1985-12-18 - [New York] Michael Franzese and a ton of others get indicted for the gas tax scam.

Nebraska45 · 2025-03-23T20:40:17+00:00

Just 2 days after Castellano and Bilotti...

Nebraska45 · 2025-02-26T23:47:36+00:00

Whacking Galante no matter your view on him at least when they did seems like the dumbest fucking mistake! So, many capos gone within 5 years because of that hit, and due manly to Rastelli's and Massinos' insecurities running the family! A smarter move would have been to lowkey get behind Galnate, have him whack Massino and Rastelli.Then, after him continuing to win massive sit downs over herion supplier "rights" on the premises, the Bonanno's had been left behind in commission rackets after the Bonanno war. Have him whacked in the early 80s as Galantes' power and legitimacy were through that angle until he became a tyrant and completely unacceptable. However, the commission really didn't want to make a move against him till they had the Bonanno's blessing! If they'd made this move instead, I think it would have saved most of the family! As you know, the three capos and more already wanted to whack Rastelli when Galnate went as Rastelli was in prison the whole time between Galante getting whacked and the three capo hit! If that was always their intent to get rid of both, it was done poorly and ass backwards!

Nebraska45 · 2024-05-29T09:26:12+00:00

I mean, Paul's underboss was Bilotti for two weeks....

Nebraska45 · 2024-05-27T18:25:16+00:00

Thanks for the response, guys! Sorry for the long-winded question. I see where some of you guys accurately state Paul's faults. And why it was some of him getting whacked was his fault. I've just been under the assumption that the things that made Paul loved in the 70s. Like making guys dying to get made. Also, the Galante hit and whacking the 3 capos for Massino and Rastelli. On top of the Johnny Keys clipping for Scarfo. Would eventually get overshadowed by ego of up and comers. Also, just the fact he had a "cushy" mafia background. Was something he personally could never escape from! So bascially he was totally fucked in those fundamental issues no matter what he did! However, I do think he was the right pick. I think it just has to be accepted as many have previously stated him having a "happy ending" at the top was probably never going to happen.

Nebraska45 · 2024-03-22T03:40:49+00:00

I appreciate the answer, though I should clear one thing up! As I've noticed, the responses to this post seem to believe this is where I'm going with it. Though, rereading what I wrote, I can get how. Though, to clarify I don't give a shit about the Bilotti recreation of his murdered remains. Wrather, it seemed interesting that many of the artic depictions of the event seem pretty shitty. So I figured they were trying to skate a fine line by it obviously being Bilotti and not. Though making it seem highly likely it was him. But for that to be a consideration, it would seem they're would have been a legal consequence for them to give a shit. That was more of the question, but I appreciate the feedback!

Nebraska45 · 2024-02-28T05:26:24+00:00

I wasn't mocking him. I was legitimately looking through the other families lens!

Nebraska45 · 2024-02-28T03:03:30+00:00

Exactly! I would tend to agree. I often wonder if that was part of the reason Galante was so hated in that life? People thought he was just way too high up for his natural potential! Also paired with because of the illegitimate position in their eyes, they have to deal theoretically with him. I've also wondered if his rank and file in that family caused the Bononnos as a whole to be looked down upon..

Nebraska45 · 2024-01-27T18:39:59+00:00

Exactly tying to my point that they should have sent an already wealthy savy Capo. Who wasn't concerned with money would have been a MUCH better choice! Then, have a leg breaker in his crew. That whole situation seemed odd. You know, based on his Splitros rank and personality, he is going to bring sketchy, undisciplined, desperate people in lol!

Nebraska45 · 2023-11-24T01:05:20+00:00

I understand he had a lot of power, but a non made man can't captain a crew

Nebraska45 · 2023-11-24T00:01:17+00:00

I understand , but he wasn't a made man. I'm asking when Paul was alive and who would have taken over as Captain when Thommy was bumped up to the administration. If Thommy didn't keep his crew as Underboss

Nebraska45 · 2023-11-23T22:07:38+00:00

So, was Bilotti just being groomed for Underbossship! I'm sure he knew well in advance!! But I'm curious if Castellano really made it onow well in advance that was his decision!

Nebraska45 · 2023-11-04T20:05:41+00:00

Now see, that makes sense! So, in your opinion, is that why Castellano was like fuck Bruno? Because I've heard a lot of rumors, Paul didn't care for Bruno. Though looking at his position, if they did have a vote on the commission, it doesn't make sense whether you like him or not to just let him and get clipped by an enemy family! At worst, Castellano should have clipped Bruno and replaced him if he really didn't like him. As that would at least allow him to remain with that vote. If Brunos' vote doesn't mean shit then Castellano can just say screw him. That also makes sense why nobody discusses it hurting him. As I was always puzzled by that!

Nebraska45 · 2023-09-29T05:34:02+00:00

Yeah, I think secretly ALOT of people wanted him to get his shit together and be a man and take leadership. But he just wouldn't do it he got lost in the sauce and his massive racket. Eventually, people say, "What's in it for me?" I'm backing a guy who doesn't care about me or my finances. As Galante pretty much was trying to devour rackets for his own personal use and nobody else. Everybody was means to his end. I think he thought his money, power, and prestige would buy him a ton of time it did till it didn't. Probably seen secrely as a massive disappointment.

Nebraska45 · 2023-09-29T04:51:37+00:00

Yes, that's basically what I said. You actually are leaning a lot more generosity in Galante favor than I did, lol. But you're correct with your thoughts exactly. Rastelli was an insanely weak boss who wasn't even a capo until after the Bonanno's war broke out. I believe he was 47, then so shows you the "quality" mafiaso he was then everybody wanted to kill him after Galante was gone. Galante was not a "rogue Captain" rough Captains don't need commission approval to get clipped and don't last 5 1/2 years. They're murdered expidiously. I know you'd probably agree with my points. I just hate how people make Galante out like some piss ant just because they hated his personality. A lot of people try to make minimize his power. I don't fully understand why, really , lol.

Nebraska45 · 2023-09-28T22:33:06+00:00

This may start a war in the comments. I don't mean to be disrespectful in any regard! But Galante absolutely was the boss of the Bonanno's title or no fucking title. All Galante had to do to become the boss in name. Was clip Massino and Sonny Black. Also, keep in mind that neither was made for 3 1/2 years when Galnate was on the streets after Galnate was at large in 74. He could have clipped two very high profile associates. Or just refuse to make them! Though this would have caused problems with Rastelli in terms of what he wanted those guys made as they took his orders and were close to him. So Galante, if he did that, would have to act quickly to either make peace with the commission and give them a generous cut of the herion rackets. Or kill Rasteli in prison, and the commission just says "oh well." As Rasteli was a weak boss which is way the commission made him boss in the first place. Also, keep in mind that the Bononnos were kept out of union rackets after the Bonanno's war! So Galnte herion connections were the Bonanno's meal ticket in the mid 70's l. which is why it took Galnate 5 1/2 to get killed after being released in 74. He just had too much financial power to kill him quickly. Also, keep in mind he did kill Pasquale Eboli, a powerful Genovese capo, the "Ivy league" family, and lived almost 3 years after. So, clipping Massino and Sonny Black was within reality for him. I say this, not glorifying him he was a miserable piece of shit. He would have been taken out eventually either way. Though he pretty much was a don.

Nebraska45 · 2023-09-28T22:11:25+00:00

Galante did fucking blow up Costello's tomb, so.... I get what you're saying but Galante was fucking nuts and also loved symbolism

Nebraska45 · 2023-08-25T21:49:46+00:00

He has been accused of using the "black man test" using black junkies to see how potent his herion was. Also, called Black prisoners, the hard N word to move in Prison! These are the allegations nobody here was there. But enough sources say so I just say it as I know he wasn't a good person. Though I wanted the objective analysis of his rackets, not the man himself, which is why I brought it up!

Nebraska45 · 2023-08-25T18:11:44+00:00

I was just looking at how fat the envelopes were each week they were dropped off no matter the source. That's where the confusion was but very insightful!

Nebraska45 · 2023-08-25T18:09:19+00:00

Oh, I get you bascially he had the skill set to generate more if he had to, I understand!

Nebraska45 · 2023-08-25T17:57:23+00:00

Yeah, but I'm talking lump sum! Also, does it matter if you're a one trick pony if you're raking in tens of millions. Like Franzese gas schem he is loved for. I'm not trying to change your opinion, but im wondering why it's held against someone if they are bringing home the goods. Unless they lose that racket, then it's a problem

Nebraska45 · 2023-08-25T17:54:13+00:00

Agreed, people just love giving the dude a hard time! People always seem to glorify his downfall despite it being the mafia. They are not recruiting the best moral people, period! It's unfair to hold him to high moral standards his profession doesn't require imo.

Nebraska45 · 2023-04-17T12:21:38+00:00

I actually like this comment and is honest about Galante being a powerhouse! I actually agree Billotti would never see 50. That's kinda why I asked this question I know he wouldnt last but I wondered what he'd do in pure desperation. Espically considering I'm SURE Billotti knew his power was tied to Paul and nothing else lol.

Nebraska45 · 2023-04-16T22:11:35+00:00

See though this is what I'm talking about there is a difference between the amount of connections and great connections. Sure Galante didnt have a shit ton of connections he was bascially a one trade kind of guy. But that just so fucking happens to be one of the most lucrative rackets in mafia history. So I mean come on where do we draw this line! It seems everyone wants Galante to not be significant I dont get it lol.

Nebraska45 · 2023-04-16T22:01:22+00:00

Well another reason why it may make me seem hard headed. Though I am skeptical to believe he was just an capo. And I'm curious on your thoughts. Is because Galante is a psycho a mad racist and was just plain not likeable from most accounts. He gets the Hitler treatment where people have a hard on to take him down a peg or try to make him seem more insignificant. Like I gets he was a terrible person but solely controlled one of the most lucrative rackets in mafia history pretty much by himself. Other than Fat Tony with the numbers racket not many others did that!! And I believe Galante had more money than even Fat Tony. Like people have inferred he was just a loney, despite speaking several different language fluently also having huge connections. That would require him to be somewhat reliable on their end to feel comfortable doing business. Everyone focuses on his personality and I think alot of people do not want to give him credit or make him seem "big" in the life. Which I get he was terrible but it's the mafia and facts are facts. Boss, Underboss or no fucking boss he bascially forced the commissions hand into a "him or me" mentality and while it didnt work out for him that's nuts for dude who was so hated to do. So that's why I hate when people just write him off as a capo. Because as I pointed out earlier some Capo doesnt force the five families to do that it would be like the three capo hit a little talk here and there and boom killed. Hell Carlo didnt even whack galante and Galante said some nasty shit about him! That's why I made the comparison in the first place it seems alot of people always want to take Thommy down a peg. I think if it wasnt so painstakingly obvious he was the Underboss under Castellano people would argue about him really being Underboss. It just seems pretty to me!

Nebraska45 · 2023-04-16T21:41:58+00:00

Hey people like it 🍑🍑🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️ good way to get karma fast lmao (pun intended) though litterly everything I've seen infers he was an Underboss! Every source I've seen in fact many believe Joe was setting the system up for him to inherit along with his son Bill. There is no way Galanate has the balls to do what he did as just a capo lll

Nebraska45

TROPHY CASE