Gangland 9/6/2021

[Dr031718]

This Week in Gang Land
By Jerry Capeci

The Day John Gotti Got 10 Delicious Juicy Oranges At The MCC

Gang Land Exclusive!John Gotti at Marion There have been many Mafia bosses housed at the soon-to-be-closed Metropolitan Correctional Center that opened on Park Row 36 years ago. But the MCC story that rocked the mob world involved a decision back on November 8, 1991 by a pint-sized wiseguy who became the first underboss to take the witness stand against his Mafia boss.

But one of the best untold wiseguy stories about the MCC took place about 10 months before Salvatore (Sammy Bull) Gravano walked out of the grungy-looking 12-story structure. It happened on the day that Gambino consigliere Frank (Frankie Loc) Locascio clipped a dozen big fat juicy oranges from the MCC's kitchen and put ten of them aside for his still sleeping boss, John Gotti.

While Frankie Loc and Sammy Bull were waiting for the Dapper Don to awake they each enjoyed one of the delicious oranges that Locascio "robbed" from a correction officers' stash, said Gravano. "I scarfed mine right down," he said. "Frankie ate his and he put ten back in his cell for John."

Frank Locascio"They were beautiful," Gravano recalled, "He was on KP duty, he just went out. When he came back, I said, 'Where the fuck did you get that?' I never seen anything like that in prison. He said that they were off on the side, they were probably for the guards. They probably hid them. They give us the little shit ones, dried out shit, and kept them for themselves."

"These were big, juicy, beautiful fucking oranges," Gravano continued. "That's why Frankie was so excited; he robbed the guards' oranges and brought them in. And brought them to me, one for me, one for him, and he was giving John ten."

It was less than four years after the swashbuckling Gotti had won a stunning acquittal at trial and earned the ire of the entire law enforcement community by flaunting it and becoming a celebrity gangster. The Dapper Don went to the fights with his aide-de-camp John (Jackie Nose) D'Amico. He often danced the nights away at the Rainbow Room. And he held court several nights a week on Mulberry Street.

The trio was in an eight man cell block that MCC officials said was a "general population" unit after Judge I. Leo Glasser threatened to set bail for them on January 18, 1991 if the warden didn't "release Gotti, Gravano and Locascio from administrative detention."

The MCC had created the special unit after Glasser ruled — nearly six weeks after their arrests — that their "lockdown" confinement was "punitive" because the defendants had not committed any acts suggesting that they posed "a serious threat to life, property, self, staff, or other inmates, or to the security or orderly running of the institution."

Salvatore Gravano"When Frankie seen John coming out," Gravano said, "he ran to his cell. He came out and he put (the oranges) on the table. He says, 'Here John, these are for you.'" Gotti, Gravano graphically recalled, wasn't impressed. "He told him, 'Stick them up your fucking ass!' He pointed to me, 'You ask HIM first? I'm the fucking boss.'"

"I was dumbfounded, so was Frankie. We couldn't even believe it. He was mad because he was still sleeping and Frankie gave me one orange, even though Frankie had ten of them set aside for him. He wasn't told first, he said. That was a notorious argument.

"I said, 'John, he got ten for YOU, what the fuck are you talking about?'
"'Shut the fuck up,' he told me. 'Nobody's talking to you.'"

Jackie Nose D'Amico and John Gotti"So now he's ripping into Frank and all of the other fucking guys in the tier are all standing outside just looking at him, and (one of them) started to come over," Gravano continued. "I clapped my hands, 'Stop.' I didn't want Frankie to be abused like that in front of these guys. I said, 'The rest of you fellas, do me a favor and go back in your fucking cells,' and they did."

"He exploded, 'What are you a tough guy? You giving the fucking orders around here now?' I said, 'John, did you lose your mind? You've got the right to abuse him but not in front of all these guys, bro.'"

"It had nothing to do with me being a tough guy," said Gravano. "I didn't want Frankie to be abused in front of them."

"But, he ripped into me," The Bull continued. "Then I answered him back again and he grabbed the fucking table like he was getting up, like he was going to throw a punch. I said, 'Yeah bro, throw a punch. You know Cosa Nostra. I got the right to defend myself. I'll fucking kill you. Throw the punch. Throw it.'"

John Gleeson"And he said, 'We'll take care of this on the street.' And I said, 'We sure the fuck will.'"

Not long after Orange Day, which most likely took place in early February, the MCC dismantled the eight man unit and moved the Gambino trio into separate general population units, which entitled them to a weekly visit to the prison library.

And wouldn't you know it, according to Gravano, "they fucked up with me and John," who had both put the orange day craziness behind them.

As it turned out, Gravano recalled, the MCC had scheduled both him and Gotti, whose cells were in different units, to visit the prison library at the same time on Tuesdays, and they "sat and talked" until they were returned to their own units.

But the MCC quickly "realized they fucked up" and "switched my day to Thursday," said Sammy Bull. And in typical MCC fashion, the prison scheduled Gravano's library day visit on the same day and at the same time as Locascio. "So we were sitting and talking in there like me and John did on Tuesday," he said.

At a meeting with their lawyers a day or two later, Gravano continued, "John said, 'Listen, they got eyes and ears all over this place. You think I'm a fucking fool? You don't think I know youse were meeting behind my back?'"

George Gabriel"I said, 'John, are you joking or what? What meeting?' 'In the fucking library.' 'We created it? The prison moved me to Thursday 'cause they don't want us meeting. You think the prison wants me and Frankie to talk behind your fucking back?'"

"The next Thursday," said Sammy Bull, "when I get to the library, Frankie's not there. They changed his time."

"Things were getting stupider and stupider every day," said Gravano. "And this was long before I even thought about what I did on November 8."

By then, The Bull recalled, all the tense cloak and dagger stuff involving his decision to become a cooperating witness had ended. He had secretly met and told his family members. He had met with FBI supervisor Bruce Mouw, and case agent George Gabriel, and with then prosecutor John Gleeson.

Bruce MouwHis MCC exit went smooth as silk. The prison officials told him at a lawyers meeting that they had scheduled him and a "bunch of guys, about ten of us" for a late night run, when traffic is lighter, to the Bureau of Prisons facility in Otisville NY. At the time, the Orange County prison served as a satellite for the MCC, which once housed 700 inmates and now holds 232. There are now 564 inmates at Otisville, according to the BOP database.

"I was on the back end of a chain gang going to Otisville," said Gravano. "They stopped when they were downstairs. That's when all the prison guys showed up with the FBI. They uncuffed my leg irons, and the chain gang went on to Otisville without me, and I walked out the door with the FBI."

As for the ten oranges that Frankie Loc tried to give the Dapper Don. "I gave them to the other guys in the unit. If you can find any of them," said Sammy Bull, "they'll confirm they were fucking delicious."

Gang Land has a line on two of them, and intends to give that a whirl. And who knows, maybe one of the five inmates who were housed with Gotti, Gravano and Locascio in that eight man "general population" MCC unit back in 1991 are still around, and will give us a shout — about that or other tales from that dirty red brick tower that is soon to be no more.

When The Ship Comes In For A Wiseguy's Son

Pasquale FalcettiWhen Genovese capo Pasquale (Uncle Patty) Falcetti rightly feared back in 2001 that he was going to be facing a long stretch behind bars for labor racketeering on the waterfront, he wanted to be sure his family members would be able to get by while he was "away."

Falcetti had an old "friend," Harold Daggett, then and now a big honcho in the International Longshoremen's Association, get his son Pasquale Jr., a sweet union job as a truck inspector when he graduated high school in 2001, as Gang Land revealed last week. This put Falcetti's mind at ease in 2003, when he got hit with seven years for racketeering.

The friendship with ILA president Daggett and Daggett's son, Dennis, also helped Falcetti keep Pasquale Jr. working, even after he lost his job in 2012 when his company, Apexel, relocated onto the New Jersey piers and its workers became subject to scrutiny by the Waterfront Commission, Gang Land has learned.

Harold DaggettIn February of 2015, a year after Apexel dropped its sponsorship of Falcetti Jr.'s job and his attorney, George Daggett, a cousin of the ILA president, had sued the Waterfront Commission in a vain attempt to get it back, the younger Falcetti was working as a longshoreman in Miami, according to a tape recorded prison conversation he had with his dad.

Uncle Patty, who had been released from prison in 2008, had begun serving a 30 month bid for loansharking in late 2014.

"So how's everything?" asked the doting dad from his digs at the federal prison compound at Fort Dix. "Did you go to work today?"
"Yeah," replied his son. "I went to work today, tomorrow, and Monday. I think there's a ship's in then I will probably be off a couple days."

Senior: "When the ship comes in, you gotta work it, right?"
Junior: "Well yeah, yeah, yeah. Well if they have me on you know."
Senior: "Well just stay on top of it. Make sure you stay in touch with everyone."
Junior: "If win the lawsuit, I get my spot back, that's it."
Senior: "Exactly, exactly, just stay on top with everybody."

During three of the four taped prison talks between February and July of 2015 that the Waterfront Commission used to bounce longtime reefer mechanic Frank (Cheech) Ferrara from the docks in 2018 for associating with Falcetti, Uncle Patty asked his son whether he had spoken to Dennis Daggett.

Dennis DaggettDennis, and his father, whom he succeeded as president of Local 1804-1, the ILA's largest and most powerful local, had both helped Falcetti Jr. get his job with Apexel back in 2002, Falcetti Jr. testified during at Waterfront Commission hearing in 2012.

"You heard from Dennis at all or not?" Falcetti asked his son in a June 21, 2015 discussion.

"Kind of," he replied. "I told him I want to go see him in the week. So, I want to go see him. I called him. I said something, you know."

"Yeah, go see, go see," advised the father. "They put ya anywhere for now . . . Off-Terminal, anywhere. Anywhere for now, just so that you are working, you know."

In July, after Falcetti Jr. told his dad that he had worked "two big boats Friday, Sunday, and then two regular days" that put him over the threshold of hours he needed for his "coverage (for) all next year," Uncle Patty was very happy. But he made sure to remind his son what he should do to maintain his status.

Pasquale Falcetti Jr.i"Good, buddy. Good," said Falcetti Sr., who paused to let the automated voice remind them that the prison call was about to end, before adding, "Stay in touch too with Dennis and all of them and see what's happening, you know?"

Meanwhile, lawyer George Daggett has asked the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court to reconsider its decision that upheld the Waterfront Commission's decision to keep young Falcetti Jr., off the New Jersey waterfront, even though it never charged him with any improper conduct that would bar him from being registered as a longshoreman.

In his filing last week, Daggett asked the court to let a jury decide whether the "circumstantial evidence" he has accumulated establishes that Apexel's general counsel Jay Ruble and Waterfront Commission attorney Paul Babchik had conspired against Falcetti Jr., and illegally cost him his job on the waterfront.

In dismissing his appeal, Daggett argued, the apppeals court judges had "analyzed" his evidence "as law school professors and not trial lawyers" who would be able to prove to a jury that his client had been unfairly deprived of a job he had worked without any trouble for 11 years.

Frankie Loc Wants A New Judge For His Last Dance

Judge I. Leo GlasserA former federal judge wants Brooklyn Federal Judge I. Leo Glasser removed from the last ditch appeal of Gambino wiseguy Frank (Frankie Loc) Locascio, claiming the judge has shown "disdain" for her client. Ex-Boston Judge Nancy Gertner also argues that Glasser has demonstrated a "firm belief that (Locascio) should not be permitted another day in court" even though he is "serving a life sentence for a murder that he did not commit."

In a biting 49-page filing that slams every legal ruling that Glasser made about a declaration of innocence by government witness Salvatore (Sammy Bull) Gravano as erroneous, Gertner argued that a new judge would likely hasten an end to the 1990 case, something that Glasser has expressed a need for in denying every prior motion by Locascio.

Gertner didn't mention in her latest appeal to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, that her ailing and aging 88-year-old client would like to have a final ruling in his case, sooner rather than later — so that in the event that it's a positive outcome, he might be able to enjoy it for at least a little while.

"To some extent," Gertner wrote, "the district court's familiarity with the larger case impeded its ability to look at just the evidence supporting" Locascio's motion regarding his innocence in the 1990 murder of mobster Louis DiBono, whose killing was unquestionably ordered by John Gotti.

Nancy Gertner"Fresh eyes could digest that evidence in several hours," she wrote. Stating that "the government's evidence supporting the DiBono murder convictions total(s) 180 pages," Gertner argued that was the only prosecution "evidence that must be weighed" against Gravano's testimony and any other evidence on Locascio's behalf that a new judge decides to admit.

In refusing to grant Locascio a hearing that included testimony by Sammy Bull, Glasser ruled that he disagreed with a Second Circuit ruling that the 2018 declaration was "newly discovered evidence," and that in any event, Gravano's statement didn't prove that Locascio was innocent.

Gertner wrote that finding that Gravano's declaration was insufficient to establish Frankie Loc's innosence "was erroneous" in at least three ways: She insisted that Glasser had failed to treat Sammy Bull's statements as if they were "proven," as he was required; the judge substituted his judgment for "a jury's likely assessment," and he wrongly concluded "that the evidence is insufficient to prove Mr. LoCascio's innocence."

She ripped Glasser for a "specious" finding that The Bull's written declaration was unbelievable because it referred to the murder victim as "Louis" DiBono since from the witness stand Gravano called him "Louie" DiBono.

Louis DiBono"The district court's argument tears down a straw man," Gertner wrote. "Gravano testified at trial about his preferred oral pronunciation of DiBono's first name," not "about his preferred written spelling," she wrote. Glasser's "treatment of the issue was unreasonable, partial, and inconsistent with the legal framework governing" legal protocols he was required to follow as a judge, wrote Gertner.

"There are occasions," she wrote, citing other court rulings, "when a matter is appropriately remanded to a different district judge not only in recognition of the 'difficulty' that a judge might have 'putting aside his previously expressed views,' but also 'to preserve the appearance of justice.'"

"Even if this Court firmly believes the district court could follow remand instructions, unimpeded by its prior ruling," Gertner told the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, "a concern arises as to the appearance of justice."

If Judge Glasser ruled against Locascio again, Gertner wrote, surely her client, "and perhaps others, unaware of [the Judge's] deserved reputation for fairness, would wonder whether the Judge had permitted his prior ruling to influence his second decision."

[JohnnyS]

Thanks for posting.

[Tonyd621]

In a court document regarding Falcettis junior appeal to get his job back- it says that ["numerous law enforcement agencies have Falcetti Sr. as a capo in the Genoveses"]

[eboli]

Thanks for posting.

Falcetti Sr. was a big player on the waterfront in the late 1990s - early 2000s before he did time in prison on racketeering charges. He was on the board of trustees for the METRO-ILA Funds and successfully pushed for Harold Daggett's appointment as the ILA's Assistant General Organizer. He was also identified as a soldier in Bellomo's Harlem/Bronx Crew and one of his most trusted underlings. Falcetti's promotion to captain likely coincided with Bellomo's promotion to boss between 2009 and 2013.

[TommyNoto]

It seems the Irish and Westside still run the show at the port which is argueably top 3 most important infrastructures in the entire USA. It must be fascinating what rackets are going on there now as they have REAL power. One would have to think their reach still extends to Miami.

I don’t think the WTC lasts ,

Total speculation but I still think someone got in Christie’s ear after the Port strike that we need to come to a common understanding with these guys to ensure it runs smoothly.

[Tonyd621]

It seems the Irish and Westside still run the show at the port which is argueably top 3 most important infrastructures in the entire USA. It must be fascinating what rackets are going on there now as they have REAL power. One would have to think their reach still extends to Miami.

I don’t think the WTC lasts ,

Total speculation but I still think someone got in Christie’s ear after the Port strike that we need to come to a common understanding with these guys to ensure it runs smoothly.

Imo it seems like the WTC has too much power. And what they show up at someone working at restaurant and question why he has unemployment benefits too? I mean cmon. It seems they go too far and can say do and go anywhere they want.

[TommyNoto]

It seems the Irish and Westside still run the show at the port which is argueably top 3 most important infrastructures in the entire USA. It must be fascinating what rackets are going on there now as they have REAL power. One would have to think their reach still extends to Miami.

I don’t think the WTC lasts ,

Total speculation but I still think someone got in Christie’s ear after the Port strike that we need to come to a common understanding with these guys to ensure it runs smoothly.

Imo it seems like the WTC has too much power. And what they show up at someone working at restaurant and question why he has unemployment benefits too? I mean cmon. It seems they go too far and can say do and go anywhere they want.

I agree they are over the top with their discrimination vs Italians lol

But I do think mob activity increases with their dismantling but most things the mob offers today are legal / legit anyways lol , as long as they ain’t killing, blantally robbing pension, everyone can co exist. They own a lot of valuable companies down there plus have the pension $. Barney’s brilliant and knows the port is everything

[Cheech]

articles about gotti and frank. like its 1989

[Bricktop]

How is the orange story a Gangland Exclusive "untold story"??

[desertdog]

Jeez...Gotti is a complete asshole, glad Sammy put him away...

[Raven]

Sammy told this exact orange story on his podcast a while ago...I get it Gotti is the most famous mafia guy of the last 30 years but c'mon enough is enough...write about something else.

[Dave65827]

That Desantis indictment can’t come fast enough

[desertdog]

Sammy must have known after the "orange's " incident that his days were numbered, a guy with a fragile ego like Gotti doesn't forget these things.

[Snakes]

Sammy told this exact orange story on his podcast a while ago...I get it Gotti is the most famous mafia guy of the last 30 years but c'mon enough is enough...write about something else.

Didn't he also talk about it in his book?

[Pogo The Clown]

Yeah it was first mentioned in his book. If I remember right Gotti wanted to whack LoCascio when the story came out.


Pogo