Capone's mentor spent time in Lake Co. jail

In the 1920s, Giovanni "Johnny" Torrio, 1882-1957, was the chief of Chicago's underworld, and was known as the "Chicago Booze Baron." He helped build the criminal empire known as the Chicago Outfit, and was Al Capone's mentor.

From February to October 1925, Torrio was imprisoned in the Lake County jail in Waukegan. In May 1924, Torrio was arrested by federal agents for running an illegal bootlegging operation out of the former Sieben's Brewery in Chicago. The arrest was a result of a setup by the North Side Gang led by Dion O'Banion, who got a tip that the feds would be there. Torrio retaliated by having O'Banion murdered in his North Side flower shop.

Torrio was sentenced to nine months in the DuPage County jail and fined $5,000 for bootlegging. He was granted a 10 day stay of sentence to get his affairs in order, and during that reprieve he was shot in front of his home by Earl "Hymie" Weiss and George "Bugs" Moran of the North Side Gang. Though severely wounded, Torrio survived.

The assistant U.S. District Attorney suggested to the judge that the Lake County jail in Waukegan would be better for incarceration as it had access to a hospital. The judge agreed and Torrio was sent to Waukegan.

While in the Lake County jail, rumors circulated that the real reason Torrio was there was due to a friendly relationship with the Lake County Sheriff, Edwin Ahlstrom. Supposedly, Ahlstrom was granting special favors to Torrio such as providing his cell with throw rugs, an easy chair, radio, a down mattress and catered meals. It was even suggested that Torrio spent time relaxing on the front porch of the Sheriff's residence, and was as well known on the streets of Waukegan as its mayor.

On hearing these accusations, Torrio offered a $10,000 reward to anyone who could prove the charges. Efforts were made by newspaper reporters to catch him out of jail, but no one was able to prove it.

On Oct. 6, 1925, when Torrio was released from jail, he announced that he was retiring to Italy to fully recover from his wounds. Torrio had his attorneys draw up papers turning over control of his bootlegging, gambling and prostitution empire to his protégé, Al Capone.

In the 1930s, Torrio returned to the U.S., and based on his suggestion New York gangs combined forces to create the National Crime Syndicate.

Torrio died in 1957 of a heart attack.