Pinelli was born in Sicily. As an adult living in America he became associated with organized crime in Chicago. He was a soldier in the North side crew of the Chicago Outfit. He allegedly became a bootlegger during the 1930s. Pinelli joined the Outfits Northwestern Indiana rackets where he was a bookmaker. He then retired in California. Pinelli held several real estate holdings, was a produce broker, olive oil importer and owner of a restaurant and motel. He was considered a very influential member of the mafia in California, Indiana and Illinois. He also was a partner with Carlo Olandese in the infamous El Bianco Restaurant on Chicago's south side.