That sums up virtually what everyone I know or have known that is relevant to my story or to the Philadelphia–Atlantic City La Cosa Nostra, with the exception of one person.
That person is my uncle, Nick Scarfo.
Several times during the mid-’80s, I came very close to actually killing my uncle. I had planned on doing it a couple of times on the way back from Philadelphia, when we would stop and get off of the Atlantic City Expressway out near Hammonton, so we could get out of the car and talk about a sensitive subject to avoid what my uncle thought were the bugs or listening devices that the law had planted in his car. He would motion for me to get off of an exit ramp and I would drive and find a dark stretch of road, usually in a wooded area or out near a farm, and we would get out of the car and walk maybe 100 feet, or so, and have whatever conversation he wanted to have. So many times we would be standing there and I’d be listening to him talk and I would start thinking about just blasting him right there and shutting him up once and for all. Just emptying the gun into him and leaving him there in the woods for some farmer or some hunter to find.
It started after he had killed Salvie, and after he told me that he wanted me to kill the Blade, Chuckie, and Lawrence. At this point, there was no more honor, no more respect, and no more loyalty. La Cosa Nostra, this thing of ours, became this thing of his, and it was all about his unquenchable thirst for power, for greed, for vengeance, and for ego. I no longer swore my allegiance to my uncle, a man who I gave the first 35 years of my life to.
I thought about sneaking into his apartment and shooting him while he slept, using a pillow to muffle the sound so that I wouldn’t wake up my grandmother in the apartment downstairs.
Many times when he and I would be on our boat, The Usual Suspects, down in Florida, I would catch myself daydreaming about throwing him overboard and leaving him in the middle of the ocean to drown.
This is how much I grew to hate this man.
When we went to jail in 1987, I knew that it was over between me and him, no matter what happened. If somehow I was acquitted, I was planning on taking Maria, my mother, and Little Philip, and leaving Atlantic City, my uncle, and La Cosa Nostra. If I lost the trial and I got sentenced to spend the rest of my life in prison, I knew that I would be away from my uncle in jail.
So either way you look at it, it was over.
If we hadn’t gotten locked up when we did, I would have eventually killed him, and I promise you there wouldn’t have been too many people sad to see him go.
My decision to cooperate with the government wasn’t like Nicky Crow’s or Tommy Del’s, or even Sammy the Bull’s. I wasn’t out to save myself. I had already gotten 45 years. It was over for me. My decision to cooperate was to send a message to one person, my uncle, that I was absolutely disgusted by him and that I was no longer going to live my life for him and that I wanted absolutely nothing to do with him for the rest of my days on this earth, wherever they were spent. This decision was made by me in that holding cell on November 1, 1988, the day my cousin Mark tried to kill himself and his evil, no-good father didn’t shed a single tear for him. That was it for me; that was my breaking point.
So am I a rat? Let me ask you this: if you’re a kid and you find out there’s no Santa Claus when you are nine years old, are you going to still believe in Santa Claus when you’re 10, 11, or 12? Of course not. You’d stop believing and that would be the end of it.
I believed in La Cosa Nostra, this thing of ours. It was something I was taught from the time I was a little boy. It’s how I was raised. Honor, respect, loyalty—these were the values instilled in me by my uncle from the time I was eight years old and I drove in that pickup truck with him—as his decoy after he killed Reds Caruso—and listened to him tell me how he killed the guy, how he stabbed him with the ice pick, and what the guy’s final words were. I was eight years old and this was my life. I was 23 when I killed Louie DeMarco, and 26 when I killed Vincent Falcone. I got made when I was 27, and I became a caporegime at 28. I did it all for my uncle and La Cosa Nostra, this thing of ours. I was what you would call a true believer up until I was 33 years old and I became the underboss in 1986, and I stopped believing because the principles I had believed in—the honor, respect, and loyalty—were gone, if they ever truly existed.
We killed Salvie, our most loyal captain. How’s that for loyalty? We shot Joe Salerno’s father and killed two guys in front of their mothers, and my uncle wanted me to slit his wife’s throat. Where’s the honor in that?
Other than that, what is his legacy? His oldest son disowned him and changed his name. His middle son almost got killed and is now in jail because he listens to his father and his father has never given him good advice. And his youngest son tried to kill himself and is still in a coma 24 years later. He even wanted his own wife dead. New York took him down as boss and, in the end, his sister and even his own mother abandoned him, choosing to leave Atlantic City and coming to live with me, the person he hates more than anyone on the planet.
When I think of my uncle now, I no longer have a desire to see him dead. It’s not because I found God or anything like that, it’s just that I have a different perspective now. I actually hope he lives to be 120 years old and finds his way into the Guinness Book of World Records, rotting in that cage he calls his home, knowing every day what an absolute failure of a human being he was—as a father, as a husband, as a son, as a brother, as an uncle, as a friend, as a mob boss, and most importantly, as a man.
Fuck my uncle.
Nicodemo “Little Nicky” Scarfo is now 83 years old and remains imprisoned at the United States Penitentiary in Atlanta, with a projected release date of January 4, 2033, when he will be several months shy of his 104th birthday.
In a letter dated October 7, 1995, Scarfo wrote to his mother, Catherine, about rumors that his nephew Philip Leonetti was going to write a book:
“It’s depressing to me to hear that the witch’s crazy son is writing a book and is going to add more embarrassment to this family, like he hasn’t done enough to disgrace himself already. It will be another book that will be a flop, like the rest of them lying, stupid books. Who the hell even buys books like that? . . . His day will come. . . . I have to live with these thoughts day in and day out, night in and night out, added to my sorrow and it’s not easy. But I’m the kind of man that can accept anything I have to in this life, no matter how bad it is or how bad it hurts.”
At the time of publication of this book, Philip Leonetti is several months shy of his 60th birthday and spends his days enjoying the sunshine in the West Coast seaside community he now calls home.
My days end almost the same way they begin: out on my patio. I have a Cutty and water, or a nice glass of bourbon, and I light a fire and I sit there under a blanket with Maria by my side and Bubba at my feet, just taking it all in. The way the lights in the distance illuminate the skyline is breathtaking.
It reminds me that the action is always close by, but I am content living in the shadows, watching things from afar.
DEDICATIONS / ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
PHILIP LEONETTI: This book is dedicated to my Uncle Nick. From the time I was 8 years old, you taught me how to identify the people in our life that had no honor and how to deal with them. As I grew older, I realized that everything I had learned, applied to you. You were an excellent teacher. Only in our case the student proved to be much smarter.
Cent’anni.
This book is also dedicated to the memories of my mother Nancy Leonetti and my grandmother Catherine Scarfo.
SCOTT BURNSTEIN: This has been my dream project since I became an author and I want to thank first and foremost, Philip, for allowing me the honor of working with him, my co-author Chris for all of his hard work, my agent Frank Weimann for always having faith in my talent and my mentor George Anastasia, for being such a great teacher.
This book is dedicated to my grandfather, Donnie B, a true goodfella in every way possible!
CHRISTOPHER GRAZIANO:
I want to thank my entire family and all of my friends and colleagues for all of their love, support and guidance.
To Scott Burnstein, Frank Weimann, Greg Jones, Julie Ford, Chris Navratil, Jennifer Kasius, Frances Soo Ping Chow, Seta Zink, Craig Herman and everyone at Running Press for making this happen.
To Ann, you would have enjoyed this.
And finally to Philip and the entire Leonetti family, thank you for your trust and your everlasting friendship.
INDEX
A
Accetturo, Anthony “Tumac,” 163, 220, 241
Ali, Muhammad, 34, 63
American Mafia, 8, 21–23. See also Mafia
Amuso, Vittorio “Vic,” 205–6, 280, 283
Anastasia, George, 10
Annaloro, Angelo, 23
Atlantic City Boardwalk, 13, 18, 22, 25, 47–50
Atlantic City mob, 14–15, 37, 41–46, 75. See also Philadelphia–Atlantic City mob
Atlantic City Press, 14
Avena, John, 22–23
Avena, Sal, 88–89
B
Bancheri, Vince, 55, 73
Beloff, Leland, 204–5, 210, 214
Billotti, Tommy, 198, 200
Bin Laden, Osama, 16, 20
Bisaccia, Robert “Bobby Cabert,” 242
Blavat, Jerry, 194–95
Blitz, Jeffrey, 103
blood oath, 19, 99–102
Boardwalk Empire, 50
“boat cleaning,” 164, 167–73
Bocchino, Felix, 196
Bonnano crime family, 205, 231
bookmaking, 37, 65, 69, 94, 164, 194, 212, 221
Bouras, Chelsais “Stevie,” 137–38, 147
Bruno, Angelo, 23–25, 30–31, 38–39, 41, 50–52, 57, 59, 64–71, 74–75, 86–89, 99, 104, 111, 118, 122, 129, 143, 170, 194, 198–99, 208, 234, 242–43, 246, 259, 293, 299
Bruno crime family, 26, 30, 71, 86, 98, 104, 128, 136, 141
Bucci, Thomas “Tommy Butch,” 60–61
Bulger, James “Whitey,” 17, 20
Butch, Tommy, 37, 58
Byrne, Brendan, 50
C
Calabrese, Johnny, 31, 138–39, 147, 216
Camorra, 21
Campbell, Earl, 14
Capone, Al, 21, 22, 36, 64, 180, 202
Caponigro, Antonio “Tony Bananas,” 39, 58, 66–72, 86, 93–99, 104, 111, 143, 196, 208, 231, 243, 299
Cappello, John “Johnny,” 97, 100, 123–26, 136
Caramandi, Nicholas “Nicky Crow,” 168, 186–87, 204–5, 211–14, 216–19, 221–23, 229, 279, 298, 304
Caruso, Dominick “Reds,” 30–31, 42, 57, 81, 304
Casella, Anthony, 31, 100, 126
Casella, Pete, 98, 101, 112, 115, 119, 121, 123, 126–27, 130, 132–35, 140–41
Casino, 12
Castellano, Paul, 70, 93–94, 104, 198–200, 205–7, 244, 247–48
Catena, Gerry, 38–39, 41, 59
Chicago mob, 21–22
Ciancaglini, John, 257, 273
Ciancaglini, Joseph “Chickie,” 61, 100, 136, 138–39, 168, 170, 174, 195–96, 221, 231, 238, 246, 295–96, 299
Ciancaglini, Joseph “Joey Chang,” 257–58
Ciancaglini, Michael “Mikey Chang,” 231, 233, 238, 240, 257–58
Cifelli, Michael “Mickey Coco,” 74–75, 122, 123
Colombo crime family, 8, 205
control, losing, 65–72, 87, 153
Cosa Nostra, La
belief in, 184, 304
break with, 225, 304
corruption of, 9–10
downfall of, 20
formation of, 7, 22
growing up with, 32–33
induction into, 28–29, 98–101
meaning of, 18, 21
organization of, 21–22
crime syndicate, 16–23, 135.
See also specific organizations
D
Daidone, Al, 109–10, 175, 190
D’Alfonso, “Frankie Flowers,” 139, 194–95, 212–13, 221, 227, 274, 278, 301
Darcy, Jim, 238, 299
Davis, Sammy, Jr., 35
De Luca, Victor, 155
DeCicco, Frankie, 205–7, 248, 298
DelGiorno, Tommy, 138–39, 186–88, 196, 203, 209–12, 216–19, 221, 223, 229, 278–79, 295, 298, 304
Dellacroce, Aniello, 207
DeLuca, Victor, 169–70, 190
DeMarco, Louis, 52–54, 57, 62–63, 66, 77, 99, 304
DeSimone, Frank, 250, 257
DeVito, Dominick “Mickey Diamond,” 143–44
DiGregorio, Anthony “Spike,” 191–93, 213, 215, 227, 293
DiMaggio, Joe, 7, 35
Disco, Joe, 80–81
DiTullio, Felix “Skinny Razor,” 28–32, 35–37, 41–42, 52, 64, 207, 298
Donnie Brasco, 12
Dovi, Joseph, 23
drug policy, 208–10
drug trafficking, 98, 133, 220–21
Ducktown, 18, 25, 34–37, 43, 76, 268, 277, 291–92
Dugan, William, 34, 42
E
end of era, 236–44
extortion case, 211–28, 251
extortion charges, 175, 190
extortion operations, 9, 18, 37, 65, 87, 121, 138, 217
F
Falcone, Vincent, 14, 44–46, 52–54, 57, 63, 66, 75–81, 99, 102–3, 152, 159, 189, 216, 218, 246, 251, 255, 294, 304
Falcone murder trial, 98–99, 102–11
Farley, Francis “Hap,” 50
Feldman, Alvin, 37, 59–61
Ferraro, Alfredo, 46, 75–77
Florida trips, 7, 113, 191–93, 201–2, 213–15, 255, 262–65
Ford, Chris, 36
Ford, Harry, 36
Fresolone, George, 242
Friedman, Joel, 221
Fritchey, David, 221
G
Gambino, Carlo, 23, 65, 70
Gambino crime family, 8, 18–19, 65, 70, 94, 104–5, 163, 198–200, 205–7, 231, 242–43, 247–49, 254, 300–301
gambling, 8–9, 13, 24–25, 47–48, 50–52, 65, 71, 87–88, 94, 121, 138, 141–42, 227, 231, 280, 283
Garber, Harold, 56, 58–59, 62, 90–92, 102–7, 177
Genovese, Vito, 39, 122, 209
Genovese crime family, 8, 18, 38–39, 70–72, 94, 98–99, 130, 133–34, 205–6, 231, 243, 246, 249, 254
Gerace, Frank, 69, 149–52, 175
Gigante, Vincent “The Chin,” 18–20, 39, 70–72, 95–96, 122, 129–30, 134–35, 182, 195, 205–9, 230–31, 238, 242–43, 246–49, 274, 280–81, 292, 297
Godfather, The, 12, 42, 240
Goodfellas, 12, 299
Goodman, Oscar, 214, 219
Gordon, Arnold, 221
Gotti, Gene, 231
Gotti, John, 8, 18–20, 178, 198–200, 205–8, 231, 238, 242–44, 247–48, 259, 281, 283, 292, 298
Gotti, John, Jr., 281
Gotti, Peter, 246
Grande, Johnny “Coo Coo,” 100, 126
Grande, Joseph “Joey,” 155, 187, 189, 213, 216, 219–22, 228, 297
Grande, Salvatore “Wayne,” 100, 155, 187, 189, 213, 216, 219–22, 228, 296–97
Gravano, Karen, 298
Gravano, Salvatore “Sammy the Bull,” 8, 19, 104–5, 163, 198–200, 205, 207, 243–44, 247–49, 280–81, 298, 304
Gross, Barry, 217
H
Harrell, Ed, 103
Harry the Hat, 52, 64
Helfant, Edwin “Eddie,” 43–44, 55–56, 59–60, 62–63, 73, 77, 99, 216, 293
hiding in plain sight, 16–20
Hornickel, Robert, 167
I
Iannarella, Francis “Faffy,” 139, 170–71, 186–87, 203, 210, 213–19, 221, 227, 229, 231, 295
Iannece, Charles “Charlie White,” 168, 170, 186–87, 209, 217, 219, 222, 228, 296
Ida, Joe, 23, 28
Idone, Santo “Big Santo,” 31, 61, 97, 100, 123, 136, 238, 241
Iezzi, Alfred “Freddie,” 41, 97, 100, 123, 136
Ippolito, Pappy, 60
Ita
lian Mafia, 21. See also Mafia
J
Jacobs, Ed, 103, 104, 106, 219
Johnson, Enoch “Nucky,” 50
K
Kane, Saul, 46–47, 56, 74, 92, 108, 136, 163, 175, 209, 282–83, 292–93
Khoury, Teddy, 293
King, Martin Luther, Jr., 103
L
labor unions, 18, 38, 69, 109–12, 149–53, 175, 190, 209, 240–43
Langan, Gary, 234–38, 244, 250, 253–54, 258, 275, 282–83, 299
Lansky, Meyer, 7–8, 39, 46, 202
Lardiere, John “Johnny Coca Cola,” 38
Lentino, Frank, 175–76, 190
Leonard, James, Jr., 286–90, 295
Leonetti, Christopher, 24
Leonetti, Nancy, 24–25, 29, 239, 253, 261, 282. See also Scarfo, Nancy
Leonetti, Pasquale, 24–25
Leonetti, Philip “Crazy Phil” acquittal of, 107–8, 217–18 as acting boss, 214 birth of, 24
bounty on, 20, 239, 267, 289
break with mob, 8–10, 225
as business owner, 262–63
as caporegime, 136
communicating with FBI, 226–27, 231–34
conviction of, 225
cooperating with government, 8–10, 19–20, 231–34, 304
early years of, 7–8, 24–26, 32–37
extortion charges against, 175, 190
Florida trips, 7, 113, 191–93, 201–2, 213–15, 255, 262–65
as free man, 252–54
hiding in plain sight, 16–20
indictment against, 211–13, 221
induction into La Cosa Nostra, 98–101
killings by, 14–16, 18, 53–54, 63, 78–81, 99
marriage of, 255
murder involvement, 9–10
murder trial, 102–11
in prison, 215–28, 230–52
in protective custody, 234–35
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