Rosario Borgio was an early Italian mobster establishing one of the first organized crime operations in the America Midwest during the early 20th century.
13 Facts About Rosario Borgio
1.
2.
Rosario Borgio immigrated to the United States in 1910 and moved to Akron shortly after, where he married Filomena Matteo, an Italian immigrant.
3.
Rosario Borgio filed for divorce against his wife on grounds of adultery but it was withdrawn shortly after.
4.
Around this time, Rosario Borgio was arrested for illegal concealed carry by Officer Edward Costigan.
5.
Rosario Borgio claimed his home was "police proof," as the property was guarded by an extensive security system including alarms on both the front and back stairs; pits built into the stairs which held foot-long steel spikes; a solid steel door; and a large arsenal of weapons including shotguns, rifles, pistols, and submachine guns.
6.
Rosario Borgio was involved with illegal gambling, bootlegging, blackmail, drug peddling, and prostitution, and was known to gather at a pool hall on Furnace Street with his men.
7.
Rosario Borgio had extensive political protection, with much of the city's politicians on his payroll; Akron's police force remained considerably immune to his bribery.
8.
Rosario Borgio was the first policeman in Akron to die while on duty.
9.
Rosario Borgio targeted Costigan specifically because Costigan would stop him in the street and search him for concealed weapons whenever the two would meet following Rosario Borgio's concealed carry arrest.
10.
Rosario Borgio had been following two suspicious men when he was shot multiple times in the stomach.
11.
Rosario Borgio reportedly held Richards' hands behind his back while Frank Mazzanno shot him.
12.
Rosario Borgio reportedly admitted to other crimes while awaiting death in hopes that it would delay or call off his execution.
13.
Rosario Borgio died by electric chair on February 21,1919, at the Ohio Penitentiary.