Local I in Chicago. Mr. Louis stated that he was abruptly terminated from that job on July 31, 1996 by the General President of HEREIU, Edward T. Hanley, Sr. Mr. Louis stated
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that the reason he was fired was that he had gotten into a fist fight with Michael Magnifichi, whom Mr. Louis knew to be associated with the Outfit, a bookmaker and believed to be the supervisor of gambling operations for the Elmwood Park crew.
55. Mr. Louis’s father was Edward “Eddie” Louis, a retired Chicago police detective and his uncle was Samuel Theodore Louis, also a retired police detective and his grandfather was Sam Louis, Sr., reportedly a long time member of the Outfit. Mr. Louis stated that he grew up in Galewood with many individuals who became associated with the Outfit. Mr. Louis stated that he knew Matassa, from having grown up with him and that he knew Matassa to be an official of LIUNA and knew him to be a made member of the Outfit. Mr. Louis stated that James DiForti, who he knew to be a member of the Chicago Outfit, told him that Matassa was a made member. Mr. Louis stated that Matassa frequents Lino’s Restaurant, located in the 200 block of West Ontario; Magnum’s, 255 West Ontario Street; and Manny’s Restaurant, located on Jefferson near Roosevelt Road in Chicago.
56. I personally interviewed Robert Cooley on October 10, 1996 and December 18, 1996 as an inspector in the LIUNA IG’s office. Mr. Cooley was also interviewed by telephone on July 29, 1995 under the auspices of the Chicago FBI office. Mr. Cooley is presently in the FBI witness protection program.
57. The subject of the interviews was the influence of Organized Crime in the Laborers’ Union in Chicago.
58. Mr. Cooley told me the following: Mr. Cooley was born and raised in Chicago, served as a Chicago police officer and attended Loyola University in Chicago and Loyola Law
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School. After leaving the police department, he became a criminal defense lawyer.
59. Mr. Cooley first met individuals that he believed to be associated with the Chicago Outfit while he was a police officer and he would bet on sporting events. He stated that he ultimately became a heavy gambler, wining and losing large sums of money.
60. As a lawyer, Mr. Cooley gained greater contacts with the Outfit. He developed a close and continuous relationship with Pat Marcy and John D’Arco Sr. Mr. Cooley was involved in “fixing” the Harry Aleman murder trial in Cook County Circuit Court. Mr. Cooley learned that Marcy, D’Arco and Fred Roti were all associated with the Chicago Outfit.
61. Mr. Cooley ultimately testified in high profile federal cases involving the Chicago Outfit’s influence over politicians and judges in Chicago resulting in convictions.
62. Mr. Cooley provided the following information about Matassa. Mr. Cooley stated that it was his understanding that many members or officials of LIUNA including Matassa, were members or associates of the Chicago Outfit. Mr. Cooley stated that he believed Mr. Matassa to be associated with the Northside Crew under Vince Solano before Solano died.
63. My understanding is that Mr. Cooley has previously provided information that has been independently verified and found to be reliable by the FBI.
64. I personally interviewed Mario Rainone on October 29, 1989 prior to my joining the LIUNA IG’s office.
65. Mr. Rainone was the main street lieutenant for Leonard Patrick and for Gus Alex. Mr. Rainone headed a small crew consisting of Rainone, James LaValley and Nick Gio. Mr. Rainone participated in extortions, bombings, gambling and juice loan collections on behalf of
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Patrick and Alex.
66. Mr. Rainone informed the FBI in October 1989 that there had been an attempt to kill him by the Chicago Outfit and, at that point, he decided to cooperate with the FBI and was taken into protective custody.
67. At or around that time, Mr. Rainone provided the following information about a number of individuals in the Chicago Outfit, including Matassa. Mr. Rainone told me that he had been told by Leonard Patrick (referenced above) and by Joseph “Singing Joe” Vento (also associated with the Outfit) that a made member went through an initiation ceremony and had to be sponsored by another made member. Patrick and Vento also told Rainone that being made gave an individual the right to run his own crew and to share in the profits of the Outfit. He was told to avoid made members and was told by Patrick and Vento that Matassa was a made member.
68. It was determined through investigation that Rainone had withheld information regarding his own, personal involvement in several extortions and an attempted bombing. Mr. Rainone was confronted, admitted his involvement and was subsequently charged and plead guilty in Federal Court. However, my understanding is that the information Mr. Rainone provided regarding the structure and workings of the Chicago Outfit was independently verified and found to be reliable by the FBI.
Confidential Informants
69. I interviewed at least 10 confidential informants who have provided information about Matassa, in either my role as an FBI agent and in my role as an Inspector with the LIUNA IG’s Office.
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70. Each confidential informant was assigned a “CI” number to protect his or her identity. These ten confidential informants were given the following CI numbers: CI 1, CI 2, CI 5, CI 6, CI 7, CI 10, CI 11, CI 12, CI 13, CI 14; in other words, the numbers 3, 4, 8 and 9 are
not referenced in this Affidavit. I will refer to the confidential informants by the CI numbers that I have listed immediately above.
Confidential Informant Number 1
71. Confidential Informant Number I (” CI 1″) was an FBI informant who I developed and operated from approximately 1988 until I left the FBI in 1996. 1 regularly debriefed CI I during this period. I continued to debrief CI I on a regular basis from when I left the FBI until July 1996.
72. CI 1 is a Chicago Outfit associate who had conversations over a 40 year period with Anthony Accardo, Joseph Aiuppa, Joseph Ferriola, Dominic Senese, Ernest “Rocky” Infelise, and other top level leaders of the Outfit..
73. CI 1 provided the following information about John Matassa.
74. CI 1 has known Matassa for 30 years and, based on that 30 years of personally knowing Matassa, and based on CI 1’s 40 years of involvement in the Outfit, CI 1 knows Matassa to be a part of the Northside crew and knows Matassa to be a made member of the Outfit. CI 1 knows Matassa to associate with an number of Organized Crime figures including Salvatore DeLaurentis, Robert Dominic, and Joseph “Joe Spa” Spadevechio. CI 1 knows Matassa’s father to have been a Chicago police detective and to have closely associated with Sam Giancanna. CI 1 knows Matassa to have played a role in the operation of pornographic bookstores and to have worked as a “muscle man” for Vincent Solano and to be a part of the Northside crew which
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included Solano, Michael Glitta, Frank “Babe” DeMonte, and Joseph DiVarco in the 1970’s and 1980’s. CI I described Matassa as a white male, 5’7″ tall, 250 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes, residing at 2126 Milton Ave., Park Ridge, Illinois and having previously resided at 1655 Nashville Ave., Chicago, Illinois. CI 1 described Matassa as frequenting Giannoti’s Restaurant on West Lawrence Avenue in Norridge, Illinois; Mr. Edward’s Restaurant on West Diversey Avenue in Chicago; and Sally’s Waffle House on North Harlem Avenue in Chicago.
75. As of July 1996, CI 1 described Matassa as being involved in the Laborers’ union and as being a boss in the Chicago Outfit.
76. My understanding is that CI 1’s information has been independently verified and found to be reliable by the FBI.
Confidential Informant Number 2
77. Confidential Informant Number 2 (“CI 2”) has worked as an FBI informant from 1968 to the present. I personally operated CI 2 as an informant from the early 1990’s until I left the FBI in 1996. 1 continue to debrief CI 2 at least twice per month and have spoken with him as recently as December 4, 1998. CI 2 is still a trusted associate of the Outfit and his information is current as of today.
78. CI 2 is a long-time mob associate and former burglar, jewel thief and cartage thief. CI 2 grew up with and-knew Tony Spilotro (deceased), Joseph Lombardo, Sr., and many other top level individuals involved in Organized Crime in Chicago. CI 2 regularly associates with a number of Chicago Outfit members including John Monteleone and Matassa.
79. CI 2 provided the following information regarding Matassa, based on his personal knowledge and contacts with Matassa over 25 years and personal conversations with other
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members and associates of Organized Crime. Matassa’s father was a Chicago police detective and grew up with and-was closely associated with Sam Giancanna. Matassa, like his father, was originally associated with the Chicago Truck Drivers Union, Local 750.
80. CI 2 stated that Matassa was placed in LIUNA with the approval of Vincent Solano and Frank “Babe” DeMonte who were themselves affiliated with the Northside crew. CI 2 stated that, in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, Matassa was part of the Northside crew reporting to Vincent Solano and working with Mike Glitta, Frank DeMonte, Joseph DiVarco, and Joe Arnold.
81. CI 2 stated that Matassa has met regularly with Alphonse Tornebene, Michael Spano, James Inendino and John Monteleone and other Chicago Outfit figures.
82. My understanding is that CI2’s information has been independently verified and found to be reliable by the FBI and has been utilized in Title III affidavits, arrest wan-ants and has resulted in numerous arrests, convictions and recoveries of stolen property.
Confidential Informant Number 5
83. Confidential Informant Number 5 (“CI 5”) was an FBI informant that I developed and operated from 1988 to 1996 when I left the FBI. I continue to speak with CI 5 approximately once per week.
84. CI 5 was a City of Chicago employee and is not currently involved in criminal activities. CI 5 sees individuals involved with the Chicago Outfit regularly and is a trusted individual. He has or has had regular contact with a number of Chicago Outfit individuals over a period of 25 years. CI 5 has provided information used in Title III affidavits and in search warrants. His information has led to the recovery of property/drugs and arrests of a number of
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organized crime figures in the past. CI 5 has been a burglar, armed robber and enforcer for the Outfit.
85. CI 5 provided the following information about John Matassa. CI 5 stated that Matassa’s father was a Chicago Police detective and worked as a chauffeur and bodyguard for Sam Giancanna. Matassa worked as an enforcer for Vincent Solano, the former boss of the Northside crew and President of LIUNA Local 1. Matassa, was associated with Mike Glitta in the pornography business and with Franke “Babe” DeMonte and Joseph DiVarco in the Rush Street area in the 1970’s and 1980’s. CI 5 stated that he believes that Matassa gained his position in the Laborers union, through Solano.
86. My understanding is that CI5’s information has been independently verified and found to be reliable by the FBI.
Confidential Informant Number 6
87. Confidential Informant Number 6 (“CI 6”) is an FBI informant that I developed and operated from 1985 to 1996 when I left the FBI. I debriefed CI 6 several times per month during this period. I currently debrief CI 6 occasionally. CI 6 has provided information used in Title III affidavits and in search wan-ants and has provided information used in indictments, arrests and convictions of persons involved in organized crime. CI 6 has also provided information that led to the recovery of stolen property on several occasions.
88. CI 6 was involved in gambling operations for the Chicago Outfit on a day-to-day basis and was in regular contact with a number of individuals involved in the Chicago Outfit.
89. CI 6 provided the following information about John Matassa: Matassa, was an enforcer for the Northside/Rush Street crew under Vince Solano in the 1970’s and 1980’s and was
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involved in the pornography business. Matassa was closely associated with Mike Glitta, Farnk “Babe” DeMonte, Joseph DiVarco and others.
90. Based on 25 years of experience in Organized Crime, conversations with persons involved in organized crime and knowledge of Organized Crime activities CI 5 identified Matassa as a member of the Chicago Organized Crime syndicate or “Outfit”.
91. My understanding is that CI 6’s information has been independently verified and found to be reliable by the FBI.
Confldential Informant Number 7
92. Confidential Informant Number 7 (“CI 7”) is an FBI informant that I developed and operated from 1986 until 1996 when I left the FBI. From 1986 to 1988, 1 had regular contact with CI 7, generally debriefing him on a daily basis. From 1988 to 1996, 1 debriefed CI 7 approximately once per month. Since leaving the FBI, I have debriefed CI 7 several times, including on February 2, 1996 and on June 13, 1996.
93. CI 7 is a long-time mob associate who was in regular contact with a number of high level mob bosses, members and associates over a period of 40 years. Information furnished by CI 7 was utilized in the arrests and convictions of the Rocky Infelise “crew”.
94. CI 7 provided the following information about John Matassa. CI 7 is personally acquainted with Matassa, and knows him to be a member of Organized Crime and to be a top official of the Laborers’ Union. CI 7 knew Matassa, to be closely affiliated with Vincent Solano, Michael Glitta, Babe DeMonte, Joe Arnold, Ken Eto and Joseph DiVarco in the late 1970’s and into the 1980’s. CI 7 knew Matassa to work as an enforcer for the North Side Crew.
95. My understanding is that CI 7’s information has been independently verified and
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found to be reliable by the FBI.
Confidential Informant Number 10
96. Confidential Informant Number 10 (” CI 10″) is an FBI informant who was developed and operated by another agent at the FBI. I knew of him while I was an FBI agent but I did not debrief him while I was an FBI agent. I have interviewed CI 10 once in person on January 9, 1997 and once by telephone while I have been an inspector with LIUNA. Both interviews were arranged by the FBI. CI 10 is still actively associated with the Outfit and still provides information as an informant. CI 10 has worn a body wire for the FBI and his information has been utilized in a Title III affidavit.
97. CI 10 is a long-time associate of Organized Crime who has had personal conversations with Vincent Solano, Frank “Babe” DeMonte, Mike Glitta, Joseph DiVarco and Matassa over a 20 year period. CI 10 has also had numerous conversations with James “Jimmy I” Inendino, Robert Dominic, James DiForti and others.
98. CI 10 provided the following information about John Matassa: Matassa worked as an enforcer for Vincent Solano in the Northside crew. Matassa, was involved in organized crime activities with Mike Glitta, Frank DeMonte, and Joseph DiVarco. CI 10 knew Matassa, to be close associates with Robert Dominic, John Serpico, James Inendino and John Monteleone. Based on his own involvement in organized crime and his personal observations and conversations with Organized Crime members over the past 20 years, CI 10 identified Matassa, as a long-time associate of the Outfit and as possibly a made member of the Outfit.
99. My understanding is that CI 10’s information has been independently verified and found to be reliable by the FBI.
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Confidential Informant Number 11.
100. Confidential Informant Number 11 (” CI 11″) was an FBI confidential informant that I developed and operated from 1974 – 1996 when I left the FBI. I debriefed CI I I on a regular basis during that time period. Since 1996, 1 have continued to debrief CI 11 periodically.
101. CI 11 was an employee of the City of Chicago and is not actively involved in Organized Crime activities. However, CI I I knew and engaged in regular conversations with persons who were associates and/or members of the Chicago Outfit and regular conversations with various union officials. CI I I personally knows Matassa as well as Matassa’s father.
102. CI 11 provided the following information about John Matassa. CI I I identified Matassa as an associate of the Northside crew and as having worked with Vincent Solano, Frank “Babe” DeMonte and Mike Glitta. CI I I was personally told by Frank Calebrese and Ed Hanley that Matassa was a made member of the Chicago Outfit CI I I personally knew Matassa’s father and saw him driving Sam Giancanna who was the boss of the Chicago Outfit in the 1950s and 1960s.
103. My understanding is that CI I 1’s information has been independently verified and found to be reliable by the FBI.
Confidential Informant Number 12
104. Confidential Informant Number 12 (“CI 12”) was an informant for the FBI in the early 1990’s developed and operated by another agent. I debriefed CI 12 once in 1996 while I was a FBI agent. Since then I debriefed CI 12 on April 18, 1997 in person, and on April 25, 1997, by telephone. Both debriefings were arranged by the FBI. CI 12 entered the witness security program operated by the United States Marshall Service.
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105. CI 12 provided the following information regarding John Matassa, Jr. CI 12 stated that Matassa’s nickname is “Pudgy” and that Matassa lives in Park Ridge, Illinois near his cousin Tom Matassa; that Matassa drives a black Oldsmobile and his wife drives a white Jeep Cherokee.
106. CI 12 first met Matassa through Marco Daimio, at the Night Life Lounge located on 7429 W. Addison Street in 1988. CI 12 did not recall the exact date of the meeting. CI 12 stated that Matassa was accompanied by two individuals wearing union jackets.
107. CI 12 stated that Salvatore “Solly” DeLaurentis and Matassa were both made at the same time in a ceremony at the Como Inn on Milwaukee Avenue on the near north side of Chicago. CI 12 stated that this ceremony occurred in the summer of 1989. CI 12 stated that he had been told that Matassa was a made member by Marco D’Amico and by Salvatore “Solly” DeLaurentis. CI 12 also stated he was told by Matassa himself that Matassa was a made member.
108. CI 12 stated that D’Amico, and Robert “Bobby” Abbinatti, who were both part of the Outfit, disliked Matassa intensely because Matassa was slated to become a made member and they were not. CI 12 stated that D’Amico often talked about the fact that Matassa had been “made” and often criticized Matassa behind his back. CI 12 stated that many individuals felt Matassa was not worthy of being made, including D’Amico, Robert “Bobby” Abbinatti, Robert “Bobby” Dominic, and Tony Dote.
109. CI 12 stated that Matassa’s father had been a detective in the Chicago Police Department and had worked for Samuel Giancanna, former boss of the Chicago Outfit in the 1950’s and 1960’s. CI 12 stated that Matassa was a top associate of Vincent Solano, boss of the
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North Side crew, and because of that relationship, was picked to become a made member. CI 12 stated that Solano had promised Matassa’s father that Solano would take care of Matassa.
110. CI 12 stated that Matassa had control over several pornographic book stores on the near north side of Chicago. CI 12 stated that Matassa extorted money from North side bars and, on one occasion, was caught on a tape and indicted in federal court for extortion.
111.. CI 12 stated that he/she had personally observed Matassa, associating with Chicago Outfit figures Marco D’Amico, Rudy Fratto, John DiFronzo, Donald Scalise, Lee Magnifichi, Donald Angelini, Dominic Cortina and Solly DeLaurentis on various occasions.
112. CI 12 stated that he recalled a specific incident in which an Italian American Social Club located in the area of Irving Park and Narragansett had accepted vending machines that were not supplied by the Outfit. The owner of the Club, known as “Poker” a white male in his 50’s, standing 5′ 7″-5′ 8″ with slicked back light brown hair and weighing approximately 160 pounds, defied orders from Marco D’Amico to remove the machines. CI 12 stated that the two vending machine companies involved in the dispute were RAP Vending and Universal Vending, operated by Joe “Kong” Cullotta, an associate of the Outfit. In connection with this incident CI 12 stated that he specifically recalled a meeting at Gianotti’s Restaurant located at Lawrence and Cumberland in Norridge, Illinois. Matassa, D’Amico and other members and/or associates of the Outfit were present. Matassa stated that the vending machines at the Club belonged to him and that they were not to be removed. Matassa, specifically pointed out that he was a made member and bragged about that fact to the mob associates who were present. CI 12 stated that individuals working for D’Amico were subsequently instructed not to bother the Club about the vending machines.
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113. My understanding is that CI 12’s information has been independently verified and found to be reliable by the FBI.
Confidential Informant Number 13
114. Confidential Informant Number 13 (“CI 13”) was an FBI informant that I developed and operated from 1992 to 1996. During that period, I debriefed CI 13 approximately once per month. Since 1996, 1 have debriefed CI 13 by telephone several times.
115. CI 13 is a long-time associate of the Outfit and is still actively involved in criminal activities and has engaged in regular conversations with a number of high ranking Chicago Output figures including Matassa. CI 13 has personally known Matassa, for 30 years. CI 13 personally visited Matassa’s house in the early 1970’s on many occasions and knew Matassa’s father. CI 13 advised that Matassa’s father was a Chicago policeman and often acted as a driver and bodyguard for Sam Giancanna, boss of the Chicago Outfit in the 1950s and 1960s.
116. CI. 13 stated that Matassa, was involved in pornography and was part of the Northside crew working for Vincent Solano, Mike Glitta, Frank “Babe” DeMonte and others in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. CI 13 stated that, based on his personal knowledge and relationship with Matassa as well as conversations with others involved in the Outfit, Matassa, had a long-time involvement in organized crime and was a made member of the Outfit.
117. My understanding is that CI 13’s information has been independently verified and found to be reliable by the FBI
Confidential Informant Number 14
118. Confidential Informant Number 14 (CI 14″) was an FBI informant that I developed and operated from 1992 to 1996. 1 debriefed CI 14 approximately once per month,
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generally in person from 1992 to 1996. Since 1996, 1 debrief CI 14 approximately once per month, generally in person but sometimes by telephone.
119. CI 14 was an employee of a suburban Chicago municipality and is currently employed by a labor union. CI 14 has not been involved in criminal activity but currently and regularly meets with persons involved in organized crime.
120. CI 14 has known Matassa, for many years and observed Matassa meeting with Jack Cerone and Joseph Aiuppa at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Rosemont, Illinois. CI 14 stated that Matassa, was formally in the Chicago Independent Truck Drivers Union. Based on his conversations with persons associated with the Outfit and based on his personal observations, CI 14 stated that Matassa is a long-time associate of organized crime and is currently a made member of the Chicago Outfit
121. My understanding is that CI 14’s information has been independently verified and found to be reliable by the FBI.
D. Other Observations and Expert Opinion
122. 1 am aware that, as of 1996, the FBI classified Mr. Matassa as a member of the Chicago Outfit based, at least in part, on the type of information provided in this Affidavit. I am not aware of any information that would have changed this assessment.
123. Based upon the consistency of the information independently provided about Matassa’s activities by a number of reliable cooperating witnesses and confidential informants over a period of many years and based upon Matassa’s continued access to top level mob members and associates of the Chicago Outfit, my own opinion is that Matassa, has had a significant, long-term relationship and association with the Chicago Outfit that continues to this day.
I hereby declare that the foregoing is true and correct.
