Paul Castellano
Hi everyone! This is Mike Mags with today’s ANP Sports Podcast. Golf and baseball are all we have going on. However, our Behind the Scenes piece is quite revealing today. Be sure to listen to me explain the Chicago Outfit’s position on New York’s now late Mafia Don (John Gotti) and his deplorable act against his then boss, who would be the now late New York Mafia Boss Paul Castellano. My comments on the Castellano matter were actually offered in an interview by ANP’s publisher, Joseph Fosco, who is obviously a stickler for details.
Joseph Fosco began explaining how a lot of people tell Outfit Stories for a pastime. He went on talking about a social meeting between him and my now former boss (when I was gainfully employed by the Chicago Outfit, before retiring from the organization), which apparently involved Uncle Fester from the old Adam’s Family TV Show. However, Joseph failed to make his point, which he later recalled.
At this time I wish to relay Joseph’s point now that he had a chance to recall where he was going with the Uncle Fester story that you will hear about in the Podcast. Joseph was about to say that even Outfit Boss Johnny DiFronzo tells Outfit stories, however the difference between DiFronzo’s storytelling and mine would be that more people listen to my stories. According to Joseph, DiFronzo once told him how the now late Chicago gangster Joe “Joe Gags” Gagliano brought DiFronzo “into the picture.” We all have stories of our experiences and we all tell our stories.
I hope all of you like today’s Podcast. We’ll be back on Thursday, July 25, 2013. Thank you.
12 Comments
Great job. Michael’s timing is spot on. Gigante later ordered the execution of Gotti (via explosion) shortly after Big Paul’s murder, which only resulted in a single failed car-bombing attempt. Joe Massino, the one-time boss (current snitch) of the Bonannos said the Commission has not meant since the 1980’s. Again, totally consistent with Michael’s story. But I disagree about NY looking down at Chicago. Maybe that is true now, but if that were true in the mid 80’s, I doubt the two bosses of the Genovese Family would have come to Chicago to discuss the Gotti issue with the Outfit. That was a two-way street, as far as respect. Read about Giancana on the Commission. He was feared and respected (and well liked) by the other bosses, especially Tommy Brown, Carlo Gambino, and Frank Costello (Genovese), temporarily. The only guy who never liked Chicago was Joe Bonanno because he feared Mooney and Accardo.
I totally agree. Good show and very informative. I’ll add to what Horsey said, Bill Bonanno wrote that during Giancana’s first Commission meeting in 1956 he asked Albert Anastasia what he was going to do about people under him selling memberships. Anastasia blew up at him. You’d think the two sociopaths would have a lot in common but you never know when one is going to start a fire.
Joe, I have a suggestion. When Michael wants to talk about o.c. stuff, let him, and ask follow-up questions or request clarifications later. There were a few parts when you talked over him, and he didn’t get to finish what he was saying. I was fascinated by his story. He said he was introduced to one of the two Genovese guys who was identified as mister something, but I didn’t quite catch the name.
HF,
We formed the same opinion as soon as we listened to it. Your suggestion is exactly how things will be handled in the future. Thank you for the constructive criticism. JF
Great job on the sports section Mags. You hit it right on the nose with Mickelson winning last week. Thanks for sticking around. Can’t wait for football. For football, I was wondering if you are gonna talk about the point spreads? Would love to hear what you think about the lines. If Joe doesn’t allow it, will you be talking to your listeners thru email?
Great Show, one suggestion would be to insert photos of all these guys your talking about, since its on youtube it would be nice to see photos along with the audio. Keep up the good work.
I have one very broad question that I want you to ask Michael that pertains to the current “state” of the Outfit. It is not about specific people, so he should not feel uncomfortable. Please ask Michael Magnafichi: “Does the Chicago Outfit, per se, still exist today?” By “Chicago Outfit” I am not talking about the grandchildren or other relatives of mobsters who have last names like “DiFronzo” or “Cerone” who make a living in the legitimate world or political arena. In other words, I am not at all interested in who is part of the “cool kids club” or “in crowd” in Italian-American Chicagoland nowadays. I want to know whether there is still a hierarchical, centralized mafia group in Chicago (complete with a formally recognized boss, and an upper and lower echelon) whose success and future existence is dependent upon violence or real threat of violence, among other things. Michael can answer this question simply with a definitive “Yes” or a “No” and move onto another topic, but if he wants to elaborate further that is fine with me. I would also be interested in hearing your thoughts, as well as Frank Coconate’s, on how strong the Outfit is today…if it does indeed exist. Keep in mind that I realize corruption in its various forms is part and parcel to the Chicago Outfit, but I am not talking about political corruption. This is a structural question. Does the Chicago Outfit mafia organization still exist today? PLEASE ask Michael this question on the next podcast. Thank you.
I would be satisfied with a simple but candid yes or no answer coming from Michael Magnafichi. If you or Frank elaborating would make Michael uncomfortable, feel free to reply in the threads or on a different segment (minus Michael) if such a thing ever happens. “Does the Chicago Outfit, per se, still exist today?” If Michael’s answer is affirmative, how strong do you and Frank Coconate believe Chicago’s traditional, centralized mafia structure is today?
I am very interested in hearing an answer to this as well. I think the claims of its demise are greatly exaggerated. Not what it once was, but I doubt its dead.
Michael that was great stuff and loved your analysis of the British Open. You are a gambling man–what are the odds Tiger wins a major in the next 2 years? Is he finished? Would you bet on the guy?
As for the mob stuff–really fascinating to know NY was sending guys to Chicago. Given what’s left of the mob today–would you assume NY and Chicago still have a relationship? Like I told Joe the Bonnano guy busted while working in Harvey made me wonder if they at least had something worked out. Of course I certainly appreciate what you can and can’t discuss so no worries if you would rather not! Thanks again and keep em’ comin!
Sounds to me like MM was speaking of the Outfit in the present tense. Funny how Frank was trying his best in a round about way to get him to confirm!
Great episode…favorite yet.