Where Is Sammy The Bull Now?

Sammy the bull

The former criminal Sammy The Bull Gravano is currently living in Phoenix, Arizona. He hosts a podcast there named Our Thing with Sammy The Bull.

Who is Sammy The Bull?

Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano is a name that resonates strongly within the annals of organized crime in the United States. His life is a story of both loyalty and betrayal, a paradox that encapsulates the world of the Mafia. Born into a poor family, Sammy Gravano rose through the ranks of the Gambino crime family to become one of the most feared and respected mobsters in New York. His eventual decision to cooperate with the government marked a turning point in the fight against organized crime.

Early Life and Background

Salvatore Gravano was born on March 12, 1945, in Brooklyn, New York, to Sicilian immigrants. He was raised in the Bensonhurst neighborhood, a place known for its strong Italian-American community and Mafia ties. From a young age, Gravano exhibited traits that would later define his criminal career—strength, toughness, and a disregard for authority.

As a child, Gravano was diagnosed with dyslexia, which made school difficult for him. This struggle led him to drop out at a young age and turn to the streets, where he found a sense of belonging in local gangs. His first brush with organized crime came when he joined a group of young delinquents known as the Rampers. Gravano quickly gained a reputation for being fearless and capable, earning him the nickname “The Bull” for his tenacity.

Rise in the Gambino Crime Family

Gravano’s early criminal activities involved petty theft, burglary, and loan sharking. However, it wasn’t long before he caught the attention of the Colombo crime family, one of the Five Families that dominated organized crime in New York. Gravano initially worked for the Colombos but later transferred his allegiance to the Gambino family, attracted by the power and influence of Paul Castellano, the family’s boss.

In the Gambino family, Gravano’s rise was rapid. He was initially taken under the wing of Carmine Fatico, a capo in the family, who recognized Gravano’s potential. When Fatico was convicted of loan sharking and racketeering, Gravano moved into the orbit of Paul Castellano and his underboss, Aniello Dellacroce. Gravano’s reputation as a reliable and efficient enforcer grew, and by the late 1970s, he had become a made man, officially inducted into the Mafia.

Role in the Castellano Assassination

The event that catapulted Gravano into the upper echelons of the Gambino family was the assassination of Paul Castellano. By the early 1980s, tensions were high within the family. Many members were unhappy with Castellano’s leadership, particularly his focus on white-collar crimes at the expense of traditional Mafia activities. John Gotti, a charismatic and ambitious capo, sought to take control of the family.

Gravano was instrumental in the plot to kill Castellano. On December 16, 1985, Castellano was gunned down outside Sparks Steak House in Manhattan. This brazen assassination shocked the public and law enforcement alike. Following the murder, Gotti assumed leadership of the Gambino family, and Gravano was promoted to underboss, the second most powerful position in the family.

Life as Underboss

As underboss, Gravano wielded significant power. He was involved in a wide range of criminal activities, including racketeering, extortion, loan sharking, and murder. Gravano’s reputation as a ruthless enforcer was well-earned; he admitted to participating in 19 murders during his time in the Mafia. His ability to maintain order and discipline within the family made him an invaluable asset to Gotti.

However, the increased attention from law enforcement following Castellano’s assassination made life more dangerous for Gravano and the Gambino family. The FBI was relentless in its pursuit of the Mafia, employing wiretaps, informants, and undercover agents to gather evidence. Despite Gotti’s outward confidence and flamboyant lifestyle, the noose was tightening around the Gambino family leadership.

Cooperation with the Government

In 1990, Gotti and Gravano were arrested and charged with a range of crimes, including murder, racketeering, and conspiracy. The evidence against them was overwhelming, primarily due to the FBI’s extensive surveillance and the testimony of informants. Facing the possibility of life in prison, Gravano made a decision that shocked the Mafia world—he agreed to cooperate with the government.

Gravano’s decision to turn state’s evidence was a monumental blow to the Mafia. As a high-ranking member of the Gambino family, he had intimate knowledge of the organization’s inner workings. His testimony helped to convict Gotti and several other key figures in the Mafia. In exchange for his cooperation, Gravano received a reduced sentence of five years in prison, a fraction of what he would have faced otherwise.

Later Life and Legacy

After serving his prison sentence, Gravano entered the Witness Protection Program, though he eventually left the program and returned to a life of crime. In 2000, Gravano was arrested in Arizona for running a large-scale ecstasy ring. This led to another prison sentence, which he completed in 2017.

Despite his cooperation with the government, Gravano remains a controversial figure. To some, he is a traitor who violated the Mafia’s code of silence. To others, he is a pragmatist who did what was necessary to survive. His life story has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and interviews, making him one of the most well-known mobsters in American history.

Conclusion

Sammy “The Bull” Gravano’s life is a complex narrative of crime, power, and betrayal. From his early days on the streets of Brooklyn to his role as underboss of the Gambino family, Gravano was a central figure in the Mafia’s most turbulent years. His decision to cooperate with the government marked a significant turning point in the fight against organized crime, leading to the downfall of several Mafia leaders. Today, Gravano’s legacy is a reminder of the ruthless world of the Mafia and the high stakes involved in a life of crime.

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