Friends of Ours

One-Time Mobster Hasn't Lost His Chutzpah

Colombo-capo-turned-FBI-informant Reynold Maragni is seeking the "return $48,500 in loanshark payments he accepted in 2011 while working undercover for them" as reported by Allan Lengel for ticklethewire.com.  Federal prosecutors are unimpressed with the "audacious request" as reported by Jerry Capeci for Gang Land News:  "they noted that the money was evidence, that the cash was criminal proceeds that were subject to criminal as well as civil forfeiture statutes, and that Maragni agreed to its forfeiture in a February 9, 2012 'cooperation agreement.'"

Genovese Boss Gives Blessing From The Beyond To Lesbian Daughter's Upcoming Wedding

Rita Gigante, the daughter of deceased Genovese boss Vincent "The Chin" Gigante, recently came out as a lesbian in her memoir The Godfather's Daughter, and the spiritualist who speaks to the dead now is announcing that her upcoming nuptials to Bobbi Sterchele has been blessed from the hereafter by the passed mobster as reported by John Marzulli for the Daily News:

The legendary mafioso, who breathed his last in 2006, will be there [at the wedding] in spirit, says his daughter, Rita Gigante. And the dearly departed wiseguy -- dubbed "The Oddfather" for parading around Greenwich Village in a ratty-looking bathrobe -- will be dressed to impress.  "He's showing up in a suit and tie," Gigante told the Daily News.

Apparently the mobster's spirit isn't the only wise guy supportive of a gay child.

Last month Donna DeLucia wrote a letter to a Brooklyn federal judge requesting a lenient sentence for her reputed Colombo capo dad Dennis "Fat Dennie" DeLucia whom she says was supportive of her coming out process as reported by John Marzulli for the Daily News:  "My dad accepted me, embraced me and has supported me. His love and acceptance helped me through the rough times and growing pains."

The relationship between the Mafia and the gays has been a complicated one.  The mob historically has dominated gay bars, and even a few mobsters had a little sugar in their tanks.  Heck, Vito Genovese's second wife Anna was a lesbian who managed the mob boss's Club 82 in the East Village during the early 1950s which was popular with tourists for its drag performances.

Of course, being a gay mobster has its risks in the hypermasculine Mafia.  Former DeCavalcante boss John D'Amato was whacked in 1992 for being gay, and his killer Anthony Capo said "nobody's going to respect us if we have a gay homosexual boss sitting down discussing La Cosa Nostra business."  Similarly, Lucchese associate Al Visconti was whacked in 1991, and although there apparently were multiple reasons for the hit boss Vittore "Jesse" Amuso thought Visconti was "a disgrace to the Luchese family because he had a reputation of engaging in homosexual acts in prison" according to courtroom testimony from former capo Alphonse  D'Arco.

However, even the mob may be evolving much like President Obama on gay issues.  Last year John Gotti's widow Victoria defended John Travolota to play the late Gambino boss in a planned biopic notwithstanding accusations that the actor made untoward advances against male masseurs as reported by the Daily News:

"What difference does it make if he were gay?" Victoria Gotti told the Daily News in an expletive-filled defense of the actor, who's been embroiled by a sex scandal for more than a week. "Who the f--k really cares? Does it make him less of a beautiful human being? No. . . .  Leave him the f--k alone. Whatever the true story is, leave him with his dignity," she added.  "In the grand scheme of things, it really does not matter."

Perhaps Victoria said it best.

Recidivist Mobster Gets Year Less Than The Max

Reputed Colombo capo Dennis DeLucia was sentenced to 34 months on an extortion conviction, and Brooklyn federal Judge Kiyo Matsumoto aptly noted "that a decade spent in prison did not deter him from committing new crimes" as reported by John Marzulli for the Daily News. Of course, mobsters by definition are recidivists who pledge their entire lives to a crime family, and for that reason perhaps being a made guy should warrant tough sentences.  Judge Matsumoto gave the 71-year-old career criminal a year less than the maximum 46 months he otherwise faced.

Further reading that may be of interest:

Congress Must Enact A Law To Mandate Prison Terms In Mob Cases

Colombo Boss Won't Face Death Penalty In Murder Trial; Accused Of Ordering Hit Against NYPD Cop

Joel "Joe Waverly" Cacace is accused of ordering the 1997 slaying of NYPD cop Ralph Dols but the one-time reputed Colombo boss won't face the death penalty at his murder trial after Attorney General Eric Holder ordered Brooklyn prosecutors to take it off the table as reported by John Marzulli for the Daily News.

Cacace allegedly felt disrespected after his ex-wife Kim Kennaugh married Dols.  When asked about his alleged role in the murder of a cop Cacace reportedly replied: "I don't give a f---."

Last year reputed Colombo mobsters Thomas Gioel and Dino Saracino were acquitted of several murder charges including the Dols slaying.

Cacace "is already serving a 20-year sentence for other mob crimes that has him scheduled to be released in June 2020, according to prison records" as reported by Mitchel Maddux for the New York Post.

Family Values: Lesbian Daughter Wants Sentencing Leniency For Mobster Dad

Dennis "Fat Dennis" Delucia faces 46 months when sentenced on an extortion conviction, and his lesbian daughter Donna has submitted a letter to Brooklyn federal judge Kiyo Matsumoto in an attempt to humanize the reputed Colombo capo who was supportive of her coming out process as reported by John Marzulli for the Daily News:  "My dad accepted me, embraced me and has supported me. His love and acceptance helped me through the rough times and growing pains."  Donna now lives in Kentucky with her partner and their 9-year-old boy, and she would like a light sentence for her gangster dad because "I want my son to spend long days with his grandfather."

Rita Gigante, the daughter of deceased Genovese boss Vincent "The Chin" Gigante, recently came out as a lesbian in her memoir The Godfather's Daughter as reported by Hamilton for the New York Post.  

The mob historically has dominated gay bars in New York City, and more than a few mobsters had a little sugar in their tanks.