"He called me a name - to my face - and now they can't find his skin!" -Frank Balistrieri
From 1961 to the time of his death in 1993, Frank Balistrieri ran the Milwaukee Mafia, though as a young man, he started working for the Milwaukee crime family after attending law school for six months. He was the most feared Mafia boss of the Midwest and refereed to himself as “..the most powerful man in Milwaukee.” Within the Mafia family he was known as "Mr. Big", "Frankie Bal", "Mr. Slick", and "Mad Bomber," a nickname given to him because he frequently used Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) attached to cars as weapons against his enemies. There is reference to him and his trademark technique in the 1995 Martin Scorsese film, Casino. He is referenced again in the 1997 film, Donnie Brasco. After research I have learned that Donnie Brasco, an undercover cop by the name of Joseph D. Pistone, actually did fly to Milwaukee with Benjamin 'Lefty' Ruggiero to meet with Balistrieri at his restaurant, Snug's, and discuss a vending machine operation that was brought to his attention by another undercover cop working with the Milwaukee Mafia, Clark B. Hall.
Balistrieri soon built a reputation for arrogance, cruelty and ruthlessness long before his father-in-law and Milwaukee boss, John Alioto retired in 1961 and passed the duties of being boss onto him. Balistrieri conducted his business at a table at Snug's restaurant in Milwaukee's Shorecrest Hotel which he owned. Now called, Savoy, it maintains it's atmosphere of rich and sophisticated dinning even after renovation in 1999. The original stained glass sign for Snugs that was above the entrance was taken out, but used as the backdrop for the bar. The Shorecrest Hotel now stands as an apartment building and historical landmark. After research, I have come to learn that Frank Balistrieri's 2 sons, Joseph P. "Joey Bal" Balistrieri- who is now underboss to Joseph P. "Joe Camel" Caminiti- and John "Johnny Bal" Balistrieri- who is Acting Consigliere within the Milwaukee Mafia family- both have taken ownership of the restaurant and hotel after the death of there father. They live on the 8th floor of The Shorecrest Hotel.
After many years of being Milwaukee's Mafia boss and running many operations with other Mafia leaders such as Las Vegas's legendary mob boss Allen Glick, in a casino skimming scheme at The Stardust Hotel, his leadership became compromised in December 1985. Balistrieri was sentenced to 13 years in prison after federal authorities had successfully connected mobsters from four different states including him and his 2 sons on the operation. Close to achieving a seat on the ruling Mafia Commission in New York, Balistrieri was thwarted by this prison sentence. According to the Bureau of Prisons, Balistrieri was released from prison in 1991.
Frank Balistrieri died of heart-related natural causes in early 1993.
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Here are the photo's I took on the "Mafia Tour" I put together for my fiance and I in anticipation of the release of Mafia 2.
...Yes, I am that BIG of a nerd with an unhealthy obsession with the Mafia.
If I were Italian, I would "take a stab" at becoming part of the family. ;)
Frank Balistrieri's Grave:
Photo's from our dinner at Savoy, formally known as "Snugs" when Balistrieri owned and operated his business there:
Photo's I took inside The Shorecrest Hotel, that Balistrieri owned and lived in. Now it is owned by his 2 sons whom also live on the 8th floor and are apart of the Milwaukee LCN family.
My fiance and I are hoping to move there spring of next year...
*For more information on Frank Balistrieri and the Milwaukee Mafia, please visit the links on the sidebar of this blog under "Local Mobsters & Locations."
~Crystal "The Pistol"
1. You're awesome for posting these photos.
ReplyDelete2. Your fiance is insanely hot.
3. I think you mean "formerly" Snug's rather than "formally".
I'm working on a history I'm piecing together from news clips, FBI files and more... it is an ongoing project. Let me know if I missed anything:
http://www.framingbusiness.net/archives/1773
I actually worked at and lived at the Shorecrest during these times (c. 1981-1995). I was deep into the "social scene" and Boy the stories I could tell you... I love the pics they really bring back some memories. I do believe it is in my best interest to remain annonymous, but enjoy the fantasy it was as real as you can imagine if not more!
Deletei was born in milwaukee and am italian. i want to get more info. individuals, associates, alleged events for a thing im working on. anyone with info...
Deleteemail me
juniorgazzi@gmail.com
My best friend worked the desk of the Shorecrest from 2004 to 2009. The stories he told me were worthy of being in a book. Today the Milwaukee LCN is under Chicago's rule but there are more members than most people know about. Most people are misinformed by law enforcement and think theres only 5-10 or that Chicago comes up when need be to do business. There are roughly 30 buttons and twice as many associates in Milwaukee. They still rule the books and are a big player in the restaurant business.
DeleteMy best friend worked the desk of the Shorecrest from 2004 to 2009. The stories he told me were worthy of being in a book. Today the Milwaukee LCN is under Chicago's rule but there are more members than most people know about. Most people are misinformed by law enforcement and think theres only 5-10 or that Chicago comes up when need be to do business. There are roughly 30 buttons and twice as many associates in Milwaukee. They still rule the books and are a big player in the restaurant business.
DeleteHow about Fazio (need someone to help with the spelling) someone killed him. Police said it was a robbery, but he still had all of his cash and dimond ring.To this day I still carry my cash in two pockets. The reason being is that one has your wad and the other petty cash. If someone tried to rob you give them the petty cash. I learned this at about the age of 6 and now I'm 60. He is the one who told me this.
DeleteYou had to have a mobster teach you how to carry your cash in different pockets... That's fucking common sense if you grew up on the streets, like get da fuck out of here!
DeleteUpdate: John J. Balistreri sold the Shorecrest Hotel in December, 2011. His brother Joe died in Oct., 2010.
ReplyDeleteso are the Balistreris done or is Sendik's a front?
DeleteSendik's is a different family- Balistreri, not Balistrieri.
Deleteso what are some of the things that happen at the Shorecrest?
DeleteThings that happened at the shorecrest? Everyday you'd see people go in and out. If you went inside, you'd see people using the elevator or every once in a while you'd see people having conversations. They'd say things to you like "hi, how are you?" Like I don't know that's code for "are you the guy with the package?". Even so I'd always respond "I'm doing well, and you?". Which is code for "I'm not the guy with the package." I always observed EVERYTHING and I can tell you these guys were so good at acting like nothing was going on that nothing was actually going on.
DeleteThings that happened at the shorecrest? Everyday you'd see people go in and out. If you went inside, you'd see people using the elevator or every once in a while you'd see people having conversations. They'd say things to you like "hi, how are you?" Like I don't know that's code for "are you the guy with the package?". Even so I'd always respond "I'm doing well, and you?". Which is code for "I'm not the guy with the package." I always observed EVERYTHING and I can tell you these guys were so good at acting like nothing was going on that nothing was actually going on.
DeleteHere's a link to a piece I did on my blog about the Aliotos and Balestrieris in the 1970's and posted on 5/26/2012.
ReplyDeletehttp://dbridgerhot.blogspot.com/2012/05/tales-of-milwaukee-mob-and-two.html
what is the difference between the balistrieri's, balistreri, balestrieri or the balestreri. how ever it's spelled, it's the same family.
ReplyDeleteBalestrieri family is a different branch. The "i" is a mob indicator.
DeleteThere's Balisteri's too but I don't know how connected they are
DeleteAs a kid... I was actually there with my family a couple of times. My father was a Teamsters steward in the area and was being groomed for bigger and better things. I still remember one of the passwords to get in the restaurant. Actually it was a phrase. This was around 1970 or earlier.
ReplyDeleteWas it swordfish?
Deletemy grandfather grew upin the old 3rd ward..Major bootlegger in the 30's..Had a "meet" with Mr. Capone in northern Illinois to "discuss" territories and was ambushed and left for dead..survived and lived to be 92 years old...DiPasquale is the name...
ReplyDeleteDoes your douchebag fiance smile? Cheer up, emo kid, you're not 15 any more...
ReplyDeleteHi there, I'm looking for a brief synopsis on the Shorecrest hotel and the history of it... tying in the story of why it's haunted and exactly what you have above. If anyone could help me out that would be great. Looking to include it on a piece about Milwaukee I'm doing.
ReplyDeleteHaunted? I would have picked up on that. Every location where anything left an impact most likely will leave behind a memory. Really? What are you writing?
DeleteI have letters of recommendation from John Balistrieri 2 of them actually my dad did a lot of work at shorecrest during the 80s n 90s. Pretty awesome
DeleteLauren,
ReplyDeleteI live there. It's creepy, and old, but certianly not hauted. Plenty of my neighbors have lived there for 15+ years and would agree with me.
Good luck on your piece.
-The Lucky Italian
First off man. If u are such a mafia nerd then u would know allen glick was no boss of anything he was a front man. Second he was NEVER mentioned in donnie brasco(the film) and third he was never mentioned in casino the only thing from that movie that could be tied to him was the car bomb. If your going to do a blog then atleast pretend u know a little bit of what u are talking about becuase anyone who knows even the least bit about the mafia knows u dont know crap. Last thing i have to say is that even tho the mafia is fascinating it is wrong for u to say u would try and join becuase the mafia u have in your fantasies is long long gone the Mafia that is today is nothing but a bunch of drug dealing psychopaths
ReplyDeleteWho owned Sallies Restaurant on the East Side? I think someone had one arm blown off at the front door.
DeleteEmail me: davidtraxler2005@yahoo.com
DeleteI havent been to Milwaukee in years but lived near Sal's. I think it was Sal Balisteiri's.
Sally Papia owned it aND she was connected. Look her up. My fiance is best friends with her niece and knew her well when she was alive. In fact my fiance still has a fur coat Sally gave to her.
DeleteWhat the public doesn't know is that Balistreiri was quite fond of having gay sex parties at the Shorecrest Hotel. Yes indeed, I received many sloppy blowjobs from Frank Balistreiri, he liked to swallow it all and swallow it deep. His two sons loved to take it in the ass.
ReplyDeleteYou're a lying bitch.....I served 8 years with Frank in prison and he was definitely not a faggot
DeleteI can see why a little bitch like you would choose to remain anonymous after fabricating such bullshit. But take your homo little fantasies somewhere else. Have some respect for the departed.
DeleteDoes anyone remember the center stage around 3rd Wisconsin ave. I believe it was owned by the Balistreiries?
ReplyDeleteYes, it was the Center Stage Dinner Theater. Frank had offices in the building. I used to work at the dinner theater reservations and ticket office window, which also served as the entry point to the building. When visitors arrived for scheduled meetings with Mr. Balistrieri, I phoned the office upstairs to let them know of the arrival. I was instructed to tell all others who came to the window and asked for Frank Balistrieri, that Mr. Balistrieri was not in. I don't remember any other names associated with the theater, except for Al DeGenova. Al either tended bar or was associated somehow with the lounge and was always there. There were a lot of interesting looking people coming and going, and probably not all were interested in musical theater. I was a college student who needed a job, so I didn't ask any questions. This was in 1973-1974. My father was a Milwaukee police officer and advised me to find work elsewhere when he heard where I was working. It was no secret that the Balistrieri family owned several of the popular bars, lounges and music venues in Milwaukee in the 1970's.
DeleteI worked at Center stage briefly(cocktail waitress,i was the worst!)until my father found out who I was working for and asked me to quit. I will say this,Mr Balistireri was a great boss to me. I worked in the winter and Mr B would send his sons out to start my car,warm it up and have his sons take the snow off my car when my shift was over.All I knew was a nice boss.
DeleteMy mom worked at Center Stage back in the 70’s. She said she was respected by Mr. B, but she knew to mind her own business. Mr. B allowed her to bring me down to see a show while she was working.
DeleteYou know back then you really didn’t hear about the bad stuff , You heard more about Respect and Concern for those in need and how the Bosses would take care of the poor, the hungry that’s why they were so respected So many famous actors ,actresses, sport stars wanted to be seen with Mobsters in the 50s to the 70s those were special times .In the 80s and 90s you would hear about heads cut off, eyes popped out and the real gory stuff plus the shakedowns of everyday businesses and drugs and the mafia wasn’t so glamorous anymore We knew Frank and Phil and so many friends and they were Goodfellas but realistically accept the bad also
DeleteAll of you who found interest on this should also understand the distinction between Sicilians and Italians
DeleteJust one more thing to understand if you get taken out it’s not gonna be a stranger, it’s gonna be the guys you were hanging out with every night or rat on you so there is no family but your own personal one and there is no glam anymore just guys selling their souls to make a buck . God bless you all
DeleteInteresting family history. Frank Balistireri and my grandmother, Carmella Balistireri were cousins. There's a couple interesting exhibits about him at The Mob Museum in Las Vegas.
ReplyDeleteYou're related to my husband, his grandfather would be a cousin of your grandmother. Small world, looking forward to checking out that museum.
DeleteI lived there from 1991-1994. The times and the people were great. Like living in the movie Goodfellas. Solid friendships and old school trust.
ReplyDeleteMy sister worked at snugs. The customers who stop by where all very friendly. Nicky the bartender was a sweet kind man. God rest his soul. And as for Mr. B. He was a very fine gentleman would take his shirt off his back if you were worth it. He would never suck any dick. He just might blow it off if you acted like like a fag to him You fucked up want to be. Have some respect for the dead. R.I.P. MR.B.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother was married to Peter (Frank's brother), from what I assume would be the early 1940's to the end of the 1950's.. My maiden name is Balestrieri (spelled with the e, not the i).
ReplyDeletekathyrn karlsson is a cunt
ReplyDeleteMy dad was very good friends with Frank while he lived in Milwaukee and even after he moved to Miami and then Vegas. He's gone now as are the stories. I'm looking for a book titled Frank Balistrieri (not sure of the author)and can't seem to find anything even close. Anyone have any info on if such a book still exists?
ReplyDeleteWayne clingman is one author who has a book about Frank and one about Milwaukee mob.
DeleteMy name is Michelle balistrieri. My grandfather name was carmello.
ReplyDeletewhere did Frankie Bal grow up in Milwaukee? east side? third ward?
ReplyDeleteI was a friend of Frank Balestreiri’s youngest son, John.
ReplyDeleteI knew him during his teen years. He was a very nice guy.
Unfortunately, he got sucked into his father’s business after his teen years and eventually paid a price when convicted for criminal activity.
Too bad. A heck of a nice fellow.