Tony Mirabile Rizzo

From Detroit to Tiajuana Mexico

Tony Mirabile left Detroit and moved to Tiajuana, Mexico in 1927 setting up a popular nightspot in the Frolics bar which served as both a headquarters and front for his illegal activities. From Tiajuana, Tony set up a thriving criminal enterprise which continues today. Mirabile loaned money at ufarious rates, set up a thriving gambling business for Americain tourists while establishing a pipeline for the importation of narcotics into the US. With business booming, Tony moved across the border into the Southern California town of San Diego. San Diego's mild climate and close proximity to Mexico made it the ideal place for Mirabile to settle.

San Diego

Tony hit San Diego with a vengeance setting up nigthspots, buying local businesses and continuing his lucrative loansharking business. Tony's appearance in the backyard of Los Angeles mafia cheiftain was eased when the two entered into several business deals together. Impressed with Mirabile's Detroit connections and ability to turn a profit legitimately or criminally, Dragna began spending a good deal of his time in San Diego with the man who became known universally as Papa Tony. With the start of World War II, Papa Tony was poised to take advantage of the increase in military personnel in San Diego which was home to not only a Naval Base but the Marine training facility at camp Pendleton is nearby as well. The thriving war time economy and endless stream of young servicemen looking for a goodtime, Papa Tony set a goal of owning a piece of every bar and nightspot in San Diego. At the time this seemed an unrealistic statement but by the time of his death two decades later, many would point to his successful in making that dream a reality as the likely cause of his murder. While maintaining a high profile as a successful nightclub proprietor, Mirabile solidified his hold over San Diego nightlife by loaning money to legitimate businessmen at high rates of interest. When these men fell behind on their payments, he happily reduced the amount owed inexchange for a ownership share. Once in debt to Papa Tony, it was a matter of time before he gained complete control of the operation then buying the former owner out or reducing him to mere figure head status. In October 1958, investigators listed the following businesses as falling under the influence of Mirabile. The Saratoga, Barbels Bar, The Senator Cafe, Paul's Inn, Shermans, The Rainbow Gardens, Frolics Cafe San Diego, The Navy Club and the Kings Club. This does not include the list of real estate properties, Apartment buildings and other businesses which included jewlery stores which fronted his loanshark activities. The Committee called Papa Tony and asked him about his knowledge of the mafia to which he replied "I don't know nothing about that." The committee concluded his testimony offering up that Tony Mirabile was found to be interested in or controlled no fewer than 30 liquor licenses in the San Diego area. Some of the men who helped Mirabile run his nighttime empire were called to appear during the hearings. Many of these men were well known businessmen whereas others were notorious racketeers, gamblers and killers. Amoung the names connected to Mirabile were Johnny (Spaghetti Joe) Keys, Nathan Rosenberg, Leonard Brophy, Arthur Samish, Bill Bonelli, Joe Sica and Frank Bompensiro.

The Murder Of Papa Tony

During the early mourning hours of December 27, 1958, Papa Tony Mirabile dressed in a silk leopard print house coat and pajamas opened the door to his apartment and allowed entrance to a blond woman and a man. The purpose of the pairs visit was never uncovered but many believe the pair was seeking a loan or had appeared before Mirabile to argue a debt. Whatever the case, the discussion quickly escalated and the woman drew and knife and the man a .38 caliber revolver. Phillip Aquaro Mirabile's nephew was present in the apartmnet and emerged from his room just in time to see his uncle lung at the gunman. As the two men struggled to gain possession of the weapon four shots rang out and Mirabile staggered to his bath room and locked himself inside. Aquaro witnessing the early stages of the confrontation had not seen the shooting as the knife wielding blond spotted him and chased him back into his bedroom. As the shots rang out, Aquaro claimed the woman ran from the bedroom dropping her knife as she fled with Phillip hot on her tail. As Aquaro emerged from the bedroom, he was slugged over the head with the butt of the pistol by the gunman who then fled. Young Aquaro claimed he lost consciousness and when he came to he heard his uncle shout are they gone from behind the locked restroom door. Aquaro then rushed from the apartment and found a San Diego policeman who entered Mirabile's apartment and removed the bathroom door. Once inside they found Tony Mirabile slumped in a straight backed chair inside the restroom. It was apparent that a weakened Mirabile had attempted to phone for help as the telephone lay in the wash basin of the sink. Mirabile's death is officially listed as 12:53 AM. Investigators found $1,500 in the pocket of the deceased and immediately surmised that robbery had been the pairs motive after several people offered Tony never carried less than $10,000 on him.

Controversy Follows Death

The mystery surrounding the murder of Tony Mirabile immediately led to all kinds of rumors floating around about his mob ties and double crosses, robberies and outstanding gambling debts. As Tony's brother Paul made arrangements for his brothers body to be shipped back to his birthplace in Sicily, the authorities announced a Las Vegas card dealer by the name of Robert Womack was found with his tongue cut out. A friend of Womack's announced that he had staggered into a Tiajuana nightclub about 3:AM just two nights after the murder of Tony. The injuries to Womack launched an investigatiom into a possible connection between Mirabile's death and gambling which had just taken off in Baja and Rosarito Beach California. 2 days later policed announced the arrest of Ernest Murray, a convicted bird smuggler. Investigator's found that the weapon used in the slaying of Mirabile had last been in Murray's possession shortly before the killing. Held under $10,000 bond for passing two bad checks at a Ford dealer, Murray was never charged with the crime and faded from the investigation. The Mirabile murder closed with Frank Bompensiro and the Matranga brothers vying for control of the empire Tony had left. While the brothers Matranga held important connections to the Detroit family, Bompensiro was a well known killer who had been a favorite of Tony Mirabile's friend Jack Dragna. The abscence of both men placed the advantage on the side of the Matranga's who picked up where Tony left off as kings of the San Diego nightlife. The Mirabile saga closed with the reading of his will and the announcement that a federal inquiry into his and Leonard Brophy's death (the day before Tony was murdered Brophy a partner of Tony's was found dead of an apparent suicide.) Where the probe turned up little, the will made headlines when the multi-millionaire left several nephews $1.25 apiece. Phillip Aquaro the nephew present when he was murdered was not named in the will.

Papa Tony