Rosario DeSimone

Rosario "the Chief" DeSimone (born December 11, 1873 in Salaparuta , Sicily , † July 15, 1946 ) was the head ("Boss") of an Italian-American criminal gang headquartered in Los Angeles . His rule lasted from 1922 to 1925. His son was Frank DeSimone , who later controlled California as a criminal chief.

Life

DeSimone emigrated to the USA, initially to New Orleans . He later went to Pueblo, Colorado . In Pueblo he was a member of the Mafia respected among Mafiosi, then went to Los Angeles and became underboss of Vito Di Giorgio . After Di Giorgio's death in Chicago in 1922, he became boss. He ruled Los Angeles County and disguised himself as a simple businessman in Downey , California . His reign was short and ended in 1925. He was inherited by Joseph Ardizzone and died of natural causes in 1946.

family

DeSimone married several times and had numerous children. The children with his first wife were Leon DeSimone, who graduated from Stanford University and became a successful surgeon. He had several children with Rosalia Cordo, his second son Frank DeSimone became a lawyer and gangster and later became the don (boss) of the family. His reign lasted from 1956 to 1967. The third son Joseph became a dentist. DeSimone had two daughters Josephine and Towina. Many descendants of Rosario pursued criminal careers, such as: Thomas DeSimone , Robert DeSimone , Anthony DeSimone and Joseph DeSimone .

swell

• Gentile, Nick, with Felice Chilanti. Vita Di Capomafia . Rome: Editori Riuniti, 1963.
• Warner, Richard N. "The First Mafia Boss of Los Angeles? The Mystery of Vito Di Giorgio, 1880-1922." On The Spot Journal (Summer 2008), pages 46-54.
• Los Angeles Times obituary for Rosario DeSimone, July 17, 1946