Frank Balistrieri
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Frank Peter Balistrieri (1918 - 1993)

Frank Peter Balistrieri
Born in Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United Statesmap
Ancestors ancestors
Son of and
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of — married 25 Sep 1938 (to 7 Feb 1993) in San Francisco, California, United Statesmap
[children unknown]
Died at age 74 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United Statesmap
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Profile last modified | Created 12 Feb 2022
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Biography

Frank Peter Balistrieri was a mafioso and Milwaukee native. He is reputedly the boss of the Milwaukee crime family, a position he inherited from his father-in-law, John Alioto, in December 1961. He is known for his small, trim, well-groomed figure.

Frank Peter Balistrieri was born 27 May 1918 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Giuseppe "Joseph" Balistrieri and Benedetta Piccuono.[1][2] He was the first born child, named after his paternal grandfather, as is traditional in Sicilian families.

In the 1920 federal census of Milwaukee, WI, Ward 3, Frank and Joseph Balistrieri both head households at 461 Jefferson St. with Cosimo Pecoraro (“Comsin Piccourro”). All three men are laborers with the city.

Joseph Balistrieri is 25 (b. 1895), emigrated in 1906, naturalized in 1912. His wife Benedetta, 21 (b. 1899), was also born in Italy, emigrated in 1905. Their children are Frank, one year 6 mos (b. Jul 1918), and Peter, three months (b. Nov 1919), both born in Wisconsin. Joseph is a laborer with the city.[3]

In the 1930 federal census of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Ward 1, taken 15 April, Joseph Balistrieri owns his home at 796 Jackson St, worth $10,000. He is 35 (b. 1895), born in Italy, married at 22 to Benedetta, 31 (b. 1899), born in Italy, who was 19 when they married. Their children were born in Wisconsin: Frank, 11 (b. 1919), Peter, 10 (b. 1920), Rose, 8 (b. 1922), and Marie, 3 (b. 1927). Joseph emigrated in 1905 and Benedetta in 1904. They are naturalized citizens. Joseph is a foreman for a trucking company.

Living with them are Benedetta's younger brother, his wife, and their newborn baby.

John Picciurro, 21 (b. 1909), born in Wisconsin, heads a household with Katherine, 22 (b. 1908), born in Italy. They married when they were both 20. Their son Peter is newborn (b. 1930), born in Wisconsin. John is a trucking contractor.[4] Baby Peter, Frank's cousin, is the future boss of the Milwaukee Mafia.

Frank marries Antonina "Nina" Alioto, the daughter of Milwaukee Mafia boss Giovanni "John" Alioto, on 25 September 1938 in Saints Peter and Paul Church, in San Francisco, California. The society pages coverage of their wedding and 300-guest reception names some of Nina's immediate family, but their names do not match her family in Milwaukee census records. The article does not mention that the families are from Milwaukee, but says the couple would settle down in San Francisco after their honeymoon.[5][6]

More than a year after the newspaper reports their marriage in San Francisco, Frank Balistrieri and Antonina Alioto marry on 18 November 1939 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[7]

Frank and Nina have four children: Joseph P. (1940), Benedetta (1946), John J. (1948), and Catherine (1951).[8][9][10]

In the 1940 federal census of Milwaukee, WI, Ward 1, taken 3 April, Frank Balistrieri, 22 (b. 1918), heads a household at 510 E. Pleasant St with his wife, Nina, 20 (b. 1920). Both were born in Wisconsin. Frank is a laborer with his own contracting concern.[11]

Joseph is born on 8 September 1940 in Milwaukee.[12]

Frank Peter Balistrieri registers for the draft for WWII on 16 October 1940. He lives at 510 E. Pleasant St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is 22, born 27 May 1918 in Milwaukee. His contact is Mrs. Nina Balistrieri, his wife, at the same home address. Frank works for the US Government US Mails at the Milwaukee Post Office. Frank signs his own name. He is 5’7” and 140#, White, with brown eyes and hair and a dark complexion.[13]

Benedetta Catherine is born 28 November 1946.[14]

John is born 25 August 1948.[15]

Catherine is born 9 April 1951.[16]

Federal law enforcement reports that Balistrieri takes over leadership of the Milwaukee Mafia from his father-in-law, John Alioto, in December 1961.[17]

Frank's legitimate business in Milwaukee is proprietorship of a tavern.[18][19]

Frank repeatedly denies being associated with organized crime.[17]

In 1967, he is convicted of tax evasion, fined $10,000, and sentenced to two concurrent two-year prison terms.[17][18]

In 1971, Balistrieri is indicted by a grand jury for charges including conspiracy and filing false federal tax statements. However, the charges are dismissed.[17]

The government contends that Balistrieri and other alleged organized crime leaders use influence over trustees of a Teamsters union pension fund to infiltrate a corporation that owns four Las Vegas casinos. The group skims $2 million from 1974 to 1983, splitting the proceeds among crime families in Las Vegas, Kansas City, Chicago, Milwaukee and Cleveland.[17]

FBI informants accuse Balistrieri of involvement in two murders and one attempted murder in the 1970s. No related charges are ever filed.[17]

In 1984, Frank and both of his sons, Joseph P. and John J., who are lawyers, are indicted and convicted on extortion charges, following a scheme to illegally take over a vending machine business run by an undercover agent for the FBI.[17]

Catherine, age 32 (b. 1952), marries George Thomas Busateri, age 35 (b. 1949), on 21 January 1984 in Milwaukee.[20]

Frank is sentenced to thirteen years in prison for extortion and gambling. His sons receive eight year sentences.[17][21] He is incarcerated at the federal correctional institution in Butner, North Carolina.[22]

Frank pleads guilty in 1985 to racketeering and conspiracy charges in connection with skimming money from a Las Vegas casino.[18] In 1986, he is sentenced to an additional five years on each count, to be served concurrently with the 1984 sentence.[17][22]

Frank's sons denounce their father in writing, in order to have their sentences reduced by three years. They are released in 1989.[17]

John Balistrieri, age 40 (b. 1949), marries Deborah Gay Becker, age 35 (b. 1954) in Milwaukee, WI on 30 July 1989.[23]

Frank is released in November 1991, after seven years in prison.[22]

Death of Frank

Frank dies at home on the morning of Sunday, 7 February 1993 at age 74. He last resided in Milwaukee, WI 53211.[1][22][24]

Frank is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on 11 February 1993.[9]

Nina dies 15 September 1997 at age 77.[25][26] She is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum with Frank. Both their full dates of life are inscribed on their grave marker.[27]

Benedetta dies at age 62 on 27 May 2009 in Los Angeles, CA. She is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum in Milwaukee, WI.[14][28]

Joseph dies on 25 October 2010 at age 70.[12]

Sources

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JL92-73B : 9 January 2021), Frank P Balistrieri, 07 Feb 1993; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
  2. ↑ "Wisconsin, Milwaukee Petitions for Naturalization, 1848-1991," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99DL-2HM8?cc=2174939&wc=36PQ-16D%3A1018468701 : 25 July 2019), vol 158, no 19790-19889, 1942 > image 45 of 319; citing Naturalization Petition and Record, 9/1/1848 - 5/9/1991, NAID 7267811. Records of Distric courts of the United States, 1685-2009, RG 21. National Archives at Chicago, Illinois.
  3. ↑ "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRJH-N87?cc=1488411&wc=QZJY-PCP%3A1037438101%2C1037699301%2C1037921001%2C1589332463 : 14 September 2019), Wisconsin > Milwaukee > Milwaukee Ward 3 > ED 42 > image 1 of 16; citing NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
  4. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9R8K-9G2Z?cc=1810731&wc=QZF4-2YK%3A648804601%2C649100701%2C649148001%2C1589282346 : 8 December 2015), Wisconsin > Milwaukee > Milwaukee (Districts 1-250) > ED 3 > image 35 of 56; citing NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002).
  5. ↑ Miss Alioto is married to F. Balistreri. (1938, October 30). The San Francisco Examiner. P. 46. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84232541/the-san-francisco-examiner/
  6. ↑ Schmitt, G. (2012, October 15). Milwaukee mafia. Arcadia Publishing. Pp. 55-56.
  7. ↑ Wisconsin Historical Society; Madison, Wisconsin; WI Marriage Records 1907-1939 Ancestry.com. Wisconsin, U.S., Marriage Records, 1820-2004 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2022.
  8. ↑ LEGISLATOR ATTENDS RITES FOR BALISTRIERI. (1993, Feb 12). Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI), p. 4C.. Retrieved from https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/obit/0FDC65149C5C7E6A-0FDC65149C5C7E6A?p=OBIT
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52268561/frank-peter-balistrieri : accessed 11 February 2022), memorial page for Frank Peter Balistrieri (27 May 1918–7 Feb 1993), Find a Grave Memorial ID 52268561, citing Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, USA ; Maintained by Laura (Matten-Johnson) Segrin (contributor 47056999) .
  10. ↑ Frank Balistrieri entry on Wikipedia, accessed 12 February 2022.
  11. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9M1-ZZ33?cc=2000219&wc=QZXB-K5F%3A795536601%2C799996401%2C800326801%2C800371801 : accessed 11 February 2022), Wisconsin > Milwaukee > Milwaukee City, Milwaukee, Ward 1 > 72-9 Milwaukee City Ward 1 (Tract 7 - part) > image 1 of 18; citing Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Journal Sentinel, M. (2010, Oct 28). Balistrieri, Joseph P.. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI), p. 04.. Retrieved from https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/obit/1332564BC7A9D290-1332564BC7A9D290?p=OBIT
  13. ↑ National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Draft Registration Cards for Wisconsin, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 27 Name Range: Balgord, Kenneth-Banach, Stanley Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/43860595/benedetta-catherine-balistrieri : accessed 12 February 2022), memorial page for Benedetta Catherine Balistrieri (28 Nov 1946–27 May 2009), Find a Grave Memorial ID 43860595, citing Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, USA ; Maintained by Laura (Matten-Johnson) Segrin (contributor 47056999) .
  15. ↑ "United States Public Records, 1970-2009", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KBQT-ZKG : 18 January 2020), Joh Balistrieri, 2008.
  16. ↑ "United States Public Records, 1970-2009", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KBQP-M97 : 18 January 2020), Catherine B Busateri, 1985-2008.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 17.6 17.7 17.8 17.9 CRIME FIGURE BALISTRIERI IS DEAD AT AGE 74. (1993, Feb 8). Capital Times, The (Madison, WI), p. 3A.. Retrieved from https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/obit/0FDC65148DF1A467-0FDC65148DF1A467?p=OBIT
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Wire Service Report, A. (1993, Feb 10). DEATHS ELSEWHERE. Tampa Tribune, The (FL), p. 5.. Retrieved from https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/obit/0FCC52F2061500CF-0FCC52F2061500CF?p=OBIT
  19. ↑ (1993, Feb 11). DEATHS ELSEWHERE. San Jose Mercury News (CA), p. 5B.. Retrieved from https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/obit/0F93FB1AC998EE37-0F93FB1AC998EE37?p=OBIT
  20. ↑ "Wisconsin Marriage Index, 1973-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VJY8-6ND : 27 December 2014), George Thomas Busateri and Catherine Balistrieri, 21 Jan 1984; from "Wisconsin Marriages, 1973-1997," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing certificate number 200179, roll 4, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Department of Health and Family Services, Madison.
  21. ↑ REPUTED CRIME BOSS BALISTRIERI. (1993, Feb 9). St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN), p. 5B. Retrieved from https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/obit/0F96A1D76CADFD50-0F96A1D76CADFD50?p=OBIT
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 REPUTED MOB BOSS DIES AT 74. (1993, Feb 8). La Crosse Tribune (WI). Retrieved from https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/obit/13F19C19E69EE2F8-13F19C19E69EE2F8?p=OBIT
  23. ↑ "Wisconsin Marriage Index, 1973-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VJYP-Q2Y : 27 December 2014), John Balistrieri and Deborah Gay Becker, 30 Jul 1989; from "Wisconsin Marriages, 1973-1997," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing certificate number 021420, roll 2, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Department of Health and Family Services, Madison.
  24. ↑ "Wisconsin Death Index, 1959-1997", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V8SK-4ZD : 8 January 2022), Frank Peter Balistrieri, 1993.
  25. ↑ U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. 2015 Provo, UT, USA
  26. ↑ Wisconsin Historical Society; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Death Records, 1979-1997 Ancestry.com. Wisconsin, U.S., Death Records, 1959-2004 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2022.
  27. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52268711/antonina-benedetta-balistrieri : accessed 12 February 2022), memorial page for Antonina Benedetta “Nina” Alioto Balistrieri (11 Jan 1920–15 Sep 1997), Find a Grave Memorial ID 52268711, citing Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, USA ; Maintained by Laura (Matten-Johnson) Segrin (contributor 47056999) .
  28. ↑ Balistrieri, Benedetta. (2009, Jul 5). Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI), p. 99.. Retrieved from https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/obit/12943CF3DA982AA0-12943CF3DA982AA0?p=OBIT




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