For over half-a-century, Jigger Santo operated as one of Massachusetts’ most prolific and dangerous racketeers, serving as a key Genovese Family soldier and functionary who helped maintain his borgata’s tight control over the City of Worcester.
It is believed that by the 1940s, Santo had already been formally initiated into the ranks of Cosa Nostra by Francesco (Frank) Iacone, the longtime “Capo di Decina” and territory boss in control of Worcester’s underworld on behalf of New York’s Luciano/Genovese Family.
And because of his reputation as a no-nonsense tough guy, there is little doubt that Jigger was sometimes called upon by Iacone and utilized as a reliable strong-arm man to enforce the regime’s dictates.
By at least the late 1960s, Jigger had started expanding his activities down to Florida where he had numerous business contacts as well as a number of close mob associates.
And although he would always call Worcester home and maintain his headquarters there, as the years passed, he started spending more and more time in South Florida and eventually expanded his criminal activities there as well.
This deep-dive takes a closer look at the life and times of Jigger Santo.
