Nationality American Name Anthony Giordano Spouse(s) Catherine P. Burns | Religion Roman Catholic | |
Children William Giordano (adopted) Died August 29, 1980, St. Louis, Missouri, United States Residence St. Louis, Missouri, United States | ||
Antonio Rico Giuseppe Giordano (June 24, 1915 – August 29, 1980) was the boss of the St. Louis crime family.
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Early life
Anthony Giordano, nicknamed "Tony G", was born June 24, 1915 in St. Louis, Missouri. He married Catherine P. Burns, and together they adopted a son named William Giordano.
St. Louis crime family
Beginning in 1938, Giordano was arrested more than 50 times; his charges included carrying concealed weapons, robbery, holdups, income tax evasion, and counterfeiting tax stamps. In his early years, Giordano wore the wide-brimmed pearl gray hats, expensive suits, and rings favored by many mobsters of that time.
He was uncle to Matthew "Mike" Trupiano, who later became boss. Giordano was also a cousin to the Licavolis. He was an uncle to St Louis Crime family Capo James Giammanco.
Giordano was known for his explosive temper. In 1965, Giordano threatened a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent who was trying to ask him questions at his restaurant. On another occasion in 1970, Giordano grabbed and physically threatened a priest who was trying to retrieve a stolen church vehicle at Giordano's towing company.
Criminal career
In the early 1950s, Giordano made several trips to Anzio, Italy to smuggle heroin into the United States. The US Federal Bureau of Narcotics observed him on three trips, but did not gather enough evidence to indict him. In 1956, Giordano was convicted of income tax evasion for his vending machine company and was sentenced to four years in federal prison. When family boss John Vitale retired in 1960, Giordano took over the St. Louis crime family.
By the 1960s, Giordano had assumed a lower profile as a blue-collar worker. He and his wife lived in a conservative home in southwest St. Louis. Giordano was often seen in work clothes at his rental properties performing carpentry or plumbing chores. In February 1968, he was arrested as a "suspected" gambler during a citywide crack down on gamblers.
In 1975, Giordano was convicted on charges of secretly trying to obtain ownership in the New Frontier Hotel and Casino in Paradise, Nevada and was sent to prison. He was released in 1977. Giordano died on August 29, 1980, and was buried on September 2, 1980 in Calvary Cemetery, St. Louis City, Missouri. His wife Catherine survived him and died December 29, 2007. She was buried on January 2, 2008 in Calvary Cemetery, St. Louis City, Mo.