Jack W. Tocco, Reputed Detroit Mob Boss Dies at 87

Reputed Detroit mob boss Jack W. Tocco, who was convicted of racketeering in 1998 in a federal crackdown on organized crime, has died. He was 87.

Tocco, who said he fought his entire life to clear his name, died Monday at home in the Detroit suburb of Grosse Pointe Park, according to Bagnasco & Calcaterra Funeral Home, which is handling arrangements. A cause of death wasn't released.

Tocco, whose family had a linen business, grew up in suburban Detroit and repeatedly proclaimed his innocence. He was convicted of racketeering and conspiracy to commit extortion in 1998. He served nearly three years behind bars in the case and paid $950,000 to the government.

Attorney James Bellanca Jr., whose firm represents Tocco, said he learned of Tocco's death from his family. In an email, he said Tocco lived his life "under the scrutiny of the government and the subject of public accusation." He said Tocco tried to clear his name. "Individuals familiar with his conviction in 1998 believe it was based more on the reputation that had been created for him than any evidence of wrongdoing presented against him at trial," Bellanca said. "He served his sentence quietly and with the same dignity he lived his life."

A federal jury in 1998 convicted Tocco of taking part in a 30-year racketeering conspiracy that included loan-sharking, illegal gambling, obstruction of justice and attempts to gain hidden interests in Nevada casinos. The FBI labeled him the Detroit crime family's boss in an organizational chart released in 1990.

Tocco was included in a 1996 indictment targeting alleged organized crime figures in Detroit. At a news conference about the case at the time, FBI Special Agent Joseph Martinolich Jr., who headed the Detroit office, said: "Here in Detroit, we believe we've driven a stake through the heart of La Cosa Nostra."

Tocco initially was sentenced to one year and a day, but that sentence was later invalidated by the appeals court after the government argued the penalty was too lenient. In 2000, a federal judge in Detroit imposed a new sentence of 34 months.

Tocco, who completed his 34-month sentence, that year thanked relatives and friends for their support and criticized former associates who testified against him.

"All my adult life, I've been fighting to clear my name," he said at a court hearing. "And I will continue that fight to clear my name until the time I die."

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Glen Ellyn man nabbed in FBI gambling bust

Friends of ours: Dominic Corrado, Peter Tocco, Jack Tocco

The ABC7 I-Team has learned that more than 100 FBI agents in Michigan and Illinois have busted a major organized crime gambling ring. The operation was headquartered in Detroit, but one of the 15 men charged lives in west suburban Glen Ellyn.

It is no coincidence that the feds have busted this mob sports betting business just as we head into the March madness of college basketball. Organized crime intelligence has long held that this is one of the most frenzied wagering periods of the year. But this operation has intrigued mob watchers. It was run by the Detroit mafia, but Dominic Corrado, one of the accused enforcers, lives within the boundaries of the Chicago outfit.

The 35-year-old Dominic Corrado lives on a pleasant street in the village of Glen Ellyn. Friday morning, FBI agents used the pre-dawn element of surprise, rousting Corrado from him from his sleep. "One of the things we also have to take into account is the potential for violence, the potential for fleeing," said Dan Roberts, Detroit FBI.

Corrado is one of 15 people charged in this indictment with operating an illegal sports betting business. Several of these arrestees are close relatives of notorious Detroit mafia leaders, hoodlums named Giacolone, Messina and Tocco.

Investigators say, even though Corrado lives in Glen Ellyn, his bloodline traces to several Detroit crime syndicate bosses the past 75 years, including relatives nicknamed Fats, Sparky and The Enforcer.

In this indictment, the current Corrado is accused of being an enforcer, prying payment from losing gamblers. "Various individuals owed money and would be told they had to pay. References were made to threats of violence," said Stephen Murphy, US attorney in Detroit.

Federal agents say that Corrado and the others charged laundered sports betting proceeds through this Detroit auto auction by buying and selling used cars. They allege that Peter Dominic Tocco worked with Corrado in the racketeering venture and that Tocco directed Corrado to muscle money from busted out gamblers. "We're talking about substantial amounts of money," said Murphy.

Tens of millions of dollars over several years, according to federal agents, who say that Corrado stood in front of a federal magistrate at the Dirksen Courthouse Monday and is now free on an unsecured bond. His next court appearance will be in Detroit.

Federal sources say much of their evidence against Corrado and the others was obtained during court-authorized wiretaps on telephone calls.

The I-Team left a message at Corrado's suburban Chicago home Monday afternoon but he has not responded. His alleged counterpart in the gambling operation, Peter D. Tocco, is the nephew of convicted Detroit mob boss Jack Tocco, and mobologists say the Tocco and Corrado families have long, rich histories in Detroit.

Thanks to Chuck Goudie

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