Originally Posted by Hollander
The Russians led by Marat Balagula started with the gasoline scams

Yes. According to Franzese, in a TV interview, Balagula came to him seeking protection from another Russian gangster.

Ntra la porta tua lu sangu � sparsu,
E nun me mporta si ce muoru accisu...
E s'iddu muoru e vaju mparadisu
Si nun ce truovo a ttia, mancu ce trasu.