The Unseen Maneuvering Behind the Fall of Carmine Galante
Introduction: Carmine “Lilo” Galante, known as “The Cigar” for his constant puffing on cigars, was one of the most feared and ruthless Mafia bosses of his time. His murder in 1979 at Joe and Mary’s Restaurant in Bushwick, Brooklyn, remains one of the most notorious hits in Mafia history. However, the events leading up to his RUBOUT involve intricate power plays and secretive decision-making by the leaders of New York’s Five Families. These lesser-known facts reveal the delicate balancing act of power within the Mafia and the lengths to which the Commission would go to maintain order.
The Power Shift After Joe Bonanno:
• When Joe Bonanno, the long-time boss of the Bonanno family, was forced into retirement in the mid-1960s, it left a power vacuum that the Commission was eager to control. Rather than appointing a single leader, the Commission installed a panel to run the Bonanno family. This move was designed to prevent any one man from consolidating too much power—a lesson learned from Bonanno’s own attempt to seize control of the Mafia through the “Banana War.”
• Natale Evola, a seasoned mafioso, eventually emerged as the acting boss of the family, though he was notably kept off the Commission, signaling the other families’ reluctance to fully legitimize the Bonanno leadership during this period. Evola’s tenure was short-lived, as he died of cancer in 1973, leaving the family once again in need of a leader.
The Rise of Philip Rastelli:
• After Evola’s death, the Bonanno capos voted, and Philip “Rusty” Rastelli was chosen as the new boss. Rastelli was a capable and respected leader, but his time at the top was immediately complicated by legal troubles. Despite being officially recognized as the boss by the Commission in 1974, Rastelli found himself back behind bars shortly thereafter. His imprisonment left a power vacuum that Carmine Galante was more than willing to exploit.
Carmine Galante’s Unchecked Ambition:
• Galante, who had recently been released from prison, saw an opportunity to take control of the Bonanno family and acted decisively. Leveraging his connections with Sicilian Mafia members—often referred to as the “Zips”—Galante began to muscle in on the family’s dope dealings. His aggressive tactics and refusal to respect the authority of the Commission alienated him from the other bosses, making him a significant threat to the delicate balance of power within the New York Mafia.
The Commission’s Decision:
• The move to take down Galante didn’t originate within the Bonanno family but rather from Frank “Funzi” Tieri, the front boss of the Genovese family. Recognizing the threat Galante posed not just to the Bonannos but to the entire Mafia structure in New York, Tieri began lobbying the Commission to sanction a hit on Galante.
• Though imprisoned, Rastelli was still able to exert influence. He communicated his support for the hit through his loyal capo, Joe Massino, who relayed Rastelli’s approval to the Commission. This endorsement was crucial, as it signaled that the Bonanno family leadership, at least in theory, was on board with eliminating Galante.
The Final Vote:
• In 1979, the Commission voted on whether to authorize the taking out of Carmine Galante. All the bosses except for Carmine Persico of the Colombo family approved the hit. Persico, who had previously spent time in prison with Galante and had a friendly relationship with him, was the lone dissenting voice. However, in the Mafia, majority rule prevails, and with the other bosses in agreement, the plan to eliminate Galante was set in motion.
The Infamous Hit:
• On July 12, 1979, Carmine Galante’s reign of terror came to an end. As he dined at Joe and Mary’s Restaurant in Bushwick, Brooklyn, Galante was rubbed out along with two associates. The image of Galantewith a cigar still clenched between his teeth, became an iconic symbol of the mob.
Conclusion: The rubout of Carmine Galante was not just a moment of a hit but also a calculated move by the Mafia’s leadership to preserve their power and stability. The intricate maneuvers and decisions made behind the scenes highlight the Mafia’s complex internal politics, where loyalty, power, and survival are constantly in flux. Galante’s death marked a turning point for the Bonanno family, leading to a new era under the leadership of Philip Rastelli, albeit one fraught with its own challenges. The story of Carmine Galante is a reminder that in the world of organized crime, no one is untouchable, and the line between power and vulnerability is often razor-thin.
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CARMINE GALANTE HIT | Fast Facts on this Mob Boss getting Rubbed Out #carminegalante
