FORMER
UNDERBOSS
Cosa Nostra had to offer. He learned of course from Jack Dragna who groomed him to assume the
position of Boss when he came into his own. John Roselli, then taught him how to move between
families and put together deals. Then he decided that he wanted to be in the garment industry, he
learned how to make money from the master himself, Johnny Dio. Johnny Dio was the master Union
organizer in New York, but his influence stretched across the country. The lessons he taught Louie
Dragna would make him a millionaire with his garment company Roberta.
Louie Dragna was given the opportunity to be boss a couple of times and each time he declined.
That is why he was dubbed the Reluctant Prince. Dominic Brooklier was sent to prison for a short period
of time, so he appointed Louie Dragna as acting boss of the LA Family. Louie Dragna had no desire to
be boss, not when he could concentrate on his own business, so he called in Jimmy Frattiano to take his
place. He made a deal with Jimmy to run the Family with his blessing while Brooklier was away. Jimmy
took to his new role and visited other families all over the country to make deals. This did not sit well
with Brooklier, who once out on the street, demoted Jimmy. After Booklier died Louie Dragna again
passed on the position of Boss, so Pete Milano became the official boss of the LA Family.
The whole Family was taken down by the FBI and Louie Dragna decided that he had enough. He
cooperated with the FBI and gave up the whole Family structure, along with those back East.
It must have been shocking to those in Cosa Nostra Families all over the country. Louie Dragna was no
slouch like Pete Milano, he had killed, he did work, he made cash and he was a Dragna a relative to
Tommy Luchese. Pete "Shakes" Milano again showed that he was not a real Cosa Nostra boss, by
letting Louie live right under his nose in California.