From what I recall from reading the book, he was born in Brooklyn and later raised in Staten Island. As a young punk he moved between gangs in Staten Island and Brooklyn. He was involved in a home invasion on S.I. in which the homeowner was shot and killed. He was running with the Bath ave crew at that time, but he also ran with the New Springfield boys on S.I> which was also home to Lee D'Avanzo who is married to Drita D'Avanzo of the Mob Wives show on TV. He was living the high life in South Beach and dating actreses left and right. He ratted out his buddies from the Bath Ave. crew and they are all doing long sentences while he is back living the high life out in the open. He does not seem to fear reprisals.