Frank Cullotta – Hole in the Wall Gang

Frank Cullotta is a name that is synonymous with organized crime and the dark underbelly of society. Born on December 14, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois, Cullotta would go on to become one of the most notorious figures in the history of the American Mafia. His criminal career spanned several decades and included involvement in a wide range of illegal activities, from robberies to murders.

Key Takeaways

  • Frank Cullotta was a notorious mobster who rose to power in the Spilotro era.
  • Cullotta was a member of the infamous Hole in the Wall Gang, responsible for numerous heists and murders.
  • After turning informant, Cullotta entered witness protection and made efforts to make amends for his past crimes.
  • Cullotta’s legacy includes his impact on organized crime and his influence on pop culture, particularly in film and television.
  • The complex legacy of Frank Cullotta highlights the complicated nature of redemption and the consequences of a life of crime.

The Early Years: Growing Up in Chicago

Cullotta’s early years were marked by a turbulent childhood and a family background that provided fertile ground for his eventual involvement in crime. Growing up in the tough streets of Chicago, he was exposed to violence and criminal activity from an early age. His father was a small-time criminal, and his mother struggled with addiction, leaving Cullotta to fend for himself.

The Mob Connection: Cullotta’s Entry into Organized Crime

It was only a matter of time before Cullotta found himself drawn into the world of organized crime. At the age of 18, he caught the attention of the Chicago Outfit, one of the most powerful Mafia organizations in the United States. Impressed by his street smarts and willingness to do whatever it took to get ahead, they took him under their wing.

The Spilotro Era: Cullotta’s Rise to Power

Event Date Location
Frank Cullotta joins the Chicago Outfit 1960 Chicago, Illinois
Cullotta becomes a made man 1979 Las Vegas, Nevada
Spilotro and Cullotta form the Hole in the Wall Gang 1979 Las Vegas, Nevada
Spilotro and Cullotta implicated in multiple murders 1982 Las Vegas, Nevada
Cullotta becomes a government witness 1982 Las Vegas, Nevada

Cullotta’s move to Las Vegas in the 1970s marked a turning point in his criminal career. It was there that he formed a close alliance with Tony Spilotro, a notorious enforcer for the Chicago Outfit. Together, they built a criminal empire that controlled much of the illegal activity in Las Vegas at the time.

The Hole in the Wall Gang: Infamous Heists and Murders

One of the most infamous aspects of Cullotta’s criminal career was his involvement in the Hole in the Wall Gang. This group of highly skilled burglars was responsible for a series of audacious heists, including the infamous Bertha’s jewelry heist. They would break into businesses by literally creating a hole in the wall, hence their name.

The Fallout: Cullotta Turns Informant

In 1982, Cullotta’s criminal empire came crashing down when he was arrested on charges of murder and racketeering. Facing the prospect of spending the rest of his life behind bars, he made the decision to turn informant and cooperate with law enforcement. His testimony would prove to be instrumental in dismantling the Chicago Outfit’s operations in Las Vegas.

Witness Protection: Life After the Mob

After turning informant, Cullotta entered the federal witness protection program, where he was given a new identity and relocated to a different part of the country. Adjusting to a new life outside of the criminal world was not easy for him. He struggled with feelings of guilt and remorse for his past actions, as well as the constant fear of being discovered by his former associates.

Redemption: Cullotta’s Efforts to Make Amends

Despite the challenges he faced, Cullotta made a conscious decision to use his knowledge and experience to help law enforcement fight organized crime. He became a consultant for films and television shows about the mob, providing valuable insights into the inner workings of criminal organizations. Through his work, he hoped to shed light on the dark side of society and prevent others from following in his footsteps.

The Legacy: Cullotta’s Impact on Organized Crime

Cullotta’s decision to turn informant and testify against his former associates had a profound impact on organized crime in Las Vegas. His testimony led to numerous convictions and exposed the inner workings of the Chicago Outfit, dealing a significant blow to their operations. His actions also served as a deterrent to others who might have been tempted to follow a similar path.

Pop Culture: Cullotta’s Influence on Film and Television

Cullotta’s life and criminal career have been the subject of numerous films and television shows. His work as a consultant for these projects has helped to ensure that the portrayal of organized crime is as accurate and authentic as possible. His involvement in pop culture has also helped to raise awareness about the dangers and consequences of getting involved in criminal activities.

The Complex Legacy of Frank Cullotta

Frank Cullotta’s life and criminal career are a testament to the complex nature of human beings. While he was undoubtedly involved in heinous crimes, his decision to turn informant and speak out against organized crime showed a glimmer of redemption. His legacy serves as a cautionary tale about the allure and dangers of the criminal world, while also highlighting the potential for change and redemption.

This article was originally posted “here

The tragic Lana Turner love affair that ended up in murder.

On March 26, 1958,  Lana Turner returned to the Hotel Bel Air from the 30th Academy Awards. Nominated for “Peyton Place,” she lost the Best Actress Oscar to Joanne Woodward for her performance in “The Three Faces of Eve.” 

But as Casey Sherman writes in “A Murder in Hollywood: The Untold Story of Tinseltown’s Most Shocking Crime” (Sourcebooks), the drama was just beginning. 

After putting her daughter Cheryl to bed, Turner walked into her own room. “The room was dark, but she could see the figure of a man sitting on a chair by her bed. Lana’s heart sank,” writes Sherman. “She flicked on the light switch, and there he was, Johnny Stompanato,” Turner’s temperamental boyfriend. 

California gangster Johnny Stompanato (l) with mafia chief Mickey Cohen; the duo intended to extort Lana Turner, but Stompanato ended up falling in love with her. Courtesy Associated Press/

A fight ensued. Stompanato slapped Turner, punched her in the face and then produced a knife. “No one will ever want to look at that pretty face again!” he raged.

All the while, young Cheryl cowered in her room.

Sherman chronicles a crime that shocked show business and laid bare the abusive relationship between one of Hollywood’s brightest stars and a liar, a crook and a conman.

Born in Woodstock,Ill., in 1925, Stompanato was a former Marine turned gangster and worked for Mickey Cohen, head of the notorious Los Angeles-based Cohen crime family. 

In 1957, the pair hatched a plan to blackmail Turner, who was known for her taste in the wrong kind of men. “The two gangsters reverse engineered the classic honey trap scheme, using Stompanato as bait to lure Lana into bed,” Sherman writes. 

“But that was not enough. They would need to stage a threesome of some kind while Cohen’s men surreptitiously filmed the sex act. They would then use that fear, hanging it over the actress’s head while siphoning off loads of cash from her bank account.”

Turner and Stompanato in happier times with Turner’s daughter Cheryl Crane. Courtesy Associated Press/

Using the alias “John Steele,” Stompanato bombarded Turner with calls, flowers and gifts. Later he charmed Cheryl by letting her ride his horse and new Thunderbird convertible. “Call me John,” he told her.

What Cohen hadn’t counted on was his right-hand man falling in love with Turner. “The game had changed. He was no longer interested in blackmail or sex movies.”

But over the course of a torrid year, Stompanato made Turner’s life a misery.

He abused her psychologically and routinely assaulted her. He also drugged her and took nude photographs of her while she slept.

It was only when her friend, actor Mickey Rooney, showed her an old copy of Confidential magazine, revealing “John Steele” was actually the gangster Johnny Stompanato that Turner tried to end the relationship.

But Stompanato wouldn’t accept it.

Turner’s Beverly Hills mansion — AKA, the scene of the crime. photo by Casey Sherman

In 1957, for example, he became convinced Turner was having an affair with up-and-coming Scottish actor Sean Connery, whom she was working with in England on “Another Time, Another Place.” 

Although Turner tried to dissuade him, Stompanato used a fake passport to fly across the Atlantic to confront her and in a row, tried to strangle her. 

Two weeks later, Stompanato turned up on the movie set and threatened Connery with a gun. “Stompanato pulled the revolver out of his pocket and aimed it at the actor’s chest. Lana let out a bloodcurdling scream,” writes Sherman.

Connery didn’t cower. 

Instead, he grabbed Stompanato’s wrist, twisting it behind his back. As he dropped the firearm, Connery punched him hard in the face, knocking him over, his nose gushing with blood. 

Turner takes the stand in her daughter’s trial in 1958. Bettmann Archive

Although banned from the studio, Stompanato showed up again days later, threatening to kill Turner. But thanks to a tip-off about Stompanato’s fake passport, police officers were there to escort him to the airport and on to a plane back to Los Angeles.

Still she couldn’t avoid him.

When filming ended Turner traveled to Copenhagen to make a connecting flight to Acapulco, Mexico where she intended to recuperate alone.

But waiting at the foot of the aircraft’s stairs, carrying a single yellow rose, was Stompanato. “Lana,” he said. “You know in your blood I’m never gonna let you go.”

Later, in Mexico, she awoke one night to find Stompanato at the foot of her bed, pointing a gun at her. “If you aren’t going to be with me, you’re not gonna be with anyone else,” he whispered. 

Turner’s daughter Cheryl Crane is led from a Los Angeles jail to Juvenile Hall in April 1958. Bettmann Archive

For her own safety, Turner resorted to playing the part of doting girlfriend. “She put her body on autopilot while her brain worked out some way to get rid of him forever,” writes Sherman.

The affair ended on April 4, 1958, a few weeks after Oscar night.

That evening, Stompanato turned up at Turner’s Beverly Hills home and threatened to kill her. 

When Turner tried to hide in her bedroom, Stompanato barged in. 

Turner and Cheryl descend from an airplane in 1946. Bettmann Archive

It was then that Cheryl Turner intervened, plunging an 8-inch butcher’s knife into the gangster’s stomach. “With one thrust, the blade penetrated his abdomen, slicing into one of his kidneys, striking a vertebra, and puncturing his aorta,” writes Sherman.

“Seconds later, Johnny Stompanato, gangster, conman, and abuser, was dead.”

When the case went to trial, Cheryl Turner was acquitted of murder, the jury ruling it was a “justifiable homicide” committed purely to save her mother’s life.

Stompanato was buried at LA’s Oakland Cemetery. Soon after, it was revealed his entire estate was worth just $274, which included $50 in cash.

As one newspaper headline eulogized: “He Lived Big and Died Little.” 

This article was originally posted here

Legal Troubles Mount for CEO Roberto Divkovic Amid Investor Fraud Allegations

Roberto Divkovic, the CEO of IMP 1991 Plus DOO Beograd, is facing mounting legal challenges as allegations of investor fraud surface. Accused of misleading investors with false promises, Divkovic’s actions have sparked outrage and led to a series of investigations. The heart of the controversy lies in simple yet devastating deceit: promises made to investors that were never intended to be kept.

Divkovic, an Austrian national, has been implicated in a scandal that has attracted attention from various news outlets, including BA-CA and NZWeek, JonBrion.com, and EricLeads.com. These reports collectively paint a picture of a businessman whose failure to achieve success through legitimate means seemingly led him to exploit the trust of his investors. The allegations suggest that Divkovic promised lucrative returns on investments in what was portrayed as a solid gold trading venture. However, the reality, as investors painfully discovered, was far from the rosy picture painted by Divkovic.

The simplicity of the scheme—making promises that were never fulfilled—belies the profound impact of Divkovic’s actions. Investors, lured by the prospect of substantial profits, now find themselves facing significant financial losses. The breach of trust is profound, with many expressing disbelief and anger at being deceived by someone they believed to be a reputable business leader.

Legal authorities have initiated proceedings against Divkovic, scrutinizing his every move and statement to investors. The focus is on the clear discrepancy between what was promised and what was actually delivered. As the legal net tightens, the case against Divkovic appears to hinge on the straightforward yet serious accusations of deceit and broken promises.

The unfolding scandal involving Roberto Divkovic has reverberated across the investment landscape, casting a shadow over the once-trusted name of IMP 1991 Plus DOO Beograd. Divkovic, now entangled in legal proceedings, is at the center of a storm of allegations accusing him of defrauding investors through false assurances. This situation has not only jeopardized his career but also inflicted considerable financial damage on those who invested in his promises.

For Divkovic, the path forward is laden with legal battles as he confronts the fallout from his alleged misdeeds. The investors, bearing the brunt of the betrayal, are seeking justice and financial recovery, turning to the courts as their avenue for recourse.

This article was originally posted here