Any news about this old mafioso .?. I remember hearing he's still alive . I could be wrong . But what a fascinating story none the less . He ruled his family for over 35 years and the last of the first commision . Your thoughts...

He's currently alive and kicking, at 96 years of age. Lives in Tuscon, Arizona, with his son Bill Bonnano, who is nearly 70. Bonnano may have avoided prison most of his life, and ruled his family relatively well but he was very phony and lied alot, especially after his captaincy. For one, he was "kidnapped" around 1965 or so, and only let go when he negotiated his way out. Then he pulled out of the Cosa Nostra in 1967 with his son. He released a book in 1983 (I think) called 'Men of Honor'. When it was released, he went on television plugging it and talking about things that were not even government knowledge yet, like The Commission. This upset alot of gangsters, and as a result of not answering questions regarding his book to an investigation commitee, he was sentenced to five years in prison. He left prison for the last time in 1986, at the age of 81. He claims never to have dealt in the 'junk' business (drugs), yet many gangsters are overheard talking about him on surveillance bugs, among them Tony Corallo and Anthony Salerno, and many others. They all claim (and they would know) that he made piles of money from drugs, and was very trigger happy, contrary to Bonnano who said he didn't like to resort to violence. His book makes him, and his now nearly dissolved family, look like saints. Fact of the matter is, Bonnano was exiled from being on The Commission because it brought so much heat on the Cosa Nostra due to his drug dealing. A cover operation named 'The Pizza Connection' was targetted mostly at the Bonnano crime family, and it ended up with more than 100 mobsters biting the dust for drug dealing.
The family is currently under the control of Joseph Massino, 58, who is apparently low key and good with electronics. Little is known of the future, but the size has been reduced to maybe around 100 from its peak at 350+. Like Lucchese and Colombo, it is crumbling to the point of nonexistance. Its most powerful era was the 70s into the early 80s, and after that it was all downhill. For all the families. The Gambino's have been compared to a limo filled with capi's that is in a freefall, plummeting deeper and deeper since Paul Castellano's murder and John Gotti's permanent incarceration. There is little doubt that anyone going down that road today will end up with a lengthy prison sentence. Even the Genovese crime family, regarded as the "rolls royce" of organized crime has lost much territory and union power, yet it does remain probably the richest and most powerful crime family in America. Boss Vincent Gigante's 12 year incerceration in 1996 has been a setback for them.
Overall, there is no honor in organized crime, at least not today, and Joseph Bonnano must be getting truly senile if he expects anyone to believe him. His son did a miniseries called Joseph Bonnano: A Godfather's Story, which was released on VHS two years ago and airs here every now and then, it is as shameful as the book was.

[ September 02, 2001: Message edited by: Joey Montana ]

Thats excellent, thanks Joey, very informative.

Great post Joey Montana. Bill Bonanno wrote a book and in it he says some disparaging remarks about Carlo Gambino. I think its sour grapes from when his father was considered by some to be the prototype old world boss and then Carlo became the de facto 'capo di tutti capi'.

Have to agree that the mob is in such disarray I'm not sure if it will ever come back. Yeah, they will always be up to something but I think their hey day is gone forever.

The Russians, in my opinion, are the next big crime organization in the U.S. They're off to a great start. When they get the 'lay of the land' and get more aclimated they'll be tougher. Political power through payoffs is next in line for them as well as buying off cops and other public officials. After that happens, sky's the limit.

But I digress. The Bonannos are what's subject here. As J.M. said in an earlier post, they lost their commission seat, thanks to their boss directly involved in drugs. They are also the smallest family.

...thanks for the info gents . I read those books mentioned . And just wanted to know some other opions . Thanx again... Pasiano

Didn't a lot of details about The Commission come to light prior to 1983 as a result of the Donnie Brasco operation? I checked Amazon.com for the release date of Man of Honor, but it didn't have it. So mine might be a moot question.

Anyone know if Bill Bonanno is still married to Rosalie Profaci?

Does anyone else take the view that the government's single minded crusade to abolish La Cosa Nostra has opened America up to the rest of the mob's? Russian? Chinese? Japanese? Colombian? Anyone take the view that the government could have isolated the Mafia enough to leave it strong enough to fight off the new inavaders to their territory and rackets?

I don't think the gov't plays favorites when it comes to organized crime. The Italian Mafia was here first, was the biggest and the most powerful. So that's where the effort was concentrated.

The Italian Mafia is losing power to the Russiand and others for more reasons than just the gov't. The Russians, the Triads and others are simply more ruthless and hungry at this point. Even without gov't interference, the Italian Mafia would still be in a state of decline at this point.

The Russians are like barbarians.

[ September 10, 2001: Message edited by: MobbingForMoney ]

Think again dude, they are very smart. I don't think the Sicilians have the power to beat them this time.

I never said they were stupid barbarians.

Ok, you win.

Come on Don_Michel I never meant it like that.(Yes I won HAHAHAHAAHHAH)

The only movie I have ever seen on Bonanno was a rather sappy Lifetime for Women television movie "Men of Honor-The Last Mafia Marriage" and it told the story mostly from Rosalie's point of view. Not academy award stuff but pretty entertaining for a Sunday afternoon. Stars Nancy McKeon as Rosalie, Eric Roberts as Bill and Ben Gazarra as Joseph. I often wondered what ever became of her and the kids.