Lolordo succeeded "The Scourge" Antonio Lombardo, an associate of Al Capone, as chapter president. Lombardo had been killed only months before after he refused to turn the presidency over to Mafia mobster Joe Aiello. Lolordo was supported by the national Unione Siciliana president, Frankie Yale, in New York. Some speculate that Lolordo wanted to reform the organization like another former chapter leader, Mike Merlo.