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Mafia History Lesson
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Spaceman Spiff
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SPOILER ALERT.
The Gambino Crime Family, Part 8
Gambino crime family boss John Gotti had already beaten three trials in four years but he knew the government would keep coming after him until they were finally able to nail him with charges that would stick. Not knowing how long he would go away once this scenario played out, Gotti made steps to insure that the family would be in good hands when and if he got locked up. Gotti decided that a reorganization of the family hierarchy was in order. Currently, Frank "Frankie Loc" Locascio was acting as underboss for "Piney Joe" Armone, who was currently serving a 15-year bid for his recent racketeering conviction. Sammy Gravano was consigliere and had proven himself a very capable man and someone whom Gotti could trust to run the family if the need arose. Locascio was more low key and was not particularly looking to move up any higher than he already was so Gotti made the decision to swap Gravano and Locascio, moving the imprisoned Piney Joe down to consigliere and keeping Locascio as acting. Gravano was now the full-time underboss and was to become responsible for running the family if anything were to happen to Gotti.
Gravano (left, with Gotti trailing) and Locascio (right)
Although he knew the feds were building another case against him, Gotti could finally rest easy after four years of constantly moving in and out of state and federal courtrooms. In his Ozone Park neighborhood he had become a local legend, hosting what amounted to neighborhood block parties and putting on fantastic fireworks displays on the Fourth of July. Gotti had assumed almost a "Robin Hood"-like position among his neighbors and followers and groupies constantly trailed him to and from court supporting him in his various legal escapades. But Gotti also had a darker side, one which would have surely reduced his followers if they had known about it. Several years before, Gotti's son Frank had been riding his minibike down the street when he made a sudden movement into the path of neighbor John Favara. Frank was killed in the accident and although the police report absolved Favara of all blame and labeled the incident as purely accidental, John was despondent and became convinced that Favara should pay. Soon, he started receiving death threats and when he came to personally offer his condolences he was attacked by John's wife Vicki at the door and chased away with a baseball bat. Eventually, Favara disappeared and was presumed to have been murdered by some of Gotti's thugs. Witnesses saw him being abducted outside his work and thrown into a utility van but no charges were ever filed in the case.
Gotti's home in Ozone Park
Another example of Gotti's ruthless demeanor was Wilfred "Willie Boy" Johnson. Although Johnson could never be made because he was half Native-American, he was still a close criminal associate of Gotti since his teens, much as Angelo Ruggiero had been. What Gotti didn't know was that in 1969, Willie Boy had become an FBI informant after being busted for armed robbery. He was able to keep this a secret until 1985, when he was called upon to testify at Gotti's racketeering trial. Gotti was dumbfounded but promised Willie Boy that no harm would come to him or his family so long as Johnson agreed to never show his face around Gotti's territory again. Willie Boy was encouraged to join the witness protection program but refused, believing that Gotti was a man of his word and would honor his agreement not to seek retribution. Unfortunately for Johnson, Bonanno family hitmen, acting on behalf of Gotti, caught up with him in 1988 and murdered him outside of his house, pumping six slugs into the back of his head and leaving him laying on the street.
Willie Boy Johnson (top) and after he was found by Gotti's hitmen (bottom-*spoilered for blood*)
Meanwhile, the federal government had agreed that the bug to the Ravenite was not going to produce any worthwhile results so they began thinking of other places which could serve suitable to the planting of another listening device. Feds had learned from informants that Gotti had long suspected the Ravenite of being bugged so he moved many of his important conversations into a hallway behind the club or into an apartment above the club, which was owned by a Mrs. Cirelli, widow of a deceased Gambino soldier. The feds immediately began to plan the installation of two new bugs for the locations. The Cirelli apartment proved particularly difficult since the old widow rarely left unless she went shopping, and this was typically when the apartment was used by Gotti and his lieutenants. Their chance finally came in Thanksgiving of 1988, when Cirelli was out of town for several days, presumably visiting relatives. The feds quickly installed the bug and waited for the information to come pouring in.
The table at the Ravenite where Gotti frequently sat - the pictures on the wall are of Gotti and his mentor, Neil Dellacroce
The apartment bug proved to be a dream come true. No longer did the agents have to sift through the countless chatter of dozens of mobsters - they now had Gotti talking clearly and concisely talking on tape about various criminal activities, including murder. As one who constantly espoused silence and secrecy, Gotti was a huge talker. The feds were able to tape Gotti discussing three murders, Robert "DiBi" DiBernardo and Louis Milito, both executed by Gravano, and Louis DiBono, whom Gotti had killed in 1990 for continually failing to show up at the Ravenite when called. Gotti even showed a hint of jealousy towards Gravano when conferring alone with Locascio, voicing his displeasure that other families preferences towards meeting Sammy over Gotti. He also showed concern over Sammy's many construction rackets, comparing him to Paul and saying he was becoming too greedy and reaching. In reality, he was afraid of Sammy's growing popularity and power within the Gambino administration. Gotti was also recorded discussing under the table dealings with Gambino family attorneys, Bruce Cutler and Gerald Shargel, something which would soon come back to haunt him.
The three murder victims discussed on the apartment tapes, left to right: Robert DiBernardo, Liborio Milito, and Louis DiBono
By December of 1990, the agents had collected enough information to charge Gotti with a litany of RICO predicates, including three counts of murder. On the eleventh, a task force of agents and detectives raided the Ravenite, arresting the entire administration of the Gambino family, Gotti, Gravano, and Locascio, and in a separate raid, arrested captain Tommy Gambino, son of the family's namesake, Carlo. The evidence was overwhelming, with Gotti and several of his men being caught on tape discussing the exact crimes for which they were standing trial. To make matters worse, Cutler and Shargel were not allowed to represent Gotti as the courts had reason to believe that they had been privy to some of the crimes their clients were charged with. Particularly despondent was Sammy Gravano, who had always shunned the limelight and had acted almost as the antithesis to Gotti; he was quiet and somewhat modest and never nattily dressed, preferring to dress like a fifities greaser in jeans with a white t-shirt and leather jacket. He never went out on the town and preferred to spend most of his nights with his family while concentrating on his construction businesses during the day. However, Gravano was still defiant and loyal to Gotti, even proposing to him that they should attempt to escape from prison! This all changed once Gravano heard the tapes. He had never agreed with John's leadership style or way of living but he had always loyally and faithfully served him in any capacity, from murders to sponsoring Junior Gotti's entree into the family. But not that he heard what Gotti had to say about him behind his back, he was flabbergasted.
Gravano's and Gotti's respective mugshots - note the contrasting expressions
Sharing a cell with Gotti while awaiting trial, Gravano confronted Gotti about the tapes' contents. Gotti attempted to brush them off, saying that it was just him venting and that it was nothing to be taken personally. Gravano was not convinced and was also afraid that Gotti's lawyers would paint Sammy as the bloodthirsty killer and make it seem like he, not Gotti, was the one solely responsible for the murders. As 1991 and the pre-trial hearings and jury selection dragged on, Gravano became more and more afraid that the was about to spend the rest of his life behind bars. He was only 46 years old, was married, had two kids and was ready to leave the life. In November of 1991, it was revealed that Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano had become a cooperating witness and he could give them firsthand details on two more murders: Paul Castellano and Tommy Bilotti. John Gotti's days as a free man were now numbered.
Gambino crime family boss John Gotti had already beaten three trials in four years but he knew the government would keep coming after him until they were finally able to nail him with charges that would stick. Not knowing how long he would go away once this scenario played out, Gotti made steps to insure that the family would be in good hands when and if he got locked up. Gotti decided that a reorganization of the family hierarchy was in order. Currently, Frank "Frankie Loc" Locascio was acting as underboss for "Piney Joe" Armone, who was currently serving a 15-year bid for his recent racketeering conviction. Sammy Gravano was consigliere and had proven himself a very capable man and someone whom Gotti could trust to run the family if the need arose. Locascio was more low key and was not particularly looking to move up any higher than he already was so Gotti made the decision to swap Gravano and Locascio, moving the imprisoned Piney Joe down to consigliere and keeping Locascio as acting. Gravano was now the full-time underboss and was to become responsible for running the family if anything were to happen to Gotti.
Gravano (left, with Gotti trailing) and Locascio (right)
Although he knew the feds were building another case against him, Gotti could finally rest easy after four years of constantly moving in and out of state and federal courtrooms. In his Ozone Park neighborhood he had become a local legend, hosting what amounted to neighborhood block parties and putting on fantastic fireworks displays on the Fourth of July. Gotti had assumed almost a "Robin Hood"-like position among his neighbors and followers and groupies constantly trailed him to and from court supporting him in his various legal escapades. But Gotti also had a darker side, one which would have surely reduced his followers if they had known about it. Several years before, Gotti's son Frank had been riding his minibike down the street when he made a sudden movement into the path of neighbor John Favara. Frank was killed in the accident and although the police report absolved Favara of all blame and labeled the incident as purely accidental, John was despondent and became convinced that Favara should pay. Soon, he started receiving death threats and when he came to personally offer his condolences he was attacked by John's wife Vicki at the door and chased away with a baseball bat. Eventually, Favara disappeared and was presumed to have been murdered by some of Gotti's thugs. Witnesses saw him being abducted outside his work and thrown into a utility van but no charges were ever filed in the case.
Gotti's home in Ozone Park
Another example of Gotti's ruthless demeanor was Wilfred "Willie Boy" Johnson. Although Johnson could never be made because he was half Native-American, he was still a close criminal associate of Gotti since his teens, much as Angelo Ruggiero had been. What Gotti didn't know was that in 1969, Willie Boy had become an FBI informant after being busted for armed robbery. He was able to keep this a secret until 1985, when he was called upon to testify at Gotti's racketeering trial. Gotti was dumbfounded but promised Willie Boy that no harm would come to him or his family so long as Johnson agreed to never show his face around Gotti's territory again. Willie Boy was encouraged to join the witness protection program but refused, believing that Gotti was a man of his word and would honor his agreement not to seek retribution. Unfortunately for Johnson, Bonanno family hitmen, acting on behalf of Gotti, caught up with him in 1988 and murdered him outside of his house, pumping six slugs into the back of his head and leaving him laying on the street.
Willie Boy Johnson (top) and after he was found by Gotti's hitmen (bottom-*spoilered for blood*)
Meanwhile, the federal government had agreed that the bug to the Ravenite was not going to produce any worthwhile results so they began thinking of other places which could serve suitable to the planting of another listening device. Feds had learned from informants that Gotti had long suspected the Ravenite of being bugged so he moved many of his important conversations into a hallway behind the club or into an apartment above the club, which was owned by a Mrs. Cirelli, widow of a deceased Gambino soldier. The feds immediately began to plan the installation of two new bugs for the locations. The Cirelli apartment proved particularly difficult since the old widow rarely left unless she went shopping, and this was typically when the apartment was used by Gotti and his lieutenants. Their chance finally came in Thanksgiving of 1988, when Cirelli was out of town for several days, presumably visiting relatives. The feds quickly installed the bug and waited for the information to come pouring in.
The table at the Ravenite where Gotti frequently sat - the pictures on the wall are of Gotti and his mentor, Neil Dellacroce
The apartment bug proved to be a dream come true. No longer did the agents have to sift through the countless chatter of dozens of mobsters - they now had Gotti talking clearly and concisely talking on tape about various criminal activities, including murder. As one who constantly espoused silence and secrecy, Gotti was a huge talker. The feds were able to tape Gotti discussing three murders, Robert "DiBi" DiBernardo and Louis Milito, both executed by Gravano, and Louis DiBono, whom Gotti had killed in 1990 for continually failing to show up at the Ravenite when called. Gotti even showed a hint of jealousy towards Gravano when conferring alone with Locascio, voicing his displeasure that other families preferences towards meeting Sammy over Gotti. He also showed concern over Sammy's many construction rackets, comparing him to Paul and saying he was becoming too greedy and reaching. In reality, he was afraid of Sammy's growing popularity and power within the Gambino administration. Gotti was also recorded discussing under the table dealings with Gambino family attorneys, Bruce Cutler and Gerald Shargel, something which would soon come back to haunt him.
The three murder victims discussed on the apartment tapes, left to right: Robert DiBernardo, Liborio Milito, and Louis DiBono
By December of 1990, the agents had collected enough information to charge Gotti with a litany of RICO predicates, including three counts of murder. On the eleventh, a task force of agents and detectives raided the Ravenite, arresting the entire administration of the Gambino family, Gotti, Gravano, and Locascio, and in a separate raid, arrested captain Tommy Gambino, son of the family's namesake, Carlo. The evidence was overwhelming, with Gotti and several of his men being caught on tape discussing the exact crimes for which they were standing trial. To make matters worse, Cutler and Shargel were not allowed to represent Gotti as the courts had reason to believe that they had been privy to some of the crimes their clients were charged with. Particularly despondent was Sammy Gravano, who had always shunned the limelight and had acted almost as the antithesis to Gotti; he was quiet and somewhat modest and never nattily dressed, preferring to dress like a fifities greaser in jeans with a white t-shirt and leather jacket. He never went out on the town and preferred to spend most of his nights with his family while concentrating on his construction businesses during the day. However, Gravano was still defiant and loyal to Gotti, even proposing to him that they should attempt to escape from prison! This all changed once Gravano heard the tapes. He had never agreed with John's leadership style or way of living but he had always loyally and faithfully served him in any capacity, from murders to sponsoring Junior Gotti's entree into the family. But not that he heard what Gotti had to say about him behind his back, he was flabbergasted.
Gravano's and Gotti's respective mugshots - note the contrasting expressions
Sharing a cell with Gotti while awaiting trial, Gravano confronted Gotti about the tapes' contents. Gotti attempted to brush them off, saying that it was just him venting and that it was nothing to be taken personally. Gravano was not convinced and was also afraid that Gotti's lawyers would paint Sammy as the bloodthirsty killer and make it seem like he, not Gotti, was the one solely responsible for the murders. As 1991 and the pre-trial hearings and jury selection dragged on, Gravano became more and more afraid that the was about to spend the rest of his life behind bars. He was only 46 years old, was married, had two kids and was ready to leave the life. In November of 1991, it was revealed that Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano had become a cooperating witness and he could give them firsthand details on two more murders: Paul Castellano and Tommy Bilotti. John Gotti's days as a free man were now numbered.
Just wanted to let everyone that I will still be doing these. Sometimes I have to study up on a subject before I make a post so hopefully that explains the long gaps between parts. Here is a preview of what is upcoming:
1. Conclusion of the Gambino family saga
2. The Lucchese crime family - For years the Lucchese crime family operated as a well-oiled machine benefiting from good leadership and stable relationships with the Genoveses and Gambinos. This all changed when the Commission case jailed their effective leader and transitioned the power to two paranoid killers.
3. The Bonanno crime family - The Bonannos made millions in the illicit drug trade but were effectively disowned by the remaining families due to years of infighting and a federal penetration that almost crippled the family. But the nineties proved to be a bounce-back period for the family as it returned to prominence in the New York underworld.
4. The Colombo crime family - The Colombo crime family stunted its own growth and money-making abilities due to constant infighting and power struggles. This also hurt them in the eyes of the other families but it did not belie the fact that the family was an effective and feared entity - particularly when it came to eliminating those who crossed them.
5. The Chicago Outfit - The Outfit dominated the city of Chicago for decades, infiltrating political circles and holding influence for several hundred miles outside the city - including Las Vegas, where the skim created a cash flow of millions for the Outfit. Using violence and intimidation, the Outfit ruled the Chicago underworld with an iron fist.
6. The Philadelphia crime family - Originally a tight-knit and low key organization, the revival of Atlantic City created a bloody mob war within the family which would last for more than a decade. Leaving a trail of bodies behind, the Philadelphia mob war was disastrous and left repercussions which are still felt today.
7. The Patriarca (New England) crime family - Operating out of Boston and Providence, the Patriarca crime family, named after their longtime leader, Raymond Patriarca, ran the New England rackets for years without serious opposition - that is until Patriarca's death left a power void and Whitey Bulger, an infamous Irish mob boss, began to take over the city of Boston and the family's rackets.
8. The DeCavalcante (New Jersey) crime family - The New Jersey crime family always operated in the shadow of its cousins in New York and Philadelphia but this did not stop the family from successfully operating in the North Jersey area, dominating the construction industry through effective penetration of labor unions. However, a series of defections and government cooperators brought the family crashing down.
9. The Detroit Partnership - The Partnership, although small in size compared to the Outfit and East Coast families, were able to dominate the underground gambling and loan sharking rackets in the city. Through a series of inter-family marriages and relationships, the Partnership was able to reduce government cooperation and keep their smaller family outside the reach of major government prosecution.
1. Conclusion of the Gambino family saga
2. The Lucchese crime family - For years the Lucchese crime family operated as a well-oiled machine benefiting from good leadership and stable relationships with the Genoveses and Gambinos. This all changed when the Commission case jailed their effective leader and transitioned the power to two paranoid killers.
3. The Bonanno crime family - The Bonannos made millions in the illicit drug trade but were effectively disowned by the remaining families due to years of infighting and a federal penetration that almost crippled the family. But the nineties proved to be a bounce-back period for the family as it returned to prominence in the New York underworld.
4. The Colombo crime family - The Colombo crime family stunted its own growth and money-making abilities due to constant infighting and power struggles. This also hurt them in the eyes of the other families but it did not belie the fact that the family was an effective and feared entity - particularly when it came to eliminating those who crossed them.
5. The Chicago Outfit - The Outfit dominated the city of Chicago for decades, infiltrating political circles and holding influence for several hundred miles outside the city - including Las Vegas, where the skim created a cash flow of millions for the Outfit. Using violence and intimidation, the Outfit ruled the Chicago underworld with an iron fist.
6. The Philadelphia crime family - Originally a tight-knit and low key organization, the revival of Atlantic City created a bloody mob war within the family which would last for more than a decade. Leaving a trail of bodies behind, the Philadelphia mob war was disastrous and left repercussions which are still felt today.
7. The Patriarca (New England) crime family - Operating out of Boston and Providence, the Patriarca crime family, named after their longtime leader, Raymond Patriarca, ran the New England rackets for years without serious opposition - that is until Patriarca's death left a power void and Whitey Bulger, an infamous Irish mob boss, began to take over the city of Boston and the family's rackets.
8. The DeCavalcante (New Jersey) crime family - The New Jersey crime family always operated in the shadow of its cousins in New York and Philadelphia but this did not stop the family from successfully operating in the North Jersey area, dominating the construction industry through effective penetration of labor unions. However, a series of defections and government cooperators brought the family crashing down.
9. The Detroit Partnership - The Partnership, although small in size compared to the Outfit and East Coast families, were able to dominate the underground gambling and loan sharking rackets in the city. Through a series of inter-family marriages and relationships, the Partnership was able to reduce government cooperation and keep their smaller family outside the reach of major government prosecution.
JAxlMorrison
Integral Poster
Side note question: Have you done any reading about Richard Kuklinski, and are you aware of his claims of being involved in the Castellano hit, as well as the disappearing of Jimmy Hoffa?
What you need to realize most about Richard Kuklinski is that he's a pathological liar. He claimed to be involved with most of the big mob hits of the seventies and eighties and claimed to be associated with a lot of the major players.
At best, he was probably a fringe-level associate who did some contract work for the mob (or other, independent sources) but in no way was he as prolific a killer as he claimed.
At best, he was probably a fringe-level associate who did some contract work for the mob (or other, independent sources) but in no way was he as prolific a killer as he claimed.
JAxlMorrison
Integral Poster
AboveAverage484 said:
yeah, that's the conclusion of most of what I've read...just wanted to know if you were aware. The Iceman book is still a damn entertaining read.
So, I am hoping to write what will hopefully evolve into a book on this here stuff, which means I probably won't be contributing any of this stuff to CC but I will still try to post updates to this thread. I have been pretty busy IRL, which explains the dearth of posts lately. Thanks again to all those who have given me feedback, you are part of the reason I decided to take the plunge and crank something bigger out.
NoCalMike
Welcome to Prime Time, bitch!
I'd buy your book if it is half as informative and entertaining as your content in this thread. Good work, sir.
So there is an indictment in Chicago that has a good possibility of being handed down soon. It's allegedly going to involve one of the captains. I was considering heading up to Chicago and staying a couple days and going to the trial. TRTSM ORGANIZED CRIME LIVE BLOG~!
Link to a relevant article on the allegedly pending indictment:
http://gangsterreport.com/measures-be-taken-on-both-sides-of-the-law-for-surefire-chicago-westside-rico/
Link to a relevant article on the allegedly pending indictment:
http://gangsterreport.com/measures-be-taken-on-both-sides-of-the-law-for-surefire-chicago-westside-rico/
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AboveAverage484 said:
