James Colosimo "Big Jim" (1877-1920)
Italian-born Chicago brothel keeper and gangster. At the age of 18, Colosimo worked for corrupt Chicago politicians, collecting kickbacks from brothel owners. In the early 1900s Colosimo began to operate a chain of whorehouses in Chicago and soon became known as the "King of Pimps." Money from the brothels and saloons attatched to them made him a millionaire before he was 30. To protect his booze and brothel empire, Colosimo hired thugs and gangsters, such as Johnny Torrio, to rub out extortionists who tried to take part of his wealth. Torrio, who soon began to run everything, wanted to branch out into other rackets, but Colosimo refused. On May 11, 1920, Al Capone, hired by Torrio, shot Colosimo dead at plush Colosimo's Cafe on South Wabash Avenue, Chicago.
 

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