Anthony J. (“Tony Jack”) Giacalone, who was reputed to be a Detroit gangster and was investigated in the disappearance of the ex-Int’l Bhd. of Teamsters boss James R. Hoffa, died Friday at St. John Hosp. & Med. Ctr. in Detroit. He was 82. The cause of death was not disclosed. The Detroit Free Press reported early last week that Mr. Giacalone was being treated for heart failure and complications from kidney disease.
Giacalone, who federal authorities contend was a high-ranking figure in Detroit organized crime, was investigated for possible involvement in Hoffa’s disappearance on July 30, 1975. Hoffa told a relative on the day he disappeared that he was meeting Giacalone at the Machus R. Fox restaurant near Detroit. Hoffa has not been seen since.
Giacalone said he had had no plans to meet Hoffa that day. At the time of Hoffa’s lunch date, Giacalone’s alibi was that he was getting a haircut. He was never charged in Hoffa’s disappearance. Giacalone was convicted of tax evasion in 1976 and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was facing a federal indictment on charges including racketeering, conspiracy and extortion at the time of his death. [N.Y. Times 2/26/01]