Frank Sinatra had to beg for his life after the New York mafia took out a hit on him in the early 1970s, according to a new book.
Mafia Takedown, written by former FBI agent Mike Campi, reveals the singer had so enraged the Genovese crime family that he was summoned to a secret meeting in an East Harlem basement by ruthless mob puppet master ‘Fat Tony’ Salerno.
It was here that one of Campi’s informants, the Genovese ‘soldier’ George Barone, was instructed to kill Sinatra.
The crooner’s ties to the mafia are the stuff of Hollywood legend – so much so that the character of Johnny Fontane in The Godfather is said to have been based on his life.
‘Rumors long circulated that he was close to gangsters and that they boosted his career from the outset,’ writes Campi – who led one of the most successful attacks on organized crime in the US.
Sinatra was often photographed with members of the mob – here he’s sandwiched between the Fischetti brothers, members of the Chicago mafia who were affiliated with Al Capone
‘There is abundant evidence to support this claim.’
For one thing, Sinatra’s godfather was the infamous New Jersey wise guy Willie Moretti.
But the connections don’t end there.
‘Sinatra’s name and home address was once found by Italian authorities in Charles ‘Lucky’ Luciano’s possession, and Sinatra was alleged to have once delivered a suitcase stuffed with cash to Luciano in Cuba,’ writes Campi.
He adds: ‘Sinatra was also good friends with Louie ‘Dome’ Pacello, a longtime Genovese soldier who operated out of an office above Veniero’s Bakery in New York City. Pacello once refused to answer under oath whether he even knew Sinatra, citing his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination.
‘After being immunized and legally compelled to respond, Pacello still refused to answer – voluntarily choosing to be incarcerated rather than respond to this simple question.’
Sinatra began an affair with Ava Gardner in 1951, when he was still married to Nancy Sinatra
The crooner’s ties to the mafia are the stuff of Hollywood legend – so much so that the character of Johnny Fontane in The Godfather is said to have been based on his life
The mob is alleged to have been behind Sinatra’s Oscar-winning role in From Here to Eternity, after he was initially rejected for the part of Private Angelo Maggio
Campi claims that the mob was even behind Sinatra’s Oscar-winning role in From Here to Eternity after he was initially rejected for the part of Private Angelo Maggio.
‘Columbia Studios was reputedly closely aligned with the mob,’ writes Campi. ‘Sinatra requested a role from Columbia’s head, Harry Cohn, who turned him down.
‘Sinatra then apparently approached an intermediary to Genovese power, Frank Costello, who handpicked Chicago mobster Johnny Roselli to deliver a message.’
Roselli is said to have ‘persuaded’ Cohn to cast Sinatra after all, telling him he was a ‘f***ing dead man’ if he didn’t do as he was told.
But, through his personal conversations with George Barone, Campi uncovered even more damning details about Ol’ Blue Eyes’ affiliation with the Genovese family.
‘According to Barone, at one point Sinatra was becoming too friendly with other crime families (Sinatra was famously photographed with multiple Gambino members),’ he writes.
Posing with mafia buddies in his dressing room in 1976. From left: Gregory De Palma, Sinatra, Thomas Marson, Carlo Gambino, Jimmy ‘The Weasel’ Fratianno, and in front, Richard ‘Nerves’ Fusco. The photo was entered as evidence during the trial of de Palma and Fusco for fraud
James Caan (left) was ‘extremely close’ with then-Colombo captain Andrew Russo, while Robert De Niro (right) consulted with ‘Fat Andy’ Ruggiano for Analyze This
Genovese street boss ‘Fat Tony’ Salerno summoned Sinatra to a meeting in a basement in East Harlem
Word had also reached the family that he was throwing his weight around in Las Vegas, getting rude and abusive when drunk.
Tales of his violent outbursts are infamous: he apparently once paid a waiter $50 to punch Vanity Fair writer Dominick Dunne in the face and, after an argument about politics with a woman, he is said to have demanded a valet to hit her with a plate of barbecued spareribs.
Enough was enough. Genovese street boss ‘Fat Tony’ Salerno summoned Sinatra to a meeting in a basement in East Harlem. Barone was told to get there early and, when Tony gave the signal, he was to kill Sinatra.
But when the singer was confronted with his fate, he ‘cried like a baby’ and begged for his life.
Fat Tony, it seems, took pity on him.
‘Sinatra… was reprimanded, and committed not to violate his relationship with the Genovese,’ or he would be a dead man.
For now, ‘his life was spared.’
Sinatra wasn’t the only star to be associated with the mafia.
Campi writes that Robert De Niro consulted with Gambino capo ‘Fat Andy’ Ruggiano for his role in Analyze This, and Tony Sirico – who plays Paulie Walnuts in The Sopranos – was associated with the Colombo crime family.
James Caan, he alleges, was also ‘extremely close’ with then-Colombo captain Andrew Russo. The actor’s Godfather character, Sonny Corleone, was said to have been based on Russo.
Gangsters even used their considerable muscle to dictate control over movie content, he writes.
‘For instance, Capone was concerned about his fictional portrayal in the original 1932 Scarface movie, so he sent gangsters whose threats assured his satisfaction with the film.’
Barone (in 1954, left, and 2006, right) was told to get there early and, when Fat Tony gave the signal, he was to kill Sinatra
Tony Sirico – who plays Paulie Walnuts in The Sopranos (center) – was associated with the Colombo crime family
The mob is said to have issued bomb threats against Paramount to ensure they were viewed in a positive light in The Godfather
Even in The Godfather, he says, the mob were determined to ensure they were viewed in a positive light.
‘Mob boss Joe Colombo used his control over the Italian American Civil Rights League to apply pressure on Paramount against the proposed movie.
‘He also made clear that he would exploit the mafia’s control of unions and other leverage to interfere with its making.
‘In addition, the mob threatened the film’s producer and other executives and stole expensive movie equipment.
‘After following this up with bomb threats, Paramount folded to their demands. A silent deal was made, and the movie’s story was adjusted to the mob’s satisfaction.’
Mafia Takedown: The Incredible True Story of the FBI Agent Who Devastated the New York Mob by Mike Campi is published by Skyhorse
