Frankie LaPorte
Frank "Frankie" LaPorte (October 7, 1901 – October 30, 1972) was an Italian–American racketeer in the Chicago Outfit.[1] He was the Chicago Heights boss during the early 20th century. His closest associates in bootlegging included Ross Prio, Louis Campagna and onetime Outfit boss, Alphonse Capone.[2]
Frank LaPorte | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 7, 1901 Sambiase, Italy |
| Died | October 30, 1972 |
| Other names | Frankie Frank Liperetto Frank Lipperatti Francesco Liparotta |
| Known for | Organized crime Chicago Outfit boss for Chicago Heights |
| Title | Caporegime of the Chicago Heights crew |
| Predecessor | Giacomo Ammirato Dominic Roberto |
| Allegiance | Chicago Outfit |
Background and relationship with Outfit boss Al Capone
Historians have little information on LaPorte's early life and background. Even his role in the Chicago Outfit is currently unclear.[2]
However, what is known is that LaPorte was considered a "power broker" in the Outfit and a powerful mobster, who kept a relatively low profile.[2] According to some, LaPorte and other Chicago Heights gangsters held seats on the Commission for bosses.
According to Laurance Begreen, Al Capone biographer and author of the book Capone: The Man and the Era, Capone was merely a "front boss" for the Outfit, while LaPorte and other Sicilian racketeers managed the Outfit behind the scenes.[2][3]
References
- J., Luzi, Matthew. The boys in Chicago Heights : the forgotten crew of the Chicago Outfit. ISBN 978-1-61423-726-6. OCLC 944952020.
- "Who was Frankie La Porte? : A new biography claims Al Capone shared power with an even tougher, but publicity-shy, gangster : CAPONE: The Man and the Era, By Laurence Bergreen (Simon & Schuster: $30; 720 pp.)".
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help)CS1 maint: url-status (link) - Hoffman, Dennis (September 1994). "Book Review : Capone: The Man and the Era by Laurence Bergreen New York, NY: Simon and Schuster, 1994, 701 pages". Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice. 10 (3): 227–230. doi:10.1177/104398629401000308. ISSN 1043-9862.