Gravano might have been telling truth, or he could have been making it up. Conte and Castellano had very big food distribution going through Key Foods owned by Conte, and Metropolitan Beef Chain, owned by Castellano. I think Conte financed his business through old drug money, but after he was up and running he seems to have stayed clear of drugs or anything else. He had to be tied to Castellano though early Mafia relationship he could not get out of. Or he liked staying involved for matters like union help.
Gravano had no reason to lie about that. Conte passed along drug money to Castellano, as well as to Gotti later.
Gravano had reasons to lie if he was coaxed into it, or if he wanted to lash out at other Gambino Family members. He said he flipped because of Gotti, yet he told on everyone. He also said he was going straight, yet got right into things as soon as he hit Arizona. With Castellano's home wired to catch all conversations, did any come up where him and Conte discussed their dealings?
