 Gravano(L) and Gotti(R) in much better times |
Born to Sicilian immigrants in 1945, this Bensonhurst, Brooklyn native would earn his nickname "Sammy the Bull" for his brute force and fierce reputation. Despite coming from hard working parents, Gravano chose a different path and dropped out of high school by the 9th grade. He ran with the street gang known as "The Rampers", committing burglaries and mayhem. In 1964 he was drafted for the army but in a few years was honorably discharged. When he returned Gravano knew that his youth gang was a dead end street. Former Ramper Tommy Spero, introduced him to his uncle and his Colombo LCN Family associates. Gravano fit in well under the crew led by Carmine "Junior" Persico and rubbed elbows with future mob heavyweights. Gravano was dabbling into loansharking, bookmaking and operating after hour clubs. Under Persico, Gravano murdered or "made his bones" in 1970 and resulting in the death of Joe Colucci. It would be his first among nineteen. By 1971, after having a falling out with the Speros over a clothing store, Gravano was given his release from the Colombos. He then was under the guidance of elder Gambino LCN Family capo Salvatore "Toddo" Aurello. Under the captain, Gravano became more organized and proved his earnings ability. Gravano also was indicted, charges later dropped, for a double murder. In 1977 Aurello proposed and Gravano accepted an invitation to become "made" into the Gambino crime family which was heade by Paul "Big Paul" Castellano. Gravano was building a sizable loanshark book, shaking down bookmakers, making himself known and became interested in contruction. Because of Castellano's influence over unions, Gravano's business ballooned and the two were said to have shared the racket as a common bond. |
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In 1980 Gravano and Gambino soldier Lou Milito murdered Philadelphia LCN Family capo John "Johnny Keys" Simone at the orders of Castellano. Gravano had previously did away with his own brother in law, Nick Scibetta, for his drug abuse and the bad reputation he was building. In 1985 he conspired with John Gotti and a host of others to murder Castellano in December of that year. In January Aurello retired, and Gravano, who had been officiating the day to day affairs over the Brooklyn crew, became an official capo. His construction business was growing quickly, not to mention previous forays into night clubs and bars. His wealth afforded him a luxurious Staten Island home. By mid 1986 long time Gambino consigliere or advisor Joe N Gallo was sent away for a decade, ultimately a death sentence and Gravano was promoted to his position. He also served as acting street boss on several occasions. Later he attended the first and only Commission meeting during the reign of Gotti. Besides labor racketeering magnate, which Gravano once claimed brought Gotti an average of $20,000 a week, the consigliere bribed a juror and Gotti was acquitted. From 1986 until 1990 Gravano also killed many. These included associate Mike Debatt, Louis Milito, Louis "Louie Dib" DiBono, Wilfred "Willie Boy"Johnson, porn racketeer and family capo Robert "D.B." DiBernardo. Gravano's body count would total nineteen in the end. By 1990 Gravano was the new underboss, replacing the acting leader Frank Locasio and the imprisoned official Joe Armone. |
 Gravano under arrest in Arizona for narcotics trafficking (2001) |
In December 1990 Gravano, Gotti, Locasio, and capo Tommy Gambino were arrested. They had been charged with multiple RICO violations and murder conspiracies. Gambino was allowed bond and eventually severed from the trial. At their bail hearing the trio listened to secret tapes from FBI planted listening devices. They had only been in operation for less than four months at Gotti's Ravenite Social Club and it was all the prosecutor needed. On the tapes, while Gravano was absent, Gotti described his underboss as being uncontrollable. Gravano was upset and a fire fueled in the months to come. All three were denied release. In mid 1991, as Gravano describes it, he "switched governments" and became a federal witness. He would go on to face Gotti and Locasio. In the end they were doomed and in 1992 were sentenced to life in prison. Gravano then would go on to testify, resulting in thirty seven convictions or plea agreements of other mobsters. Gravano would serve less than five years for his role in nineteen murders. In 1997 he released his autobiography, coauthored by Peter Maas, entitled "Underboss". It would become a best seller but he hasn't received a single royalty. The family members of his victims would file a lawsuit and prevent him to profit from his crime. Gravano then settled into the US Marshall's Witness Protection Program. He would later leave and in 2000 was flushed out in Maricopa County, AZ under the name Jimmy Moran. He was operating a company called Marathon Construction, the same used when he was a Gambino mobster and by year's end was arrested for heading up an ectasy ring. We here have it on good source that several mobsters from the New York City area traveled to Arizona to find Gravano and extract revenge. He was saved upon his arrest. He currently awaits trial as of this writing. (2002) Gravano, one of the most celebrated gangsters of our time, was given an unbelievable second chance. He blew it and proving himself not eligible for the legitament world. As a top member of one of the most power criminal syndicates to ever exist he betrayed them. He offers no excuse and only time will tell. Gravano under FBI interviews was analyzed and the conclusions said he would more than likely return to his criminal life. He did return but without a crime family and without any power. |