From The Archives - September 2015

Samuel Battaglia was a Chicago mobster and high-level member of the Chicago Outfit criminal organization.

He was born in Chicago, IL to Venetian immigrant parents; Salvatore Battaglia and Giuseppa Scarletta. He had 6 siblings; Mary, Sarah, James, Anthony, Joseph and August. Alongside Sam Giancana, Battaglia started off in the 42 Gang before joining Johnny Torrio and Al Capone in the war against the Irish North Side Gang whose boss at the time was Dean O’banion. By the age of 20, he became a high-ranking member of the Chicago Outfit and a foridable loan shark. Those who owed debt were to meet with Battaglia where they were severely beaten and or killed. This meeting took place in the back room of the Casa Madrid restaurant. Supposedly the nickname “Teets” derived from one of these encounters.

On October 9, 1930 Battaglia was a suspect in the jewel robbery of Mrs. William Hale Thompson. Allegedly, Battaglia stole the gun and star off of the police officer acting as Mrs. Thompson’s chauffer. On November 19, 1930 the jury rendered a verdict of not guilty.

Battaglia possessed an extensive criminal record with over 12 counts of burglary, robbery, and murder. He was a suspect in seven homicides. During the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the U.S. Senate Committee on Government Operations investigations on organized crime, Battaglia pleaded the 5^th amendment over 60 times.

During much of his career, Battaglia was considered the heir to the top syndicate job following Sam Giancana. Unfortunately, Battaglia was convicted of violating the Hobbs Act for obstructing interstate commerce and sentenced to 15 years in 1967. Upon being released from prison in 1973, Battaglia died of natural causes at his home.