Key Concepts
- Mob Wannabes
- Five Families (Gambino, Colombo, Bonanno, Genovese, Lucchese)
- Made Man
- Undercover Infiltration
- Commission (Governing board of the Mafia)
- Capo
- Contract (Hit)
- Daisy Chain Gasoline Scam
- Racketeering
- Restitution
- Cooperating Witness
Early Mob Life and Bank Robberies
Salvatore Polsi describes his early days as a "wannabe" in the 1970s, doing "grunt work" for mob bosses. He recounts a specific bank robbery on Francis Lewis Boulevard, detailing how he vaulted over the counter, demanded tellers to back up, and scooped money into "I Love New York" plastic bags, which became his trademark. He recalls a head teller urinating out of fear when he demanded access to the vault. Polsi remembers the "fun moment" of dumping the stolen money on the bed at the safe house. His trademark bag eventually led to his capture, as law enforcement identified it in multiple bank robbery reports.
The Five Families and Joe Pistone's Infiltration
In 1978, the United States government was at war with organized crime, particularly the five families ruling New York City: Gambino, Colombo, Bonanno, Genovese, and Lucchese. Joe Pistone, an undercover FBI agent using the alias Donnie Brasco, infiltrated the Colombo family and then moved to the Bonanno family. The Bonanno family, according to Jim Walden, were "ground breakers when it came to drug trafficking." Pistone's mission was to gather intelligence and potentially take down an entire family.
Joseph Coffey notes that Pistone was recruited to infiltrate the Bonanno family through Lefty "Guns" Ruggiero. Pistone gained Lefty's trust by posing as a jewel thief, using confiscated diamonds and watches from the federal government. He gathered valuable information from Lefty, who served as an "encyclopedia of the mob." Rudolph Giuliani emphasizes the importance of infiltration in law enforcement, as wiretaps and bugs alone are insufficient.
The King's Court Operation in Florida
Pistone and Ruggiero hatched a scheme to expand out of New York, leading them to the King's Court, an FBI-run undercover operation in Florida. Steve Salmieri, another undercover agent, was already working at the club. The nightclub served as bait to lure Lefty and the Bonannos into a trap. Agents took surveillance photographs, sometimes without knowing that Donnie Brasco was an FBI agent.
Carmine Galante's Execution and its Aftermath
Carmine Galante, a Bonanno boss who had just been released from prison, tried to take control of the family and monopolize drug importation, refusing to share with other families. This violated a golden rule among the five families, leading the Commission to order his execution.
Michael Chertoff describes the scene at Joe and Mary's Restaurant in Brooklyn, where Galante was shot and killed while having lunch. Joseph Coffey recalls arriving at the scene and seeing Galante's body in the tomato patch with a cigar in his mouth.
Pistone, in Florida at the time, received a call from Lefty about Galante's death. He was ordered to return to New York, as "things are gonna change."
Sonny Black and Pistone's Deep Cover
Following Galante's execution, Rusty Rastelli became the boss, and Sonny Black became a captain, with Lefty reassigned to work under him, along with Donnie Brasco. Pistone got close to Sonny Black, who was profiting from the Florida club. Pistone even slept at Sonny Black's apartment, spending mornings drinking coffee, eating hard rolls with butter, and watching cartoons.
The Three Capos Hit
Three Bonanno capos – Sonny "Red" Indelicato, Phil "Lucky" Giaccone, and Dominick Trinchera – attempted to take over the family, leading to open warfare. Sonny Black and Joey Massino set up a fake sit-down, where Sonny "Red" Indelicato was shot by Joe Massino and the other two capos were also killed.
Pistone's Contract and the End of Donnie Brasco
Sonny Black offered Pistone membership in the family and gave him the contract to kill Bruno Indelicato, the son of Sonny "Red" Indelicato who escaped the hit. Pistone accepted the contract, but the FBI had a plan in place to stage a hit or snatch Bruno Indelicato.
James Kossler states that the FBI decided not to allow Pistone to become a made man and pulled him out of the operation. After six years undercover, Operation Donnie Brasco was shut down. Agents informed Sonny Black that Donnie Brasco was Special Agent Joseph D. Pistone of the FBI. Sonny Black initially dismissed the claim but eventually realized the truth.
Michael Franzese and the Colombo Family
Michael Franzese, a "made man" in the Colombo crime family, was known as the "Yuppie Don." His father, Sonny Franzese, was a legendary figure in organized crime. Michael Franzese made money through labor unions, including a major co-op conversion project in Queens. He made a deal with a labor union guy to keep the union out of the project, charging the developer for every apartment converted.
John Gotti's Rise
John Gotti was a "wannabe" in the 1970s, known for his flamboyant personality and gambling habits. Salvatore Polsi recalls Gotti's "tell" in poker: when he had a good hand, his cigar would go up in the air. Gotti aimed to become a "made guy" by being both an earner and a hitman.
The Daisy Chain Gasoline Scam
Michael Franzese's biggest coup was the "Daisy Chain Gasoline Scam." He exploited a change in New York State law that made distributors responsible for paying gasoline excise taxes. Franzese set up dummy companies that didn't pay the taxes, making millions of dollars a week. He had 18 licensed companies operating out of Panama to avoid tracing.
Franzese's Troubles and Cooperation
Franzese's success attracted attention, and rumors spread that he was becoming powerful enough to start his own family. His father, Sonny Franzese, was released from prison. Michael Franzese was told that his father had put a contract on him.
Franzese was indicted on 28 counts of racketeering, fraud, and extortion. Faced with a lengthy sentence, he decided to plead guilty and make restitution payments of ten million dollars. He later cooperated with law enforcement, leading to a reduced sentence.
The Aftermath of Donnie Brasco
After the Donnie Brasco operation was exposed, the Commission put a $500,000 contract on Joe Pistone. Sonny Black was called to a sit-down and subsequently disappeared. His body was found a year later with his hands cut off, as punishment for introducing Pistone to bosses. Lefty Ruggiero was arrested and spent 15-18 years in prison.
Franzese's Faith and Legacy
Michael Franzese became disillusioned with mob life and strengthened his faith while in prison. He believes he has been forgiven for his past actions. He acknowledges the murder of Larry Carrozza, a close friend who had an affair with his sister, as the deed that weighs heaviest on his heart.
Sonny Franzese, Michael's father, remains the oldest living mob guy in America.
The Impact of Operation Donnie Brasco
Operation Donnie Brasco was a historic success for the FBI, leading to over 200 indictments and more than 100 convictions of major mob figures. It broke the confidence and mystique of the mafia, making it easier to infiltrate and prosecute organized crime.
Conclusion
The video details the intertwined stories of Joe Pistone's infiltration of the Bonanno family and Michael Franzese's rise and fall within the Colombo family. Pistone's undercover work significantly weakened the American Mafia, while Franzese's story illustrates the allure and dangers of mob life, ultimately leading to his cooperation with law enforcement and a newfound faith. The contrasting paths of these two men highlight the complex dynamics of organized crime in the late 20th century.
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