“Join us on Real Mob Stories with James Proctor as we unravel the life and unsolved rubout of Vincent ‘Jimmy the Gent’ Rotondo. Was it Riggi, Gotti, or Gaspipe behind his shocking demise? Let’s explore the theories and the legacy of this DeCavalcante capo.”
“Welcome back to Real Mob Stories with James Proctor. Today, we’re diving into one of the most puzzling rubouts in mob history—the clipping of Vincent ‘Jimmy the Gent’ Rotondo. Gunned down outside his Brooklyn home on January 4, 1988, Jimmy’s rubout remains unsolved, leaving behind a trail of questions and conspiracy theories that still stir debate over 35 years later.
Chapter 1: Who Was Jimmy Rotondo?
Born in 1930 in Brooklyn’s Gowanus neighborhood, Jimmy Rotondo grew up amid the hustle and danger of the Red Hook docks. Like his father before him, Jimmy worked the docks, a hotbed for mob activity controlled by figures like Albert Anastasia. By the 1960s, Jimmy’s charisma and business sense earned him a spot in the DeCavalcante family, and he rose to Caporegime by the late 1970s.
Known for his fairness and connections, Jimmy became a moneymaker through loansharking and labor racketeering. By the 1980s, he was living comfortably in Bergen Beach, Brooklyn, and collaborating with high-profile figures like Michael Franzese. He was a respected figure in the underworld and avoided unnecessary conflict—making his take down all the more shocking.
Chapter 2: The Night of the Rubout
On the evening of January 4, 1988, Jimmy returned home after running errands, including picking up mushrooms for dinner. As he parked his car outside his Bergen Beach house, a person ambushed him, taking six and taking him out instantly. His son discovered his him shortly after.
The media sensationalized the rubout, claiming a symbolic ‘fish’ was left at the scene—a nod to ‘sleeping with the fishes.’ In reality, it was the mushrooms Jimmy had picked up earlier. Theories about the event swirled immediately, with speculation pointing at everyone from John Riggi to John Gotti.
Chapter 3: Who Ordered it?
Let’s explore the suspects:
John Riggi
As the DeCavalcante boss, Riggi would seem an obvious suspect. But those who knew Jimmy described him as fiercely loyal to Riggi, making it unlikely he was targeted by his own boss. Riggi’s later imprisonment further distanced him from involvement.
John Gotti
The Gambino boss expressed outrage over Jimmy’s take down reportedly calling it an unsanctioned event While some claim Gotti saw Jimmy as a threat, others close to Gotti dismiss the idea. Gotti’s anger following the event seems genuine, suggesting he wasn’t behind it.
Anthony ‘Gaspipe’ Casso
The volatile Lucchese underboss, known for his unpredictable nature, lived near Jimmy. Casso may have seen Jimmy’s strong ties to the Gambinos as a threat, and his history of impulsive takedowns adds weight to this theory. If anyone acted without permission, Casso fits the profile.
Chapter 4: The Aftermath
Jimmy’s rubout sent shockwaves through the DeCavalcante family, which soon fell under the Gambinos’ influence after Riggi’s imprisonment. The FBI intensified its crackdown on the family, leading to major indictments in 1999. Ironically, Jimmy’s son, Anthony Rotondo, later turned government informant, providing testimony that shook the mob to its core.
Anthony accused John Gotti of orchestrating it, but those close to the case—and Gotti himself—denied it. With Riggi, Gotti, and Casso all in the mix, the truth remains elusive, and Jimmy’s going to the land of the non living continues to be one of the mob’s enduring mysteries.
Conclusion
Was Jimmy Rotondo’s rubout a calculated move by Riggi, an impulsive decision by Casso, or something else entirely? His demise marked the end of an era for the DeCavalcante family and left a hole in the lives of those who knew him.
What’s your take? Could Gaspipe’s paranoia have driven it or was there a deeper conspiracy? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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