I think Gravano said, in "Underboss," that Aurello was his first mentor. 4) Salvatore Aurello was powerful in his prime. Since the hit on the boss was against Mafia rules and one Family, the Genovese, wasn't included in the preperations Gotti and friends still had to watch their steps. His invlovement in construction grew and his capo Aurello told Gravano to take all construction dealings directly to the boss. He wore sweats and gold chains, and he had tattoos, Jesus on one arm and a rose on the other. Sammy got permission and had him made on his death bed. Milito was not pleased with this decision, and made the mistake of telling other crew members that it was he who should have been given the top spot, not Vallario. [2], Fialas murder posed one final problem for Gravano in the form of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Life under Gotti was faster than it ever was for Gravano, before Gotti Gravano had killed eight people in fourteen years under Gotti he had killed eleven people in six years. By and large only those in the local underworld knew him, or knew of him. [1], Gravano arranged to have Mormando murdered on his way to a meeting at Gravanos Bensonhurst restaurant, Talis. John Gottis lawyers brought accusations that Gravano had been involved in the murders of two other individuals not disclosed to the FBI. He handled my appointments and kept me straight about what had to be done. After Old Man Paruta and Stymie died, Louie said, I know what you're feeling. Gravanos robbery spree impressed Aurello, who proposed him for membership in the Gambino family. Everybody called Joe the 'Old Man'. The Rampers was a gang that did burglaries and stole cars. Mob Fireside Chat BGs Official YouTube Channel, Joseph N. Gallo Gambino Family Consigliere, Neil Dellacroce Underboss of the Gambino Crime Family, Ippolito (Paul the Zip) Agresta Narcotics and Ziganette in Bridgeport, Thomas (Tommy the Enforcer) Altamura The Chickens Came Home to Roost, Anthony (Tony) Carubia Tony the Hoodlum, Heroin Trafficker William (Willy the Creep) Conforte, Vincent (Jimmy the Blond) Corrao The Gambinos Big Earner, Robert (DiB) DiBernardo King of Porn, Charles (Charlie Brush) Dongarra Top Gambino Assassin, Carmine (Charlie Wagon Wheels) Fatico The Czar of East New York, Daniel (Danny Wagons) Fatico An Early Mentor to John Gotti, Frank (Frankie the Wop) Gagliardi Low-Key but No Wallflower, Michael (Blackie) Galgano Gambino Family Soldier, Joseph (Joe Scootch) Indelicato Gambino Enforcer, Carmine (The Doctor) Lombardozzi Gambino Family Capo, Gennaro (Jerry) Mancuso This Hood Loved Garbage, ASicilian Blood Vendetta Amongst Mafiosi Chapter 1, The Frank Corbi Regime of Baltimore, Maryland, The Truth About Made Men and Associates. Salvatore (Little Toddo) Avarello died in 1998. From city to city and state to state, Button Guys of The New York Mafia breaks down the history of organized crime in America. He was a good man, Mike, until this. The Commission subsequently placed contracts on Caponigros co-conspirators, including John Johnny Keys Simone, who also happened to be Brunos cousin. [2], FBI surveillance photograph of Gravano, Louis Saccenti, Thomas Carbonaro and John Gammerano. 1 registered members (1 invisible), After Sammy cooperated, Eddie joined Thomas Carbonaro in plotting his murder, but was unsuccessful due to Sammys arrest in 2000. He was a real old time greaser. Gottis nomination met with no opposition and he was installed as don. Right away Gravano started work. Gravano fell into crime at an early age. "How you doing, kiddo?" He'd ripped apart and remodeled every place we'd ever lived in. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. Remember, when the father died, I took the kid under my wing. He made a phone call to his cousin Eddie The Chink Garofalo that lured him to his death at the hands of Sammys top hitmen Joey DAngelo and Frank Fappiano. 60 . That was my only involvement, Gravano explained. But when Gotti was trying to let Gravano take the fall by claiming Gravano had run wild and started whacking people on his own accord Gravano decided to break Omerta and flip. Joe Colucci was going to die. He didn't condone the hit but he was smart enough to stay quiet. Gravano claims he stood up for Milito and stopped the murder from happening. I knew that Paul was Dad's friend. The Mafia had been in Bensonhurst for a long time; several wiseguys hung around a bar that Sammy and his father frequently walked by. The plotters reportedly used a car bomb for the attack in order to divert suspicion. He began living very openly and appeared in a nationally televised interview with journalist Diane Sawyer. I pointed the gun at the back of his head. Gotti's underboss and Gravano's friend Frank DeCicco was killed by a carbomb. Toddo Aurello was a highly respected but elusive Gambino family capo. It was Sunday and Dad had us all packed into the car for an afternoon of house hunting. Milito had been put back on Sammys old crew which was now run by Big Lou Vallario. Michael Franzese and his wife, youngest daughter and son-in-law. Gotti had already been reaching out throughout the Family for support to whack Castellano and had enough back up, when Gravano was asked to join in he decided to go along with the hit and help plan it. In conversation with DeCicco, both men voiced concern that Castellano would designate his nephew, Thomas Gambino, acting boss and his driver, Thomas Bilotti, underboss in the event he was convicted and sent to prison. Gotti was imprisoned in May 1986 at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, New York while awaiting trial on Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) charges. According to Sammy Paul was very impressed with how Sammy handled it. Gravano became a particular favorite of family boss Joe Colombo, who used Gravano to picket the FBI as part of his Italian-American Civil Rights League initiative. Gotti required Gravano and Gambino consigliere Frank LoCascio to be at the Ravenite social club five days a week and all of his captains to make an appearance once a week. In his book Gravano details the hit: "As that Beatles song played, I became a killer. Conversely, Sammy was one of the few guys Scarpa respected and maybe had a bit of fear towards. Joe and his wife and kids would stay upstairs. it's really simple and you can start enjoying all the benefits! The latter died of a fentanyl overdose 15 months ago. Johnson had been a childhood friend of Gottis and a longtime crew member while Gotti was captain of the Bergin crew. I could almost feel the bullet leaving the gun and entering his skull. I thought." Gravano was represented by Gerald Shargel and acquitted at trial. The crew was originally led by Armand Rava. Dori's grandfather was a big player in the Gambino crime family. Castellano knew this but didn't care and chose to ignore it. Gravano had paid a juror in Gottis second trial to vote in favor of an acquittal allowing Gotti to beat the RICO charges lodged against him. [1] Around 5:30, Gravano spotted Castellanos Lincoln Town Car stopped at a nearby intersection and, via walkie talkie, alerted the team of hitmen stationed outside the restaurant of Castellanos approach. Gravano played a major role in prosecuting John Gotti, the crime family's boss, by agreeing to testify as a government witness against him and other mobsters in a deal in which he confessed to involvement in . They better not miss, because even if they get me, there will still be a lot of body bags going back to New York. Sammy told the entire Colombo hierarchy that when he found Stymies killer, he would kill him and whoever was with him on the spot. spiders. He also had a small diamond in the middle of his chest. It's now posted here under its own thread, titled, "Gambino Capo - Toddo Aurello", Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli: The Epic Story of the Making of The Godfather. BothUpper and Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx supported a large group ofPalermo-bred and Palermo-orientedmafiosi. Frank "The Bear" Basto. Between November 30, 1989 and January 24, 1990 Gotti would spill enough of the family's secrets to finally bring the walls crashing down. Along with Milito, Gravano hunted down the leader, wounding him and killing another member of the gang. Life was great for Gravano, he got away with 19 murders, he got away from Gotti's hitmen and he had his own drug organization which was raking in 100.000s of dollars. He had obviously been bullshitting John. Ruggiero informed Gravano that he and Gotti were planning to murder Castellano and asked for Gravanos support. Gambino Family capo Ettore Zappi was a longtime, close friend and associate of Family boss Carlo Gambino. Paruta got in the backseat of the car and shot Mormando twice in the back of the head. Thank you. Eventually, Gotti would name Gravano his underboss, and move LoCascio to consigliere. Ironically, Gravanos downfall was due to informers among his own associates. On Feb. 24, 2000, Gravano, his wife, son, daughter, and son-in-law were arrested on drug charges by Arizona authorities. Gravano attempted to lie low for nearly three weeks afterwards, during which time he called his crew together and made the decision to kill the boss if necessary. The next day, I bragged to my friends at school, telling them my father had a gun under the bed because he was in the army. Early on, one of his relatives remarked that he looked like his uncle Sammy. Mom was in the kitchen, and I was amusing myself by hiding some of my favorite books under their bed. It was a joke, what was going on. (function() { They lived in Bensonhurst, a largely Italian neighborhood in Brooklyn. Well give [Gotti] a shot. Second, he started to sense some jealousy from Gotti over the profitability of his legitimate business interests. The book will be released by St. Martin's Press on Feb. 14. With John Gotti and the Bergin crew in hot water with the indictment of Angelo Ruggerio on heroin distribution charges, Milito feared Gravano and his crew could be in danger of being killed along with Gotti, once Neil Dellacroce died. He looked like he was sleeping. DeCicco was soon killed in a car bomb and Louie was temporarily spared. He has been on the run for 30 yrs for the murders of Prosecutors Giovani Falcone and Paolo Borsellino. MafiaHitters.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I believe Toddo died in 1998 and he remained a loyal soldier of The Gambino's ever since. Read about Karen Gravano's interview with "20/20" and watch the full story on "20/20" Friday at 10 p.m. Lynda Milito would cry foul in her book after Gravano testified he had not been the shooter in Louie Militos murder; she said that a Gambino family member later informed her Gravano had shot and killed Louie Milito, contrary to what Gravano had told the FBI. Currently, Gravano resides in Phoenix and is working on several media projects. Everything went in slow motion. Sammy decided from that day on, he and his crew would be armed and ready any time they were slated to be in the company of DeMeo or his men. [1], Gravanos success was not without a downside. Philip "Joey Cello" Bacino. Gottis ego began to bother Gravano as well as several other members of the family. Aurello quickly took a liking to Sammy, who already had an education in mob life through Persico, and Aurello became Sammys mob mentor. The Commission summoned Caponigro to New York, where it sentenced him to death for his transgression. One day Sammy and Louie Milito met with Roy DeMeo and his boss Nino Gaggi to discuss collaboration on a stolen car ring. Back then he had a following like Jesus in LCN rumour has it old Italian granny's used to say a pray to saint sammy every night before they went to bed. [2] Around this time, Gravano took a construction job and claims to have considered going legit. Gravano even hired a publicist, despite the fact Gravano complained often about the publicity-seeking Gotti. He seems to be holding little, if anything back. The informant number is John Alites , but he tricked the feds into believing he was informing when in fact they were informing to him thats the kind of mastermind he is. As time passed Gravano became more successful in his legitimate businesses, he could sense some jealousy from John Gotti, despite the fact that Sammy claimed he was kicking up $2 million a year to him from his dealings with the Teamsters alone. [8] In exchange for a promise to be designated co-leaders of the Gambino family after the assassinations, Failla and Marino provided intelligence and tipped off the plotters to the planned meeting in Bensonhurst. Like his childhood friend Nicky Cowboy, DeBatt became addicted to crack cocaine and consequently Sammys restaurant and lounge, Talis, where DeBatt worked suffered. They came to my house. Their prison terms will be concurrent -- served at the same time -- as whatever sentences they ultimately receive for their crimes in Arizona. Neil got the Manhattan guys and Ferrara got the Brooklyn guys like Jimmy Brown and Toddo. [CDATA[ If it happens, fuck it. Both of his parents were honest hard working Americans but Gravano was going in a different direction. Sammy knew about many of DeMeos victims including Frank Amato, who was dating Paul Castellanos daughter until he fell out with Big Paul. As teenagers, they were members of the infamous New York City street gang called The Rampers. Gottis third trial on state assault charges ended the same way. It was strange. /r/Mafia features stories, interviews, documentary and news articles about organized crime around the world. [8] The bomb was intended to kill both DeCicco and Gotti, who was supposed to be at the club for a meeting with Gravano and DeCicco. The Aurello crew supervised the Gambino familys control over Teamsters Local 282, which had jurisdiction over building materials to all construction sites in the city. Sammy could sense that if he had pressed the issue, Scarpa might have a serious problem even in his own family. After Castellanos death, a meeting of the Gambino familys capos was held, at which Frank DeCicco nominated Gotti to be the new boss. My father was obsessed with construction and remodeling. { As told to the FBI by "NY T-7," Tommy Rava (Neil Dellacroce's mentor) was murdered by Toddo Aurello (Sammy Gravano's mentor) shortly after Carlo Gambino took over the family . He gradually became a close associate of Salvatore 'Toddo' Aurello, who then became his mentor. 2013-2023 Mafia Scene All Rights Reserved. Still, I'd been confronted with the possibility that my father was "connected" before. It was way fancier and more ornate. After Gravano removed Simones shoes, Milito shot Simone in the back of the head, killing him. Roy would be killed by his own crew in 1983 after the car theft ring was busted. [3] He is also the brother-in-law of Gambino crime family capo Edward Garafola and Mario Garafola. Also Paul used Sammy to eliminate Johnny Keys Simone in 1980. He was told that they picked him for the job because Gallo didnt know him. Roy DeMeo was someone he knew not to get into any kind of conflict with. Ferrara isnt cited a lot on this sub, but by all accounts he was one tough dude himself. Powered by. As he went to make his move, 3-4 cars full of Gallos crew pulled up, with all of them armed and ready. He would testify against Gotti and send him to prison for life. Frank Frankie Fap Fappiano was the second cousin of Frankie DeCicco and one of Sammys top hitmen. One particular house in this fancy neighborhood belonged to Gambino family crime boss Paul Castellano. . Inmates claimed Gravano bragged about killing many more than 19 people. My mother would walk me to school every day. On top of this Kuklinski has also claimed responsibility for over 200 murders including Paul Castellano, Carmine Galante, Roy DeMeo, and Jimmy Hoffa, making his claims highly unbelievable. One of the biggest hidden gems revealed on Sammys channel was about the time he was tasked with killing none other than Crazy Joe Gallo. He continued to assert his physical presence through violence as he grew up, and his parents were forced to sign him out of school when he was 16 years old. Dellacroce, however, was rising star John Gottis mentor, and when word got back to him that Dellacroce had supported Gravano, Gotti was impressed.[2]. Known by most as Sammy The Bull, Salvatore Gravano was born on March 12th, 1945 in Bensonhurst, a Brooklyn neighborhood with a predominantly Italian-American population to Gerry and Kay Gravano, both of whom hailed from Sicily. http://mafiahistory.us/rattrap/gambinoinf.html. Salvatore "Toddo" Aurello (1998) Michael Bove (2001) Liborio "Bobby Red" Crapanzano (2001) Dominick Castore (2003) Michael Catalano (1998) Joseph "Joe Butch" Corrao (2001) Samuel "Little Sammy" Corsaro (2002) Frank "Frankie Dap" D'Apolito (1998) John Daniello Jerome DeQuillo Copyright 2019-2022. Gigante boss of the Genoveses was a friend of Castellano and didn't like the new boss. Around this time, Gravano opened an afterhours club in Bensonhurst. Gravano was a small kid and took on older and bigger kids, the wiseguys gave him the nickname The Bull because of his looks and the way he fought. After Caponigro was tortured and killed, Philip Testa was installed as boss and Nicky Scarfo as consigliere. Roy was a Gambino Family captain who was a suspect in over 200 murders. I knew I couldnt have missed, the gun was only inches from his head, but I felt like I was a million miles away, like this was all a dream." Together they ruled the Arizona drugtrade. my father would say. [1] After assuring Mormando of his safety, Gravano told him to pick up Joseph Paruta on his way. * Guido Mario "Dolls" DeCurtis (1914 - March . [6] Both Dellacroce and Gotti tried to convince Ruggiero to comply if Castellano explained beforehand how he intended to use the tapes, but Ruggiero refused, fearing he would endanger good friends. Gravano married Debra Scibetta in 1971; they had two children. In 1985, he was involved in the corporate takeover and removal of Paul Castellano. Nicholas Mormando aka Nicky Cowboy was another top shooter in Sammys crew. In 1970, he committed his first murderthat of Joseph Colucci, a fellow Spero associate with whose wife Tommy Spero was having an affair. My teacher overheard me and went directly to my mother. Gotti and Ruggiero then sought and obtained the approval of the Colombo and Bonanno families, while DeCicco secured the backing of the Luccheses. [1] A sit-down with Castellano was held, at which an irate Gravano accused DiBono of withholding $200,000 in payments for subcontracts and threatened to kill him right then and there. Sammy sobbed when he was caught stealing from his corner shop at the age of 8 and was let off with a firm warning by the shopkeeper. Toddo Aurello was a low-key Gambino Family capo involved in a notorious underworld event and a mentor to Sammy Gravano. On one occasion, they helped Sammy recover a stolen bicycle, and one of them was so impressed by Sammys fighting ability that he nicknamed Sammy the Bull. The nickname stuck. Gotti had plans of his own and when Castellano failed to show at the wake of Dellacroce and pay his respects his faith was sealed. Never stopped robbing. Gravano was not deployed to the Vietnam War. He was ready to start an all out war with the Colombos, who at first attempted to stop Sammy from killing the guy. Joseph "Joe the Animal" Barboza. Well be the power behind the throne. She lived so close to school, we could see the playground from her yard. After Ravas murder in late 1957, the crew split between Neil Dellacroce and Anthony Rizzo. He has been on the run for 30 yrs for the murders of Prosecutors Giovani Falcone and Paolo Borsellino. [1] Gravano began to change his boss cowboy image of him when he entered into the plumbing and drywall business with his brother-in-law, Edward Garafola. On September 7, 2002, he was sentenced in New York to 20 years on the federal charges. on: function(evt, cb) { I didn't know it then, but it was a local mobster hangout, also known as a men's "social club." [1] Gravano arranged a meeting with DiBernardo where Joe Paruta, a member of Gravanos crew, shot DiBernardo twice in the back of the head as the underboss watched. Militos wife Lynda claims in her book Mafia Wife that when Louie Milito did not come home or call, she went to see Gravano at his home. He would rule until his disappearance and murder in 1951. Paul Castellano, Carlos cousin and brother-in-law, would be chosen to lead. E-mail me when people leave their comments , Sammy the Bull: Profile of Gambino crime family underboss Salvatore Gravano, How The Hells Angels Actually Works | How Crime Works | Insider, Bonannos go to war in New York: Shooting in Long Island tied to Mikey Nose and Joe C. beef, Watermelons, submarines & sex toys: The craziest ways cartels traffic drugs, How China Is Fuelling America's Drug Epidemic. hatfield42 2 yr. ago Nice find. As Louie and Nino carried the conversation, Roys attention seemed elsewhere. After consultation, the three agreed it was wrong not to tell Gravano. By the fall, my father announced that I was going to be transferring to a new school. DeCicco gave the contract to Loborio Louie Milito and Josephy Stymie DAngelo, Sr., two associates on Gravanos crew. That somebody was Joseph Colucci a member of Shorty Spero's crew. })(); Known by most as Sammy The Bull, Salvatore Gravano was born on March 12th, 1945 in Bensonhurst, a Brooklyn neighborhood with a predominantly Italian-American population to Gerry and Kay Gravano. Sammy helped his family move from the ghetto into the Bensonhurst neighborhood, and their families became so close that they occasionally vacationed together in Florida to get away from the life, the everyday grind of being in Cosa Nostra. After Sammy testified, Carbonaro along with Sammys brother-in-law Eddie Garafola were involved in an unsuccesful plot to kill him in Arizona. Life was good for a drugselling rat, but then the bubble burst. The American mafia website did an amazing story years ago about two Gambino informants during that era. On weekends, my father would sometimes take me with him to "the club" in Bensonhurst. In September 1986 Gotti was in court fighting the feds and won, not because of his lawyer but because Gravano got to the jury pool and managed to bribe one of them. Please Open it up to activate your account. Shortly after the failed hit, Sammy had a falling out with one of Shorty Speros family members. I was obsessed. This just tore my fucking insides out. Ever since Carlo Gambino appointed Castellano as new boss instead of the more streetwise Dellacroce the Gambino Family has been divided. After serving minimal time for 19 murders Gravano was released and went into the Witnes Protection Program and started his new life in Arizona. That sounds about right; Pretty sure he was in the age range of Arcuri; Armone; Castellano; And all the old captains. Stymie was family to us. [2], Gravanos relief at being acquitted was tempered by news close friend, DAngelo, had been killed by a Colombo family associate celebrating his having been proposed for membership. . Dad referred to him as his right-hand man. Gambino captain 1969-1986. I didn't know why he addressed people as Bo, not Bro. Kuklinskis claims have been highly questioned as Gravano himself was an accomplished hitman and would therefore have no reason to hire Kuklinski to kill someone his crew was perfectly capable of killing. he'd ask. Gravano said Gottis underboss Frank DeCicco wanted Louie dead. A long period of stability and prosperity would be enjoyed by this Family for the next 18 years until Gambino's death in 1975. The FBI had bugged Ruggieros house and telephone, and Castellano decided he needed copies of the tapes to justify his impending move to Dellacroce and the familys other capos. [2] Looking down at Bilottis body from the passenger window, Gravano remarked, Hes gone.[7]. He requested a mercy killing; however, he died of lung cancer before this could happen. The beef became too big to resolve and it was decided the men could no longer be in the same crew together. Married to Sammys sister Fran, Cousin Eddie Garafola was a made member in the Gambino Crime Family. DAquila and his followers would side with Maranzano, his Castellammare troops, and allied sympathizers. Anybody who was anybody lived on "The Hill.". He began stealing when he was only 7 or 8 and would take two cupcakes from a corner store in Bensonhurst every day on his way to school. [1] He quickly moved up the ranks and into racketeering, loansharking, and running a lucrative poker game in the back room of an after-hours club, of which he was part-owner. And so Sammy The Bull was born. He is known as the man who helped bring down John Gotti, the familys boss, by agreeing to become a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) informant and turn states evidence. I dont have it in me. Nicky also stood by Sammy when it became known that Paul Castellano may punish or kill Gravano and his crew for doing the unsanctioned hit. Then, as Gotti grew increasingly impatient, Conte explained that the problem now was trying to corner DiBono again. First, his quick rise up the Gambino hierarchy attracted the attention of the FBI, and he was soon placed under surveillance. I told him there would be consequences for drugs. He also got back with the Gambino Crime Family. Should rap lyrics be used as evidence in court? Salvatore "Toddo" Aurello. Copyright 2019-2023, Button Guys of The New York Mafia. The owner then pulled his gun and fired shots at the two gangmembers, Gravano was hit by the side of the head but survived. [2] Castellano had a particular interest in the construction business. I told John why didnt Pat simplify everything. Press J to jump to the feed. Gravano had told Halpern he was deathly afraid of going to prison. Paul Castellano, Carlo's cousin and brother-in-law, would be chosen to lead. When Sammy Gravano switched from the Colombos to the Gambinos, he was placed in Aurellos crew. Gotti was supposed to be killed as well but didn't attend the meeting and so only DeCicco was blown up. Milito was called to a meeting to discuss the murder of a Gambino associate. During an interview Gravano gave to the Arizona Republic, Gravano claimed federal agents he had met after turning states evidence had become his personal friends and stopped by his home when on vacation. He wanted me to get a superior education and had me enrolled at the prestigious Staten Island Academy. In January 1990 Gotti went to trial for ordering an assault on carpenter's union boss John O'Connor. [2] Gravano was initially noncommittal, wanting to confer first with Frank DeCicco. Michael DeBatts father was a Gambino crime family mob associate and a close friend of Sammys who became indebted to loansharks and bookmakers. This doesnt belong to you till the closing. I was nine years old when I began to suspect that my father was a gangster. He owned nightclubs and always stayed out late. Average Age & Life Expectancy Salvatore Aurello lived 4 years longer than the average Aurello family member when he died at the age of 83. It was Milito who fired the shots that killed 16 year old Alan Kaiser on August 15, 1977. [2] In June 1985, he again demanded that Dellacroce get him the tapes. Gotti informed Gravano he would not be allowed to converse with his lawyers unless Gotti was present. And so did Dori LaForte. He started out as co-underboss with Ruggiero and later was shifted to co-consigliere with Armone.