Mafia survivor and author Frank Dimatteo joins me today for a discussion of his book President Street Boys: Growing up Mafia. Frank explains how he grew up in a world of mobsters in South Brooklyn. We explore the world in which he was born into in South Brooklyn. We talk about famed gangster and “Crazy” Joe Gallo and the Gallo crew as a whole. Frank explains how the Gallo Crew fit into the larger fabric of the New York Mafia, and their eventual war with the Profaci family. Frank talks about the uniqueness of the Gallo crew which included strong ties to black criminal syndicates, a hodge-podge of members including Syrians, Puerto Ricans, and Poles, down to the infamous Mondo The Midget and his pet lion. Frank then tells us about his own family. He talks about his father Ricky who was a trusted Gallo Crew member and the bodyguard to Larry Gallo. Frank tells us about his experiences living in a world filled in which violence was fairly normalized and his own introduction to “the life.” Frank tells us about his early days driving his father and other mafioso around at the tender age of thirteen. We also discuss what it was like growing up during a mob war.
Frank and I also touch on his time working for the infamous trendsetting porn magazine Screw. Frank explains how the Gallo Crew ran the magazine and the ins and outs of the magazines distribution. Frank gives us an interesting take on Screw’s creator Al Goldstein. Frank and I also discuss the reality of mob life. We talk about the not so glamorous facets of this world and the corrupting power of money and the pursuit of it.
Unfortunately Frank’s phone died during our interview so I finish off by rambling on about the Epstein case, Yemen, Trump, the latest YouTube celebrity George Webb, and the reality of how geopolitics works.
https://porkinspolicyreview.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/ppr-episode-81-frank-dimatteo-president-st-boys.mp3
Download PPR episode 81
Show Notes:
President Street Boys: Growing Up Mafia
Mob Candy
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