MISSOURI
DI GIOVANNI, Joseph: This man is the head of the Mafia society for the state of Missouri, and without question is the most feared and influential man in the Kansas City underworld. Di Giovanni, who is now one of the wealthiest Italians in Kansas City, came to the United States as a poor Sicilian immigrant in 1912. He began his career as the leader of a small group of extortionists and within a short time was the leader of the Mafia element in Kansas City. During the Prohibition era, Di Giovanni and his associates controlled the manufacture and distribution of all contraband liquor in this area as well as the raw material used therein, and in the early thirties, his group organized the narcotic syndicate which operated in Kansas City until 1942. At the present time, Di Giovanni owns and operates a wholesale liquor business known as the Midwest Distributing Co. at 1109 Cherry St., and also owns a chain of retail stores known as the Happy Hollow Liquor Stores, Inc. He resides at 410 Gladstone Blvd.
BALESTRERE, James: This individual is the head of the Mafia Society at Kansas City, Mo., and is second in command in the state. Balestrere is often referred to as the “Mystery Man” of local politics by the Kansas City Star and has been known to exert considerable influence in both state and national circles. For a number of years, Balestrere was the leader of the North Side Democratic club which controlled the entire Italian district as well as the greater portion of the northeast section of the city. In 1943, Balestrere went into so-called retirement and installed an associate, Charles Binaggio, as the club head. On April 5, 1950, Binaggio was assassinated. During the interim, Balestrere and his superior, Joseph Di Giovanni, have directed all matters, political and otherwise, from the background.
DI GIOVANNI, Peter: This individual occupies a position of great importance in the Mafia society at Kansas City, Mo., due to the influence of his brother, Joseph, who is state head of the organisation. He resides at 502 Campbell St. and was a stockholder in the former “Kansas City Narcotics Syndicate.”
DE LUCA, Joseph: (Nat. List 102) This man is a very influential member of the Mafia Society at Kansas City, and one of the most vicious characters in the underworld of that city. He was the head of the former “Kansas City Narcotics Syndicate” and during the Prohibition era was one of the largest bootleggers in the state of Missouri. De Luca resides at 2840 Forest St.
GIZZO, Anthony Robert: This subject, usually known as Tony, is an influential member of the Mafia and long has been regarded as Balestrere’s first lieutenant. He personally looks after Balestrere’s business enterprises and is said to have a small interest in each. In addition, Gizzo is the owner of one of the largest horse books in Kansas City. He is a close associate of the Fischetti brothers in Chicago, Joseph Profaci of Brooklyn, and Carlos Marcello of New Orleans. He is frequently a liaison man for the Kansas City Mafia between these points.
IMPOSTATO, Micolo: (Nat. List 189) This subject is a very influential member of the Mafia at Kansas City and reputedly holds a high seat on the International Council. He is a known professional “killer” and is known to have been brought to Kansas City originally from Springfield, Ill., as an enforcer for the local Mafia. Impostato was the general manager of the former “Kansas City Narcotics Syndicate” and on April 13, 1943, was sentenced to two years in Federal Prison for violation of the Narcotics Laws. He lives at 32 Warner Plaza, Kansas City.
COLORADO
DIONISIO, Robert Victor: This subject is an important and influential member of the Mafia at Trinidad. He is a son of the late Rosario Dionisio, who formerly was head of the society in Southern Colorado. The name Dionisio is well known throughout Southern Colorado in that the family long has been notorious as so-called “black-handers.” The Dionisios have been investigated by numerous law enforcement agencies in connection with bootlegging, bombing, gang killings, etc., but for the most part have no criminal records. Robert Dionisio was indicted and convicted in 1938 at Trinidad on fraud charges growing out of misuse of public funds. He was one of 12 so convicted. Subject was born in Lucca, Sicula, Sicily, and came to the United States when he was 17. He operates a grocery at 1002 Arizona St., and also has an interest in a tavern. He resides at the Arizona St. address.
BONANNO, Joseph, Trinidad, Colo., and Brooklyn, N. Y. (Bonanno also has a home at Tucson, Ariz.)