20 Facts About Johnny Dio

Johnny Dio is known for being involved in the acid attack which led to the blinding of newspaper columnist Victor Riesel, and for his role in creating fake labor union locals to help Jimmy Hoffa become General President of the Teamsters.

Johnny Dio was the eldest of three brothers, including Thomas and Frank J Dioguardi.

Johnny Dio's father was murdered in August 1930 in what police called a mob-related execution.

Johnny Dio associated with hitmen and labor racketeers Louis "Lepke" Buchalter and Jacob "Gurrah" Shapiro.

Johnny Dio was arrested several times between 1926 and 1937, but never brought to trial.

Johnny Dio later sold the plant, and set up a dress wholesaler operation in New York City.

Johnny Dio married the former Anne Chrostek, and had two sons, Philip and Dominick, and a daughter, Rosemary, who died.

Johnny Dio was appointed Regional Director of the United Auto Workers-AFL, and received 12 charters for paper locals in the garment industry.

Johnny Dio became acquainted with New York City Teamsters leaders Martin T Lacey and John J O'Rourke in 1934, when Dioguardi represented the employers in a trucking strike.

Johnny Dio met in a New York City hotel room with Midwestern Teamsters leader Jimmy Hoffa and plotted to help Hoffa oust Teamsters General President Dave Beck.

O'Rourke fought to have the "Johnny Dio locals" admitted to the Joint Council, and a major political battle broke out in the international union over admitting the new unions.

Johnny Dio was sentenced to 15 years in Sing Sing, and began serving time on January 10,1958.

Johnny Dio was paroled in 1963, and went to work for Consumers Kosher Provision.

Johnny Dio slashed costs by distributing spoiled and rotten meat to stores, and raising prices dramatically.

Johnny Dio appealed his conviction, but his appeal was denied and he began serving his prison term in October 1970.

Johnny Dio had just recently finished serving his five-year sentence for bankruptcy fraud.

Johnny Dio testified again before another New York state commission in May 1968.

Johnny Dio's cell was on "mobsters row", a series of cells on the same level and wing of the prison where a number of famous and important organized crime figures, including Henry Hill, Carmine Galante, Paul Vario and John Gotti served time.

Johnny Dio became well known for being able to get better prison work assignments for other incarcerated mobsters.

Johnny Dio was survived by his wife, Anne; his son and daughter.