Frank Nitti: The Untold Story Of Al Capone's Enforcer & His Legacy
Does the echo of a bygone era still resonate within the shadows of Chicago's past? The spectral whispers of Frank Nitti, the man who steered the Chicago Outfit through its most turbulent years, continue to linger, a testament to the enduring power and mystery of organized crime.
The very air around certain locations seems to thicken with the weight of history. The fourth floor outside Nitti's apartment, the basement where his vault once stood these places are said to be haunted by a presence. Descriptions of this ghostly figure are eerily consistent: a man in a fedora, a quintessential detail of Nitti's time, solidifying the belief that the ghost is none other than the infamous "Enforcer" himself. A more benign spirit, perhaps Harry, may also inhabit the walls of a restaurant where Nitti's legacy is connected, further blurring the lines between the tangible and the spectral, the present and the past.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Francesco Raffaele Nitto |
| Also Known As | Frank Nitti, "The Enforcer" |
| Born | January 27, 1886, Angri, Italy |
| Died | March 19, 1943, North Riverside, Illinois |
| Cause of Death | Suicide (to avoid imprisonment) |
| Family | First cousin of Al Capone; Married Annette Caravetta May 14, 1942 |
| Career | Barber (early life); Fence for stolen goods; Member of Al Capone's Chicago Outfit; Head of operations (liquor smuggling); Boss of the Chicago Outfit. |
| Criminal Activities | Murder, extortion, racketeering, liquor smuggling, tax evasion |
| Key Role | Chief enforcer and later boss of the Chicago Outfit, managed operations and kept the organization profitable. |
| Arrested | 1930 |
| Imprisonment | 18 months (Tax Evasion, 1931) |
| Film Depiction | The Untouchables (1987) played by Billy Drago |
| Reference | Wikipedia |
Frank Nitti, whose birth name was Francesco Raffaele Nitto, emerged from the Italian town of Angri. His journey through the treacherous world of organized crime began with modest aspirations, but it wasn't long before he found his place within Al Capone's formidable empire, the notorious Chicago Outfit. Joining the gang around 1920, just as Prohibition was taking hold, Nitti quickly proved his worth. He initially worked as a fence, dealing in stolen goods. His sharp mind, coupled with a natural aptitude for business, soon elevated him within the ranks. He was a man of strategic brilliance, preferring to orchestrate events from the shadows, a key characteristic that allowed the Outfit to adapt and thrive amidst constant turmoil.
Nitti's role expanded significantly under Capone's command. He became the man who ran the Outfit's extensive liquor smuggling and distribution network. Whiskey flowed from Canada into Chicago speakeasies, forming the lifeblood of the Outfit's profits. While Capone grabbed the headlines, it was Nitti who ensured that the Chicago Outfit remained profitable and adaptable. His ability to stay a step ahead and his knack for innovation became the backbone of the organization's success. His strategic mind allowed the mob to thrive in new ventures, turning him into a force to be reckoned with.
Nitti's rise was fueled by his ambition and strategic alliances. While Nitti admired the power of Johnny Torrio, Capone's arrival in Chicago provided him the opportunity to climb the ranks, eventually becoming Capone's chief lieutenant. This marked a significant shift in his career. By the 1930s, he had become the enforcer, the man who orchestrated dozens of murders, a grim testament to the era's violent realities. His ruthlessness was legendary, his efficiency unmatched.
The year 1930 brought an early taste of the legal troubles to come for Nitti. Then, in 1931, both Nitti and Capone were convicted of tax evasion. Nitti received a relatively light sentence of 18 months, while Capone was sentenced to 11 years. Despite his troubles, Nitti was not a problematic prisoner, though he was subject to confined space, and it must have been an experience he wouldn't soon forget. After Capone's imprisonment, Nitti stepped up, becoming the head of the Chicago Outfit. It was a role more in name than in fact, but it solidified his legacy as the successor to one of the most infamous criminal empires in American history.
Nitti's life was intertwined with tragedy and loss. The death of his associate, Edward O'Hare, in 1939, marked the loss of an ally in the Outfit. His personal life was also touched by these events. He married Annette Caravetta on May 14, 1942. However, the weight of his criminal past eventually caught up to him. In 1942, facing another prison sentence, Nitti chose his own fate, ending his life to avoid incarceration. He became a victim of the system he helped build, where power, once lost, offered no second chances.
The ghost stories persist. The descriptions of the specter outside his apartment or within the basement echo the image of "The Enforcer" in a fedora, forever tethered to the locations where he once exerted control. The echoes of his influence on Chicago's underworld still linger in the city's collective memory. Relics from his life of crime, like a safe and a phonebook with alderman's numbers, were even discovered within the walls of a building connected to his life. They underscore how he remained embedded in the city's fabric, a presence that, even in death, is hard to ignore.
Nitti's story continues to be retold. The 1987 film "The Untouchables" featured a chilling portrayal by Billy Drago, capturing the essence of a man who understood the rules of violence. Even in foreign languages, his story gained traction, showcasing his impact on global audiences. These portrayals in film and through literature reinforce the enduring interest in Nitti, the enforcer, the man who kept Capone's machine running, and the ghost who may still walk the halls of his past.
The legacy of Frank Nitti is complex. He was a man of his time, driven by ambition and ruthless efficiency. He built an empire, and he fell victim to the very systems that had allowed him to thrive. His story is a grim reminder of the allure and the consequences of power. Even after his death, the whispers of his name, and perhaps his ghost, continue to haunt the city of Chicago.
The shadow of Frank Nitti also fell on others. Ralph Sheldon, an ally of Capone, attempted to eliminate Capone and Lombardo for a reward offered by Aiello. However, Nitti's intelligence network learned of the plan and Sheldon was shot. While he survived, the incident showcased Nitti's vigilance and control over the Outfit. Even in this instance, his influence was at the heart of the Outfit's power.
The story of Frank Nitti serves as a reminder of the dark underbelly of American history. He was the enforcer, the strategist, the man who kept the wheels of Capone's empire turning. Yet his life was a constant battle, a dance with death, ultimately culminating in a tragic end. His legacy continues to be a source of fascination and a testament to the enduring power of organized crime.
