Sammy "The Bull" Gravano: The Life and Times of a Mafia Legend

Underboss: Sammy the Bull Gravano's Story of Life in the Mafia

by Peter Maas

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8369 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	336 pages

FREE

Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano was a high-ranking member of the Gambino crime family. He became an informant for the government after his arrest in 1991, testifying against his former boss, John Gotti. Gravano's testimony helped convict Gotti of murder and racketeering, and he was sentenced to life in prison.

Gravano's life is a story of crime, betrayal, and redemption. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1945, and grew up in a tough neighborhood. He started out as a street hustler, but soon got involved in organized crime. He joined the Gambino family in the 1970s, and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a capo by the early 1980s.

In 1985, Gravano was promoted to underboss of the Gambino family. He was a close confidant of Gotti, and was involved in many of the family's most notorious crimes. However, Gravano eventually grew tired of Gotti's leadership, and began to cooperate with the government in 1991.

Gravano's testimony was devastating to Gotti. He testified that Gotti had ordered the murders of several people, including Castellano and Gotti's own brother, Gene. Gravano also testified that Gotti had been running a racketeering operation that involved extortion, gambling, and drug trafficking.

Gotti was convicted of murder and racketeering in 1992, and was sentenced to life in prison. Gravano was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in the crimes, but was released in 1994 after serving only two years.

After his release from prison, Gravano became a government witness. He testified against several other members of the Gambino family, and helped the government to convict them of various crimes.

In 1997, Gravano wrote a book about his life in the mafia, called Underboss. The book was a bestseller, and helped to shed light on the inner workings of organized crime.

Gravano has since become a motivational speaker, and has spoken out against organized crime. He has also worked with law enforcement to help them to combat the mafia.

Sammy "The Bull" Gravano is a complex and fascinating figure. He is a man who has lived a life of crime, but who has also found redemption. He is a reminder that even the most hardened criminals can change their ways.

Early Life and Career

Salvatore Gravano was born in Brooklyn, New York, on March 12, 1945. He was the youngest of four children, and his parents were Italian immigrants. Gravano's father was a construction worker, and his mother was a homemaker.

Gravano grew up in a tough neighborhood, and he started getting into trouble at a young age. He dropped out of school in the ninth grade, and began working as a street hustler. He also started using drugs and alcohol.

In 1964, Gravano was arrested for robbery. He was sentenced to three years in prison, but was released after serving only one year.

After his release from prison, Gravano continued to work as a street hustler. He also started working for the Gambino crime family. He was a driver for the family's boss, Carlo Gambino.

In 1976, Gravano was promoted to capo. He was given control of a crew that was involved in extortion, gambling, and drug trafficking.

In 1985, Gravano was promoted to underboss of the Gambino family. He was a close confidant of Gotti, and was involved in many of the family's most notorious crimes.

Betrayal and Cooperation

In 1991, Gravano was arrested for racketeering. He was facing a possible life sentence, and he decided to cooperate with the government.

Gravano testified against Gotti and several other members of the Gambino family. He testified that Gotti had ordered the murders of several people, including Castellano and Gotti's own brother, Gene. Gravano also testified that Gotti had been running a racketeering operation that involved extortion, gambling, and drug trafficking.

Gotti was convicted of murder and racketeering in 1992, and was sentenced to life in prison. Gravano was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in the crimes, but was released in 1994 after serving only two years.

After his release from prison, Gravano became a government witness. He testified against several other members of the Gambino family, and helped the government to convict them of various crimes.

In 1997, Gravano wrote a book about his life in the mafia, called Underboss. The book was a bestseller, and helped to shed light on the inner workings of organized crime.

Gravano has since become a motivational speaker, and has spoken out against organized crime. He has also worked with law enforcement to help them to combat the mafia.

Legacy

Sammy "The Bull" Gravano is a complex and fascinating figure. He is a man who has lived a life of crime, but who has also found redemption. He is a reminder that even the most hardened criminals can change their ways.

Gravano's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of organized crime. It is also a story of hope, and a reminder that even those who have committed terrible crimes can find redemption.

Underboss: Sammy the Bull Gravano's Story of Life in the Mafia

by Peter Maas

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8369 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	336 pages

FREE