Tony Accardo

The Life of Tony Accardo

Anthony “Tony” Accardo, nicknamed “Joe Batters” and “Big Tuna,” rose from humble beginnings to become one of Chicago’s most powerful mob bosses. Born in 1906 to Sicilian immigrant parents, Accardo started his criminal career in the streets of Chicago during the Prohibition era.

Unlike other mobsters who sought the spotlight, Accardo preferred working behind the scenes. His first nickname, “Joe Batters,” came from Al Capone after watching Accardo beat two disloyal gang members with a baseball bat. The second nickname, “Big Tuna,” emerged from his love of fishing on Lake Michigan.

Accardo’s rise through the criminal hierarchy showed remarkable patience and intelligence. He started as Al Capone’s bodyguard and driver, learning the business from Chicago’s most notorious gangster. His loyalty and competence earned him increasingly important positions within the organisation.

Notable Crimes

Accardo transformed the Chicago Outfit into a sophisticated criminal enterprise. Under his leadership, the organisation moved beyond traditional rackets into legitimate businesses. They controlled labour unions, waste management companies, and vending machine operations.

The Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre in 1929 allegedly involved Accardo, though never proven. Seven members of the rival North Side Gang died in this infamous gangland execution. The incident demonstrated the brutal efficiency of Capone’s organisation, where Accardo played a key role.

His genius lay in diversification. Accardo expanded the Outfit’s operations into Las Vegas casinos, using legitimate businesses to launder illegal profits. He pioneered the skimming operation, where casinos under-reported their earnings to avoid taxes and create untraceable cash.

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Accardo maintained iron discipline within his organisation. He banned drug trafficking, believing it attracted too much police attention. This strategic decision helped the Outfit avoid many of the legal problems that plagued other crime families.

Capture and Legacy

Despite running Chicago’s biggest criminal organisation for decades, Accardo spent only one night in jail. His ability to avoid prosecution earned him another nickname: “The Genuine Godfather.” He successfully pleaded the Fifth Amendment during numerous congressional hearings.

Law enforcement tried repeatedly to convict Accardo. In 1960, they charged him with tax evasion, but he won acquittal. His legal team effectively argued that his wealth came from legitimate business investments rather than criminal activities.

When burglars broke into his house in 1978, Accardo demonstrated his enduring power. Within weeks, the police found all suspected burglars dead in brutal fashion. This incident showed that even in his seventies, Accardo commanded respect and fear.

Accardo died of natural causes in 1992, aged 86. He remained active in the Outfit until his death, making him one of the longest-serving mob bosses in history. His legacy represents a transformation in organised crime, from street-level violence to sophisticated business operations.

Pleading the Fifth: The Perfect Tribute

Our Pleading the Fifth blend mirrors Accardo’s complex character with beans from multiple origins. We source from El Salvador, Colombia, Brazil, and Honduras, creating a sophisticated blend as multifaceted as the Chicago Outfit’s operations.

The medium roast brings out a balanced mixture of flavours, representing the various aspects of Accardo’s criminal empire. Like his preference for working behind the scenes, subtle notes blend together to create a powerful impact.

This signature blend delivers a smooth, refined experience worthy of the man who transformed organised crime into a business empire. Each cup tells the story of power exercised with patience and precision.