In the past we have discussed the Mafia in Des Moines (I think). Specifically the men who ran the city for the Chicago Outfit, Charles Cherry Nose Gioe and Lou Cockeye Louie Fratto aka Lew Farrell. When Fratto came to Iowa he was described as a second rate operator. The thirty years he spent running Iowa proved otherwise though. He established a vast criminal enterprise, strong civic connections (He received an honorary lifetime membership from the DSM Chamber of Commerce) and built influence with government and law enforcement at all levels. Judge C. Edwin Moore, later a Iowa Supreme Court Justice, was a character witness at one of his trials. Governor Herschel Loveless was the recipient of numerous donations and according to some the two were friends. Sources in the DSM Police Department warned him about raids. The Polk Count Sheriff expedited his gun permit. The County Attorney quashed indictments. He had his fingers everwhere. Im curious if anyone has anything to share?
Posted on: Thu, 24 Jul 2014 22:10:47 +0000
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