John “Pudge” Matassa

John “Pudgy” Matassa, Jr is reportedly connected to the Outfit’s Northside/Rush Street crew. He is the son of retired Chicago Police officer.

 

Northside/Rush Street crew history

Covered Rush Street, which was the entertainment district of Chicago, and the rest of the Northside of Chicago, extorting porn shops (Red Wemette), night clubs, bars, as well as traditional loan-sharking, and gambling. Several members have held leadership positions in the powerful LIUNA (Laborors International Union of North America) and other unions.



* Territory is north of Chicago River or the Eisenhower Exp north to Rogers Park

* Northside crew ran a large casino-type operation out of the Grand Plaza Hotel in Rosemont. Several members owned tables



 

Northside Crew Members



* Ross Prio long-time capo, back to the days of Frank Nitti. Prio took over after murder of Ted Newberry when Capone went to prison.

* Jimmy “the Monk” Allegretti ran all vice on the Northside until he was imprisoned in 1962. He was released for health reasons (diabetes and bad heart) and died on the plane en route to Chicago

* Felix “Milwaukee Phil” Alderisio started off as a hitman early on, later moved up and ran a protection racket on Rush Street until he became underboss under Sam Giancana

* 3 Doms—Dominick DiBella (Last Supper photo), Dominic Nuccio, and Dominic Brancato—were bosses of the Near North Side and was close to Ross Prio working in various capacities as a drivers and enforcers

* “Innocent” Vincent Solano (Last Supper photo) boss of North Side after Prio’s death in 1972—originally driver for Prio. Oversaw all gambling, prostitution, and extortion. Long-time president of the LIUNA. Best known for sending hit men after Ken “Tokyo Joe” Eto



* Jasper Campise—North Side muscle brutally killed for botched Ken Eto hit

* John Gattuso—deputy sheriff and hit man for Solano, also murdered brutally for failing to kill Ken Eto





* Joseph DiVarco—street boss for Solano collecting “street tax” from businesses on Rush St, loan-sharking, prostitution died in 1992



 

Matassa’s Union history: LIUNA

1985—Matassa joined the Laborers International Union of North America, Local #2

1987-1989—Matassa becomes business agent (BA) of Local #2 and delegate to the LIUNA District Council, and eventually the Vice President, with Solano being the President of Local #1

1992—Vince Solano dies, Matassa became President and Coordinator of Committees gaining access to the Pension Fund

1993-1994—Matassa takes control of the LIU Chicago Political League (and fund), and the training fund



* Matassa uses his financial access to embezzle millions from the LIUNA



1998 Fed placed Chicago District Council of the LIUNA—19,000 members—into a trusteeship forcing Matassa out



* Matassa fought for several years to maintain control

* Failed to hold contested elections for 25 years



 

Fun facts about Pudgy Matassa



* Mike Glitta, an elder in the Northside crew, was cousin to Matassa’s “Uncle” Mike introduced Pudgy around and helped him to promote in the Outfit

* 1988—Matassa supposedly took part in a formal ceremony to become a “made” member of the Outfit along current boss Salvatore “Solly D” Delaurentis.



* Historically, the Outfit shunned such formalities, mocking the more traditional mobs in other cities, but during the 80s (’83 or ’85), it is rumored that someone—Joe Ferriola or possibly Joey Aiuppa—started initiating members





* Pudgy Matassa dealt directly with Ken Eto and was responsible for security over Eto’s protecte...