In Anthony M. DeStefano's book, "Vinny Gorgeous: The Ugly Rise And Fall Of A New York Mobster," he wrote that when Massino turned state's evidence he testified that Sonny Black was not murdered because he vouched for Donnie Brasco, but because Sonny wanted to take over the Bonnano family.
That book wasn't very good. Not nearly as good as DeStefano's book about Massino, anyway.
He made Vinny out to be some guy strutting around Throggs Neck like some kind of cocky emperor. That wasn't the case. Because first of all, he wasn't boss for very long. Second of all, when he was still just a soldier there were a dozen other guys living here in Throggs Neck, Pelham Bay and Country Club who had more clout. And they were certainly more well known. And third, he wasn't nearly as brash and arrogant as the media portrayed him.
The media liked the way he dressed, so they built him into another Gotti. But Vinny had a lot more going on than just the street. He had legitimate businesses all over the place, where Gotti couldn't be bothered with such things. Vinny could have made it in the straight world. I'm not so sure about Gotti.
And on top of that, that author pushed the "Vinny from the Bronx" thing a little too hard. Vinny grew up in the Park Hill section of Yonkers. He didn't even move down here until after he married his wife. Now
her family has been in Throggs Neck forever. Nice people
.
