Michael Franzese is one of the most famous mobsters in the world. . He dropped out of University to become a mob member after he grew tired of the police harassing his father and . We encourage you to research and examine these . Subsequently, Michael and Lawrence set up 18 Panama-based stock-bearer companies. . [10] He took the oath alongside friend Jimmy Angelino, Joseph Peraino Jr., Salvatore Miciotta, Vito Guzzo Sr., and John Minerva all of whom except Miciotta died violently over the next 20 years. In this episode, he shared some in-depth stories about some of the clips and interviews shared by several people on this document series, as well as debunked some.Read the 1968 Life Magazine full article here, starting at Page 29: bit.ly/PeopleVsSonnyFranzeseAmerican Gangster full series playlist by @Newsday: bit.ly/AmericanGangsterbyNewsdayJoin Michael's INNER CIRCLE:https://join.michaelfranzese.com/inner-circle For Booking Requests or to join Michael's CREW for free (a private online community), go here:https://michaelfranzese.comFor *AUTOGRAPHED* Books/Poster personally signed by Michael Franzese, VISIT https://store.michaelfranzese.comFollow Michael on:https://www.instagram.com/michaelfranzese_/https://www.facebook.com/michaelfranzesehttps://twitter.com/MichaelFranzeseVideo/Photography-Instagram- @alecmthomas*Maniac Media Group production A Federal report mentioned that Michael earned more money than anyone in a crime family after Al Capone. He couldnt accept that. Camille, who has stood by Michael through thick and thin, helped him in his decision to quit organized crime. [68] His father was sentenced to eight years in prison, and was released from prison in 2017 at the age of 100,[69] dying three years later.[70]. He has given interviews to HBO, ESPN, CNBC, CNN, Fox Sports, Fox News, MSNBC, The Savage Nation, USA Today, TBN, Jim Rome Show, Renegade Talk Radio, and Nat Geo., He came up with another book titled Blood Covenant in 2003. [4] Altogether, Franzese had eight children, 18 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Skip Ancestry navigation . Michael Franzese (/ f r n z i s /) (n Grillo; born May 27, 1951) is an American former mobster who was a caporegime in the Colombo crime family, and son of former underboss Sonny Franzese.Franzese was enrolled in a pre-med program at Hofstra University, but dropped out to make money for his family after his father was sentenced to 50 years in prison for bank robbery in 1967. He has also spoken to professional athletes associated with the National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), and Major League Baseball (MLB). [28] Franzese was released from the Federal Medical Center in Devens, Massachusetts, on June 23, 2017, at the age of 100; he was the oldest federal inmate in the United States and the only centenarian in federal custody at the time of his release. Michael didnt take up witness protection, but he adopted measures to ensure that his family stayed safe. She is also present on all of her daughters . Franzese later expressed admiration for Gotti, citing his strict mobster lifestyle and his overwhelming ego. John "Sonny" Franzese Sr. (Italian:[frantseze; -ese]; February 6, 1917 February 24, 2020) was an American mobster who was a longtime member and former underboss of the Colombo crime family. He had criminal dealings with Gambino crime family boss Paul Castellano; future Gambino crime family boss John Gotti; and Genovese crime family underboss Anthony Fat Tony Salerno. He was the husband of Evelyn (D'Alessio) Franzese. For more information, please see our At the time of his release on June 23, 2017, at the age of 100, he was the oldest federal inmate in the United States and the only centenarian in federal custody. Franzese claimed he first met Sharpton through the Genovese crime family mobster Daniel Pagano. Finally, Franzese stressed the importance of properly dealing with the corpse. [26] Revenue officials estimated $250 million in gasoline tax was stolen in New York state per year, before moving on to Florida which was estimated to have lost $40 million to $250 million in stolen gasoline tax. [33], Franzese was married to a woman with whom he had three children. By 1963, he had been promoted to underboss by boss Joseph Colombo. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in the book. Salvatore was born on June 11 1916, in New York City (All Boroughs), New York, USA. [23] Franzese partnered with the Russian Mafia in Brooklyn in the gas scheme. Initially, Michael didnt plan on joining the mob. His procedure was to dismember the corpse in a kiddie pool, dry the severed body parts in a microwave oven, and then run the parts through a commercial-grade garbage disposal. At present, Franzese, Sr. is the oldest living gangster in the world. Franzese was born in Naples, Italy, to Carmine Franzese and Maria Corvola on February 6, 1917, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. [19], In 1980, Franzese had become a caporegime of a crew of 300. Entertainment, sports management and other businesses, "A Godfather Betrayed by His Namesake, Part II", "At 100, mob underboss Sonny Franzese gets out of federal prison", "Fate of a Jailed Mobster: Films, Fortune or a Bullet? A vast range of data is available to search ranging from census records, births, deaths and marriages, military records and immigration records to name but a few. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/michael-franzese-12137.php. Franzese told Fatato:[18]. Research genealogy for Michael Franzese of Modesto, CA, as well as other members of the Franzese family, on Ancestry. At a meeting he agreed to hand over $50,000 in return for a 25 percent interest from the sports agency. Husband of Private [4], In 1967, Franzese gained a financial interest in a new recording company, Buddah Records. [28], Michael Franzese had entered a pre-med program at Hofstra University in 1969, as John Franzese originally did not want him to be involved in organized crime. [52] In the book, Franzese discusses his criminal activities, life with his father, and meeting his second wife, Camille Garcia. That statement signaled the start of Michaels transformation from a crime lord to a servant of the Lord. . We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family trees to create each person's profile. Per his own admission, its a miracle that he is alive to tell the story about his crime days. [25] In court, prosecutors complained that Franzese had only started paying the balance of his court-ordered restitution payments earlier that year. Franzese is the author of seven books: Quitting the Mob (1992), Blood Covenant (2003),[67] The Good, the Bad and the Forgiven (2009), I'll Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse (2011),[67] From the Godfather to God the Father (2014),[28] Blood Covenant: The Story of the "Mafia Prince" Who Publicly Quit the Mob and Lived (2018) and Mafia Democracy (2022). [5], Franzese later moved to Long Island. . [35] Quintana was to give the impression that he was buying his way into the boxing world in order for King to reveal his criminal associations, however the investigation subsequently collapsed after Quintana failed to follow through with several hundred thousand dollars. [22] John Franzese Jr. testified twice against his father, the last time his father attempted to have him killed; he later lived under witness protection. Camille helped Franzese work on his faith during his two stints in prison. Father of Private; Private; Private; Private and Private, https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Franzese. Free trials are normally available and are a good way to fill out . We encourage you to research and examine these records . [62], In July 2020, he appeared in the Fear City: New York vs The Mafia Netflix docuseries. Privacy Policy. Instead, he wanted his son to become a doctor. "[1] In 2005, Franzese Jr. wore a wire around his father. Suo figlio Michael Franzese, noto "caporegime" della famiglia Colombo. We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family trees to create each person's profile. Tape Distorts Truth", "NEW BREED SAID TO EMERGE IN ORGANIZED CRIME", "Reputed Mobster Among 26 Charged In Gas-Tax Scheme", "FRANZESE ENTERS A PLEA OF GUILTY TO RACKETEERING", "Top Suspect In Operation Tiger Tail Pleads Guilty Again", "Mobster says he was silent partner with Walters", "Walters, Bloom sentenced to jail, fined $395,000", "NEW TRIAL REQUESTED FOR CONVICTED AGENTS", "Walters, Bloom, convictions overturned on technicality", "Appeals court overturns sports bribing convictions", "What to stream: 'Fear City' and other Mafia picks beyond the usual suspects", "Former mafia boss Michael Franzese sounds warning over match-fixing", "20 years a mobster, Michael Franzese now inspires gangsters to turn their lives around", "REVIEW: The Definitive Guide to the Mob (DVD)", "The Mafia with Trevor McDonald, ITV, review: 'surreal' Telegraph", "Trevor McDonald Meets the Mafia and exposes shocking tales Daily Post", "The Mafia with Trevor McDonald, review: Nice guy Trevor just isn't cut out for the mean streets | The Independent", "The ambitious, original 'A Mob Story' is worth a visit to the Plaza", "Up in 60: Former mafia boss brings new pizza joint to Dallas", "Dallas Finally Gets A Verified Mobster Pizza Joint, Plus a Book-Signing This Saturday", "Ex-mafioso in Anaheim Hills now serves God, not the mob", "Who is Michael Franzese of Netflix's 'Fear City: New York vs. Fortunately, the mob didnt get to him or his family, and they now live a happy life. [44] After Walters conviction, Franzese was released from prison on parole after serving 43 months. [64] It cites religion as the motivation for Franzese changing his life.[28]. Above all, Michael regarded his family as both the most important part of his life and his greatest achievement. Franzese also told Fatato that he put nail polish on his fingertips before a murder to avoid leaving fingerprints at the crime scene. Born In: Brooklyn, New York, United States, See the events in life of Michael Franzese in Chronological Order, (Motivational Speaker, Former Mobster and Member of Colombo Crime Family), http://www.newzbreaker.com/2017/03/06/men-of-honor-leaving-the-mob-with-dignity/, https://aboutthemafia.com/tag/michael-franzese, https://www.uticaod.com/article/20100423/NEWS/304239921, https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/ex-mobster-las-vegas-producer-says-whitey-bulger-had-it-coming-1515634/, https://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/ex-colombo-family-mobster-michael-franzese-born-again-christian-busted-writing-bad-checks-article-1.197186. [17], In April 2013, a documentary called The Definitive Guide To The Mob was released by Lionsgate, with Franzese as commentator. He died in a New York City hospital on February 24, 2020, at the age of 103. Research genealogy for Michael Franzese of New York, as well as other members of the Franzese family, on Ancestry. [5] Michael says he had gone by the name "Michael Grillo" until he was 18 years old. Michael was employed as an Executive at IBM for 38 years before retirement. [28], On July 23, 2002, while appearing on the HBO television program Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, Franzese claimed that during the 1970s and 1980s, he persuaded New York Yankees players who owed money to Colombo loansharks to fix baseball games for betting purposes. But Michael always saw himself as a Franzese, and to this day believes it possible that Sonny is his natural father after all. [54] He has since become a motivational speaker for youth, at schools, prisons, and other venues. [22] In Florida, Franzese was one of 26 people indicted on 177 counts after a 16 month investigation in Florida called "Operation Tiger Tail". Check out the store: https://store.michaelfranzese.com/ Most of you know by now, I have 7 children. After the 2004 incarceration of John "Jackie" DeRoss, Franzese was again promoted to Colombo family underboss in 2005, for the first time since his 1967 imprisonment, by Thomas Gioeli. [55][29] He also speaks at Christian conferences and churches, including Willow Creek Community Church, in 2016. In 1992, Franzese co-authored his first book, an autobiography, Quitting the Mob. In addition to his wife, Evelyn, Michael is survived by: his son Michael F. Franzese, his daughter Christina (Franzese) Moran, his son-in-law Sean Moran, and his sister Donna Franzese. The biggest issue for Michael after leaving the mob was ensuring the safety of his wife and his daughters: Julia, Amanda, and Miquelle. Research genealogy for Michael Franzese of New Jersey, as well as other members of the Franzese family, on Ancestry. [34][25][43] Walters was found guilty, fined $395,000 and given a sentence of 5 years with the judge in the case citing the importance of Franzese's testimony. [7] However, in 1971, Franzese decided to drop out of college to help his family earn money when his father was sentenced to 50 years in prison for bank robbery in 1967. The Mafia'? He also infiltrated and began to make money through the owner of Calla Records, Nate McCalla, until the recording label ceased operations in 1977, and McCalla was murdered execution style in 1980. Skip Ancestry navigation Main Menu. Skip Ancestry navigation Main Menu. In 1986, Michael was ranked 18 in the Fortune magazines list of Fifty Most Wealthy and Powerful Mafia Bosses. According to Michael, he was earning between $510 million per week at the height of his career. [6] However, it was later discovered that John, already married with three children, had gotten the 16-year-old Capobianco, a cigarette girl at the Stork Club in Manhattan, pregnant with Michael, so Capobianco married Grillo to avoid having a scandal surrounding having a child out of wedlock. Michael recently told DJ Vlad that Amanda once harbored dreams of joining the police force the organization that Michael tried to evade for most of his early life. After another arrest, Michael chose to take plea, and was handed a ten-year sentence. Genealogy for Michael Franzese (deceased) family tree on Geni, with over 230 million profiles of ancestors and living relatives. We encourage you to research and examine these . [22] Franzese Jr. was allegedly also responsible for his father's fourth parole violation, but was accepted back into his confidence after denying the allegations in tears, saying, "I would never do that, no matter what kind of trouble I had. ", "Whiting: Former mob capo juggles past, current 'affiliations', "John Franzese, Mafioso Who Consorted With Celebrities, Dies at 103", List of Italian-American mobsters by organization, Collaborations between the United States government and Italian Mafia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Michael_Franzese&oldid=1145284410, Non-fiction writers about organized crime in the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox person with multiple spouses, Pages using infobox person with multiple parents, Pages using embedded infobox templates with the title parameter, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 10 years' imprisonment and ordered to pay $14.7 million in, Motivational speaking, storytelling, interviews, movie reviews, This page was last edited on 18 March 2023, at 07:43. [50] He also spent time in solitary confinement.[51]. He went on to introduce his friend and Genovese family soldier Joseph Joe Glitz Galizia into the operation. By the time of his release, he had become the only centenarian in federal custody and the oldest federal prisoner in the United States. [61] His subscriber count exceeded 1,000,000 in January 2023. Skip Ancestry . Son of Carmine Franzese and Private [34], In 1983, the FBI launched an investigation into boxing promoter Don King's organized crime connections and targeted Franzese to introduce an FBI undercover agent, using the alias Victor Quintana, to King. [25], In 1990, Franzese was portrayed by Joseph Bono in the Martin Scorsese film Goodfellas (1990). [29][30][31][28], Franzese is listed as an associate producer of the 2003 film This Thing of Ours, which starred James Caan. In 1982, the manager for singer Dionne Warwick wanted to drop Walters as an agent; Franzese met with the manager and persuaded him to keep Walters. By Art Marroquin | Orange County Register October 31, 2014 at 3:10 p.m. ANAHEIM. Michael earns his keep by selling his books and being a motivational speaker. Compared to legitimate gas stations, Michaels organization often sold the gas at lower prices. [4], In the late 1930s, Franzese worked under Joseph Profaci, boss of the Profaci crime family (later named the Colombo crime family). [16] Until 2008, he was never charged with another crime,[5] although he would return to prison on parole violations on at least six occasions. In exchange for his testimony, he was given immunity from prosecution in the Walters case. [8], Franzese became acquainted with his father's friends such as Joseph Colombo, and according to Franzese, later became inducted as a made man on Halloween night 1975 under acting boss Tommy DiBella. Michael felt fascinated and attracted to the commitment to Christianity exhibited by Camilles mom. [24] According to officials, Franzese kept 75 percent of the profits, making $1.26 million per month, while Iorizzo made $45,000 per month. Franzese's career in organized crime began in the 1930s and spanned over eight decades. To avoid having a scandal surrounding having a child out of wedlock, Capobianco married Frank Grillo. How her mother fled Vietnam in a sinking boat, What is Gervonta Davis ethnicity? In 1961 the family moved from New Hyde Park to a two-story Colonial house in Roslyn, Long Island, where the future gangster grew up as Michael Grillo, until he turned eighteen and Sonny adopted him. John "Sonny" Franzese Sr. (Italian: [frantseze; -ese]; February 6, 1917 - February 24, 2020) was an American mobster who was a longtime member and former underboss of the Colombo crime family.. Franzese's career in organized crime began in the 1930s and spanned over eight decades. Get Started. We encourage you to research and examine these . In this video, Michael shares stories of his Father that few. Age 103. Michael Franzese: Death: [32], By 1980, Franzese was a partner with booking agent Norby Walters in his firm. Michael was born March 25, 1954 in the Bronx, NY, a son of the late Michael P. and Virginia (Benevento) Franzese. Amidst several death threats, he relocated to California to join his wife and children. [4] Franzese had initially believed that he had been adopted by John after his mother divorced Frank Grillo, whom Franzese thought to be his biological father. Michaels mother succumbed to cancer in 2012 when his father was in prison. He speaks at Christian conferences, church services, and special events. He became Colombo family underboss again in 2005, until he was convicted of extortion in 2011, and sentenced to eight years in prison. Meanwhile, he co-wrote a sensational book titled Quitting the Mob with Dary Matera in 1992. Camille and her daughters are fitness enthusiasts who run a gym. In 1989, Michael was subpoenaed to testify at a trial of Walters when the latter had invoked Michaels name to frighten college students into signing management contracts with his sports agency. [41][42] He also was ordered to pay an additional $3 million in restitution to the state of Florida. Build your family tree online ; Share photos and videos ; Smart Matching technology ; Free! We encourage you to research and examine these records to . [39], Iorizzo, who was already sentenced to five years and ordered to pay $1.7 million for his role in the theft of $1.1 million in gas taxes and placed in the witness protection program, began testifying against Franzese and others in their operation in March 1985. We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family trees to create each person's profile. [5], Franzese operated out of New York City and New Jersey and was involved in racketeering, fraud, and loansharking. your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. [25], Franzese had claimed that at the height of his career, he generated up to $8 million per week. On the night of Halloween in 1975, Michael became a member of the Mafia and was inducted into the Colombo crime family as a soldier. [10] After he was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 1986, Michael was ultimately released in 1994 and retired to California in 1995. By the mid-1980s, he had invested in various businesses including movie production, distribution companies, travel agencies, restaurants, nightclubs, leasing companies, video stores, and car dealerships among others. [25][27], In April 1985, Franzese was acquitted of racketeering charges. [25][45] In September 1990, Walter's conviction was overturned by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals citing a technicality. [28][29] He was referred to as the "Yuppie Don" in the 1980s,[29] and as "Prince of the Mafia". In the 1950s and 1960s, Franzese listed his official occupation as an owner of a dry-cleaning store in Brooklyn. In the 1970s, Michael became involved in legitimate businesses. The models mixed-race identity, Who are Lilia Vus parents? [39], Franzese died in a New York City hospital, on February 24, 2020, aged 103. We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family trees to create each person's profile. Share your family tree and photos with the people you know and love. 2020 February 24, 2020. [34] While married, John had gotten Cristina Capobianco, a 16-year-old cigarette girl at the Stork Club in Manhattan, pregnant with his son Michael Franzese. He was part of the Colombo crime family, and at the height of his power, he brought in up to $8 million per week. Michael told The Church of The Apostles that Camille stood him up five times. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [22][39] In New York, Franzese was one of nine people indicted on 14 counts. [64] Franzese met his current wife in 1984, while shooting the film Knights of the City[51][9] in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Instead, he wanted his son to become a doctor. By 1980, he had entered into a partnership with booking agent Norby Walters. Sometimes you do your best to raise these children, you think you got everything down, then they say things that just shock you. A Franzese Family Sit Down If you would like your chance to Sit Down with Michael \u0026 get world class support \u0026 advice to grow your business or improve your life on LIVE virtual calls, join Michael's INNER CIRCLE MENTORSHIP:https://join.michaelfranzese.com/inner-circle For Booking Requests or to join Michael's CREW for free (a private online community), go here:https://www.michaelfranzese.com/speaking-engagements/For *AUTOGRAPHED* Books/Poster personally signed by Michael Franzese, VISIT https://store.michaelfranzese.comFollow Michael on:https://www.instagram.com/michaelfranzese_/https://www.facebook.com/michaelfranzesehttps://twitter.com/MichaelFranzeseFilm by Alec ThomasInstagram || @alecmthomasMusic: \"Come 2gether\" on behalf of epidemic sounds Michael told The Church of the Apostles: head of the organized crime strike force, he went on TV in 1995 when I was released from prison he said, I wouldnt want to be in Michael Franzeses shoes. Check out the store: https://store.michaelfranzese.com/ On todays sit down, I bring my daughters back on. All Rights Reserved. Franzese's role was to intimidate existing and prospective clients. [37], His younger son, John Franzese Jr., was a Colombo family associate before becoming an FBI informant. [3] Franzese had claimed that at the height of his career, he generated up to $8 million per week. [22] Iorizzo was being hassled by criminals in California and offered Franzese a percentage if he would defend and solve the issue. Under law at the time in Panama, gasoline could be sold tax-free from one wholesale company to the next. He served as underboss of the Colombo family from 1963 until he was sentenced to 50 years in prison for . Inside the American Mob, a six-part series released by the National Geographic Channel in June 2013, includes the story of Michaels rise in the Mafia hierarchy. Michael Franzese was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1951. .