The Detroit Mafia - The Man Who Created His Own 5 Families - Joe Zerilli & William Tocco - 1969

Joe Zerilli was a serious old-timer and the Boss of the Detroit crime family, a man who created his own version of the "Five Families." He was respected throughout the world of organized crime. Wherever he went, he was treated with the utmost respect. Before he even took his seat at a wedding or other ceremonies, powerful individuals would wipe it down to ensure it was free of any dust. It didn't matter if you were a friend or an enemy; you had to respect Joe.

He was incredibly wealthy and didn't hide it. Unlike other bosses who concealed their riches, Joe flaunted his. He drove luxury cars and went to great lengths to ensure he wasn’t being followed or wiretapped. His connections spanned across America, with businesses in Miami, Middle America, and New Orleans. He was heavily connected to other major crime figures, including Carlos Marcello, the Genovese crime family, and Russell Bufalino. Whenever Jimmy Hoffa's name came up, so did Joe’s and his crime family's.

Despite his power, accurate information about Joe’s involvement in major events, like the Hoffa situation, remains elusive. It’s known that the Bufalino family handled Hoffa, but Joe’s role is still shrouded in mystery. During the Kennedy administration, Joe was targeted by authorities. However, the newspapers and the Justice Department admitted he was too rich and too connected to touch. They conceded that he would never go to prison and would die a free man. Instead, they targeted lower-level gangsters, considering Joe untouchable.

Joe was also the subject of contrasting opinions from the media. The Saturday Evening Post claimed that the Detroit Police Department and FBI were making significant headway in taking him down. In contrast, the Detroit Press laughed at those suggestions, asserting that Joe was untouchable and would never be arrested. Ultimately, the Detroit Press was proven right.


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