Sammy Gravano

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Salvatore Gravano was born in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, to Sicilian parents. He joined the Rampers street gang at age 13 after fighting thieves who stole his bicycle; made men watching remarked he fought "like a bull," giving him his nickname. He had dyslexia, was bullied, and did poorly in school, being sent to a school for "incorrigibles." In 1964, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, served as a mess hall cook, and received an honorable discharge as a corporal. He married Debra Scibetta in 1971 and had two children. Gravano first associated with the Mafia in 1968 through the Colombo crime family, committing his first murder in 1970—that of Joseph Colucci. He later transferred to the Gambino family under capo Salvatore "Toddo" Aurello. In 1985, he conspired with John Gotti and others to murder Gambino boss Paul Castellano, playing a key role in planning and executing the killing. After Castellano's murder, Gotti elevated Gravano to captain, then consigliere in 1987, and underboss in 1988. In 1991, Gravano agreed to testify against Gotti after hearing the boss make disparaging and untrue remarks about him on a wiretap. His testimony led to life sentences for Gotti and Frank LoCascio in 1992. Gravano received a five-year sentence in 1994 but was released early after serving less than one year. He entered the Witness Protection Program but left after eight months, moving to Arizona. In 2000, he was arrested on drug charges, and in 2002 he was sentenced to twenty years in prison, released in September 2017.

Reader's Guide

Sammy Gravano's significance lies in his role as one of the highest-ranking members of the Five Families to break his blood oath and cooperate with the government. His testimony directly resulted in the conviction of Gambino boss John Gotti and others, dealing a major blow to organized crime in New York. Federal authorities credited his cooperation with 37 convictions, nine people awaiting trial, and eight resignations from unions, as well as indirectly encouraging other witnesses. Gravano's life illustrates the internal dynamics of the Mafia, including the importance of personal loyalty and the risks of betrayal. His later arrest for drug trafficking shows that even high-profile cooperators sometimes return to criminal activity. His story has been documented in the book 'Underboss' by Peter Maas and through his daughter's reality TV appearance and memoir.

Did You Know?

• Gravano's nickname "The Bull" came from made men who saw him fight as a teenager and remarked he fought "like a bull."
• He committed his first murder in 1970, killing Joseph Colucci, and later described the experience in detail, saying he felt like he was "a million miles away."
• Gravano was a childhood friend of Colombo crime family associate Gerard Pappa.
• In 1994, federal authorities stated that Gravano's testimony led to 37 convictions, nine people awaiting trial, and eight resignations from unions.
• Gravano's daughter Karen appeared on the VH1 reality series 'Mob Wives' starting in 2011 and released a book in 2013 titled 'Mob Daughter: The Mafia, Sammy "The Bull" Gravano, and Me!'