 Esposito provided political protection to the bootlegging gangs of Little Italy, including the South Side gang of mob boss Johnny Torrio and the Gennas.In May 1921, Esposito joined city officials and organized crime figures at the funerals of his political protegee Antonio D'Andrea, shot to death shortly after leaving his Neapolitan Restaurant.Several years later, Esposito attended the funeral of another ally, Angelo Genna murdered on May 25, 1925.