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A Detroit man described by federal agents as a formerly high-ranking gangster is breaking his silence about the unsolved mystery in the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa after decades of refusing to answer questions.
The man -- who federal agents say is a main character in the infamous unsolved mystery -- says the union leader was buried in a field in suburban Detroit -- about 20 miles north of the restaurant where he was last seen.
Eighty-five years old and barely able to walk, Tony Zerilli never thought this day would come.
“I’m dead broke. I got no money,” Zerilli told NBC 4 New York. “My quality of life is zero.”
It’s certainly not what you would expect to hear from a man the feds say was once a high-ranking member of the Detroit La Cosa Nostra family.
“He actually had risen up at one point to the underboss – or second in command,” Andy Arena, former head of the FBI for New York and Detroit, said of Zerilli.
Former U.S. Attorney Keith Corbett, who prosecuted organized crime in Detroit for 20 years, says Detroit's mafia families share blood relations in addition to their sworn bonds, which is one reason why Hoffa’s disappearance has gone unsolved.
In July 1975, Hoffa told people he was going to meet two men at a restaurant in suburban Detroit. One was a suspected member of the Detroit mafia. The other was a Teamster boss from New Jersey. Hoffa, who’d been investigated for dealings with the mafia, was seen at the restaurant -- and then never again.
“Organized crime was involved in the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa,” Corbett said.
“I think the interesting thing about the Hoffa disappearance was that it was compartmentalized to only a few people," Arena said. "They kept that thing quiet."
Until now. Zerilli says he wants to set the record straight about his life -- and what happened to Hoffa.
Zerilli denies ever being in the mafia or having anything to do with the disappearance of Hoffa.
"What happened to Hoffa had nothing to do with me in any way, shape or form,” Zerilli said.
Zerilli says he was crushed when Hoffa vanished. It was news he received while behind bars after he was convicted for being involved in illegal operations in Las Vegas casinos.
“They accused me while I was away," Zerilli said of his time in prison. "If that’s not an alibi I don’t know what the hell an alibi is."
"If I wasn’t away I don’t think it ever would’ve happened, that’s all I can tell you," said Zerilli. "I would’ve done anything in the world to protect Jim Hoffa.”
Still, when Zerilli was released from prison, the feds were all over him -- they demanded information about Hoffa’s disappearance. That didn’t do much good back then and even today Zerilli says he refuses to name names.
“I’m not a stool pigeon,” he said.
But the feds are convinced that Zerilli knows what happened.
“Clearly when he returned he would’ve been a person, based on his position in the hierarchy, who would have been able to learn the facts and circumstances surrounding the disappearance of James Earl Hoffa,” said Corbett.
Zerilli says he’s been frustrated watching the FBI chase countless tips from publicity hounds seeking attention by saying they know Hoffa’s burial spot – rumors that have included locations around Detroit and the Meadowlands in New Jersey.
“All this speculation about where he is and he’s not," Zerilli said. "They say he was in a meat grinder. It’s all baloney."
The truth, Zerilli says, is that Hoffa never got very far from where he was last seen. He believes the union leader's final resting place is about 20 miles north of the restaurant where he was last scene, in a field in northern Oakland County, Mich.
He was buried in a shallow grave and the plan was to move the body at another time, but Hoffa's remains were never moved from the first spot where they were buried, Zerilli said.
"Once he was buried here, he was buried and they let it go,” Zerilli said.
When told about Zerilli’s revelations, Corbett, a man who’d worked organized crime in Detroit for two decades, was flabbergasted.
“The bureau had a short list of people they wanted to talk to about that and I can’t think of anybody on that list who was more highly placed then Anthony Zerilli,” said Corbett. "This is certainly the most interesting and attractive lead that has come up since I’ve been involved with this -- and I think the bureau would react the same way.”
For his part, Zerilli wants closure for himself and Hoffa’s family.
“I’d like to just prove to everybody that I’m not crazy," Zerilli said. "And it means a lot to me. What happened, happened while I was in jail. And I feel very, very bad about it and it should never have happened to Jim Hoffa. He didn’t deserve what happened to him.
Zerilli also wants a payday. He's working on a book and has a website, hoffafound.com. He believes that he can make money if -- and when -- Hoffa’s body is found in that field. He’s waiting on the FBI to make the next move.
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Natalie Wood stories. Jimmy Hoffa stories. Am I caught in a time warp?
Everything old is new again.
Everything old is new again...Like unions being mobbed up and presidents loving unions....hmmm. Makes you wonder.
I can't believe anybody involved (or their relatives) are still alive to tell this story! But there's a lot of gullible folks out there, so maybe Zerilli is looking to cash in on a fairy tale. Who knows 52% of Americans voted for another fairy tale so maybe this guy will also 'cash in'!
It is great, it takes our focus off how the President is ruining our Democracy today. But I have faith that future President's and Congress can reverse the damage.
Scott... Sure hope you are right!!!
I do not know if Zerilli is telling tales and looking for a payday or if he really knows what happened to Hoffa. It does seem that he was in a position where he might actually know what really happened. It would be good if they could finally put this mystery to rest and find Hoffa's body, but I am not going to hold my breath waiting for that to happen.
I believe him based on what I have read.
It's tragically comic that four of the first seven commentators somehow turned this story into an excuse to bash our president.
Yeah Scott, it's a CONSPIRACY!!!!!!
good now ask him about :
lochness
bigfoot
alien bodies from roswell
location of the city of atlantis
those wiseguys know everything !
Dont forget Roswell on MSN today & I also thought all this was very strange seeing these stories that never go away. Three at once? Seriously MSN?
The man's motive is money. He may know. He may not know.
@ Pride and Joy
Fortunately, 1975 was not that long ago and there are many people who were alive in 1975 that are still alive today. I've eaten at the restaurant a few times where Jimmy Hoffa disappeared from (being from metro Detroit)...20 miles north, there are still a lot of fields and land. My biggest worry about this story is that by this time, Jimmy Hoffa might be buried in someone's backyard if a subdivision was built over the field and that means the possibility that they might never find him if development disturbed the area.
As far as the man's motive being money...he really only makes money if they find Hoffa because no one would buy his story or book if they didn't.
Hmmmmm, anybody think this may have something to do with Mr. Zerillis "coming to Jesus" moment about good ole Jimmy Hoffa?
Sooner or later the truth will come out. Maybe the feds/media should verify the story first before giving anyone even a second of their time.
FYI: Provide verifiable proof before you rant and TRY to stay on topic.
"It's tragically comic that four of the first seven commentators somehow turned this story into an excuse to bash our president."
What's this OUR $hit? He might be YOUR pres., but he damned sure isn't MINE!
lets go dig him up
68shovelhead - Actually he is our president in the same way that I accepted GW as our president even though I didn't vote for him. And although I firmly believe he was not elected fairly and in fact 500,000 more of us voted for Al Gore, I didn't whine about it for four years or threaten to go to Canada, or secede from the union, or question where is was born or his religion, or call him childish names, etc.
The wonderful system that is our democracy spoke clearly through the votes of Americans and Obama is OUR president, and the president of our great country. Grow up and deal with it.
Well I guess maybe it's good that you can feel that way about it all, but don't count me in.
OK, you're off my xmas list.
If he knows where Hoffa is buried, maybe he can also explain how much obamacare will really cost us! Neither obama or Congress can answer that one... and they get paid a lot for exactly that sort of stuff!
Ironically Hoffa's burial costs were pre-obamacare, now days the co-pay and insurance deductable would be so prohibative that even Tony Soprano would pass on that hit.
Hopefully the guy is telling the truth and he can lead them to where he's planted. Which brigs up another thing, for those of you who believe more than one gunman was in Daley Plaza nearly 50 years ago, I'm not buying it for the very same reason, someone who knows something would have spilled their guts by now. Aside from the possible links between LHA, the Cubans and Russkies or perhaps organized crime, those 2 groups would have been the only ones with motive to whack JFK. Recent exhaustive forensic investigation has proven that a single gunman in the book depository warehouse did the shooting. Oliver Stone did a huge disservice with his hatchet piece JFK, lots of people bought into his fairytale.
"OK, you're off my xmas list."
Ha ha, at least you can have a sense of humor about it. That IS good.
Oh good, we managed to work Obamacare into a story about Jimmy Hoffa. Jeeze louise.
Theo, your a nice guy.
I noticed before the election how badly people trashed OUR president with such hate it was amazing to me they would be considered American's. Sadly it's been proven they actually out-trashed Obama ten times more than Bush was trashed during his presidency..... Amazing!
I have to many stanch republicans in my family that are taking this so hard they actually DID take me off their Christmas list!!! Actually extended family! Poor losers and yes they do need to go up. They will need to get over it someday!!!
Oh, about this old mafia guy. He did say he was broke and obviously needs some money. Wondered if he paid into social security and had enough credits! I doubt the mafia paid the government much of anything, fica, social security ect., It was undoubtably under the table in cash!
I was convinced we found him 30 yrs ago after moving a "drained" waterbed from my brothers house. My only comment after lifting that extremely dead weight onto a handtruck (dolly) was... Oh, my, I think we found Hoffa! Sick I know, but true.
JRS (1.12) I was suggesting that any of the guys involved and their families, may have been eliminated after getting rid of Hoffa's bodies. The mob liked to clean up loose ends. At least that's what I've learned from watching the Godfather trilogy about 60 times. Realistically, I guess there is a good chance someone (a mob boss?) who is still alive and knows the truth.... and maybe it is this guy Zerilli!
@ Pride and Joy
well, I had to comment because your comment made me laugh and then suddenly feel old because I was born in 1973.
Hardtostarboard,
Forensic evidence has actually proven there was more than one shooter. They were able to analyze the audio from the shooting and there were 2 different guns involved in the JFK shooting. Different calibers with different loads sound differently, and this is actually old news. Also, they have had some of the best marksmen try the same shot and couldn't pull it off, especially because there was no way he could have shot from that angle and hit JFK straight on, physics show it to be impossible, plus, Oswold's military records show he wasn't a good marksmen. Unless he posessed the power to curve the bullet! LOL!!
There is probably a Development of houses on that property or Commercial Bldgs.
Are they going to dig up all this Real Estate to find Jimmy Hoffa?
The ending of Jimmy Hoffa (I remember) should be put to rest; (it is)---because no one really cares anymore--he paid his "dues". now he knows how it feels to be broke, lonely, at the end of life with no one to protect him. Zirelli should have come out w/the truth a lot sooner, if it is the truth--Mobsters--are Liars.
What ever happened to DB Cooper, the guy who was one of the the first airplane hijackers, getting the money from the Government (Ransom), the airplane taking off, and jumping from a parachute given to him by the Government. That's another mystery.
Sounds like he's trying to make amends before the end.
If they hurry, maybe they can revive Hoffa.
Maybe he knows where Obama's birth certificate is buried too.
My guess is right next to your brain.
Do you still want it?
I don't buy it. He first says he is broke and has nothing and no quality of life. He is so doing this for a payday. I think he thinks he believes what he is saying, but he is old and senile now and can say whatever he wants. I just don't believe it. Prove me wrong.
Trump made a fool of himself with those statements and he stopped. You may continue making a fool of yourself because nobody cares, it seems, including yourself.
I'm with you, Zerilli wants a payday. There is no better way to get one than to write a book promising the location of Hoffa. Of course it doesn't have to be true but he will get his payday. Funny thing is I remember reading 10 years ago an article from the FBI stating Hoffa's location will most likely go unknown because everybody connected had died. Now all of a sudden Zerilli is considered creditable.
Okay, I'm a fairly staunch republican, I didn't vote for the guy in the White House right now, and I certainly don't agree with his politics, but I don't understand how Obama got into a discussion about Hoffa. Take it down a notch guys, this ranting does nothing but make you seem crazy and I would prefer that we let the libs keep that title.
I'm from metro Detroit and these knuckleheads surface every other year or so (they dug up a woman's driveway in nearby Roseville, MI last summer and, of course, found nothing). Now the FBI and the state and local police agencies will spend tens of thousands of taxpayer money chasing down a dead end (no pun intended). Just another worn out mobster seeking to cash in on his 15 minutes of fame before he dies.
Growing up a few minutes from the meadowlands area, its all we heard about this case while they were building Giants stadium. That Jimmy was buried underneath. This guy giving up info is probably the best bet they have had since this happened. But lets see if it turns out to be true. Maybe Jimmy is buried right along side someone who shot from a grassy knoll?
Theo (1.8)and Dar(1.36) Perhaps this is because so many feel they were mugged by the election and also because of the administration's very close ties to the unions!
crossfire,
or it could eb explained that most commentators here are brainless drones that don't have the capacity to understand any other subject.
Beg to differ Joe Shmoe. All shots originated from the same window in the SBDW. JFK was hit twice, from the rear. The 1st shot LHA fired actually missed because of an obstruction, (lighting and sign support structure), this shot injured a bystander near the overpass as it hit concrete, fragments of which hit the bystander, wounding him slightly. Shot #2 went through JFK's neck and into John Connolly who was not facing directly forward, as originally thought by those who came up with the magic bullet theory. John was turned and positioned in such a manner that the bullet after passing through JFK's neck entered JC on a trajectory perfectly in-line with the SBDW window where LHA's rife was found. The 3rd and fatal shot hit JFK in the head, again fired form above and behind. Can't remember if it was the History Channel or the Discovery Channel, one or the other or both had programs that prove a single gunman did the shooting. As part of the program they reconstructed the scene complete with shooter who duplicated the assassination. The reason many witnesses testified there were more than 3 shots was due to the echos created by the buildings in Daley Plaza.
I'm still open to the possibility, even likelihood that LHA was working for the commies or the mob.
It is also rumored that Mr. Hoffa was buried inside a locker of corpses.
Don't those old mobsters get Social Security checks and Medicare? That said, get your metal detectors out and start combing fields around Detroit.
What, again? It seems like have of American claims to know where Jimmy is buried.....
"They say he was in a meat grinder. It’s all baloney."
If that was true, wouldn't it be all Hoffa?
I know where Hoffa is buried
No, I know where Hoffa is buried
No, I know where Hoffa is buried
Crossfire - Mugged would suggest something illegal or unethical. By all indications Obama won fair and square, so how were you mugged? And did you feel mugged in 2000 when the Supreme Court falsely gave the election to GW even though he lost the popular vote? (And I'll bet those 5 justices wish they could take that vote back!)
Another guy looking for his 15 minutes of fame. Probably doesn't even know where he is buried either. What a joke. If he did, then he would have told by now. He would have been the man who found Hoffa.
"68 ShovelHead banned, rereg of recently banned Midnightridr.
hardtostardboard, get a copy of the Zap film, now try turning your head as fast as the driver of the limo did, don't hurt yourself. Bet you can't do it. Please explain all the damage in the limo, to the people in the limo and to the grounds out side the limo, do you even know all the damage? You only have three bullets. The first evidence envelopes turned over had two shell casings and one 6.5 live round not three shell casings and one live round??? Remember witness even SS, say the limo slows down or comes to a STOP, where do you see this in the film???
The limo driver applied the brakes after hearing the first sound, to make sure the car was acting properly, where do you see this in the film??? History and Discovery Channel and computers can give you what they want to give you, READ. One of them had mock up dummies the took them to a forensic doctor, that doctor said that the damage was by more than one shot.
Buy the old man some chicken wings if they find Hoffa bones. He is a thug who murdered for money and now old and broke. Justice prevails over time..............
I agree! This guy is still a loser, time only changed his appearance not his mind set.
Doesn't the mafia have a pension plan?
sometimes they offer a high caliber retirement package.
Zerilli is fulfilling a role similar to Jack Ruby...covering up for the real culprit.
"Doesn't the mafia have a pension plan?"
Yeah, LOL, And Zerelli is working on cashing in on it.
Bad man, goes to jail, never accepted back in the top tier, invested no money for retirement, probably paid no taxes/SS, got @!$%# to live on... wants a payday? oUCH!
Here we go again...the 38th Annual Jimmy Hoffa Search. Registration to your left, complimentary t-shirts and ball caps to your right. Pepsi booth at the finish line. On your marks...
LOL! Now that was a good one!
Though I really would like to know where they buried him before "I" die! lol.
T
I would also like to know where DB Cooper ended up. The guy that parachuted off the plane a long time ago outside Portland, Oregon along the Columbia River. He had $200,000 with him and at that time it was alot of money! Many clues, no answers........
they found a chunk of the ransom money under river sediment in towering forest some time ago, and the feeling is ol' DB met the same fate. nothing like a good real life mystery, and both stories fit that mold.
DB Cooper was a former SF soldier who lived in Provo, UT. He lost over half of the ransom on his first attempt so he tried it again, this time exiting the aircraft closer to home. He got caught the second time, went to jail and was killed a few years latter while trying to escape. Look at the composite drawing of DB and this guy and they look a lot alike and DB's handwriting (the little that exists) and his are very similar.
Uncle DB is doing just fine, and that's all anyone needs to know.
It doesn't matter where his bones are scattered, or not. It was about his soul, a long, long time ago. If you're that interested, just look south. Real, real, real south.
DB Cooper died in Fox River Prison during an escape attempt.
Who really shot J.R. is the right question
But, seriously, except for a few old fart like me, and the Hoffa family, who cares where he's burried??
He's STILL dead, right?
No! Hoffa and Elvis were seen hanging out together just the other day with Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny.
Oh my, that's some funny you know what, I don't care who you are! lol.
Just spoke with Easter Bunny... he denies any connection with Hoffa or Elvis !
And Santa doesn't believe in any of them.
I just spoke with Elvis and he said him and Hoffa hadn't spoke in over ten yrs over a spat about a loan between the two that went sour.
It wasn't a loan that caused them to part ways. Apparently Hoffa became jealous when Elvis began spending more time with Tupac.
Everyone in Michigan at the time knew exactly were Hoffa ended up, as the Red Fox special the next day - meatloaf.
As a Michigander myself I have to say thanks for the chuckle! Good thing I've never eater there!
Well if you didn't eater there, where did you eater?
He had nothing to do with the death...but knows all about it and where he is buried. Hmmm - NOW he wants to set the record straight and wants "closure" for himself and the Hoffa family. Really?
Now 85 years old, barely able to walk, and broke. He now thinks he is entitled to money off the death of Hoffa.
Anyone that clicks on his website link is foolish. Shame on Marc Santia, NBC New York for even posting this man's link!
Right on, twenty miles north of the restaurant he was last seen at is a pretty darn vague treasure map.
Meh! I know what happened to Judge Crater.
I hope he takes his knowledge to the grave.
Sorry gotta laugh at his quote that the rumor Hoffa was put through a meat grinder is "a bunch of baloney". Isn't this what baloney made from? a bunch of parts!
I know, that was hysterical! Plus the article says "restaurant where he was last scene". Which wasn't funny, but was a weird mistake for a journalist to make. Sounds like an "Airplane" movie!
LOL, That jumped out at me too but it's the only "scene" I really remember from the Hoffa movie.
Jimmy Hoffa was ground up with a wood chipper into one of the great lakes, according to a neighbor of mine that worked as a teamster under Hoffa.
I'm beginning to feel really bad. I'm the only person who does not know where Hoffa is and I own the only gun in the west that did not kill Billy the Kid.
Don't feel bad, hell, you've got a million dollar gun, at least.
"It's nothing personal, Jimmy. Just business."
I saw Jimmy Hoffa having lunch the other day with Elvis and Jim Morrison.
President Barack Obama ratcheted up pressure on congressional Republicans to authorize an increase in the nation’s debt limit, warning of potentially catastrophic results for many Americans and the overall economy if the U.S. were to default on its obligations.
“The issue here is whether or not America pays its bills,” Obama said at a press conference on Monday, the last of his first term in office. “We are not a deadbeat nation.”
IF all working American's ran their households like President Obama and the rest of the government did - we would be homeless and on the streets.
Where do they get off thinking that they can grossly spend money they don't have and yet expect the working class and the wealthy to foot the bill with MORE taxes?
IF I were live over my means and blow money I don't have - who should I call to put more money into my account so that I could continue my wasteful spending and poor habits. No one!
YET those who work for US continue to do so and have yet to learn that lesson.
Sorry Mr. President, I have no more to give you. This is nothing more than robbing our generations below of life, liberty and happiness. It is they who will pay this awful price with no consideration from this government. Is this not criminal in itself?
And this has what to do with the story at hand? Please pay attention.
He's just wants a hunting trip with Cheney.
Renee,
Are you the Renee I went to school with in Dunsmuir that didn't know how to tie her shoes in high school? And the gal that tripped on her shoe laces in Reno at the bowling tournament? If so, I always thought you were hot.
Ernie
Nice article, RENEE! However it doesn't reach these commenters. Most articles on this forum are about witty, twitty,barbs, & out-there comments. While mostly mundane, & the same ole doo,daa, doo,daa..., occasionly you will get some intelligent comments. NOT the norm. If you truly want feedback, and something that might bring new light & intelligence to the feed....keep looking. Perhaps it is the way to make fun & laughter in order to escape the realities of what we're all living. As opposed to getting too serious to actually find a solution to our problems?
Problem is, Renee, that's not what the debt ceiling debate is about. It's not that the President is asking for additional moeny for additional spending--he's asking that Congress allocate funds that have ALREADY been authorized/spent. He's not spending an additional dime--Congress already has, and it's time to pay the bill again.
But I digress--since this comment board is supposed to be about Jimmy Hoffa's disappearance.
I hope he really knows where he is buried! Lets find him! Then we don't have to hear about it anymore!
Give him nothing.
So he's not on Mars?
How many years have we been hearing this bunch of BS, some knuckle head wanting to get his name in the paper. Think about it, the trunk of a big old car, caddy, Lincoln locked in the trunk took to the prolerizer and smashed flat then run through the grinder, cleand by fire yep nothing left to worry about the BS ends there, but for these fools out there running their jaw about which they know nothing.
I know what you mean, fools running their jaws about which they no nothing.....Hell some idiot a minute ago was talking about trunks of caddys and lincolns being smashed, whatever, just another fool running his jaws....
LMBO, then they were burned clean.
lol NRAmember2732089.. speaking of fools.. its KNOW..not no...dear Lord...go back to 3rd grade
Yeah and the other day I saw Elvis driving a Cadillac with John Kennedy and Marilyn in the back seat.
"Organized crime was involved in the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa," (former US Attorney) Corbett said.
Wow, I'll say one thing; Corbett, if nothing else, is an absolute master of the totally obvious.
Brilliant to say the least!
*sigh* Another one?
Sorry. You don't get a dime! Who gives a sh!t where he is?
I can promise you if Zerilli knows what happened it goes to the grave with him you suckers are being played, again, and again these wise guys are making book on you frigging dummies.
There is nothing wrong in checking out the guy's story. Since he was at the top of the local mob, he probably was informed where Hoffa was buried. By the way, how did old Hoffa get out of prison? Tricky Dicky pardoned him. Why? My old buddy Reg Denton arranged the payoff to Nixon. Reg had been head of FCIA under Nixon and learned the ends and the outs of the Bank of Panama. Reg went to Panama and arranged a payment to be made through the bank with the help of Bebe Rebozo. Reg told us that the amount was 600 thou. Reg was always hired as a contractor to arrange payments for the CIA through the Bank of Panama. Sometimes we would be with Reg and someone would show up with a plane ticket to Panama. Poor Reg he spent all his money on the sauce and died without a penny.
Last I heard, Lard A*& Jimmy and Elvis were seen together in Kalamazoo Michigan.
Actually it was Portage , a suburb of Kalamazoo. Close but no cigar !
Zerrilli is just an old con looking for another score. If he knows anything, he tells you in the following statement.
“All this speculation about where he is and he’s not," Zerilli said. "They say he was in a meat grinder. It’s all baloney." Maybe some mortadella, head-cheese, salami, capicola??? Certainly not tongue, nobodys talking.