Alfred “The Owl” Polizzi, a notorious Cleveland mobster, rose to prominence in the 1920s and 30s, establishing criminal syndicates in Northeast Ohio alongside his associates. Despite his illegal activities, he led a family life, marrying Philomena Valentino and raising three children. Polizzi’s influence in the underworld was recognized by authorities, earning him a spot on the McClellan crime committee’s list of the most influential figures in the US criminal underworld. After a conviction for tax evasion in 1944, he relocated to Coral Gables, Florida, where he continued illegal operations, including the construction of a Cuban shopping center. His influence extended across multiple states by the 1970s, where he ran gambling and narcotics distribution rackets until he died in 1994, leaving behind a legacy of organized crime.
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