Boxing and the Mob: A Dangerous Dance

Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano used to be John Gotti’s right-hand man, in October 1991, after learning Gotti had bad-mouthed him on government wiretaps inside their Little Italy headquarters, the Ravenite Social Club, he turned himself over to the feds. As a federal prisoner and government informant, Gravano, 47, testified before the Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations about the mob’s connections with boxing, in addition to many other investigations. In exchange for turning himself in to the government, Sammy got a sweetheart deal — a mere five years in prison for 19 homicides and a key role in other illicit businesses. After his release, he entered the federal witness protection program, but was convicted in 2001 for dealing ecstasy and served two more decades behind bars. He was released in 2017.

His testimony is notable for his many references to potential deals with Donald Trump, and for his articulate, intelligent and nostalgic testimony.

Listen to the episode here.