Joseph Zerilli
Encyclopedia
Joseph Zerilli was a Prohibition
-era Detroit gangster who led the crime family known as the Detroit Partnership
from the 1930s through the 1970s.
, Sicily
, at age 17.
, Harry Fleisher, and Louis Fleisher at the onset of Prohibition
. Zerilli began working with mobster Gaspar Milazzo
to expand into loansharking, extortion
, narcotics, labor racketeering, and bookmaking.
As one of two members outside New York City
's Five Families
who dominated the Mafia Commission
, Zerilli was highly respected in the criminal underworld. Zerilli was a well-known advocate for the rights of mobsters to control criminal activity within their own territory. Zerilli insisted that the Commission approve in advance any exceptions to that rule. Although suspected in numerous gangland slayings, Zerilli was convicted of only two criminal charges in his life; speeding, and carrying a concealed weapon.
syndicate casino. It was shortly after the elder Zerilli returned to power that former Teamsters
President Jimmy Hoffa
was released from prison and began campaigning to regain his former position.
in Detroit.
In April 2000, grandson and Detroit syndicate soldier Nove Tocco agreed to testify against his cousin and boss of the Detroit crime syndicate, Jack Tocco
. Nove was the first member of the Detroit crime family to turn states evidence since the family's founding in 1921.
Prohibition
Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, is the practice of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale, and consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the...
-era Detroit gangster who led the crime family known as the Detroit Partnership
Detroit Partnership
The Detroit Partnership, also known as the Detroit crime family, Detroit Combination, Detroit Mafia, Detroit Outfit or Zerilli crime family is an American Mafia crime family based in Detroit, Michigan...
from the 1930s through the 1970s.
Early life
He was born Giuseppe Zerilli on December 10, 1897, to Anthony and Rosalie Zerilli. He immigrated to the United States from his native TerrasiniTerrasini
Terrasini is a town and comune in the Province of Palermo on the island of Sicily in Italy.-Data:Terrasini is located west of Palermo at the motorway between Palermo and Trapani, between the mountains and the Gulf of Castellammare near the Palermo International Airport.Terrasini's population works...
, Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, at age 17.
Birth of the Purple Gang
Working as a laborer with the Detroit Gas Company, Zerilli founded the Purple Gang with William Joseph "Bugs Bill" Bernstein, Abe BernsteinAbe Bernstein
Abe Bernstein was a Detroit, Michigan gangster and a leader of the infamous Prohibition-era Purple Gang with his brothers Joseph Bernstein, Raymond Bernstein, and Isadore Bernstein. Born in New York, Abe Bernstein and his brothers moved to Detroit in their youth...
, Harry Fleisher, and Louis Fleisher at the onset of Prohibition
Prohibition
Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, is the practice of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale, and consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the...
. Zerilli began working with mobster Gaspar Milazzo
Gaspar Milazzo
Gaspar Milazo was a major organized-crime figure in Detroit, Michigan, during the Prohibition era. He is also credited with helping establish one of the early Brooklyn-based crime families in New York City, the Castellammarese Clan, better known today as the Bonanno crime family.-Early life:Born...
to expand into loansharking, extortion
Extortion
Extortion is a criminal offence which occurs when a person unlawfully obtains either money, property or services from a person, entity, or institution, through coercion. Refraining from doing harm is sometimes euphemistically called protection. Extortion is commonly practiced by organized crime...
, narcotics, labor racketeering, and bookmaking.
Rise to power
In 1930, following the murder of Milazzo by New York mobsters, the Purple Gang became involved in syndicate gambling operations. By 1936, Zerilli assumed control of Detroit's criminal operations. However, he did not officially become boss until 1964, when he succeeded Joe Vitale.As one of two members outside New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
's Five Families
Five Families
The Five Families are the five original Italian-American Mafia crime families which have dominated organized crime in America since 1931. The Five Families in New York remain as the powerhouse of the Italian Mafia in the United States.-History:...
who dominated the Mafia Commission
The Commission (mafia)
The Commission is the governing body of the American Mafia. Formed in 1931, the Commission replaced the "Boss of all Bosses" title, with a ruling committee, consisting of the New York Five Families bosses and the boss of the Chicago Outfit...
, Zerilli was highly respected in the criminal underworld. Zerilli was a well-known advocate for the rights of mobsters to control criminal activity within their own territory. Zerilli insisted that the Commission approve in advance any exceptions to that rule. Although suspected in numerous gangland slayings, Zerilli was convicted of only two criminal charges in his life; speeding, and carrying a concealed weapon.
Hoffa disappearance
After more than 40 years, Zerilli retired from racketeering in the early 1970s and his son, Anthony Zerilli assumed control (one of the few sons of mob bosses to successfully do so). However, in 1975 Zerilli was forced to return as boss; his son had been convicted of conspiring to conceal interests in a Las VegasLas Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
syndicate casino. It was shortly after the elder Zerilli returned to power that former Teamsters
Teamsters
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is a labor union in the United States and Canada. Formed in 1903 by the merger of several local and regional locals of teamsters, the union now represents a diverse membership of blue-collar and professional workers in both the public and private sectors....
President Jimmy Hoffa
Jimmy Hoffa
James Riddle "Jimmy" Hoffa was an American labor union leader....
was released from prison and began campaigning to regain his former position.
Final years
On October 30, 1977, Joseph Zerilli died of natural causes. He was buried at Mount Olivet CemeteryMount Olivet Cemetery (Detroit)
Mt. Olivet Cemetery is a cemetery at 17100 Van Dyke Avenue in the city of Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan. It opened in 1888 and is owned and operated by the Mount Elliott Cemetery Association, a not-for-profit Catholic organization. At , it is the largest cemetery in Detroit.Notable people...
in Detroit.
In April 2000, grandson and Detroit syndicate soldier Nove Tocco agreed to testify against his cousin and boss of the Detroit crime syndicate, Jack Tocco
Jack Tocco
Giacomo “Jack” Tocco is an Italian-American mobster from Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, and alleged boss of the national organized crime organization known as The Detroit Partnership, based in Detroit, Michigan.-Early life:...
. Nove was the first member of the Detroit crime family to turn states evidence since the family's founding in 1921.