With the recent discovery that King Tut was afflicted with the parasitic disease malaria, I wanted to briefly explore infectious diseases that affected or killed famous people throughout history, ancient and current.

The diseases are as old as history, like tuberculosis, polio and syphilis, and particularly in the pre-antibiotic and pre-vaccine era, afflicted people regardless of fame and socioeconomic status.

Here I’d like to go over some of the more common diseases and famous people.

Tuberculosis has afflicted famous people throughout history and was once considered a romantic disease since it produced no repulsive or unattractive lesions like smallpox for example. Some musicians, poets and writers are notorious for their affliction with TB.

Here is a small list:

Writers are well represented in the tuberculosis list: Walt Whitman, John Keats, Lord Byron, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Sir Walter Scott, D.H. Lawrence, Robert Louis Stevenson, Edgar Allen Poe, and George Orwell are a small sample of writers who were afflicted with TB.

Others included musician Frederic Chopin, Gone with the Wind star, Vivian Leigh and former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

Sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis have also been a “plague” on humankind since the beginning. The conventional theory is that Columbus brought it to Europe from the New World. But it is certain that some people had syphilis: Al Capone, Henry VIII and Ivan the Terrible did have the STD.

J.E.B. Stuart, Joseph Goebbles and Frederick the Great each were infected with Neisseria gonorrheaoe, the cause of gonorrhea.

Several of the US Presidents also could not escape the scourge of infectious diseases. As everyone knows, Franklin Roosevelt had polio, Woodrow Wilson had influenza from the 1919 pandemic and the father of our country, George Washington perished to a peritonsillar abscess infection.

Many historians believe Alexander the Great perished to typhoid fever.

AIDS, which many consider the modern day “plague” and makes people susceptible to a plethora of infectious agents has claimed the lives of actor Rock Hudson, Queen frontman Freddie Mercury and tennis great, Arthur Ashe.

In addition, we saw Muppets creator Jim Henson perish to a streptococcal pneumonia/bacteremia, and rock icon Bob Dylan suffer from a Histoplasma fungal infection surrounding his heart.

This is a very short, non-exhaustive list, but it illustrates that infectious diseases do not respect status, fame, fortune or time, and will certainly raise its ugly head even in the era of vaccination and antibiotics.

Chapter I

“Big Ange” and the Death of the Cleveland Mafia

In 1983, Angelo Lonardo, 72, one-time Cleveland Mafia boss, turned government informant. He shocked family, friends, law enforcement officers and particularly, criminal associates with his decision which was made after being sentenced to life plus 103 years for drug and racketeering convictions. The sentence came after a monumental investigation by local, state and federal agencies had all but wiped out the Cleveland Mafia.

“Big Ange” as he was called, was the highest ranking mafioso to defect. He testified in 1985 at the Las Vegas casino “skimming” trials in Kansas City and in 1986 at the New York Mafia “ruling commission” trials. Many of the nation’s biggest mob leaders were convicted as a result of these trials.

During his testimony, Lonardo told how at age 18, he avenged his father’s murder by killing the man believed to be responsible. He further testified that after that murder, he was responsible for the killings of several of the Porrello brothers, business rivals of his father during Prohibition.

Chapter II

Birth of the Cleveland Mafia

During the late eighteen hundreds, the four Lonardo brothers and seven Porrello brothers were boyhood friends and fellow sulphur mine workers in their hometown of Licata, Sicily. They came to America in the early nineteen hundreds and eventually settled in the Woodland district of Cleveland. They remained close friends. Several of the Porrello and Lonardo brothers worked together in small businesses.

Lonardo clan leader “Big Joe” became a successful businessman and community leader in the lower Woodland Avenue area. During Prohibition, he became successful as a dealer in corn sugar which was used by bootleggers to make corn liquor. “Big Joe” provided stills and raw materials to the poor Italian district residents. They would make the booze and “Big Joe” would buy it back giving them a commission. He was respected and feared as a “padrone” or godfather. “Big Joe” became the leader of a powerful and vicious gang and was known as the corn sugar “baron.” Joe Porrello was one of his corporals.

Chapter III

The First Bloody Corner

With the advent of Prohibition, Cleveland, like other big cities, experienced a wave of bootleg-related murders. The murders of Louis Rosen, Salvatore Vella, August Rini and several others produced the same suspects, but no indictments. These suspects were members of the Lonardo gang. Several of the murders occurred at the corner of E. 25th and Woodland Ave. This intersection became known as the “bloody corner.”

By this time, Joe Porrello had left the employ of the Lonardos to start his own sugar wholesaling business.

Porrello and his six brothers pooled their money and eventually became successful corn sugar dealers headquartered in the upper Woodland Avenue area around E. 110th Street.

With small competitors, sugar dealers and bootleggers, mysteriously dying violent deaths, the Lonardos’ business flourished as they gained a near monopoly on the corn sugar business. Their main competitors were their old friends the Porrellos.

Raymond Porrello, youngest of his brothers was arrested by undercover federal agents for arranging a sale of 100 gallons of whiskey at the Porrello-owned barbershop at E. 110th and Woodland. He was sentenced to the Dayton, Oh. Workhouse.

The Porrello brothers paid the influential “Big Joe” Lonardo $5,000 to get Raymond out of prison. “Big Joe”

failed in his attempt but never returned the $5,000.

Meanwhile, Ernest Yorkell and Jack Brownstein, small-time self-proclaimed “tough guys” from Philadelphia arrived in Cleveland. Yorkell and Brownstein were shakedown artists, and their intended victims were Cleveland bootleggers, who got a chuckle out of how the two felt it necessary to explain that they were tough. Real tough guys didn’t need to tell people that they were tough. After providing Cleveland gangsters with a laugh, Yorkell and Brownstein were taken on a “one-way ride.”

Chapter IV

Corn Sugar and Blood

“Big Joe” Lonardo in 1926, now at the height of his wealth and power left for Sicily to visit his mother and

relatives. He left his closest brother and business partner John in charge.

During “Big Joe’s” six-month absence, he lost much of his $5,000 a week profits to the Porrellos who took advantage of John Lonardo’s lack of business skills and the assistance of a disgruntled Lonardo employee. “Big Joe” returned and business talks between the Porrellos and Lonardos began.

They “urged” the Porrellos to return their lost clientele.

On Oct. 13th, 1927 “Big Joe” and John Lonardo went to the Porrello barbershop to play cards and talk business with Angelo Porrello as they had been doing for the past week. As the Lonardos entered the rear room of the shop, two gunmen opened fire. Angelo Porrello ducked under a table.

Cleveland’s underworld lost its’ first boss as “Big Joe” went down with three bullets in his head. John Lonardo was shot in the chest and groin but drew his gun and managed to pursue the attackers through the barbershop. He dropped his gun in the shop but continued chasing the gunmen into the street where one of them turned, and out of bullets, struck Lonardo in the head several times with the butt of his gun. John fell unconscious and bled to death.

The Porrello brothers were arrested. Angelo was charged with the Lonardo brothers’ murders. The charges were later dropped for lack of evidence. Joe Porrello succeeded the Lonardos as corn sugar “baron” and later appointed himself “capo” of the Cleveland Mafia.

Chapter V

The Cleveland Meeting

The trail of bootleg blood continued to flow with numerous murders stemming from the Porrello-Lonardo conflict.

Lawrence Lupo, a former Lonardo bodyguard was killed after he let it be known that he wanted to take over the Lonardos’ corn sugar business.

Anthony Caruso, a butcher who saw the Lonardos’ killers escape was shot and killed. It was believed that he knew the identities of the gunmen and was going to reveal them to police.

On Dec. 5th, 1928, Joe Porrello and his lieutenant and bodyguard Sam Tilocco hosted the first known major meeting of the Mafia at Cleveland’s Hotel Statler. Many major Mafia leaders from Chicago to New York to Florida were invited. The meeting was raided before it actually began.

Joe Profaci, leader of a Brooklyn, N.Y. Mafia family was the most well-known of the gangsters arrested. Within a few hours, to the astonishment of police and court officials, Joe Porrello gathered thirty family members and friends who put up their houses as collateral for the gangsters’ bonds. Profaci was bailed out personally by Porrello. A great controversy over the validity of the bonds followed.

Several theories have been given as to why the meeting was called. First, it was thought that the gangsters, local presidents of the Unione Siciliane, an immigrant aid society infiltrated by the Mafia, were there to elect a new national president. Their previous president, Frankie Yale had been recently killed by order of Chicago’s notorious Al Capone. Second, it was believed that the meeting may have been called

to organize the highly lucrative corn sugar industry. It was also said that the men were there to “confirm” Joe Porrello as “capo” of Cleveland.

Capone, a non-Sicilian was reported to be in Cleveland for the meeting. He left soon after his arrival at the

advice of associates who said that the Sicilians did not want him there.

Chapter VI

The Second Bloody Corner

As Joe Porrello’s power and wealth grew, heirs and close associates to the Lonardo brothers grew hot for revenge.

Angelo Lonardo, “Big Joe’s” 18-year-old son along with his mother and his cousin, drove to the corner of E. 110th and Woodland, the Porrello stronghold. There Angelo sent word that his mother wanted to speak to Salvatore “Black Sam” Todaro. Todaro, now a Porrello lieutenant, had worked for Angelo’s father and was believed to be responsible for his murder. In later years it was believed that he was actually one of the gunmen.

As Todaro approached to speak with Mrs. Lonardo whom he respected, Angelo pulled out a gun and emptied it into “Black Sam’s stocky frame. Todaro crumpled to the sidewalk and died.

Angelo and his cousin disappeared for several months reportedly being hid in Chicago courtesy of Lonardo friend Al Capone. Later it was believed that Angelo spent time in California with his uncle Dominick, fourth Lonardo brother who fled west when indicted for a payroll robbery murder in 1921.

Eventually Angelo and his cousin were arrested and charged with “Black Sam’s” murder. For the first time in Cleveland’s bootleg murder history justice was served as both young men were convicted and sentenced to life. Justice although served would be shortlived as they would be released only a year and a half later after winning a new trial.

Chapter VII

Rise of the Mayfield Road Mob

On October 20th, 1929, Frank Lonardo, brother to “Big Joe” and John was shot to death while playing cards. Two theories were given for his death; that it was in revenge for the murder of “Black Sam” Todaro and, that he was killed for not paying gambling debts. Mrs. Frank Lonardo, when told of

her husband’s murder screamed, “I’ll get them. I’ll get them myself if I have to kill a whole regiment!”

By 1929, Little Italy crime boss Frank Milano had risen to power as leader of his own gang, “The Mayfield Road Mob.” Milano’s group was made up in part of remnants of the Lonardo gang and was also associated with the powerful “Cleveland Syndicate,” Morrie Kleinman, Moe Dalitz, Sam Tucker and Louis Rothkopf. The Cleveland Syndicate was responsible for most of the Canadian booze imported via Lake Erie. In later years they got into the casino business. One of the their largest and most profitable enterprises was construction of the Desert Inn Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas. Dalitz would become known as the “Godfather of Las Vegas.”

Joe Porrello admired Milano’s political organization, the East End Bi-Partisan Political Club and, seeing the value in such influence, wanted to ally himself with the group. Milano refused. Later, Porrello was reported to have affiliated himself with the newly formed 21st District Republican Club. He hoped to organize the Woodland Avenue voters as Milano was doing on Mayfield road.

Chapter VIII

More Corn Sugar and Blood

By 1930, Milano had grown quite powerful. He had gone so far as to demand a piece of the lucrative Porrello corn sugar business. On July 5th, 1930, Porrello received a phonecall from Milano who had requested a conference at his Venetian Restaurant on Mayfield Road. Sam Tilocco and Joe Porrello’s brother Raymond urged him not to go.

At about 2:00 p.m., Joe Porrello and Sam Tilocco arrived at Milano’s restaurant and speakeasy. Porrello, Tilocco, and Frank Milano sat down in the restaurant and discussed business. Several of Milano’s henchmen sat nearby. The atmosphere was tense as Porrello refused to accede to Milano’s demands.

Porrello reached into his pocket for his watch to check the time. Two of Milano’s men, possibly believing that Porrello was reaching for his gun opened fire. Porrello died instantly woth three bullets in his head Simultaneously, a third member of Milano’s gang fired at Tilocco who was struck three times but managed to stagger out the door toward his new Cadillac. He fell to the ground as the gunmen pursued him, finishing him off with another six bullets.

Frank Milano and several of his restaurant employees were arrested but only charged with being suspicious persons. The gunmen were never actually identified. Only one witness was present in the saloon when the shooting started. He was Frank Joiner, a slot machine distributor whose only testimony was that he “thought” he saw Frank Milano in the restaurant during the murders.

Cleveland’s aggressive and outspoken Safety Director Edwin Barry, frustrated by the continually rising number of bootleg murders, ordered all known sugar warehouses to be padlocked. He ordered a policeman to be detailed at each one to make sure that no sugar was brought in or removed.

Meanwhile, the six Porrello brothers donned black silk shirts and ties and buried their most successful brother. The showy double gangster funeral was one the largest Cleveland had ever seen. Two bands and thirty-three cars overloaded with flowers led the procession of the slain don and his bodyguard. Over two hundred fifty automobiles containing family and friends followed. Thousands of mourners and curious on-lookers lined the sidewalks.

Cleveland’s underworld was tense with rumors of imminent warfare. Porrello brother Vincente-James spoke openly of wiping out everyone responsible for his brother’s murder.

Three weeks after his brother’s murder, Jim Porrello still wore a black shirt as he entered the I & A grocery and meat market at E. 110th Street and Woodland. As he picked out lamb chops at the meat counter, a Ford touring car, its’ curtains tightly drawn, cruised slowly past the store. A couple of shotguns poked out and two lasts of buckshot were fired, one through the front window of the store and one through the front screen door.

The amateur gunmen got lucky. Two pellets found the back of Porrello’s head and entered his brain. He was rushed to the hospital.

Chapter IX

“I think maybe they’ll kill all us Porrellos”

“I think maybe they’ll kill all us Porrellos. I think maybe they will kill all of us except Rosario. They can’t

kill him – he’s in jail.” Thus Ottavio Porrello grimly but calmly predicted the probable fate of he and his brothers as he waited outside Jim’s hospital room. Jim Porrello died at 5:55 p.m.

Two local petty gangsters were arrested and charged with murder. One was discharged by directed verdict and the other was acquitted. Like almost all of Cleveland’s bootleg related murders, the killers never saw justice.

About this time, it was rumored that the Porrello brothers were marked for extermination. The surviving

brothers went into hiding. Raymond, known for his cocky attitude and hot temper spoke like his brother James did of seeking revenge. Raymond was smarter though, he took active measures to protect himself.

On August 15th, 1930, three weeks after James Porrello’s murder, Raymond Porrello’s house was leveled in a violent explosion. He was not home at the time since he had taken his family and abandoned his home in anticipation of the attack.

Four days later Frank Alessi, a witness to the murder of “Big Joe” Lonardo’s brother Frank, was gunned down. From his death bed, he identified Frank Brancato as his assailant. Brancato was known mainly as a Lonardo supporter and suspect in several murders. Brancato was acquitted of Alessi’s murder.

Chapter X

In March of 1931, Rosario Porrello was paroled from Ohio’s London Prison Farm where he had served one year for carrying a gun in his car.

In mid-1931, National Mafia “capo di tutti capi” (boss of all bosses) Salvatore Maranzano was killed. His murder set in motion the formation of the first Mafia National Ruling Commission created to stop the numerous murders resulting from conflicts between and within Mafia families and to promote application of modern business practices to crime.

Charles “Lucky” Luciano was the main developer of the commission and was named chairman. Also named to the commission were Al Capone of Chicago, Joe Profaci of Brooklyn and Frank Milano of Cleveland.

In Dec. of 1931, Angelo Lonardo and his cousin Dominic Suspirato were released from prison after being acquitted of “Black Sam” Todaro’s murder during a second trial. Because he had avenged his father’s death and (for the most part) gotten away with it, he became a respected member of Frank Milano’s Mayfield Road Mob.

The thirst for revenge had not been satisfied for members of the Lonardo family. It was generally believed

that “Black Sam” Todaro instigated and perhaps took part in the murders of “Big Joe” and John Lonardo. However it was believed by members of the Lonardo family that the remaining Porrello brothers, particularly the volatile John and Raymond and eldest brother Rosario still posed a threat because of

the murders of Joe and James Porrello.

On Feb. 25th, 1932 Raymond Porrello, his brother Rosario and their bodyguard Dominic Gulino (known also by several aliases) were playing cards near E. 110th and Woodland Avenue. The front door burst open and in a hail of bullets the Porrello brothers, their bodyguard and a bystander went down. The Porrellos died at the scene. Gulino died a couple of hours later. The bystander eventually recovered from his

wounds.

Several hours after the murders, Frank Brancato, with a bullet in his stomach, dragged himself into St. John’s hospital on Cleveland’s west side. He claimed he was shot in a street fight on the west side. A few days later, tests on the bullet taken from Brancato revealed that it came from a gun found at the Porrello brothers murder scene. Although never convicted of either of the murders, Brancato was convicted of perjury for lying to a Grand Jury about his whereabouts during the murder. He served four years after a one to ten year sentence was commuted by Governor Martin L. Davey.

In 1933, Prohibition was repealed. The bootleg murders mostly stopped as organized crime moved into other enterprises. Angelo Lonardo continued his crime career as a respected member of the Cleveland family eventually rising through the ranks to run the northeast Ohio rackets in 1980.

In early 1933, in a sequel to the tragedy of the large Porrello family, Rosario’s son Angelo, 21, was killed in a fight over a pool game in Buffalo. It was said that he and his Uncle John were there trying to muscle in on the corn liquor business.

******

Speakeasies, prohibition, what’s all this got to do with dutching?

Well first of all lets explain the concept behind dutching. Used mostly in horse racing although it can be used in any sport where there is a market and more than two competitors, it’s basically to insure that if one of the horse race selections wins then a profit is made.

There are many occasions when you can’t quite decide on one selection or the other. And you instinctively know that which ever choice you make will lose. It’s sods law. At weekends and during the week at big race meetings handicap races invariably have large fields of 16 or more runners and even such methods as the Avon handicap system can’t narrow the field down to one. Although you can leave the race alone and concentrate on races with smaller fields there is always the temptation of the bigger prices that go with a large field of runners.

You could always back each equine fancy but that means running down your betting bank with unnecessary losers. For example if your normal bet is £50 per selection and you had three fancies in the race that would amount to £150 with at least two losers to begin with and if the other lost you might be somewhat distraught.

The answer then to this horse racing conundrum is dutching, best done with a calculator if you want to avoid bits of paper tossed across the room and clumps of thinning hair thrown upon the floor. There are many free calculators that can be used online or downloaded. Although there are more elaborate dutching calculators on the market if you are going to dutch on a regular basis.

The basic method is to allocate your total bet amount, say £50 and then enter the odds (in decimal format) for each horse selection. The calculation will then tell you how much you have to stake on each horse in order to make a profit.

For example.

Entering the total amount you have to spend as £50 (three horses) the following odds and allocated amounts would be:-

16/1 at £6.97

10/1 at £11.16

7/2 at £31.87

which would give you a return of £111.55 if any selection wins

and a profit of £61.55.

Of course you have to make sure you can take the odds you are entering into the calculator, large field nearly always have odds available before hand because it’s one of the most profitable for the bookmaker. It’s that simple. But even after all that you still might end up losing and going down the pub to drown your sorrows which might have been a better option in the first place.

Now where does illegal whisky and molls come in to all this. It’s widely thought or stated on the internet that the term dutching originates with Al Capone’s accountant but his name was Jake “Greasy Thumb” Guzik, not Dutch and as far as we know not much of a horse race lover either but the molls might have been a different matter. For all of you with an eye for a chance the domain ‘greasythumbaccountants’ is still available on the net.

The term probably originates with ‘Dutch Schultz’, the notorious New Jersey gangster who specialised in the numbers game. It was his account partner Otto Berman who was a maths whizz and could calculate the odds necessary in order for Schultz to win on each bet and the fact that Schultz used to fix the games didn’t do him any harm. Except for the bullets that eventually killed.

So there we have it, if you want to bet on more than one horse in a race go dutch.

We all know Eliot Ness as the famous prohibition agent who got Al Capone, but some biographical accounts of his life indicate that he ended up an alcoholic. There have been various fictionalized versions of Ness throughout the years, although none touched on a drinking problem.

According to his biographer, Paul Heimel, who wrote Eliot Ness The True Story, the prohibition agent was not an alcoholic, according to his friends. He did like going out for a drink now and then and frequented famous nightspots. The biography dismisses the rumors of his alcoholism as just that, rumors.

In 1942, Eliot Ness was involved in an accident in the early hours of the morning. It was said that alcohol was a factor in the incident, although never proven. No one was seriously injured in the accident, but the incident cost Ness his career in Cleveland.

In books like Chasing Eliot Ness, the prohibition agent is seen drinking scotch after scotch and appears to have a drinking problem, although alcoholism is the least of his troubles in this book. There are scattered reports all over the internet and whether it is true or not depends upon which biographical account you read about the man behind the Untouchables.

Books like Torso, Nemesis and Chasing Eliot Ness fictionalize Ness, but none as much as The Untouchables by Oscar Fraley. Supposedly a biography of the prohibition agent, Fraley admitted to making the entire story up, according to the biography by Heimel.

Was Eliot Ness an alcoholic or not? He is listed on certain sites as an alcoholic, but there is no one alive today to say for sure. In the 1940s, when the stories came out, it was common for men to drink a few scotches, even during the day. It also makes for a good story to say that someone who fought so hard to keep liquor from Chicago would turn into a drunk. The only one who knows for sure is long gone. We have only fictionalized accounts of his life.

He was, however, a ladies man, according to the biography. This is most likely where the author of Chasing Eliot Ness got her inspiration.

From a spiritual viewpoint, Heidi Fleiss has manifested

what she was fated to experience, in our professional

opinion.

Below details some general information about Heidi Fleiss.

All of the following points would be discerned from her

basic numerology and astrology charts regardless of what

we already know of her through the media. We don’t have

a sample of her handwriting, which would allow us to look

into her personality much more deeply.

1. She has what we call “Al Capone” type aspects (tough/

smooth operator), with a lot of compassion and love power.

She’s like a fiery, potent cupid with a rough edge.

2. She’s one high-powered, visionary person, meaning that

she belongs in the international arena, where she can fully

exercise her talents. Small time stuff does not suite her at all.

3. She needs absolute freedom of action; she needs to be able

to act as she desires without anyone’s (such as a husband)

constraints on her behavior. Try to make her conform to a set

of rules limiting her action, and she’s gone.

4. She has a natural tendency to want to be number one, the

best at what she does.

5. She inherently has a lot more spiritual awareness than she

appears.

6. She has a strong vitality, so she heals quickly from living

in the “fast lane,” for example.

7. She’s fated to earn money through pleasure, social activity,

love affairs, parties, speculation, and sex (really, this is

extremely clear in her charts and we would say this for her

if we knew who she was or not. This goes for all the points

here–we’re just reading the charts).

8. Women, women in general, are very beneficial toward how

she acquires money.

9. Her money acquisition aspects are much stronger than

average.

10. At some point in her life, illegal forms of income, and/or

tax evasion is likely. Hopefully, that’s in her past for her sake.

11. Age 28/1994 through 34/2000, particularly 31/1997-

34/2000, included a very, very challenging span of time for

her. These are some of the worst years in her life.

12. Age 35/2001 through 38/2004 included a lot of mental

and emotional purging and healing. She emerged wiser, more

mature, and prepared for the next phase of her life.

13. Age 37/2003–46/2012 will include many ideas, directives,

and projects that won’t stand the test of time. This 9-10 year

period will be full of fun, social opportunity, easy money, and

quick success, but a lot of that which is initiated won’t last

beyond 2013.

14. Age 39/2005–43/2009 is a very promising four year period

when Ms Fleiss is putting into form some very important work

projects, those that are at once far reaching, but also within the

above mentioned 9-10 year period that includes a low level of

permanence. In other words, she may succeed in successfully

manifesting whatever she’s working on, and she may profit

handsomely, but she won’t be involved with it directly beyond

this 9-10 year period.

15. By age 43/mid to late 2009 she’ll have reached a high point

in her life, one that signifies an important change of direction.

Possible major life changes for her by this time.

16. Age 44/2010–47/2013 includes some struggles in trying

several new things and having nothing really materialize fully.

She won’t meet her professional expectations if they are high.

17. She has pretty good love-life aspects throughout her life,

but age 48/2014 and 49/2015 are two years when love

relationships are more meaningful for her. In other words,

she might fall deeply in love at that time. Before this two year

period there’s mainly a lot of physical romantic connections,

with the exception of 2007. 2007 for Ms Fleiss is sweet for

emotional, heart-expanding love (the kind that most people

want). 2012 offers a taste of the same.

Copyright © 2007 Scott Petullo, Stephen Petullo

The Hollywood Mafia Industry and Corporate America share operational similarities. Take the scenario: Al Capone running General Motors or Jack Welch running the Bonnono crime family (One of the most powerful families out of the five original New York Mafia families). Larger than life, film replicates reality, inspires it and role models it. I am one who likes to learn from everything I do, whether that be watching television, or reading a book. The following letter brings to light how corporate America and organized crime are in the same operational mode.

At the core of any relationship, there are certain rules and values. Going to work for the Mafia as many of us have come to know it, is similar to putting your suit on and going to work for GM. The only underlining difference is that of the rules from which each entity operates. The Mafia is in business for one and only one reason, and that is profitability. The corporation is in business for one and only one reason, which is profitability. Cut all the feel good – touchy feely stuff out. In reality, this feel good – touchy feely stuff is only a tool to attain the final purpose of existence. The core purpose as we have learned is your company's reason for being! Well I beg to differ; the core purpose of any entity's existence is to fulfill its personal agenda. What is different is the means used to attain these needs. The corporation exists for a purpose and so does the Mafia. They are both a set of organized entities that are governed by a set of rules driven by the founding member's values.

There are more ways than one that the Mafia is similar to corporate America, but I will not indulge you the reader in all these similarities and analysis. What I want you to take away from this letter is that you can learn from every little thing that you do, and that others do. You can learn from what you watch on television, and you can learn from what you listen on radio. But you must learn the right kind of things. Learning right from wrong is important, but more important is answering the question why? Why do I disagree with what I just watched and why do I agree with what I just watched? Similarly the activities of the Mafia might be something that you disagree with, but have you considered the question why you disagree with theses activities. In most cases, you will disagree with these activities because you are scared, or because your moral value system does not allow you to partake in such activities. But we must learn to differentiate the activities from their desired objectives.

As mentioned earlier there are many ways of getting to the same objective. You can either run to the finish line or walk, you can even run and walk. In fact there are numerous combinations that you can put together to achieve your objective of reaching the finish line. Similarly the Mafia or organized crime and Corporate America have similar objectives but different means to get to it. They both have a product or service, both have customers, both have leaders, both have a board of directors, both have a distribution system, both have a collection process and both have shareholders and stakeholders.

By now you must be curious to know what the similarities are between the Mafia and Corporate America. Below I have listed and explained briefly how the Mafia is similar to some of the biggest corporations in the world.

Loyalty and Honest:

These are characteristics that are part of both entities. Whether they are upheld is another issue, but the fact that both corporate America and the Mafia look for employees who will be loyal and honest provides a basis to consider this similarity.

Rules vs. Policy and Procedures:

The Mafia has rules according to which it operates and to which its members must adhere. The corporation has policy and procedures which it must follow and to which the company employees must adhere.

Strategy derived from the top:

In both a corporation and in the Mafia the strategy is derived from the top. The CEO and his executives decided where the corporation must head towards. In a Mafia family, the decision comes from the Godfather and his board of directors. In the Mafia the key decision makers are the Don, the under don and the councilory.

Power politics and association:

Individuals in a Mafia or Corporation both work to attain power through politics and association. In a Corporate setting, if you are liked and well connected you are sure to move up the ladder quick. In the Mafia if you are liked and well associated you are made man, a Goodfella.

Ranks vs. titles:

In the Mafia, Ranks are important; they determine who you are and the scope of your authority. The same goes for a corporation, where titles determine the importance of an individual along with the scope of his or her authority.

Mentioned above are just a few major similarities between a major crime family and a large corporation. What is different about the Mafia is what fascinates me.

The heads of these Mafia families are mostly individuals who are uneducated, if we look at their educational background from the eyes of the general public. Majority of them have little schooling, yet they are able to run a large organization profitably in an environment where its existence is considered against the law. Members of the Mafia operate openly in the free market system and in places where communism is still practiced. What is more is that they flourish in both environments. The Mafia and its leaders are focused on results and objectives. They use what ever mean that they have available to their disposal to achieve these objectives. This to many of us may sound "BAD" or "WRONG" but consider what we know and have learned so far. All the Mafia is doing is operating in a different environment governed by a different set of rules. It is still a business just like a corporation.

Of course some individuals might be thinking that the values ​​systems are different and that is what causes the Mafia to operate the way it does. In-fact the values ​​that the Mafia and most corporations share are the same, the rule of the game are different. The Mafia values ​​fair treatment of its employees, the Mafia values ​​giving back to its community, the Mafia creates jobs for the unemployed, it benefits society by keeping the law enforcement, on its feet. In-fact I would argue that the mafia supports the huge budgets and workforce of many law enforcement agencies. The Mafia which is considered evil also invests in Corporate America. But in my opinion, the most important job that the Mafia does is to bring organization in an environment where everything goes. What I have learned from how the Mafia operates might be different than what you might learn. I have summarized my learning below:

1. Trust is earned not given

2. Forgive but don't forget

3. Without power, you will swim with the sharks

4. Learn the game of deception, and learn when to use it

5. Focus not on the results, but on achieving the objective

6. Do what you do best, hire for the rest

7. Always give more than you take

8. Remember the people who favored you

9. Forgive those, who tried to bring harm to you. (You never know when you might need some one. Once in power, the people who hated you the most suddenly become your best friends, and in most cases these people are the ones who are the most loyal to you, as they have more to prove)

10. Pick and choose you fights (You always live to fight another day)

11. Only say what is needed to be said and be blunt

“To really see Miami, you must get out on the water!”

If you follow this often dispensed local’s advice – and be assured: it’s a great advice you won’t be sorry to obey! – and book a day yacht charter, you’re in for a spectacular experience.

Just imagine cruising the crystal waters of Biscayne Bay and Florida Keys, exploring the Bahamas and Caribbean islands… They say that South Florida, enclosed by its azure waters, is just enchanting as a picture of scenic beauty and serenity when you’re watching from aboard the yacht charter or a boat.

Yacht charters offer you an opportunity to spend an unforgettable sun-filled, seawater-drenched day. An experience of a lifetime is guaranteed, whether you are looking for something extravagant, or an intimate event is more up your alley.

Let your dreams come true, whether they include exploring the Biscayne Bay or the ocean, or relaxing along the Inter-coastal waterway. You can go swimming or snorkeling in the crystal waters of South Florida, jet ski near a tropical island, celebrate an event like a birthday, anniversary, proposal – or even a wedding.

Getting married in a private ceremony on a yacht is becoming increasingly popular for those wanting a more nontraditional but memorable experience. The super producer Pharrell Williams recently got married on a private yacht with a few close friends and family.

While we’re on a subject of celebrities, they can be often seen aboard luxury yachts: starlets sunbathing, and millionares fishing in the rich waters. Navigating around Star Island, you will sail past the luxury residences of celebrities like Shaquille O’Neal, Rosie O’donnell,… or Al Capone, for instance.

Miami is one of the greatest cities in the world to party, and it can’t get better than partying aboard the luxury yacht!

All you have to do is sit back and relax; an experienced crew is there to cater to your any need. That day is for you to enjoy!

Day yacht charter may even surpass your wildest dreams and expectations: enjoy luxury and comfort, excellent professional customer service, exceptional cuisine. It’s a memory you are sure to cherish for years.

In Miami, you can find charters and cruises tailored to your desires. You can choose from a dazzlingly rich array of yachts: there are luxury yacht, sport yachts, fishing yachts, and even mega yachts. Boats include a selection of sport boats, power boats and party boats!

Chicago, Illinois is known for many symbols, deep dish pizza, Al Capone, Michael Jordan, and the Sears Tower. However, no one ever mentions group travel headaches, and uncoordinated transportation plans. Picture this; you need to coordinate your group of 25 of more, family members, business associates, cub scouts, church choirs, military personnel, etc to various locations within the Chicago metropolitan area. Next you weigh your options, public transportation, rental cars, or a limousine fleet. While the most economical choice, public transportation is often crowded and not always available for drop off at the exact location. As for rental cars, would you want to go through the trouble of ordering a caravan of rental cars and expect all of your passengers to navigate through Chicago's crowded streets and neighborhoods? Finally, limousine service will provide transportation in style, but for large groups, who wants to coordinate multiple pickups? The answer that is economical, comfortable, punctual, and sensible is charter bus rentals in Chicago.

Charter bus service in Chicago will allow your group the chance to relax and put the driving in Chicago traffic to a professional that knows the area. Tired of pulling over for rest stops or trying to keep a group of antsy kids occupied? Most charter buses in Chicago provide onboard restrooms and DVD entertainment options. Chicago already has the world's busiest airport in O'Hare International Airport, the world's busiest expressway in the Dan Ryan, and the World's largest convention center in McCormick place, add 7 million people to that mix and you have one bustling city. Chicago charter bus rentals allow groups to set up one point of pick up and drop off together. Oftentimes charter buses are allowed very close to the entrance of most destinations.

Whether your group is visiting Chicago's many sporting events, cultural attractions or festivals, charter bus service allows for easy one spot parking, and a way for your group to stay together before, during and after the event. As most adults like to indulge in a few spirits to make their time with friends or family more enjoyable, charter bus service in Chicago also becomes the safe option for group travel. Whatever your group decides to partake in, Chicago has many options to make your stay enjoyable. Renting a charter bus in Chicago will allow you to enjoy the event with your group to its fullest.

The BusBank, is a charter bus rental service headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Most people are familiar with The Untouchables either through the television series starring Robert Stack or the Brian DePalma film starring Kevin Costner. Both of these vehicles give inaccurate information about the Untouchables as well as the leader of the group of men, Eliot Ness.

In the film, Eliot Ness is played by Kevin Costner. He is seen as a family man with two biological children and a wife named Katherine. He has a daughter and his wife is pregnant and later in the film gives birth to a son. First big error is that Eliot Ness had three wives, but none of them were named Katherine. He never had any biological children although his third wife and he adopted a three year old boy.

Ness never killed anyone as is seen in the movie. Nor did he, even for a moment, trust the police in the city of Chicago where Al Capone had everything in his pocket. Ness pursued Capone with a vengeance, but never confronted him at the Lexington Hotel.

The Untouchables were nicknamed after they refused to take a bribe. It was at this time when the name Eliot Ness became known to the public in Chicago. Prior to that, they were a covert operation. Ness and his team of ten men, each handpicked for the job, worked from the Transportation Building. They did not associate with the police nor were introduced to the police department as they worked as a covert team that was associated with the Treasury Department.

In the television series, Robert Stack plays Ness and is more realistic in his depiction, although much older than the man he is portraying. Stack is often seen as angry and in his office quite a bit. His wife is Betty in the TV program and he has a son. He is closer to the real life person of Elliot Ness than in the movie as he is rarely seen at home and he and his men are often seen working until all hours of the night. Rarely does the telephone ring in the office when Stack does not pick it up.

Creative license has been taken with Eliot Ness since his death in 1957 and even prior. When his biographer, Oscar Fraley was writing his book, Ness failed to mention the fact that he had been divorced twice nor did he remember much about his Chicago days of chasing Al Capone. Fraley made the entire persona up that lives on to this day.

A biography of the prohibition agent details his downfall but gives very little insight as to the man he was as by the time the biography was published his wives and close friends were dead. Some fiction books have taken more liberties with the person he was by basing some of their writing on the biography that was written in the late 1990s.

There is so much to see and do in Havana that you won't be able to do it all in one visit! It is one of those cities where modern glass-enclosed towers vie with centuries-old, stately buildings encased in a history of revolution, pride and tradition. Whatever you want, Havana has it!

Many people like to make Malecon one of their first stops. This famous pedestrian walkway was built in the early 20th century beside six lanes of traffic and is a wonderful place to stroll beside the waterfront. You'll see people meeting to walk, talk, have coffee and generally enjoy the view of the ocean. It also serves as a parade route during festivals and you'll want to spend at least one early evening watching the sun set from Malecon.

The National Hotel, first opened in 1930, is the only hotel in Cuba that is a national monument. Winston Churchill, Al Capone and other famous and infamous people have slept beneath its roof; the futures of countries have been planned there as well as the next bank robbery or financial strategy. After soaking up the ambiance and beautiful décor, stop into La Terraza, the hotel's bar, for a cocktail and an unforgettable view of the Malecon.

Old Havana is one place where you could spend your entire visit quite happily, particularly if you like to soak up the vibrancy of the Cuban culture. You can hang out at Calle Obispo and talk with the self employed entrepreneurs or investigate La Colmenita, an afterschool center that uses art and performance as tools for the social and personal development of students. You never know what you'll see around the next corner in Old Havana, buildings more than 500 years old or a 21st century group of teens with a boom box. The Plaza de Armas is the site of the city's foundation, a beautiful square surrounded by plants and flowers and a great place to rest your tired feet. Also in Old Havana is the Covento de Santa Clara, an impressive pre-baroque convent.

Havanais also home to some of the best musicians on earth. The Buena Vista Social Club is not the only source of jazz on the island, as you'll see by all the up and coming artists you can watch and listen to at Casa del la Musica, or the house of music. Located on Galiano Street in Central Havana, this is a large club where you'll also find the most popular salsa artists. Dance or just while away the hours listening to some of the best music you'll ever hear.

Another site you'll not want to miss is Capitolio, the former seat of the government before 1959, built in same style as the US capitol building in Washington, DC. It was built by the dictator Gerardo Machada, completed in 1929 and is now home to the world 3rd largest indoor statue, a bronze cast in Rome and entitled Statue of the Republic. The nearly 50 foot tall statue is covered in 22 caret gold leaf; Lily Valty, a Cuban woman, was the model but the artist was inspired by the Greek goddess of wisdom, Athena.

The Museo de la Revolucion, housed in the former Presidential Palace, is a great place to get an overview of Cuban history. You can learn about the battles against former dictator Batista and see Granma, the yacht from which Fidel Castro launched the last revolution as well as a tank used in the Bay of Pigs invasion.