Your Daily Hood: Jackie Cerone

Jackie Cerone (1914-1996) Known as “Jackie the Lackey,” Cerone controlled Elmwood Park and other northwestern Chicago suburbs. He began his OUtfit career as a driver to Tony Accardo and eventually rose to the top spot. Known as "the smiling gambler," it was said Cerone could go from humorous to murderous in a blink. He was rumored to be part of the team that tortured and murdered loan shark William "Action" Jackson. He became boss of the Outfit following the semi-retirements of Tony Accardo and Joe Aiuppa. In 1986 Cerone, Aiuppa, Carl Civella, Angelo J. LaPietra and Carl DeLuna were convicted of skimming $2 million from a Las Vegas casino after Joseph Agosto, Kansas City crime family member and Las Vegas casino worker, turned state’s evidence and testified against the bosses. In 1996, Jackie Cerone died of natural causes six days after his release from prison.