Knocked Out of the Presidential Race

Chicago - On this day in 1928 Peter Rizzuto*, a Sicilian big wig, was loading near beer onto a truck outside his place of business. His place of business was a beverage supply company that not only manufactured the stuff he was loading onto the truck, but also supplied hops, sugar etc. all the things one would need to make alcoholic beverages. One of his top customers was the Aiello gang.

In addition to his business interests, Rizzuto was being groomed by said Aiellos to take over the presidency of the Unione Siciliana. The previous month the former president Joe Lombardo, a Capone ally,  had been shot to death while walking with his bodyguards. Most likely at the behest of the Aiellos. Rizzuto had been on the phone with Lombardo a few moments before the shooting and was considered a suspect in the killing.

As Rizzuto was loading his near beer, two men, each armed with a sawed off shotgun, crept around the side of his truck and cut him down. Perhaps somebody else suspected him in the Lombardo killing as well.

Peter Rizzuto

*Rizzuto was spelled numerous ways in the press. This may not be the actual spelling.