[2] Gravano went on to serve as a mentor and father figure to Coluccis son, Jack Colucci, who would become involved in the construction industry and act as a Gambino family associate. After a period with the Gambino's Gravano took one last shot at life the legit and honest way. It wasn't until I was twelve years old that I knew for certain that my father was a gangster. 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. That was my only involvement, Gravano explained. Gravano went into the construction business and did pretty good until he was indicted for murder. Gotti was heard on tapes questioning why everyone who went partners with Gravano kept winding up dead, with Gravano always having an excuse why they needed to be killed. Louie resented taking orders from Vallario and made it known. At first, this made him a target of jokes at school, but those ended after he assaulted several of his tormentors. Under Gotti the Gambino Family came under enormous pressure from the FBI and it would'nt be long or Gotti would go down. As time past Gravano got more violent, he was involved in a shoot out and not long after that was arrested for assaulting an oficer. And back with his gang, Gravano got himself into trouble again. Gravano chose the army thinking he wouldn't be drafted. Gravano, enraged, stormed into the office followed by Garafola. He looked like he was sleeping. He gradually became a close associate of Salvatore 'Toddo' Aurello, who then became his mentor. John gave the contract to DiBonos captain, Pat Conte. It was Milito who fired the shots that killed 16 year old Alan Kaiser on August 15, 1977. he'd ask. He began living very openly and appeared in a nationally televised interview with journalist Diane Sawyer. 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. Before the transaction was completed, Fiala began to act as if he had already purchased the club. 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. Gravano then granted Simones requests to die with his shoes off, in fulfillment of a promise he had made to his wife, and at the hands of a made man. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( Joe Colucci was going to die. Through deep-dive biographies and snapshots of mobsters to in-depth stories about mafia regimes and crews, youll uncover an underworld you might never have known existed maybe even in your own hometown! [2] Around this time, Gravano took a construction job and claims to have considered going legit. All of this irritated Gravano, but the last straw came when Fiala moved into Sammys private office and began breaking through an office wall. On February 24, 2003, New Jersey state prosecutors announced they would pursue murder charges against Gravano for allegedly ordering the hit by notorious killer Richard Kuklinski on decorated NYPD detective Peter Calabro on the night of March 14, 1980. Three years after his death, DeCurtis son Gregory was shot to death while sitting in a stretched limo. SnooTomatoes2894 2 yr. ago Toddo had a Social Club he ran on Bath Avenue Brooklyn. Presumably why did Toddo Aurello and Armand Rava hate each other While an enlisted soldier, he mainly worked as a mess hall cook. John Gotti was unanimously elected as boss who named DeCicco as underboss and Gravano as captain. They destroyed everything in their path, causing thousands of dollars worth of damage to the club. The shooters emptied the cash register and left DeBatt in the bar to make it look like a robbery. My father had just finished the renovations on a three-bedroom house he'd bought for us in Bulls Head, a predominantly blue-collar neighborhood just over the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and not far from the two-bedroom apartment we had been renting in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. The feds had Gotti's headquarters bugged and had him on tape discussing hits, his people and his organization. John discussed how it should go, using me to bounce off ideas about the best way to do it. [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. Rava was one tough dude, he was so adored by Dellacroce that Neil named his son after him the same way Sammy Bull named his son after Gerard Papa. He was the youngest of three children, and the only boy. Aurello's story is written, and almost fully designed. We were on one of our Sunday expeditions when Dad pointed it out to us. He was released from prison in 1994 and entered into the Federal Witness Protection Program. He got a second life. Fun fact: Armand Rava was the original (best as I could tell) owner of the New Corner Restaurant in Dyker Heights. After Aurellos death, the crew was controlled by Frank DeCicco, and Gravano was made the point-man in the all-powerful Teamsters Local 282 rackets, working closely with successive union bosses John Cody and Robert Sasso (both of whom would be sent to prison for labor racketeering). That sounds about right; Pretty sure he was in the age range of Arcuri; Armone; Castellano; And all the old captains. In 1970, he committed his first murderthat of Joseph Colucci, a fellow Spero associate with whose wife Tommy Spero was having an affair. "Go say hello to Uncle Toddo," he'd instruct, pushing me in the old man's direction. They even had him on tape badmouthing Gravano. [7] Castellanos driver, Thomas Bilotti, pulled the car up directly in front of the entrance. Toddo Aurello was a low-key Gambino Family capo involved in a notorious underworld event and a mentor to Sammy Gravano. He would take revenge for his dead ally. Like his predecessor Carlo Gambino, Castellano favored emphasizing more sophisticated schemes involving construction, trucking, and garbage disposal over traditional street-level activities such as loansharking, gambling, and hijackings. [1] One week into the trial, the prosecution moved to dismiss the charges, but Gravano considered the experience to be formative, sealing his future in a life of crime: That pinch changed my whole life. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, http://mafiahistory.us/rattrap/gambinoinf.html. 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. I felt the rage inside me. Apr 2, 2016 - Salvatore 'Toddo' Aurello (1914-1998). Rumor was Roy killed guys right outside his bar for the mere crimes of calling Roy an asshole or some other insult. But he's got a big edge with me. Gotti and Ruggiero then sought and obtained the approval of the Colombo and Bonanno families, while DeCicco secured the backing of the Luccheses. The Family would also prosper under Castellano for another decade until John Gotti shot his way to power with Castellanos infamous gangland hit! He started out as co-underboss with Ruggiero and later was shifted to co-consigliere with Armone. Anyone know when Toddo Aurello was made?? Excerpt: Mob Daughter - ABC News Michael DeBatts father was a Gambino crime family mob associate and a close friend of Sammys who became indebted to loansharks and bookmakers. And he's done work (murder) with us and our family. He became very unpredictable. hatfield42 2 yr. ago Nice find. The average age of an Aurello family member is 79. Profile below posted in 2001 Sammy The Bull Gravano has gone down in Mafia history as the biggest rat ever to walk the streets of New York. He also had a small diamond in the middle of his chest. But these guys listed below reported to Dellacroce (there may have been others but these are the ones I know about): Very accurate and informative list CNote. In May 1988, Gravano and Robert Bisaccia, a New Jersey crime family soldier, murdered Francessco Oliverri for beating a Gambino family crew member to death. Charlie Brush Dongarra was an original member of the old Mangano Family who eventually turned over his crew to Joseph Carmine Fatico was a member of the Gambino Family who was active in truck hijacking and worked with an up-and-comer Daniel (Danny Wagons) Fatico was a Gambino Family mobster who raked up nearly three dozen arrests on a yellow sheet Frank (the Wop) Gagliardi was a serious Gambino Family soldier who navigated turbulent underworld waters for over five decades. He had quietly fostered a relationship with the Castellano side. The street stories are different from the agents' reports, plus the agent writes all kinds of things. He was first tried for assaulting a refrigerator repair man over a parking space. But these guys listed below reported to Dellacroce (there may have been others but these are the ones I know about): Very accurate and informative list CNote. DeCicco's death left a position and Gotti appointed Gravano and Ruggiero as underbosses. Salvatore Sammy the Bull Gravano (born March 12, 1945) is a former underboss of the Gambino crime family. Through witness intimidation, he was acquitted. I never ate there, thats a little out of my way, but its a damn shame to lose another staple. Gravano began living very openly in Scottsdale, giving interviews to magazines and appearing in an interview with Diane Sawyer. My understanding is that Aurello knew a new order had begun and nothing good will come out of it for him. First, his quick rise up the Gambino hierarchy attracted the attention of the FBI, and he was soon placed under surveillance. ago. With the Gambinos, Gravano became an associate of longtime capo Salvatore Toddo Aurello. Joseph Old Man Paruta was one of Gravano's original Bensonhurst crew that he had inherited from Toddo. Gravano wrote a book called Underboss with author Peter Maas, which became the target of the families of his victims, who filed a $25 million dollar lawsuit against him for damages. Louis Big Louis Vallario, Sammy said, was super loyal and solid. Bisaccia shot Oliverri to death while Gravano waited in a stolen get-away car. For all practical purposes, no concrete could be poured for any project worth more than $2 million without Mafia approval. How Scibetta was killed, as well as the exact extent of Gravanos involvement, remains unknown. When Sammy Gravano switched from the Colombos to the Gambinos, he was placed in Aurellos crew. Gravano was well aware of Scarpas fierce reputation. Those rumors later proved to be true. Shortly after the failed hit, Sammy had a falling out with one of Shorty Speros family members. John looks like an asshole. Ferrara isnt cited a lot on this sub, but by all accounts he was one tough dude himself. He was a real old time greaser. He was too embarrassed even to ask me for help.. Copyright 2012 by Karen Gravano with Lisa Pulitzer, 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Gene Gotti, John Carneglia, Louie Valario and Arnold Squitieri were present at the meeting, as was Gravano. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In April 1986 DiCicco is killed by a car bomb. A long period of stability and prosperity would be enjoyed by this Family for the next 18 years until Gambino's death in 1975. He was 74 years old. 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 When Castellano was indicted for both his connection to Roy DeMeos stolen car ring and as part of the Mafia Commission Trial, he learned his own house had been bugged on the basis of evidence from the Ruggiero tapes and he became livid. I saw the flash. Sammy knew that this just changed from a high risk hit to a suicide situation. According to Gravano, he was initially livid at the news and threatened to kill Castellano, but DeCicco eventually convinced him opposition would be futile and Gravano acquiesced to the murder. [5] Patrons often had to wait in line for up to an hour before being admitted and the club featured high-profile live acts such as Chubby Checker and the Four Tops. Gravano wouldnt be given any follow up orders on killing Gallo. Average Age & Life Expectancy Salvatore Aurello lived 4 years longer than the average Aurello family member when he died at the age of 83. Jan 14, 2016 - Rare pic of Salvatore 'Toddo' Aurello, Gambino captain 1969-1986, mentor to Sammy gravano also Salvatore 'Toddo' Aurello (1914-1998). Gambino captain 1969-1986. When Right away Gravano started work. . [5], While Gravano was able to evade criminal charges, he had incurred Castellanos wrath over the unsanctioned killing. Salvatore Aurello (1914 - 1998) - Brooklyn, NY - AncientFaces Gravano soon found himself in a great position. But I promise I'll be there for you. When Sammy became consigliere he promoted Vallario to captain, who then took over his crew. I didnt hear the first shot. The movie had even been filmed a few blocks from my school. She told Gravano that DeBatt stayed up at night with a gun claiming they were coming to get him. Gravano had taken DeBatt under his wing after the elder DeBatts death, as he had done with Joey D Angelo. Scores of other mobsters went to prison because of Gravano's testimony and he was granted a sweet deal. Gambino Family capo Ettore Zappi was a longtime, close friend and associate of Family boss Carlo Gambino. DeCicco argued that Gottis boldness, intelligence, and charisma made him well-suited to be a good boss and he convinced Gravano to give Gotti a chance. Dori's grandfather was a big player in the Gambino crime family. After Oliverri, John Gotti had finally got around to taking care of Wilfred Willie Boy Johnson. Gravano had told Halpern he was deathly afraid of going to prison. He didn't condone the hit but he was smart enough to stay quiet. [1], The attack was orchestrated by Genovese boss Vincent Gigante, with the backing of Lucchese leaders Vittorio Vic Amuso and Anthony Gaspipe Casso. Salvatore was the last of five children of parents who were both from Sicily. John said he would handle DiBono personally and become his partner. Upon his release, Gravano claims Gotti wanted Milito killed. The American mafia website did an amazing story years ago about two Gambino informants during that era. [citation needed], Upon leaving, Gravano called Garafola and set up an ambush outside the club, involving Garafola, Milito, DAngelo, Nicholas Mormando, and Michael DeBatt in the plan. Louie had been surpassed by Old Man Paruta and Stymie DAngelo as Sammys top crew members. Ettore Zappi was a close associate of Carlo Gambino and held interests in many restaurants in New York and Florida. He didnt pull the trigger that night. Both wanted to learn from sammy. I didn't know it then, but it was a local mobster hangout, also known as a men's "social club." 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. After an exchange of words, Scarpa and his guys pummeled the man. Also Paul used Sammy to eliminate Johnny Keys Simone in 1980. But he was part of Toddo Aurello and later Sammy the bulls crew and so was Paruta. The noise was deafening. A series of altercations with mob associates followed, one of which ended with Scibettas having his adversary arrested, earning Scibetta a reputation as a stool pigeon. The over/under on comments before we got the first Alite joke was 6.5. Gravano had been consulting a hypnotist named Halpern to deal with fears he had, and Gottis lawyers wanted to call Halpern as a witness, but the judge refused. "Wow," I said. spiders. Not only did I like him, I went back with his father, who was originally with me. Despite Gravanos rise in status to consigliere, Gotti continued to use Gravano for the task of murder. I wondered if this was a souvenir from the war. We should have it posted up for your reading enjoyment a bit later today. Paul Castellano was also wary of DeMeo and didnt think that he would stand up under the legal pressure. Toddo agreed and decided to step down because he was getting old. Inmates claimed Gravano bragged about killing many more than 19 people. By and large only those in the local underworld knew him, or knew of him. The order was given to Frank DeCicco, who was told not to inform Gravano. Neil got the Manhattan guys and Ferrara got the Brooklyn guys like Jimmy Brown and Toddo. ** So you know, we'll be making a fresh post to highlight it. Gottis ego began to bother Gravano as well as several other members of the family. Ill tell you something else: Im a fuckin pro. Gotti's underboss and Gravano's friend Frank DeCicco was killed by a carbomb. He's doing good but he too sees that all is not well in the Gambino Family. In January 1990 Gotti went to trial for ordering an assault on carpenter's union boss John O'Connor. He first became associated with the Honored Society in 1968 through Tommy Spero, whose uncle, Shorty, was an associate of the Colombo crime family under its future boss, Carmine the Snake Persico. He killed Joseph Colucci, an associate of Spero, who was plotting to murder Gravano and Spero. Never stopped robbing. Thanks to a good lawyer Gravano walked on that one but was soon back in court when he was arrested for a burglary. 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. Even if they win, there might be surprises.. 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.