| |
| Robert Rizzo | |
| Biographical Information | |
| Gender | Male |
| Born | August 5, 1900 Orlando, Florida |
| Died | May 17, 1987 Miami, Florida |
| Affiliation |  Granados crime family (ties) Trapani crime family (ties)
|
| Title(s) | Governor Lieutenant Governor |
Robert Rizzo was the Lieutenant Governor of Florida from 1947 to 1959, when he became Governor of Florida due to strong-arming by the Trapani crime family, becoming Governor from 1959 until 1963.
Biography[]
Rizzo was born in Orlando to an Italian immigrant family from Corleone, Sicily. Rizzo became involved in politics as a young man, becoming an Alderman for the city of Miami, where he moved with his family in 1909. He soon ran for Lieutenant-Governor and became the running mate for Robert L. Floyd, winning the 1947 elections. He retained the title due to the strong-arming of Rico Granados' organization, who wanted him to do favors for him, involving keeping the MIPD off of their made men if they were hospitalized. Rizzo later switched allegiance to the Corleone-Trapani crime family in 1959 when Dominic met with him at the docks and agreed to beat up his rival so that he would win the elections for Governor; the people only voted for the rival because of his looks. Rizzo scratched Dominic's back in return for some favors, and the pair worked well together.
Rizzo retired from politics in 1972, and died peacefully in a retirement home.