Marble Guy, I don’t know who you have been asking, but Joe Ruggiero is definitely very well known through the state by LE and street guys alike. He had a body shop on Route 44 in East Providence long time ago, now he owns Hyundai, Ford, Chrysler dealerships, tons of property all throughout southern New England, had a club on the water in Providence. His wife’s father was Frank Intiso, heavy hitter from Boston, he was in tight with Salemme when he was running the family, and very close with Shanks. New England is right though, a lot of people feel a certain way about him re: his money and what it got him, mostly rightfully so if you ask me. That being said, I wouldn’t charicuturize him as some kind of punk bitch. Money or not, not someone I’d look to fuck around with. But my point is, old timers and new guys alike, everyone at least knows of him regardless of opinion
Yes I understand everyone knows him. He's a Capo so obviously he carries weight in whatever capacity there is now with the family. My point on him specifically, and related to the original argument, is that he's sort of a popcorn wiseguy imo. Meaning hes made some smart legitimate financial/business decisions but doesn't have a real wiseguy track record. Which to me screams " a guy who bought in ". Forget about who he married in to and who he was close with. Has he been called upon on in the life? I.e hits, knocking over trucks, etc.
As I mentioned I have family in law enforcement both active and retired. and again I will say that when this convo is brought up about what's going on, I've always been told he's on the list, he prob has some influence, but there's not much there.