A-Z Challenge – GANGSTA

Another day in the A-Z Challenge. I’ve got a G that deserves his own post.

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Remember John Gotti? You know…the Teflon and/or Dapper Don. Click on his name for more info. I’m giving you the condensed version.

Born October 27, 1940 in the Bronx to Italian parents, the family moved to Ozone Park, Queens soon after. Tired of living in poverty, his life of crime began at an early age.

He worked his way up the ranks of the Gambino crime family, did prison time and eventually took over as leader or ‘Boss’ of the family after the murder of Paul Castellano.

Law enforcement dubbed him ‘Teflon Don’ because they couldn’t get charges to stick. It was later revealed his minions were using tactics like jury tampering and intimidation to keep them quiet.

The FBI finally recorded conversations held at the Ravenite Social Club. When Gotti’s underboss Sammy ‘The Bull’ Gravano heard them and Gotti’s plans to have him framed, he agreed to turn states evidence. He testified at Gotti’s 1992 trial.

Gotti was convicted on April 2, 1992 of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, loansharking, racketeering, obstruction of justice, illegal gambling, and tax evasion. The jur to life without parole. He died on June 10, 2002 of throat cancer in prison Springfield, MO.

I had a crush on actor Armand Assante thanks to his aunt, Mrs. Assante who happened to be my eighth grade teacher. He played the Don in the 1996 HBO movie, Gotti. You bet I watched it; he did a great job, made me like mobsters.

Mom always cracked on me because I couldn’t decide if I wanted to marry a gangster or an Englishman. 😀 I grew out of the gangster phase, but I still have time to race across  the pond. I’ve always had a thing for accents…

Thanks to MC BoBo on YouTube for use of the following original movie trailer:

Did  you  know these people were born in the Bronx?

1. Gooding, Jr. Cuba – Actor
2. Gaudio, Bob – Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Keyboardist/Backup Vocals-Four Seasons
3. Giraldo, Greg – Comedian
4. Gormé, Eydie – Singer (1928-2013)

Do you remember the Gotti days? Tell me he wasn’t a smooth operator! Do any of you have a thing for accents like I do? How’s your Tuesday?