Sam "Black Sam"/"Wings" Carlisi Profile

Died Jan. 2, 1997 of a heart attack while he was in prison, serving 13 years for convictions on mob racketeerings, loan sharking and arson in connection with an illegal gambling business in the Chicago area and the West suburbs.

Carlisi was convicted in March 1996, after having remained in custody as a flight risk since 1993, having been arrested in 1992.

Alleged killer of Michael and Tony Spilotro, underboss to Joseph Ferriola.

Partners in JEP Truck Leasing with Ernest Rocco Infelise.

Former driver for Joey Aiuppa when Aiuppa was the boss of Cicero and when Aiuppa became the boss of the Outfit in the early 70s. Released from the Metropolitan Correctional Center in 1986 when Joey Aiuppa was convicted of skimming from Las Vegas casinos, serving as his replacement and mob frontman.

Carlisi received one of his nicknames because of his habit of flying around the country as a mob courier. Stand-in for Joseph Ferriola, who suffered from cancer.

Carlisi was represented in court by former US Attorney Thomas P. Sullivan.

Carlisi’s closest associate was Anthony Chiaramonti, an enforcer and co-defendant. On tapes played to the court, Chiaramonti had grabbed a trucking company owner, Anthony LaBarbera, by the throat, lifting him in the air and warning him not to be late in paying juice loan money. LaBarbera was wearing an FBI body recorder at the time.

Daughter, Charlotte Gilardi.

Convicted with Carlisi in Dec. 1993, were:

James Marcello, 52, Lombard

Anthony Zizzo, 58, Melrose Park, who supervised juice loan and gambling operations

Anthony Chiaramonti, 59, of LaGrange, who worked as an enforcer

Brett O’Dell, 39, of Lemont, and enforcer Joseph Bonavolante, 37, Berwyn

Richard Gervasio, 43, Indian Head Park Gill Valerio, 42, Aurora, who operated betting locations and collected gambling debts