Frank Piccolo & Thomas DeBrizzi (Gambino's)

Was reading some interesting things about these two; Both were captains of the Gambino's Connecticut crew/faction.

Frank Piccolo was whacked on orders by Paul Castellano; Apparently; Piccolo was stepping on Vincent Gigante's toes; and making to much money?? Chin; went to Castellano and wanted Piccolo murdered. Piccolo was a captain and Castellano let another family strong-arm him over lucrative rackets and businesses.

My question is; If Piccolo was the captain of a NYC crew instead of Connecticut crew; Would he had been spared or demoted? How big was the CONN crew?

The next thing; Thomas DeBrizzi

He was whacked for refusing to leave Connecticut every Tuesday night to meet Gotti in NYC. Apparently in the previous administration; Thomas Bilotti was allowing DeBrizzi to miss meetings.

Did DeBrizzi deserve to be whacked?

Seems like to me; The CONN crew/Faction was expendable... What's everyone's thoughts?

Debrizzi also did something in jail that pissed off Gotti no idea what. Sammy mentioned it somewhere

But why didnt gotti break him as capo if he did something in jail. He was killed almost rite after gotti took over so probaly a message

There must have been more to it then complaining about showing up to the ravenite. He probaly would have broke him down found another capo. I think Tommy gambino took over all the soldiers in his crew anyway. Tony megale probaly killed debrrzzi but he was only inducted in 88 so there was no capo based in ct for a few years of the gambinos

@Pmac

I agree with you; Not just showing up to a meeting with Gotti shouldn't be a grounds for Murder".... Gotti had Louie DiBono whacked over something like this though didn't he?? There was a case of Nino Gaggi not wanting to meet with Gotti but he didn't get whacked.

DiBrizzi definitely pissed off Gotti in another way... Paul and Thomas Bilotti allowed DiBrizzi the choice of missing meetings aslong as the envelope was coming in...


The Frank Piccolo murder is confusing though; Why didn't Paul Castellano stick up for him and tell Chin to "Fuck off"?? Gives me reason to believe that Gigante had more power then he did.

It definitely was a little more than his stepping on the Genovese family's toes in Connecticut, I doubt that it had much if anything to do with it. He and his cousin Guido Penosi were drawing a huge amount of unwanted publicity arising out of the extortion of Wayne Newton and the Alladin Casino:

https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/0...eaded-innocent-to-charges/7536361771200/

https://www.nytimes.com/1982/07/11/nyregion/crime-force-chief-sees-impact-here.html

He got caught discussing family business on a wire, and from what I recall there was evidence that he was involved in drugs, which was a no no for Castellano, at least if you got caught. I can't find the article as to the drugs.

Anyway Castellano had enough reasons of his own to have him killed, I think that the Genovese angle was a convenient excuse for those in the family who already disliked him.

Yeah the Piccolo murder was done to appease the Chin. This was the murder that really made guys sour on Paul. Gravano said many times what a bad move that was by Paul

Yes they drew attention but Penosi ultimately walked from the case. It wasn’t a terribly strong case. In my opinion (long time CT resident here), Castellano has side rackets with Genovese family in which he alone prospered and made a lot of money. Piccolo earned well and at that point Paul would only get a cut of Piccolos take. He sold a captain for profit. Piccolo want the only person getting caught on a wire, and not all of them were executed for it. Furthermore, In the the history of US LCN, there were worse members than Piccolo. The drugs were rumor— he was never convicted of any drug charge and aside from the Wayne Newton incident, his arrest jacket did not have many felonies if any— mostly gambling charges. This was a poor decision on Paul that further made it easier for Gotti to make his move. If you don’t protect yours, than what’s the point?

@JCrusher

If Castellano refused to get rid of Frank Piccolo; Do you think Chin would have still went on with a unsanctioned hit on Piccolo?


@JC

I agree; It was more then stepping on Gigante's toes.... There's way more too it.