Mafia Slip-and-Fall: A Prison Ping Pong Lawsuit

Life in the mafia is never boring and sometimes it is even humorous.  

There was a time when made Colombo soldier Thomas “Tommy Shots” Gioeli was well respected on the streets. He is alleged to have participated in at least eight murders over the years, including that of of a police officer. The police officer’s name was Ralph Dols, and he was murdered because his wife’s ex-husband, Joe Cacace, was a jealous man.  

He also helped chase down one of the makers of the film Deep Throat, Joseph Peraino Sr., along with his son Joseph Jr. This confrontation took place in a Gravesend Brooklyn neighborhood.  Tommy Shots blasted the father and son, and also a former Nun named Veronika Zuraw who was completely innocent. As a result, Veronika and Joseph Jr. were both killed and Joseph Sr. was paralyzed.

Tommy Shots was rewarded for his lifetime of crime in 2004, when he was upped to Street Boss of the Colombo family.

In 2014 he was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison, where he has been crying ever since.  

He was given the nickname Tommy Shots because he survived getting a bullet in his shoulder and in his stomach.  The man who took two bullets is now suing the government for ten million dollars after slipping and falling while playing a game of ping pong in prison.

He filed the negligence lawsuit after his slip and fall, blaming the injury on a wet floor in the Metropolitan Detention Center.  The obese Tommy Shots slipped and fractured his kneecap.  

Here is another good one.  The grandson of the late Gambino boss John Gotti, was arrested last year twice for dealing drugs.  He was pulled over in what has been called a traffic stop for tinted windows.  He was caught with a couple hundred pills and over $7,000 in cash.  Then the police busted him in the former Howard Beach home where his grandfather used to live.

In that bust they confiscated over $200,000 and 800 pills.  They also caught him (just like his grandfather) on a bug, bragging he sold over a $100,000 a month in pills and $1.6 million overall.

This week the whole ordeal came to a conclusion when John Gotti took a plea deal for 8 years with 5 years of supervised release.  He also gave up any claims to the seized cash.

He now joins the ranks of his family before him, heading to prison.

Poor Tommy Shots

This week was quiet in the world of the Mafia because the Feds did not take down anyone new. There was a little cleaning up of old trash in the name of Thomas Gioeli Aka Tommy Shots, Tommy Machine or Bitch Tits. Tommy has his own blog so maybe he has a family member writing for him, as he is locked up. On the blog you can read about his plight and all his physical woes. He complains that the FBI and the United States Attorney conspires to take down Italians for decades old crimes while bankers steal billions from innocent citizens. The problem with this story is that a banker or CEO is not a part of an Organized Crime Family and is not as violent as the Colombo Family. Bankers do not engage in murder as a way to settle business disputes. The Government charged Tommy Shots in a superseding indictment on 6-19-08 with a number of racketeering charges, including murders, robberies and running the Colombo Family on a day-to-day basis.

The sole purpose of the Colombo Family is to enrich its members from the proceeds of criminal acts with the bulk of the proceeds going to the leadership. This is funny because Tommy Shots claims he was so broke, that his defense was paid for by the taxpayers. Tommy Shots conspired with others to rob a place on the Jericho Turnpike named "Furs by Mina." He then conspired with others to murder Frank Marasa aka "Chestnut" on June 12 1991. Tommy gave the order to murder Marasa because it was said he was involved in the murder of a Colombo Associate. On the night of June 12th Tommy Shots ordered a relative of his named Thomas McLaughlin to drive Dino Calabro and Richie Greaves to Bensonhurt, Brooklyn. They waited until they spotted Marasa in front of his home. Calabro and Greaves exited the car and opened fire on Marasa, killing him. McLaughlin then dropped off Greaves and took Calabro to the Cropsey Diner to meet with Tommy Shots. Tommy Shots was later convicted for this conspiracy.

The Colombo War was in full swing when Tommy Shots was given the order to kill Orena faction loyalist John Minerva by the Persico faction leaders. Minerva was a Colombo soldier but was now marked for death. On the night of March 25th, 1992, Minerva was with a friend named Michael Imbergamo for a night out. They were parked in front of the Broadway Cafe in North Massapequa Long Island when a gunman opened fire on them, killing them both instantly. Michael Imbergamo was killed simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  That is the way the Mafia works.

They would like you to think that they only kill each other, but the truth is that they kill anyone they wish. A lot of the murders are over petty matters. The bosses never follow "The Rules" they only apply them to those who fall out of their favor.

I have written before about Tommy Shots going after Joseph Peraino Sr. and his son Joseph Peraino Jr. in Gravesend Brooklyn. The two men were walking down the street when two men started firing on them. They both ran up a stoop to a door and began beating on it, the occupant was a former nun who was known as Sister Mary Adelaide. She walked towards the door asking what was going on when she was hit by a pellet from a shotgun blast and killed. Joseph Jr. was killed and Joseph Sr. would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. This was all over the profit of the porn film Deep Throat because the Colombo family Bosses aka the Persicos felt they were not getting their due.

Tommy Shots has spent the last six years locked up in Federal Detention because he was refused bail as a danger to the community. He had a stroke and his diabetes is bad, but as the past has shown, these guys don't let a little sickness stop them from their life of crime. It certainly does not stop them when they can reap the rewards of being in the administration of the family. 

Even though he has spent six years locked up, he was given another 224 months by the judge in the case because the Judge felt the Government had proved by a preponderance of evidence that Tommy Shots was a Colombo Mobster. He was ordered to pay $360,000 in restitution, $150,000 going to Furs by Mina, but it will never come because until Tommy Shots is released he must only pay $25.00 a month and then after release 10% of his income to the court. He will have 3 years of supervised release with rules that he may not associate with anyone in Organized Crime. 

 
Lets hope that Tommy Shots lives a long life in whatever Federal Medical Center he is placed. This is one criminal that I don't mind paying to keep locked up with the best medical care.

Joel Cacace aka Joe Waverly

Never kill a prosecutor or anyone in law enforcement. That is a pretty clear rule that mafia families have followed. Not because they care, but in self interest.  They know that all law enforcement, and even the public, will turn on them.   In New York there is one family that did not follow that rule, and that is the Colombo Family.

There have been a few other unintentional cases where law enforcement lost lives, but none of the other families directly targeted Law Enforcement.  Rudolph "Rudy" Santobello and his buddy where in the middle of a kidnapping when an off duty NYPD officer Alfred Loreto stumbled onto the scene and was murdered. Rudy initially received life, but he beat the case on appeal and went on to have a long run with the Genovese Family. 

Then you had Costabile "Gus" Farace who was the first man to murder a DEA Agent in New York.  Gus had a set up a deal with a DEA Agent named Everrett Hatcher who was undercover.  They arranged a meeting in a remote location on Staten Island but the surveillance team lost Everrett.  Gus drove by Everrett's car on the side of the road and opened fire from a van killing him. Law Enforcement turned up the pressure on the Mafia and they ended Gus's run in Bensonhurst.

Joel Cacace aka Joe Waverly

That brings us to Joel "Joe Waverly" Cacace, a real upstanding human who at 72 is locked up until at least 2020 and is now facing more time than he will ever be able to serve.

The Colombo Family has been led by Carmine "The Snake" Persico and the Persicos never follow the rules. Carmine had a brother named Alphonse or Allie Boy, who has since passed on to the big nothing.  Allie had been on the lam for 7 years until 1987 when he was caught and sentenced to 25 years in Federal Prison.  This is where the story gets murky, because William Aronwald was the head of the Southern District Organized Crime Strike Force, but he did not do much with Carmine.  He did help put Allie Boy away, but for some reason after Carmine was locked away forever in the commission case, he sent word to Joe Waverly that he wanted William Aronwald murdered because he disrespected the Colombo Family.  It is kind of strange if you look at Mr. Aronwald’s cases, he actually prosecuted Neil Dellacroce twice.  So it would seem that the Gambino's would be the ones with greater reason for the beef.

Joe Waverly is no ordinary mobster, back in the 1970's he had a florist shop in Sheepshead Bay and one day he was waylaid by 3 men trying to rob his shop.  He was shot in the chest but he wrestled the pistol away, killed the robber who shot him and shot at the others who ran away.  Joe then drove the dead robber to the local police precinct where he was quickly taken to the hospital for his wound.   

Joe survived that escapade and his legend continued to grow.  So when Carmine sent word that he wanted William Aronwald murdered, Joe took action.  He enlisted three Colombo Associates Vincent Carini, Eddie Carini and Frank Smith.  These guys were the real deal, shooters and good at hits.  He gave them a slip of paper with the name Aronwald and the address of the Brooklyn law firm he shared with his father George Aronwald.  They followed Aronwald from his Brooklyn Office and shot him in a laundromat near his home.  The only problem?  It was the elder George Aronwald, not the younger William Aronwald who was the former head of the Organized Strikeforce.  

The other four Mafia Families in New York were enraged that they killed the wrong man, and even more enraged that they had killed a judge.  They wanted those that took part in the murder gone.  So Joe had another set of killers grab the Carini brothers.  It was a brutal slaying because both brothers were found in cars but both had major defensive wounds on their hands and arms showing that they put up a fight.

I wonder why the Mafia Commission did not do more.  Why didn’t they make Carmine Persico step down?  Why did they do nothing to Joe Waverly who organized the hit?  Maybe there is more to this killing.  The Gambinos had more cause to act, but why bother?  Joe Waverly felt so bad for the Carini brothers that he married Eddie Carini's widow.  Joe also had the brothers killer’s killed in Brooklyn not long after the murder.

Joe's reputation soared after this and his crew was loyal to him.  He was close to Vic Arena and when Vic and Bill Cutolo revolted against the Persico rule, Joe joined them.  He saw Persico loyalist Capo Greg Scarpa driving down the street and he fired shots at him but missed.  Greg would catch up with Joe again in Brooklyn and they exchanged shots, this time with only Joe getting hit.  Joe drove himself to the hospital and was patched up.  Joe, being the good guy he is, later shifted sides back to the Persico side.  Joe would be upped to the Consigliare position in the family after the war.  

Joe's wife divorced him and soon she married a Police Officer named Ralph Dols, and they lived in Sheepshead Brooklyn.  Joe was insanely jealous. so he sent word that he wanted Ralph Dols dead.  The tale told by one of the shooters, Big Dino Calabro, is that Colombo Underboss Tommy "Shots" Gioli gave him the order, the address and slip of paper with Ralph Dols licence plate number on it.  They could not find Ralph Dols, so Joe called Dino in for a talk.  Dino then stepped up his efforts to get Ralph Dols.  They found out where he parked his car on the street, they had someone shoot out the street light with a BB Gun so it would be dark.  Ralph Dols came home from work, parked his car, got out of his car and was getting ready to shut his door when Big Dino Calabro, carrying a 44 Magnum, and his cousin, Little Dino Saracino, armed with a 45 Auto, walked toward him.  Ralph Dols asked what was up and they opened fire on him.  He fell on the hood of his car and they shot him a couple more times.  They took off, but Ralph Dols managed to get to his house before collapsing in his doorway.  

The hit squad had no idea Ralph Dols was NYPD and they had no idea it was a jealous lovers revenge, they thought it was dealing with Colombo Family business.  Today Joe Waverly aka Joel Cacace is on trial for the murder of Ralph Dols. Tommy Shots and Little Dino were found not guilty of the murder, but were found guilty of racketeering.  Maybe this time it will be the end of Joel Cacace aka Joe Waverly.

This is what the Mafia has become: honorless slayers of law enforcement, they are just like all other low level street gangs.

Mafia Vs USA

The rest of the nation celebrates Independence day and the Mafia plots to undermine our society. They are no longer the threat they once were. Al Queda took down the World Trade Center and the Mafia stole from the clean up! The amount of guys in families that benefited from the towers collapse is staggering. They will still make money from the new projects.
They used to control the garment center where a lot of the clothing is made for the rest of the country. They caused a lot of expense to be passed on to John Q public. They used to Control the docks in New York and they still have a lot of control. The problem? A lot of the shipping companies bypassed New York for better places like Florida!
I find it shocking that people think guys like Sonny Franzese are hero's. The guy stole from everyone for 50 years! He stole our tax money, he killed and now he will pay.
The guy thumbed his nose at society. Today one friend after another testify to put him away for what maybe his last year on this planet. John Franzese his drug addicted do nothing son gave him up to keep people taking care of him.

Eddie Garofalo missed one of his favorite holidays. Gone Eddie are the BBQ and the day of eating yourself into a food coma! Eddie are you gambling inside?
How long can Eddie take it? Can Eddie stand up like Teddy Persico?

I love the Tommy Geoli blog. He cries about his treatment and then talks about his daughters. What about his victims? What about the people he robbed?

The FBI never stops! They will go back forever until all these murders are closed.

Kenji OC

Better than Brooklyn

I was sitting outside Cafe Roma in Beverly Hills last week.  I was enjoying the great day and the people walking by on the sidewalk.  I was thinking about all the guys I used to know.

That day John Franzese Jr was sitting in a courtroom sending his father away to die.

Can I blame John?  No John did what was best for him.  The guy has his own demons and will face more in the future.  Sonny Franzese is exactly where he should be.  The life he lived and the choices he made brought him to that place.  Sonny trusted John after he put him away before.  Sonny had Ori Spado around him when he knew that Ori was an informant for the FBI.

Ori was because of greed and John was because he is an old man and thought he could count on his son.

I wondered about my former friend Eddie Garofalo.  He is still sitting in his cell in Brooklyn. Teddy Persico jr a life long friend he was on the outs with sits in the same place.  This will mark the second time Eddie brought Teddy down.  I am sure Sunday was tough on Eddie, because he has kids.  Teddy has nobody and nothing.  Teddy has done almost 20 years now!  Eddie did 3 months and cried last time.  This marks the longest he has been away.  Will Eddie do the time?  Will he flip?

Tommy Shots Geoli sits.  Ori Spado is there. how long will they get?

The Feds have more in store for the Colombo family!

Sitting outside in Beverly Hills on a sunny day. I am so glad I left that life behind.

Kenji OC

Flipped: A Mobster tells All Kenny Kenji Gallo May 13th

The world changes everyday. Life goes on. The world stays the same for my former friends who are locked up. I wonder how Johnny Goggles Baudanza likes solitary? I bet Eddie Garofalo has slimmed down in MCC Brooklyn. Eddie likes the easy life. The question is how tall will he stand? Will he be like the Rock Sonny Franzese? Sonny's new words I have to die someplace!
Sonny has had no life. Two sons flipped, two daughters are dead and all his siblings are gone. He lost his home and all his clothes. He has a wife who hates him and yells at him. He has been locked down half his life. How is that a good life. The Feds keep charging the Colombo Family. It is not over yet. I bet Frankie Blue Eye's has a lot to say. I think Michael Persico has a lot to worry about. Eddie Garofalo brought me into the Persico's life, He brought in Steve Marcus and there maybe another informant there. What kind of life is that?

This week on May 13th on Discovery Channel they will show my documentary Flipped: A Mobster Tells All, Kenny Kenji Gallo
Then on June 8th The Deadliest Warrior is on Spike TV.

I am amazed at the people who are still drawn to the life. People never see that it is all smoke and mirrors. You have a bunch of guys who cannot make a living and a select few who live it up. The guys on the bottom do the work and end up getting most of the time.
The big question is will Tommy Tits Geoli flip? If he does what can he give the Feds?

Have a great week! Kenji OC

The Mafia just gets better with age.

I took some time off and now I have some good things to post. I have a show on the Discovery Channel in a few weeks! I will post up more next week on the show. I can be reached by email and my Kenny Kenji Gallo on Facebook. For years now I have been talking about Johnny “Goggles” Baudanza‘s good buddy Jerry Degeralamo and his crazy father. The father did pull off some big heists in the past. Jerry tried to break him out of prison and he got time. They were going to send this midget in a box to an armored car holding facility; the guy was caught in a weed deal and worked with the Feds. Jerry was taken down with Johnny Goggles and little Craig Marino in the pump and dump scam. Then he was hit again in a Gambino sting. Gerald Degeralamo the father just used mace on a guy he contacted on Craig’s list for a diamond ring. It sure sounds like the Mafia is doing well. My old buddy Teddy “Do Over” Persico Jr is doing well. He runs around with a big crew hitting clubs and acting the part. Word is some of his guys got the badge. Teddy is really getting into the construction business. I am sure Eddie Garafolo has to help him since that is way over Teddy’s mental capability. Teddy Persico Jr is the FBI’s dream Mobster! The longer he stays on the street the bigger the case they make will be.
Tommy “Man Boobs” Geoli has been eating too much junk food! The list they published was great! Forget the death penalty he will eat himself to death! Tommy was a quiet, humble guy, a deal maker and that is a guy you have to watch. Maybe you cannot trust him? I doubt he can offer up more than Joey Caves, because lets be honest who is left? Word is out that Big Dino Calabro is trying to make a deal. The Feds cannot trust him? Need him to back up what he says. Let’s see what he provides.
The whole Colombo Family is done. It is Illegal and every Badged guy should feel free to keep what is his and flip if caught. The Capo’s never called in their crews and made the vote for the administration. The Long Island guys never came in, the Brown, Colombo and Queens guys all did not vote. Vinnie Aloi was under the Genovese Capo’s direction. Bill Cutolo Sr was under Allie Boi Persico and then brought up so he could bring Brooklyn, Long Island and Queens back. He brought Brooklyn, but the others never came back. Today the whole Colombo Family gets a huge slap in the face by the Persico family! Alli Boi Badges a guy he meets in the can, Ralph Deleo, a rat on other cases. (Maybe he and Allie had something going on) The guy was not around Brooklyn and was badged less than 10 ten years ago. He was bumped up, over guys who were around the family for a lifetime. The FBI has him on wire talking to his SISTER about the family, about the induction ceremony! That is being a rat! Trust me I am a rat and I know it.
Would the last real Colombo in Brooklyn please turn out the lights!
KENJI OC