Born Antonio, in Chicago, on August 23rd 1914, to Domenick S. Eldorado and Lucy Biafore. Father’s name originally Schirripa, from Ardore comune of Reggio Calabria. Mother from the San Giovanni in Fiore comune, Cosenza.
Alternative DOB August 23rd 1916.
Anthony Eldorado’s many aliases included “Joseph Tommy Zito”, “Tony Elmar”, “Ron Eldorado”, “Tom Mackay”, “Tom White”, “Tommy Elmar”, “Joe Adda” “Frank Rose”, “Tom Zito”, “Tom Dorado” and “Tommy Moreno.”
Moved to Detroit in around 1932, apparently to work at a Ford factory plant.
First arrested in Detroit on May 17th 1936 on armed robbery charges. Incarcerated at Plymouth Correctional Facility by August 13th, later transferred a prison in Jackson on February 22nd 1937.
Released October 21st 1938 and paroled to Chicago, discharge date unknown.
Brought in on “GP” charges on September 29th 1940 as Frank Eldorado. It is unclear what this abbreviation stands for, possibly in relation to theft or damage of government property?
Discharged from parole on October 21st 1942.
Arrested as Tony Eldorado on various minor offences throughout the remainder of the 1940s and early 1950s.
Following the murder of Chicago member Leonard “Fat Lenny” Caifano by policy racketeer Theodore Roe on June 28th 1951, Tony Eldorado was interviewed by state attorney investigators regarding Caifano’s hiring of a boat.
He had accompanied Caifano to a boat yard at 2500 South Ashland to inspect the Lady Lu sun-cruiser, that Caifano apparently planned to use for sunbathing to help combat a skin disease.
Eldorado told newspapers he was employed as a banker for floating dice and craps games at this time. He denied any knowledge of the shooting and was released.
Seemingly around the same time, Eldorado, Fiore “Fifi” Buccieri and Salvatore “Blackie” Cesario (k. 1971) were involved in a gambling operation in Madison, Ogden and Ashland Avenue.
Cesario was eventually excluded from this group but Eldorado and Buccieri remained active in the ring. This appears to be how they became close associates.
Next notable arrest was on January 20th 1952, again on GP charges.
On February 6th, listed as a dice game operator in a report from the Chicago Herald-American magazine.
Inducted into the Chicago family in a 1956 ceremony along with Joseph Ferriola, Eldorado was sponsored by Fifi Buccieri and Ferriola by William Daddono (1911-1975).
Several additional associates may have been inducted at the same ceremony, including Rocco Pranno, Felix “Milwaukee Phil” Alderisio and Charles “Chuckie English” Inglese as well as others.
It should be noted that at least one source disputed Eldorado’s membership. The informant felt he was “too dumb” to be in LCN and his other qualities amounted to being an “animal” that was “very mean” and “very strong.”
Brought in by the CPD during an unclear investigation on April 18th 1957.
Arrested on May 12th 1958 by Kankakee PD as Joseph Tommy Zito, along with Vincent “Turk” Torello and James LaPietra. They were charged with a carrying a concealed weapon (switchblade) and each fined 105 dollars.
The group was released the next day.
Officers noted that each man wore a nice watch and 2,200 dollars were found in their possession. It is unclear if Torello and LaPietra were members by this time.
Under his Frank Rose alias, attempted to purchase property at 306 East Grand River Avenue in Michigan. Contract offer was dated March 3rd 1961.
Present on January 7th 1963 list of suspected Chicago family members along with many others.
On April 22nd that year, CPD Vice Officers interviewed two young women who had consumed a bottle of vodka with two other male teenagers. They admitted to obtaining the liquor from the Miami Hot-Dogs vendor stand, that had not yet been opened.
Located at 5463 West Madison, the stand’s licensee was Anthony Eldorado. He had sold vodka (possibly not the same bottle) to one of the males for 4 dollars.
Liquor violation investigation into Miami Hot-Dogs continued the next day.
Vice Officers proceeded to the business address and identified themselves as CPD. When attempting to search the premises, Eldorado became extremely abusive and struck sergeant William Maloney. Arrested and booked on battery charges as Anthony T. Eldorado.
A resulting records check due to the arrest revealed that Eldorado was being sought for questioning in the 1957 murder of tavern owner Willard Bates. Lyons PD reopened the investigation but received no cooperation from Eldorado.
Following his arrest, special agents inspected his seized property. Aside from various pieces of jewellery and watches, he was also in possession of several vehicle registration records, letters, calling cards and a Mexican passport dated July 30th 1960 and issued to Eldorado.
Steps were taken to determine why he had this passport but the investigation appears to have been unfruitful.
In reports from August/September 1963, the Chicago office noted Eldorado was “very strong” and was willing to “attack even law enforcement offices with little provocation.”
Several other references exist in his FBI file that highlight his apparent danger to law enforcement officials.
On September 17th 1963, the FBI was advised that numerous weapons were in Eldorado’s possession. They included the following:
• .32 Smith & Wesson Revolver, blue steel (SN 104230)
• Colt Army Special Revolver, 32.20 WCF, nickle plated (SN 402336)
• P. Beretta Cal .22 Corto-Brov, .950 automatic, blue steel (SN 67951CC)
• Astra Cal. .25 automatic, blue steel, (SN 725981)
• Smith & Wesson D.A. .45 Revolver, nickle plated, U.S. Army, 1917, (SN 53038)
• Colt .357 Python Magnum, blue steel, (SN 2902)
• Smith & Wesson .38 Special CTG, blue steel, (SN 19711)
• Colt Math Target automatic col.22 long rifle, (SN 169189-S)
• Smith & Wesson .38 caliber snub nose revolver, blue steel, (SN 421543)
• Colt trooper .22 long rifle, revolver, blue steel, (SN 74993)
• Colt Detective Special .38 caliber snub nose revolver, blue steel, (SN 344491)
It was considered “unlikely” that the weapons were obtained through legitimate means and investigations into their origins continued into November that year. “Ultimate origin” of the guns remained undetermined.
Found not guilty on November 25th in the sergeant-assault trial.
Referenced in a wiretap in early December by Carlo LNU. He was recorded telling Buccieri crew associate and suspected member Steve Annoreno (d. 2018) about Eldorado withholding money that he’d won gambling.
On January 14th 1964, apparently acting on an anonymous tip, the CPD intelligence unit seized all eleven weapons previously identified as being in Eldorado’s possession. They were grabbed from a Chicago-Allied warehouse on 2101 South Wabash, along with 1000 rounds of ammunition.
Warehouse manager Robert Vinar told police that the guns had been stored in the location for over 4 years and records of any withdrawals/deposits by Eldorado were unavailable.
By February 25th, he had failed to claim ownership of the weapons. Property value was estimated at about 500 dollars.
On June 10th, surveilled at the wedding reception of Anthony R. Accardo and Janie Hawley at the Villa Venice in Wheeling, Illinois. Eldorado acted as an “outside guard, gate tender and overseer” for the function.
Later that year Eldorado and a redacted individual (a Buccieri brother?) were noted as frequenting Rosie’s Beef, after the headquarters for their loansharking operation had been moved.
Described as a juice loan collector answering to Fiore and Frank Buccieri in January 1965.
The FBI was advised later that month that Eldorado had begun renovating an old service station in Northlake, Illinois.
Observed on the 21st driving to Fifi Buccieri’s home after departing Connie’s Restaurant, a frequent meeting place for the crew. Report notes that subject Eldorado was to be considered “armed and dangerous.”
Source advised on February 10th that Eldorado was Buccieri’s errand boy and performed menial tasks for him. He “worshiped” Buccieri and if someone was disliked by Fiore, Tony Pine would dislike them as well and would oftentimes assault them at a later point.
Fiore Buccieri was interviewed on March 22nd 1965 and furnished that Eldorado was a “good man” until he was pressured by law enforcement. Otherwise, he was just an “old guy down on his heels.”
That same month, Eldorado took two trips to New Jersey on Buccieri’s behalf, for unknown reasons.
Eldorado’s brother Pasquale died on September 10th that year. His funeral appears to have been attended by Fifi Buccieri and other Chicago figures. It was noted that Tony Pine’s involvement in the family had begun to decrease around that time.
On October 4th 1965 at 11:45 AM, agents observed Buccieri burning trash at his residence. Upon approach, it was discovered he was burning meat cartons from steaks he had purchased.
The agents and Buccieri engaged in conversation for a while until Eldorado arrived. He entered the residence and a short while later called for Buccieri, as his sister was on the phone. Buccieri departed without speaking to her because of an apparent “date with a broad.”
At 12:05 PM, Eldorado departed the area and drove to Connie’s. He exited the restaurant a few minutes later with a hot food package and drove back to Buccieri’s home.
Noted to be frequenting Miami racetracks in early January 1966.
By March that year, a source again relayed to the FBI that Eldorado was “on the way out” because he had made too many mistakes and was growing older. Buccieri had taken to only entrusting him with menial tasks and Eldorado was largely staying away from the crew.
The FBI was advised by the CPD in February 1967 that associate Louis Aleman (father of Harry “Hook”), an in-law of Chicago members Joe Ferriola and Sam Cesario, also claimed to be related to Tony Eldorado. This appears to have been an exaggeration on Aleman’s part.
A report compiled in 1969 continued to list Eldorado as a daily visitor to Connie’s Restaurant. He was also noted to frequent the Santa Fe Gun Club, another Buccieri crew hangout.
Attended the wake (and possibly the funeral) of Chicago member Joseph “Joe Gags” Gagliano on December 13th through 15th 1971. Attendees included family administrators Anthony J. Accardo and Paul Ricca as well as influential members Joseph Aiuppa, Joseph Glimco, Ross Prio and several others.
He appears to have been mostly involved in legitimate property rentals by this time.
In a report dated March 29th 1973, special agent Harold Johnson recommended that the FBI investigation into Eldorado should be closed.
His only recent activities had been performing everyday tasks for Fifi Buccieri, including mowing his lawn, emptying garbage bins and going grocery shopping.
Noted as purchasing an interest in a livery business based in West Madison that July. Possibly employed as a bartender around this point.
Close friend and captain Fiore Buccieri died on August 17th of cancer.
Observed at his wake and funeral (18th, 19th and 20th of that month) were Tony Eldorado, Accardo and Aiuppa as well as many other members and associates – including the LaPietra brothers, Turk Torello, Joseph “Black Joe” Amato, Joe Glimco, Leonard Patrick, Anthony “Bucky” Ortenzi and Ernest Infelice.
Former acting administrator/panel member Salvatore “Teets” Battaglia died about 3 weeks later on September 7th. Eldorado was surveilled attending his wake, held at the Montclaire funeral home two days after his death.
He appears to have been totally inactive from that point forwards.
Tony Eldorado died August 22nd 1975 and was buried in Evergreen Park, Illinois.
Credit to Gavin Schmitt of Milwaukee Mafia for uploading Eldorado’s FBI files.
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