Frankie LaPorte

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This article is about the racketeer. For the baseball player, see Frank LaPorte.
Frank LaPorte
Born (1901-10-07)October 7, 1901
Sambiase, Italy
Died October 30, 1972(1972-10-30)
Flossmoor, Illinois
Known for Organized crime
Chicago Outfit boss for Chicago Heights
Predecessor Vincenzo "Jim Emery" Amaratti (late 1920s - 1956)
Allegiance Chicago Outfit

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, Al Capone.[2]

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.[citation needed]

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]

Calumet City operations

Frank LaPorte is believed to have been the member of the Chicago Outfit who was most responsible for developing and maintaining the "Sin Strip" area of Calumet City.[4] Police avoided Sin Strip and risked violence if they tried to make an arrest.[5] In 1959, the state of Illinois conducted a police raid that resulted in 98 arrests and the seizure of business records.[6] An article published in Chicago Daily News on June 2, 1959, exposed LaPorte as being instrumental in the illegal activities in Calumet City.[6]

References

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