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Milwaukee-based mobster who owedBy PETE REYNOLDSIn a farewell grandstand play Monday, convicted mob boss Albert Tocco angrily denied his role as leader of a south suburban gang of outfit thugs and blew a kiss to U.S. District Judge James Holderman.His parting gesture was typical of the loquacious, sometimes flamboyant, 61-year-old former Chicago Heights restauranteur and garbage company executive.He called himself “The Trickster” and once donned a Groucho Marx mask to taunt federal investigators who had him under suveillance.But testimony had proven him no comedian. Instead, jurors found him to be a ruthless gangster who employed intimidation and murder for more than a decade to rake in millions in “street taxes” — monetary tributes to organized crime.The symbol of mock affection came after the judge sentenced Tocco, once considered the undisputed king of the mob south of 95th Street, to 200 years in prison and ordered him to pay fines in excess of $2 million.It’s the stiffest penalty yet assessed a Chicagoland organized crime figure.Tocco, a long-time target of federal authorities, was convicted last year of multiple counts of racketeering, extortion, conspiracy, income tax fraud and obstruction of justice.A seemingly endless parade of hitmen, bagmen and other outfit-associated hoodlums turned government witnesses told how Tocco and his “foot soldiers” used threats and murder to extract street taxes from petty thieves, chop shop and salvage yard operators, brothel owners and gamblers.Testimony during the five-week trial that ended Dec. 8, and the subsequent sentencing hearings that began in March linked Tocco to nine gangland killings or disappearances.Included in his bloody legacy are the murders of Chicago Heights businessman Dino Valenti, who refused to sell his vending company to Tocco, and the brutal slayings of Charlotte Dauber and her husband Billy, a longtime Tocco associate.In late 1979, faced with federal gun charges, Billy Dauber went over to the government and began informing too the Drrug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Tocco had him killed.Also linked to Tocco was the out-of-town contract “hit” on aTocco money, and most recently, the murders of two hoodlum brothers Anthony and Michael Spilotro.The brothers had a falling-out with the mob over profit skimming at Las Vegas casinos controlled by the Chicago outfit. According to federal agents and information supplied by Tocco’s estranged wife Betty, the brothers were beaten and tortured and possibly buried alive in an Indiana cornfield by Tocco and two of his local henchmen.Neither Tocco nor his alleged accomplices have been officially charged with the Spilotro killings. An investigation into the murders is still active.Holderman said for sentencing purposes he did not take into accountthe government’s allegations that Tocco was involved with the Spilotro murders.Still, he said the defendant “committed two brutal murders” and had “traded on fear for decades.The 200-year sentence “is not topunish you but instead it is to rid you from society,” Holderman said.Turning to face a trio of smiling FBI agents, Tocco called them “liars.” Some of the agents have been watching Tocco since his days as chauffeur and bodyguard for convicted Chicago Heights crime boss Alfred Pilotto, who is still imprisoned in Florida.“There's the ... liars that started this all,” he said, aiming a gnarled and quivering finger at the agents.True to his pre-trial vow to never cooperate with the government, Tocco again said Monday: “They (FBI agents) wanted me to snitch and I wouldn't do it.Denying accusations that it was he who ordered the failed 1981 assassination attempt on his old boss andmentor Pilotto, Tocco bellowed: “They keep saying I did it. But I loved him like a father.”“I'm glad you gave a statement,” Holderman told Tocco. “That's the way the system of justice works — the only system that ought prevail in this country.”Saying Tocco deserved the maximum 325 years, Holderman instead imposed the sentence that Assistant U.S. Attorney Dean Polales had asked for.In arguing for the lengthy term, Polales said Tocco ruled an “outlaw society and prowled that seamy underworld like a “predator — a depraved human being who conducted a horrendous life of crime.”He once said he’d not only kill the snitch, he’d kill the wife, the children the dog and cat, Polales said. “It’s lucky Billy Dauber only had a wife.” Tocco’s defense attorney John L. Sullivan had argued for a 27- to 33-year term. He said originally authorities had offered his client a 20-year sentence if he would pleadguilty and cooperate with the FB] Sullivan was clearly stunned I the length of sentence. “I’m su there will be an appeal, he said.Tocco's co-defendant, former Cl cago Heights resident Claren Crockett, was sentenced earlier tl year to 20 years for his part in t extortion and tax fraud scheme.Crockett was identified as a ba man for Tocco. He refused to coope ate with the government.After the sentencing, Tocco w taken from the courtroom to 1 place of incarceration — the Metr politan Correctional Center in Cl cago.The Star Newspaplt;CLOTHINGSTORETOP QUALITY SERVICE AFFORDABLE PRICESCUSTOMTAIlonVINCESOUTH HOLLAND, IL.TAYLORSHOPCustom Tailored Suits, Sportcoats and Shirts Using the Finest Fabrics Available8tn Anniversary atIII:ij
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South Holland Star
South Holland, Illinois, US
Thu, May 17, 1990
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