“The notion that John Gotti — or any single mob figure — was some sort of omnipotent New York mafioso is ludicrous. The word 'Godfather' had a nice, Brando-esque ring, but the title itself is a fraud.”
Originally published September 21, 1993
“The most popular explanation hinged on the impatience of one John Gotti, a violent little fat man from Howard Beach”
Originally published December 31, 1985
“I’m scared,” says a Federal investigator of Brooklyn boss Meade Esposito. “We’ll work our ass off for the next six months to make a case. We’ll work 18 hours a day. But I admit it. I’m afraid of what happens after that. This guy Meade has more power than the Pope.”
Originally published January 3, 1974
"Joey loved the Village as only those who move here from some other where can. He spoke of his Brooklyn home as someone else might speak of Ashtabula."
Originally published April 20, 1972
"Gallo and company had been to the Copacabana earlier for Don Rickles's opening and to celebrate Joey's 43rd birthday. About 4 a.m. they hopped into Joey's 1971 Cadillac and drove to Little Italy for an early morning snack...."
Originally published April 13, 1972
“I suggested the ‘Joey’ song to Bob,” says Jacques Levy. “You know, Bob has always had a thing about outlaws.”
Originally published March 8, 1976
“It’s all bullshit,” a wise FBI agent told me. “We don’t really know what’s going on.”
Originally published July 23, 1979
Murray Wilson, the brutal financial wizard who links the Mafia and the Russian Mob, had prospered in obscurity. Until now.
Originally published April 26, 1996
"Hoffa's pending return to Teamster politics threatened to obstruct the Mafia's drain on the Union's multibillion-dollar holdings — or else, why would he have vanished?"
Originally published September 18, 1975