Vito, like other smart Dons, lived a low-profile life and had a legitimate front—Genco Pura Olive Oil—to cover him and provide a source of taxable income to keep the IRS at bay. But by II Michael was leading a high-profile public life—attest the cast of thousands at Anthony’s party and his “magnificent endowment” to the State University. And, by III, he seemed intent on being known far and wide as one of America’s prime philanthropists. He even invited the media to cover his party after being invested as a Knight of St. Sebastian.

This raises a question: What was the “legitimate” source of his wealth that enabled him to go public with his lavish philanthropy and lead a high-profile life? In III, Abbandando tells the media that he “sold the casinos.” But when he testified at the Senate hearings in II, he never admitted to having a big stake in the casinos: he said he “owned some stock in the hotels…I also own stock in IBM and ITT.” So, what was the source or cover for the “legitimate” money that enabled his high-profile philanthropy in II and III?