Salvatore Gravano, better known as Sammy "The Bull," stands as one of the most famous and controversial Mafia figures of the 1980s. He began his criminal career in one of New York City's many teenage gangs and eventually climbed the ranks to become underboss of the Gambino crime family.
He owned dozens of clubs and restaurants, and his influence in New York's construction industry was envied even by Donald Trump. Gravano seemed to have every chance of joining the ranks of gangsters like Frank Costello or Carlo Gambino.
Instead, he ended up mentioned alongside names like "abuse" and "vaki" as a government informant. In late 1991, he made a deal with the government and spilled everything, helping put John Gotti, boss of the Gambino family, behind bars for life.
As a result, he not only escaped death for his betrayal but also outlived his boss, eventually becoming one of the first gangster video bloggers.
Salvatore Gravano was born on March 12, 1945, to Caterina and Giando Gravano. His parents were both from Sicily but arrived in America separately and at different times, meeting each other in their new homeland.
Little Salvatore's mother and father were hard-working, law-abiding citizens who tried to instill the same values in their son and his older sisters. It was not an easy task given the fiery temperament of their son and the New York City neighborhood where they lived.
Bensonhurst was a typical Italian community where law and order were set by the local Mafia diaspora rather than the state. Mafia bosses like Joseph Profaci and Joe Colombo had once lived there, and the presence of lower-ranking gangsters numbered in the dozens, not counting the small teenage gangs that hung around local diners.
Sammy, who acquired the nickname due to his striking resemblance to an uncle of the same name, had encountered these men since early childhood. He had seen them in their fancy suits playing dice outside a restaurant not far from his house.
None of the policemen, and certainly none of the locals, dared to make a comment or confront them in any way. But Gravano did not fully understand who they were and the power they wielded.
His father explained that they were bad guys, but they were "their" bad guys who, if needed, could help with problems. Giando told his son not to anger them or cross them in any way.
The first time Sammy received assistance from these individuals was when he was 10 years old. On his birthday, his parents finally gave him a long-awaited and precious bicycle.
Unfortunately, Sammy did not keep a close eye on it, and a couple of days later it was stolen. Weeks went by, and Gravano became increasingly desperate to get his bike back.
When the neighborhood kids said they saw his bike nearby, right across the street from where the local wise guys gathered, Sammy immediately went there. He got into a fight with three kids who were in no mood to give it back.
This incident caught the attention of one of the mobsters, who came over and separated the children. The man knew Gravano's father and helped Sammy get his bicycle back by chasing his opponents away.
Afterward, he said that Sammy fought like an angry bull, thereby unknowingly giving little Gravano his nickname. It quickly spread throughout the neighborhood and remained with him throughout his life.
However, this incident alone did not fully reveal to Sammy the extent of power and influence held by these men. Any grown man could have chased off a couple of teenagers.
But to demand an apology from two big thugs who could beat a man to a pulp without remorse took a truly formidable figure, like old man Zito. He was a small and slender man who, according to Sammy, could have been blown away by a gentle breeze.
Yet Zito had the ability to resolve Gravano's father's problem with just a few words. When two tough guys approached Giando demanding money and threatening to break his legs if he refused to pay, their tune changed entirely after conversing with Zito.
They offered their apologies to Giando the very next day. At the time of this incident, Sammy was 13 years old, yet he had already joined a local street gang known as the Rampers.
Unaware that Zito would help his father, Sammy sought to protect him by borrowing a gun from the older boys in the gang in case his father might get beaten up. When Sammy told him about it, Giando became furious and came close to hitting his son for the first time.
All along, Giando had been trying to teach Sammy that their family was not meant for that kind of life. This incident highlighted well Sammy's failure to absorb any of his father's lessons.
Sammy was getting closer and closer to what his father was trying to protect him from. However, in Gravano's case, the urge for crime was not a rebellious act against parental discipline. He understood that his father wanted only the best for him.
Instead, it stemmed from the painful experiences of childhood socialization. In simple terms, Sammy experienced rejection from his peers at school.
This rejection was due to Sammy's struggle with dyslexia, which made reading and writing challenging for him. Dyslexia impairs a person's ability to recognize symbols accurately.
Back then, not many people were familiar with this condition, so Gravano was mistakenly perceived as mentally disabled and even held back a grade in fourth grade. The other children, who were not known for their kindness, taunted Sammy.
Initially he attempted to fit in by finding ways to navigate his disability or even resorting to humor as a defense mechanism, adopting a clown-like persona. However, all attempts to peacefully deal with the bullying proved useless, and violence was the only way to put an end to the constant taunting.
By throwing a few punches, he finally shut down the relentless barrage of insults. Out on the streets, where laws do not matter much, it did not really make a difference if you could not tell a dog from a god on a piece of paper.
Are you brave? Can you stand up for yourself? You do not have a lot of sympathy for the system if you fit that bill, and you are welcome.
Gravano had it all. He was not one to back down, had serious fighting skills, and because of his teacher's spiteful attitude and the general mood in the neighborhood where the police were disliked, he hated the system.
No wonder he found like-minded folks not in his school class but in his street gang. At the age of 16, after bouncing around from one school to another due to failing grades and constant brawls, Gravano was finally kicked out of the school system.
It did not upset him at all. By that time, he was deep into street life with his second family, the Rampers.
They spent all their free time together drinking, chasing girls, and earning a living. Most of their business involved stealing and robbing.
They would swipe cars and either sell them whole or in parts, and they robbed stores at night, the ones that sold clothes, electronics, and jewelry. The Rampers were a bunch of lowlifes who, fueled by youthful idealism, saw themselves as rebels against the world.
They believed their youthful passion was enough to take on anyone, whether it be a rival gang, the law, or even the Mafia. While they did manage to hold their own against rival gangs and the law with success, they had earned a reputation as a tough gang among similar crews.
The money from their robberies provided enough funds to hire lawyers who could often get them off the hook for minor offenses. For instance, when Gravano punched a cop, he ended up with just a fine.
Dealing with the members of Cosa Nostra, however, was a whole different story. While the Rampers were ready to clash with the mob if necessary, they generally did not go looking for trouble themselves. Confrontations happened when there was no other choice.
Take, for example, what happened with Sammy and his gang buddies at a bar in Bensonhurst, where they had a confrontation with the men of "Crazy Joe" Gallo's crew. Things quickly escalated.
The mobsters started waving guns around, forcing the Rampers boys to make a swift exit. But as soon as they left, Gravano and his crew wasted no time retrieving their own firearms. They returned to the bar shortly thereafter, resulting in a shootout that left one of the gangsters seriously injured.
When Joe Gallo found out about the incident, he ordered his men to track down the shooters and eliminate them. Luckily for Sammy and the boys, the local Gambino family stepped in and vouched for them, and the whole situation was eventually covered up.
The other case, which would come later, was not. Sammy the Bull continued to live his normal life, not even suspecting that soon he would be forced to radically change it.
For several years, it all began when Sammy the Bull found himself caught in the midst of a warehouse robbery. Fortunately, since he had not taken anything yet, his lawyer managed to negotiate a plea deal with the judge, reducing the charge from theft to trespassing.
As part of the deal, Sammy was spared jail time but was instead required to enlist in the Army. Given the ongoing Vietnam War, the judge deemed this alternative suitable and granted Sammy his release right in the courtroom.
However, Sammy had no intention of actually joining the Army. His plan was to pass the medical examinations he was summoned for and then find a way to avoid service.
In those years, men in the US underwent medical examinations and were registered at recruiting stations. The selection of those who served was determined through a national lottery.
In theory, Sammy had time to make a decision. In practice, he was whisked away to serve on the very day of the examination.
Taken to a separate room, he faced a choice presented by FBI agents: either leave immediately from the recruiting station to serve the country, or go to prison. Sammy opted for the former and in 1964 was assigned to duty at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
Army service did not pose much of a burden for Sammy. He was in good physical shape at the time, so the exercise and training were manageable for him.
Moreover, he was allowed to pursue his passion for boxing, which had captivated his interest for a few years. After completing basic military training at Fort Jackson, Gravano was transferred to a unit in Indiana, where things took a turn for the better.
Teaming up with three of his buddies and receiving a share of the proceeds from the local military police, Sammy started running an underground dice game and even acted as a loan shark for those who wanted to gamble but had run out of money. In this manner, two years of military service flew by.
Gravano returned to Bensonhurst without much notice and resumed his activities with the Rampers, engaging in thefts and burglaries once again. Life was back in full swing for Sammy.
He found himself on the brink of jail time when he purchased a stolen car because the seller neglected to switch the plates. He narrowly escaped death during a car theft incident with his partner.
In an attempt to secure unemployment benefits, he even enrolled in a styling course, successfully completing it while also charming more than one student. But that was not enough.
Gravano and the other Ramper boys were growing up and wanted some kind of development. They wanted to move on from robbery to their own business, and that is where they faced the harsh reality of adulthood.
The rose-tinted glasses through which they viewed themselves as invincible superheroes gradually shattered. They realized that building a successful business in Bensonhurst, whether legal or in the shadows, without the involvement of the Mafia was simply unattainable.
And then it finally became clear to them how easily and quickly Cosa Nostra could take the life of someone who crossed its path. One of the Rampers named Jimmy Emma was killed in broad daylight on the street for causing a series of drunken riots at a Colombo family member's club.
After that incident, the gang slowly began to disintegrate. A small portion transitioned into legitimate business, while the majority sought a way to get under the wing of one of the five New York Mafia families.
Gravano chose the second option and very soon would embark on his own acquaintance with an organization in which he would initially have boundless faith, only to later be completely disillusioned.
Shortly after Jimmy Emma was killed, Gravano was visited by an acquaintance named Tommy Sparrow, who mentioned that his uncle wanted to have a conversation with him. Tommy's uncle, also named Tommy but known by everyone as "Shorty" Sparrow, was a partner in the Colombo family.
He was not a Cosa Nostra member only by the fact that admission to the organization had been suspended for many years. By that moment, Gravano understood the gravity of the situation, realizing that the meeting could potentially bring both problems and opportunities.
Fortunately for Sammy, it was the second option. At the meeting, Shorty told him he had been looking after Gravano for a long time and that he liked the way Sammy did business, so he wanted to ask him to join his team.
Sparrow explained that he would sooner or later get himself into more trouble than he could handle alone, and that with Shorty, Gravano would gain the connections and acquaintances to not only navigate through such challenges but also expand his interests. Sammy agreed to align himself with Shorty and the Colombo family.
He was subsequently introduced to captain Carmine Persico, also known as "The Snake," and later gained the approval of family boss Joe Colombo. Gravano experienced the benefits of his partnership with Cosa Nostra almost immediately.
Alongside two other individuals, Tommy Sparrow and Lenny Mole, they successfully robbed a clothing store. However, Sammy faced identification by a salesman, which could have led to legal consequences.
Fortunately, a couple of phone calls resolved the issue. The store owner had ties with the DeCavalcante family in New Jersey, and they, at the request of the Colombo people, explained to the clerk that he had made a mistake and that the robber did not look like Sammy at all. Gravano was acquitted of all charges.
A similar incident occurred during a bank robbery, where Sammy was identified by a guard with connections to the Mafia, specifically Carmine Persico, a cousin of Tommy. The guard requested $10,000 for his silence, and after receiving the payment, he promptly changed his statement, ensuring Gravano remained free.
Furthermore, due to Sammy's financial constraints at the time, Carmine Persico stepped in and paid on his behalf, with Gravano owing an additional 3 percent as a tax for utilizing Persico's influence. Moreover, Gravano was required to allocate a percentage of his earnings from various listed activities, such as robberies, running nightclubs, and engaging in loan sharking, to Shorty Sparrow.
These funds would then be passed up the hierarchy, reaching his captain Carmine Persico and ultimately benefiting the family boss Joe Colombo. The flow of money within the organization was a constant cycle, with funds returning in greater quantities.
Apart from monetary obligations, Sammy was also bound to carry out any orders issued by those higher in rank, whether it involved intimidation, acts of violence, or even carrying out murders. Gravano faithfully executed the commands of his Colombo family without hesitation.
It was at their behest that he committed his inaugural killing, signifying a momentous shift in his criminal trajectory. Gravano's first murder came at the behest of the Colombo family.
The man who was ordered killed was Joe Cucchi, also a member of Shorty Sparrow's crew, who decided to go against his boss. The reason was that Shorty's nephew, Tommy Sparrow, was flirting with Cucchi's wife behind his back.
Joe decided he would not get official permission from the family to kill Tommy, and if he did it quietly, Shorty would immediately figure it out and send Sammy the Bull for him. So he decided to kill Gravano and Sparrow Senior first, thereby messing up all the cards, and then kill Tommy on the sly.
However, Cucchi made a critical mistake in choosing the person he involved in this operation. This fellow's name was Frankie, and he made the decision to inform Shorty Sparrow about Joe Cucchi's treachery instead of participating in Cucchi's risky plan.
Upon learning of the plot, Shorty wasted no time in obtaining Joe Colombo's approval to eliminate the traitor. The task of carrying out the hit was assigned to a team consisting of Gravano, Sparrow Jr., and Frankie.
They lured Cucchi to a bar, and as they drove home, they executed him in the car. Joe sat in the front passenger seat, while Sammy positioned himself in the back seat directly behind Cucchi.
Sammy retrieved his gun, rested it against the headrest, and pulled the trigger multiple times. They then drove away discreetly and disposed of Cucchi's body in a quiet residential neighborhood.
This act marked a significant turning point for the 25-year-old Gravano, as he had now crossed a line that carried profound implications in his criminal world. Sammy the Bull's chances of being accepted into the family significantly rose during the family recruitment process, also known as the "opening of the books."
News was rapidly circulating throughout Bensonhurst that Sammy the Bull was not just an average tough guy but a skilled marksman affiliated with the Shorty Sparrow team. This reputation boost unquestionably added to his credibility and reputation in the neighborhood.
Consequently, Sammy no longer had to wait in line at clubs. He received tokens of appreciation from local merchants and always secured the best table at restaurants. His name carried considerable weight in Bensonhurst.
This newfound credibility provided Sammy with the opportunity to distance himself from endless robberies and hijackings. A friend of his, Billy Stag, approached Sammy with an invitation to join a club venture.
The existing partners were John Rizzo, a member of the Gambino family, and Maddie Gambino, the nephew of the family's boss. Stag, not having any Mafia connections himself, sought Sammy's alliance to prevent the other two partners, who had no intention of actively working in the club, from pressing him too hard.
Knowing the Colombo family, who due to his financial situation would be extremely concerned about the state of his business, Stag was right. Sammy obtained permission from John Rizzo to join the club and dedicated himself fully to its operations.
He and Billy took on multiple roles, functioning as bookkeepers, bartenders, bouncers, and even janitors. Rizzo and Gambino, on the other hand, seemed focused solely on collecting their share of the profits.
While Rizzo rarely made an appearance, Gambino frequented the club, behaving as if he owned the place and treating Stag and Gravano as his hired subordinates. Initially Sammy tried to overlook Gambino's behavior, given that his uncle Carlo Gambino held significant influence as the boss of one of the nation's most powerful Mafia families.
However, when Maddie insinuated that he suspected Sammy and Billy of theft, Sammy could no longer contain his frustration. He confronted Maddie, expressed his thoughts candidly, and ultimately expelled him from the club.
Maddie complained to his uncle, but Gravano was supported by the Colombo family. Carlo Gambino, after hearing what was really going on at the club, reprimanded his nephew, who never said another bad word about Billy and Sammy.
In addition to this establishment, Gravano gradually ventured into opening new businesses. He had a stake in another small club, his own diner that hosted poker games in the back room, and an underground credit organization in Bensonhurst.
However, among all these ventures, none held as much significance in Sammy the Bull's journey as his clothing store, where the initial signs indicated that his allegiance with the Colombo family would not endure for long. This venture began when Gravano, along with Tommy Sparrow, met a guy named Jimmy the Bra, who was buying women's clothing from abroad and selling it wholesale to local department stores.
Jimmy made bulk purchases, which naturally resulted in a small number of flawed items. Gravano and Sparrow saw an opportunity and began selling these damaged goods by hand.
Initially they faced some challenges, but once they started spreading rumors that the merchandise was stolen, their business unexpectedly flourished. Encouraged by their success, they decided to open their own store, and Ralph Sparrow, Shorty's brother, joined them.
But Ralph could not get enough of the store's official income, so he started stealing, passing the merchandise past the cash register or taking it all out and selling it on the side. When Gravano learned of this, he knew that his hands were tied with his immediate boss's brother, so he decided to get rid of the store by making a sale behind Ralph's back.
This planted the first seed of their conflict. Initially Ralph resorted to constant nagging, trying to undermine Sammy's reputation in the eyes of Shorty and make his life as miserable as possible.
Eventually Ralph accused Sammy of something that could have endangered Gravano's life. The incident unfolded when Sammy and a group of his associates, including John Rizzo, Louis Milito, and Ali Boy Cuomo, were enjoying drinks at a bar.
They encountered the recently widowed wife of a gangster named Ralph Ronga, who had been killed just a few weeks earlier. To their surprise, the widow was already engaging in flirtatious behavior with another man.
When Sammy approached her and made a comment regarding her actions, she began flirting with him as well. In response, Sammy promptly ejected both the widow and her companion from the bar.
However, Ralph Sparrow twisted the story when he narrated it to Shorty, presenting it in a completely different light. He fabricated a version where Sammy had expressed a desire to engage in a romantic encounter with the widow.
Given that the woman had recently been married to a member of the Mafia, the fabricated tale implied that Gravano had violated the code of conduct, warranting his execution. When Sammy returned home, his wife informed him about Ralph's call and the threat to kill him.
Fueled by anger and a desire to confront Ralph, Sammy immediately dialed his number, responding with his own threats. Following that, they all went to Ralph's residence armed with a gun, intending to carry out their threats, but Ralph was no longer present at his home.
The following day, Gravano was called to a meeting with Shorty Sparrow and Carmine Persico. Fortunately, the accounts provided by the other individuals present at the bar that day corroborated Sammy's version of events, ultimately saving his life.
However, despite this resolution, the underlying tension between Ralph and Sammy remained so intense that it was only a matter of time before one of them would attempt to eliminate the other. To diffuse the situation, a decision was made to transfer Gravano from the Colombo family to the Gambino family.
By separating their affiliations, Sammy and Ralph would have minimal contact, allowing them to gradually forget about each other. Moreover, a murder involving a member from one family targeting a member from the other family could escalate tensions and cause significant problems, a scenario both sides wished to avoid.
The transfer from the Colombo family to the Gambino family was swiftly executed. John Rizzo vouched for Sammy with his captain, Salvatore "Toto" Aurelio, who gladly accepted Gravano as his partner.
With the approval of Carlo Gambino, Aurelio became an influential figure and mentor to Sammy within Cosa Nostra. Despite their age difference, with Aurelio being in his 70s, he imparted valuable wisdom and guidance to Gravano, having been a member of the Mafia since the days of Albert Anastasia.
Aurelio shared insights about the organization's history, past figures, and the principles that govern the man of honor. Sammy cherished the time he spent under Aurelio's command and considered it a transformative experience.
He often referred to his new environment in the Gambino family as a different side of Cosa Nostra, where the focus shifted more toward business rather than constant acts of violence or intimidation, as had been prevalent in the Colombo family. However, Sammy's legitimate business ventures were facing challenges.
One of his clubs had been shut down by the police, the clothing store was sold due to the conflict with Ralph, and his finances were rapidly depleting due to excessive spending and hanging out with gangster acquaintances. This financial strain made it difficult for Sammy to provide for his wife and child, who had joined him by this time.
When Sammy and his family found themselves relying on their last bit of savings to buy groceries, he realized the need to reassess his future. He made a crucial decision to leave the life of crime, sever ties with most of his old friends, and pursue a legitimate career.
This choice aimed to protect his family from the risks of imprisonment or violence associated with the criminal world, while also aiming to rebuild their lives within the bounds of the law. When he told Toto about it, he took it well and let Gravano go to his new legal life without too many questions.
Sammy, along with his wife Debbie and daughter Karen, relocated to his parents' house on Long Island, where they set up their living quarters in the attic. Initially Sammy took a job at a construction firm alongside his brother-in-law Eddie Garafola.
However, he soon grew dissatisfied with the wages and decided to join another construction company run by a man named Mike Perry, who offered twice the pay. Sammy had embraced his new life, finding happiness and security there.
There was no longer the constant threat of jail or the looming fear of his life being cut short. He had a wife and a daughter he loved, a roof over his head, enough money to buy everything he needed, and encouraging thoughts about where he was going next.
But 10 months later, the phone rang in his house, and from the receiver came the voice of his old acquaintance Ali Boy Cuomo. "Sammy, the police are looking for us for the murder of two people."
The news came as a shock to Gravano, who was certain of his innocence in the double murder case. He knew that he had not been involved in any such crime, especially not alongside Cuomo.
Yet it was their names that the police were targeting in connection with the Dunn Brothers murder. As the investigation unfolded, it became clear that the entire case hinged on the testimony of a Jewish gangster named Michael Hardy.
In an attempt to secure a reduced sentence for himself, Hardy had decided to provide law enforcement with a high-profile target: the Colombo family captain Dominic Cello. While it was possible that Cello might have been responsible for the Dunn Brothers' deaths, Hardy lacked all the necessary details.
For reasons unknown, he implicated Gravano and Cuomo as the perpetrators, acting under Cello's orders. Naturally, the case soon fell apart because Hardy's lies contained a number of inconsistencies, and it looked like Sammy could go back to legitimate life.
But the money he had spent on bail and lawyers had been borrowed by Gravano from his captain Toto Aurelio, and the legal job would not allow him to pay it back in time. So he moved back to Brooklyn with his family and went back to where he started.
Together with Cuomo, they robbed every night, seven days a week, taking with them everything they could sell: clothes, car wheels, electronics, even golf clubs and bowling balls could become trophies on another foray. Despite the ongoing case and legal troubles, Sammy remained fully engaged in his criminal activities.
The allure of the underworld slowly regained its grip on him, and his aspirations of leading a law-abiding life began to fade into the background. In 1975, as the case continued, Toto Aurelio, recognizing Sammy's dedication and loyalty, put forth his name for formal initiation into Cosa Nostra.
Sammy was initiated the same year and at the time was very impressed by the event. As he would later recall, all the rules and principles he had been told at the initiation ceremony were entirely consistent with his own worldview.
Gravano sincerely believed that he had not only joined a secret society but had found a brotherhood, found people with whom honor and respect were not mere empty words. So the idea of becoming a law-abiding citizen was no longer just out of sight but in principle no longer existed as such.
After solidifying his commitment to Cosa Nostra, Gravano made significant progress in his criminal endeavors. He continued with his regular burglaries while simultaneously venturing into legitimate business.
He acquired a local cafe and grocery store, as well as a bar named Bus Stop. Additionally, he established a few small gambling outlets.
Being a member of the Mafia opened doors to new opportunities, including access to the "shylock" network of loan sharks from whom he borrowed money at 1 percent and then lent it to other people at two or more. Sammy was relentless in his pursuit of wealth, constantly seeking out opportunities to increase his financial turnover and expand his business ventures.
Over the course of a couple of years, he and his son-in-law ventured into the construction industry, establishing a plumbing and plastering company. Additionally, they secured investments in upscale clubs known as 20×20 and Plaza Suite.
In less than five years after becoming a part of the Mafia, Sammy's life underwent a remarkable transformation. He went from residing in a modest room within his in-laws' apartment and having garlic pasta for dinner to earning tens of thousands of dollars per week and owning two houses.
One of these houses, his primary residence, was situated on Staten Island. The other was a lavish country estate located outside the city limits.
Sammy transformed the country estate into his personal retreat, a serene haven away from the bustling city life. He even constructed a small racetrack and stables on the property to house his beloved horses. This became a sanctuary, a place where he found solace and could simply savor the joys of life.
Upon his return to New York, Gravano swiftly immersed himself in the business world, focusing particularly on the construction industry. Given the Mafia's influence over the unions, which held significant sway in the continuously expanding city of New York, Sammy capitalized on this advantage.
As an independent entrepreneur, he started receiving a steady stream of orders for his plumbing company, which soon became his primary source of income. With the construction industry flourishing, Sammy's business thrived, allowing him to secure one lucrative contract after another.
As a highly ambitious individual, Gravano actively sought to expand his foothold in the industry. He forged a partnership with Joe Madonia, the proprietor of the subcontracting company Ace Partitions, and adopted a strategy of employing non-union workers for their projects.
This approach proved to be more lucrative for the primary contractor, especially considering that the unions did not oppose it, fully aware of Gravano's true identity and influence in the field. Furthermore, Gravano took his business endeavors a step further by establishing his own subcontracting company, which enabled him to secure legitimate construction contracts alongside his existing firms, now contracted to carry out various tasks such as pipe installation, wall finishing, and concrete pouring.
Gravano enjoyed a privileged position with Atlas Gem, one of the prominent contractors in New York City specializing in structural steel work. In fact, he had a separate agreement with Atlas Gem ensuring that his company received a 3 percent monthly share of all projects undertaken by the contractor.
All this was only possible for Gravano because he was a member of an organization that controlled the unions and allowed its people to use that power for their own benefit. That, of course, was not on a charitable basis.
First, Sammy, as in the days of his partnership, had to pay a percentage of any of his earnings to the people above him. Second, he had to do any dirty work that was asked of him.
Gravano appeared to be content with the dynamics of this lifestyle. He viewed himself as a loyal soldier who acquired wealth and influence by adhering to the organization's directives. The constant risk of imprisonment or death became an accepted occupational hazard.
However, since taking his oath, Gravano's perception of Cosa Nostra as a brotherhood started to shift. He slowly recognized that this world thrived on deception and betrayal, where the lofty ideals expressed during initiation were more of an anomaly than the standard practice.
If it came to money, it made no difference whether the man was made or not. The chance of cheating was exactly the same regardless of any rules at all.
For example, Sammy worked as a subcontractor with another Gambino family soldier named Louis DeBono, who gave orders directly to Gravano's firm. At first everything went well; the money for the work came right on time and in full.
But when DeBono decided to give himself a bigger chunk, he falsified documents so that, after Sammy's employees, he had to hire other subcontractors to fix the rest of the problems. He wanted to pay Gravano $50,000 instead of the original $200,000.
But DeBono missed one thing: Sammy was very strict about the quality of the work he was doing, and he knew for a fact that the job had been done right. So when he heard DeBono make these excuses, he got furious and almost hit him.
Louis immediately ran to his captain after the incident and accused Gravano of assault, which according to Mafia rules was punishable by death. But boss Paul Castellano, after hearing both sides, decided that both parties were to blame, and Sammy survived.
However, this was not the first instance where Gravano's impulsive nature put him at risk of violating Mafia laws and endangering his life. Another notable incident revolved around Sammy's Plaza Suite, a venue he transformed into a highly popular destination drawing numerous partygoers every night.
The club had gained such popularity that an extravagant millionaire named Frank Fiala, who had amassed his fortune in the cocaine trade, decided to celebrate his birthday there. Fiala paid a whopping $40,000 for the party and subsequently offered Sammy the opportunity to purchase the establishment from him for $1 million.
Gravano agreed, even though he knew the club was not worth that much. However, tensions arose when Fiala began acting like the owner of the club before the deal was finalized.
This behavior did not sit well with Sammy, and in a fit of anger he stormed into the club and found Fiala sitting in his own office chair. In a stern and raised voice, Gravano scolded him and demanded that he leave the premises until the necessary paperwork had been signed.
Frank menacingly brandished an Uzi in Sammy's face, but to Gravano's relief he did not pull the trigger and let him leave unscathed. However, this encounter triggered a violent response from Sammy.
He swiftly gathered his trusted associates and on the same day orchestrated the murder of Frank Fiala. This act greatly disrespected Paul Castellano, the boss of the Gambino family, as any unauthorized killing violated the rules of Cosa Nostra.
Nevertheless, luck favored Sammy once again, as Castellano reasoned that the offense did not warrant a death sentence. However, the tax office held a different view.
Following Fiala's death, they became interested in the club purchase transaction and discovered that if the deal had gone through, Gravano would have received $650,000 from front companies without intending to pay taxes on the amount. As soon as the official investigation into the case began, Sammy promptly settled all the required fees, and in court he was acquitted based on the argument that his accountant had mistakenly confused the dates on his tax returns.
However, while Gravano managed to handle the tax authorities relatively easily, he still had to face the FBI, which was already conducting extensive surveillance on certain members of the Gambino family. By the end of 1976, following the passing of Carlo Gambino, a division emerged within the family, resulting in two factions.
One faction supported Paul Castellano, the chosen successor by Carlo himself. The other faction rallied behind Neil Dellacroce, the current underboss, who also aspired to the top leadership role.
While the situation could have led to a violent conflict, Dellacroce, respecting Carlo's decision, did not oppose Castellano and retained his position as underboss under Paul's leadership. This arrangement brought contentment to most, except for John Gotti.
Firstly, Gotti was closer to Dellacroce and could have gained more influence if he had become the boss. Secondly, his relationship with Castellano was strained.
Initially both sides experienced relative success. Gotti was promoted to captain, and Castellano received a satisfactory share of the earnings from Gotti's crew.
However, by 1983 tensions began to escalate, signaling an impending clash. That year, 11 members of Gotti's crew were arrested on drug charges, which was officially off limits to the Gambino family.
Among the arrested was Angelo Ruggiero, and it was in his house that the FBI planted a bug, enabling them to gather substantial evidence through wiretaps. These wiretap recordings also led to the approval of a wiretap installation at Paul Castellano's residence, putting the family boss in the crosshairs.
After Ruggiero, Paul became aware of this development when he was indicted in 1985 under the RICO Act. This created a precarious situation for the Gambino family.
Not only had Gotti permitted drug trafficking within his crew, but it also posed a potential threat to the family boss. Additionally, Neil Dellacroce, who had been Gotti's main protector against Castellano's retaliation, was terminally ill.
Upon Dellacroce's passing, Gotti could face intense pressure from Paul. The boss planned to demote Gotti to a soldier and eventually strip him of his influence.
Determined not to surrender without a fight, Gotti devised a plan to assassinate Castellano, enlisting the help of Sammy the Bull Gravano. Gravano actually had nothing to do with Gotti's problems; he occupied an intermediate position in which neither the Castellano faction nor the Gotti faction had any serious complaints against him.
But nevertheless, in this conflict he dared to break one of the fundamental rules of Cosa Nostra and oppose his boss. Gravano himself would explain it in the future by the fact that Paul was not a gangster in the usual sense.
In his opinion, he was more of a businessman than a traditional gangster, which is why he made mistakes in running the family, because he could not fully understand the thinking of the street guys who formed the majority within the organization. At a meeting, Castellano made a controversial statement in front of his men, suggesting that the real tough guys were the police officers patrolling the streets.
This comment was made in the presence of hitmen who carried out his orders without hesitation or delay. In another instance, Castellano granted permission to the Genovese family to eliminate captain Frank Piccolo of the Gambino family, solely based on his belief that it would benefit his business interest and enable him to generate more profits.
Gravano also argued that Castellano's greedy nature extended beyond the mentioned instances. He was willing to make decisions that harmed the interests of his own family while benefiting himself financially.
For example, he gave the bread association to the Colombo family and collaborated with Vinnie DeNapoli of the Genovese family in the concrete construction business, receiving substantial profits. Meanwhile, many members of the Gambino family were struggling financially and would seize any opportunity to earn extra money.
So when Gotti, through Ruggiero, proposed the idea of eliminating Castellano, Gravano believed that Paul was systematically dismantling the family for personal gain. This realization led him to support the plot against his boss.
It all began when Gravano received an invitation from Ruggiero to attend a meeting in September 1985. During the meeting, Angelo discussed his and Gotti's plans.
Following that, Sammy sought the counsel of another influential family member, Frankie DeCicco. Given their good relationship, Gravano felt it was important to have Frankie's approval before proceeding with the venture.
Once Frankie gave his consent, Sammy made the decision to get involved. In due course, Joe Armone, a powerful captain in the Gambino family, also joined the group of conspirators.
The family's consigliere, Joe Gallo, pledged to remain uninvolved, pretending to be unaware of the plot. Additionally, according to Gravano, three out of the four other Mafia families did not openly object to the elimination of Paul Castellano, leaving only the Genovese family as a potential obstacle.
After conducting thorough reconnaissance and establishing the core group of conspirators, several months were dedicated to planning the assassination attempt. One initial plan involved luring and killing Castellano's driver, Tommy Bilotti, and then informing Paul that Tommy was sick.
Frankie DeCicco would replace him as the driver and eliminate Castellano. However, this plan was ultimately rejected due to concerns that Paul would not enter the car with Frankie.
Several other ideas were also dismissed, including the notion of killing Castellano within his own home, due to various apprehensions and potential complications. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, the conspirators were unaware that an opportunity for Paul's assassination would present itself.
Castellano unexpectedly summoned Frankie DeCicco to a meeting at Sparks Steak House, situated in a bustling area of downtown Manhattan. This provided the conspirators with precise information about the time and location where the targeted boss would be present.
With this knowledge in hand, they needed to carefully strategize their next moves. In total, there were 11 people in the team of assassins.
Four of them were positioned directly at the location where Castellano was expected to arrive. Their task was to execute the initial shots and eliminate the target swiftly.
The remaining members were strategically placed to ensure that if the initial plan failed, Castellano would be surrounded by creating a retreat path on either side. The assassins ensured that any attempt to escape would likely lead Castellano into the path of another assassin. This setup maximized the chances of a successful outcome.
In practice, no additional support was required. When Paul Castellano arrived at the restaurant and exited his car, the four gunmen swiftly carried out their mission, assassinating him and his driver Tommy Bilotti.
They executed the plan with precision and quickly fled the scene before anyone could react. The main thing was done.
Now all that remained was to prevent strife within the family, as well as to protect themselves from possible attacks from the other families. Shortly after the assassination, Joe Gallo, serving as the temporary consigliere in charge of the family, gathered all the captains for a meeting.
He assured them that the identities of the culprits remained unknown, emphasizing the need for everyone to stay composed. Gallo also assured them that efforts were already underway to uncover the truth and take appropriate action.
The speech served more as a formality rather than a means to achieve tangible results, as everyone already grasped the situation without the need for explicit confirmation. Despite this, there was no objection voiced, and during the subsequent meeting the captains cast their votes without protest, solidifying John Gotti as the new boss and Frank DeCicco as his deputy.
It was during this gathering that Gravano received a promotion to the rank of captain, taking over the position previously held by the retired Toto Aurelio. Another important thing was protecting themselves from interference by other families.
They made it clear that the Gambino family had chosen new leaders and was functioning smoothly without any internal problems, while also searching for Paul Castellano's killers. All the families agreed to this arrangement, and the Gambinos kept their seat on the Commission, now represented by John Gotti.
However, things were not so straightforward, and a backlash did occur. It was orchestrated by Vincent Gigante, the boss of the Genovese family.
Gigante had a plan to secretly eliminate John Gotti and Frank DeCicco and replace them with his own loyalists as the leaders of the Gambinos. The plan worked halfway: Frank DeCicco was killed in a bomb explosion, but John Gotti managed to survive.
However, Gigante did not pursue further actions, and the truth about the attempt on DeCicco's life only became known many years later. With the occurrence of one deliberate and one unintended murder, a clear path to the leadership of the family unfolded for Sammy the Bull.
John Gotti appointed him as consigliere, and before long he would promote him to his deputy. Despite his rapid ascent, Gravano would question himself year after year, pondering whether he made the right choice in aligning himself with a plot against Castellano.
It would take nearly two years before Gravano assumed the official leadership of the family. Initially Gotti appointed him as consigliere, while Frank LoCascio became the underboss around the same time.
However, toward the end of Gotti's reign, there was a switch in positions for Gravano and LoCascio. For some reason, this new position granted Sammy more power, making him the second in command of the family.
However, it also meant increased involvement in business dealings with the family boss, John Gotti, with whom Gravano would discover he had more differences than similarities. From 1987, when Gravano was officially promoted to consigliere, until 1992, when Gotti went to prison due to Gravano's testimony, their relationship was characterized by a peculiar dynamic.
While they never had a major disagreement that would lead one to consider killing the other, their perspectives rarely aligned. Gravano viewed Gotti as self-centered and egotistical, while Gotti struggled to accept Sammy's pursuit of greater involvement in the construction business, perceiving it as excessive greed.
The divergent perspectives between Gravano and Gotti became even more pronounced after 1992, leading to conflicting accounts and interpretations of various events, such as the murders of Louis Milito and Robert DiBernardo. Gravano portrays these killings as being carried out in accordance with Gotti's orders.
However, the Gotti faction contends that it was Sammy who targeted and defamed these individuals, actively seeking approval to have them eliminated. With different narratives circulating, it remains uncertain which side's version of events is accurate.
Since this is the story of Sammy the Bull's life and not the Gravano-Gotti conflict, it is worth focusing on how and why Gravano made the decision to become a government witness, based on Sammy the Bull's own words. The aim is to create a chronological chain that illustrates how Gravano's attitude toward Gotti evolved over time.
That said, it is important to note that this is not an objective account of events but rather a retrospective view from the main character's perspective, aimed at understanding his motives more deeply. Prior to the attempt on Castellano's life, Gravano and Gotti had limited interaction.
While they were aware of each other's existence and had some acquaintance, their relationship only grew closer after Paul's assassination. Initially Sammy adhered to one of the fundamental rules of Cosa Nostra: that the boss is the boss.
Shaping his perception of John's actions was Gotti's desire for someone's demise; that was solely his decision. Did he willingly risk losing substantial amounts of money on bets? That was his own funds.
Did he choose to increase the cuts from the construction business that ended up in his own pocket? As the head of the family, it was his prerogative to oversee those operations.
John held the position of boss, and Sammy believed it was not his place to question Gotti's choices. However, there were certain aspects that Gravano found worthy of criticism.
John, unlike most Mafia bosses, embraced the spotlight and media attention, much to Gravano's disapproval. He did not shy away from his status; in fact, he openly admired it.
Prior to his incarceration, Gotti had already graced the covers of prestigious magazines like Time, the New York Times, and GQ, which he considered a personal triumph. This was evident in his meticulous preparations before stepping out of his house.
His personal hairdresser would ensure his hair was perfectly styled, and he would meticulously select his attire from his extensive wardrobe, all in an effort to present himself in the most favorable light during encounters with reporters and photographers. What aggravated Sammy even more about Gotti's media attention was that it had implications for the entire Gambino family.
Gotti's constant presence in the spotlight attracted not only reporters but also the attention of law enforcement, including the FBI. Concurrently, Gotti mandated that all captains attend regular meetings at a social club, with Gravano and LoCascio, his closest advisers, expected to be there almost daily.
Sammy expressed his discontent to Gotti on multiple occasions, warning him that their high-profile behavior made them easy targets for the FBI, who would eventually bring them down and secure long prison sentences. However, Gotti remained stubborn and refused to heed Sammy's advice.
According to Gravano, Gotti's belief in his invincibility had become so entrenched that no one could sway his perspective. Sammy, on the other hand, made a conscious effort to maintain a low profile given the circumstances.
Whenever he arrived at Gotti's social club, the Ravenite, he aimed to enter and exit swiftly. Like many others, Gravano was acutely aware that the club was under constant surveillance, which extended not only to personal surveillance but also to Sammy the Bull himself.
The FBI followed him everywhere: from his residence to his office, from the office to the cafe, from there to the Ravenite, and then to a restaurant and later to a club before finally returning home. They meticulously documented his interactions and the circumstances surrounding them.
However, Gravano remained highly cautious, fully cognizant of the surveillance, which could not be said of his boss. By the end of 1990, the FBI had gathered sufficient evidence from surveillance and wiretapping of the Ravenite club to indict Gotti under the RICO Act.
Upon learning of this, John instructed Sammy to go on the run immediately, for there was a high probability that Gravano might also be implicated in the case. To ensure the family's continued guidance on the streets, it was deemed best for him to disappear.
John, who remained confident in his ability to fend off the authorities, was prepared to shoulder the consequences and bask in the glory once again. Gravano left New York in the autumn of 1990.
Initially he took up residence in his father-in-law's house in Pennsylvania. From there he briefly stayed in Florida before moving to Atlantic City.
However, managing affairs from a distance proved inconvenient. Eventually Sammy made a bold decision to establish a safe house right in New York City, right under the noses of the federal agents.
When he shared his plan with John, the boss ordered a face-to-face meeting at the Ravenite social club to discuss the details. Surprisingly, this turned out to be a grave mistake.
Just 15 minutes into the meeting, FBI agents stormed into the club and apprehended Gotti, Gravano, and LoCascio. At the time of his arrest, Sammy's discontent with his boss was not as pronounced as it could have been later.
Gravano would express his disapproval of John Gotti's version of Cosa Nostra while maintaining his loyalty to the Cosa Nostra he had believed in since his initiation. Despite witnessing numerous instances that revealed the darker aspects of the brotherhood, Sammy still perceived more good than bad in the Mafia.
He held on to the hope that Gotti's version of Cosa Nostra, with its openness and mediocrity, would eventually give way to the original ideals of the organization. However, everything changed during a closed bail hearing held just 10 days after his arrest, when the prosecutors made public the tapes of John Gotti's conversations.
It was through these tapes that Gravano discovered Gotti's perception of him as a ruthless killer who would murder almost anyone he encountered. In particular, the discussions about the murders of Louis Milito and Robert DiBernardo came to light.
Gotti told LoCascio that it was Sammy who insisted on carrying out those murders. Gravano, on the other hand, saw the situation in a completely different light, claiming that he had actually dissuaded Gotti from issuing those orders.
Similarly, in conversations with LoCascio, Gotti criticized Sammy for his excessive involvement in the construction business, drawing comparisons to Paul Castellano, who had "sold his family for a damn construction company." John expressed his dissatisfaction with being underpaid in Sammy the Bull's ventures and mentioned his intention to have a serious discussion about it, which never took place.
However, Gravano had a different perspective on the matter, stating that he was actually sending Gotti $2 million annually. In this case, however, Sammy the Bull's thoughts were deemed irrelevant.
On the tapes he appeared as a ruthless and calculating individual, while Gotti portrayed himself as a long-suffering boss who was pressured into giving kill orders by his bloodthirsty subordinate. Gravano realized that he was not the only one perceiving the situation this way, and Gotti's lawyers were likely to use this narrative, attempting to shift most of the blame onto Sammy the Bull.
As he listened to the recordings, any remaining doubts he had faded away, and subsequent events only reinforced his initial conclusions. Naturally, after hearing Gotti's derogatory remarks about him, Gravano wanted an explanation from his boss.
However, no explanation was given. Gotti simply blamed Sammy, claiming that he was the one who had forced him to speak about him in such a manner.
Unsatisfied with his response, Gravano kept his opinions to himself and decided to pursue a separate defense in court. When he informed Gotti of his decision, his boss adamantly forbade it, arguing that a joint defense would be more effective.
Combining this illogical injunction with the way Sammy was portrayed in the bail hearing tapes, Gravano became increasingly convinced that he would be made a scapegoat during the trial. Each passing day seemed to confirm his suspicions.
Shortly after the prohibition of a separate defense, Gotti also forbade LoCascio and Gravano from listening to the remaining tapes and meeting with lawyers about his presence. His reactions to these actions hinted at a fear of conspiracy against himself, further fueling Sammy's suspicions of betrayal.
When a lawyer came to Gravano only to inform him about another Mafia member turning informant, Gotti erupted in anger, as if Sammy had committed an unforgivable transgression. In general, John's behavior became increasingly strange.
He would yell at LoCascio for not offering him an orange first, or accuse his deputies of conspiracy simply because they visited the library at the same time. Gotti's actions could easily be interpreted as those of a man who, having made the decision to betray his own, now feared betrayal himself.
All these factors converged in Sammy's mind. His boss prevented him from hearing recordings that clearly spoke ill of him. He denied him the opportunity to defend himself, allowing Gotti to control the defense as he pleased.
And now Gotti's erratic behavior made him seem either paranoid or deeply afraid of betrayal. Gravano started to seriously contemplate a situation: this was not the Cosa Nostra he had believed in.
He carefully reconsidered everything that had led him to this point, ultimately concluding that it was John Gotti's selfishness and loose tongue that were to blame. Why should he spend the rest of his life in prison just because this self-proclaimed star prevented him from defending himself?
In the fall of 1991, Sammy the Bull made one last attempt to obtain permission from Gotti for separate protection. Failing to obtain it, he informed the authorities that he wanted to cooperate.
On October 24 of that year, he had his first meeting with FBI agents, where he confessed to 19 murders and told them all he knew about the assassination attempt on Paul Castellano. This was enough for the authorities to start trusting his word, and from that point on Sammy the Bull officially became a government witness.
Within two weeks he would be transferred from the prison to the FBI Training Academy at Quantico Naval Base, where he would sign official government deal papers. These documents stipulated a maximum sentence of 20 years, and Sammy would be required to testify not only in the Gotti case but also in any charges against mob members where he possessed relevant information for the next two years.
As soon as word got out that Sammy the Bull had been turned into a government witness, the newspapers went wild. He was labeled the "Rat King" by the press, with gruesome details about his life circulating, most of which were intentionally planted by John Gotti supporters.
Sammy was accused of being a closeted gay man, a womanizer, a drug dealer, a junkie, and a crazy serial killer willing to do and say anything to save himself. Leaflets depicting him as an ugly rat with his own head were even distributed in New York City.
However, these smear tactics proved to be ineffective. Gravano appeared as a witness in the trial of John Gotti and Frank LoCascio, and his testimony greatly assisted the prosecution in securing convictions, resulting in life sentences for his former Mafia associates.
Moreover, Sammy the Bull's testimony led to the imprisonment of more than a dozen other Cosa Nostra figures, corrupt jurors, police officers, and union officials. As a result of his significant contributions to the fight against organized crime, Gravano received a reduced sentence of five years.
Upon his release from prison, Sammy the Bull settled in Arizona, where he started a construction business and also wrote a book about his life. There were rumors that he was supposed to get a small role in the then-beginning series The Sopranos, but it did not work out.
In Arizona he lived a quiet and inconspicuous life under a different name. However, over time people around him began to recognize his true identity, which brought about a controversial fame.
While some individuals were reluctant to engage in business with the former criminal, many young people idolized him and sought autographs and stories about his life in the Mafia, making him a local star of sorts. However, his influence extended beyond storytelling.
He became involved in a venture between his son and a local gangster named Mike Papa, where they started selling ecstasy. Media reports dubbed it the largest drug network in Arizona's history.
Gravano later admitted to investing approximately $200,000 in the venture but claimed to have earned only $25,000 in profits. He maintained that his role was that of an investor and that he received a 50-cent cut for each pill sold.
The media also claimed that he was caught because of his close connection to the FBI, which is far from the truth. The bureau was not fully aware of his drug dealings, as the local police department was investigating and did not inform anyone about it before his arrest, fearing that bureau agents who were friendly with Gravano might warn him.
In 2002, Sammy the Bull received a 20-year prison sentence and an $800,000 fine for his involvement in drug trafficking. That same year he was diagnosed with Graves' disease, a thyroid condition that can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, and hair loss.
Most of his 20-year sentence was spent in a prison called ADX Florence, which Sammy himself considers stricter than Guantanamo prison. There he was kept in solitary confinement, and according to his own words, during his time in prison he almost went crazy from loneliness.
Contrary to initial predictions, Sammy the Bull did not serve his full term and did not die in prison. He was released in 2017, and despite his progressive illness, he has managed to recover and maintain relatively good health for his age.
Gravano now has his own YouTube channel and a podcast called "Our Thing," where he shares stories about Cosa Nostra and his life in general. The story of Sammy the Bull Gravano is still going on, and who knows what twists and turns it will take.