By alexandreManagement

Joseph ‘Big Joey’ Massino, First Ex-NY Mob-Boss-Turned-Rat, Dead at 80

Joseph ‘Big Joey’ Massino, First Ex-NY Mob-Boss-Turned-Rat, Dead at 80

Joseph ‘Big Joey’ Massino, the former boss of the Bonanno crime family in New York, has passed away at the age of 80. Massino, who became the first Mafia boss to testify against his own kind, died on June 24th, 2021, at a medical center in North Carolina. His death marks the end of an era in the criminal underworld.

Massino’s life and reign over the Bonanno crime family were characterized by violence, power, and betrayal. His decision to cooperate with law enforcement authorities and become an informant shocked the organized crime world and led to the conviction of many high-ranking mobsters.

The Rise of Big Joey

Joseph Massino was born on January 10, 1943, in Queens, New York. Growing up in a working-class Italian-American neighborhood, he was exposed to the world of organized crime from a young age. Massino joined the Bonanno crime family in the late 1960s and quickly climbed the ranks due to his ruthlessness and street smarts.

In the early 1990s, Massino became the boss of the Bonanno family, taking over from his predecessor Philip Rastelli. As the head of one of the infamous Five Families of New York, Massino held immense power and controlled various illegal activities, including extortion, drug trafficking, and loan sharking.

During his reign, Massino earned the nickname ‘Big Joey’ due to his imposing physical presence and larger-than-life personality. He was known for his ability to instill fear in both his associates and rivals.

The Turncoat

In 2004, facing multiple life sentences for his involvement in various crimes, Massino made the unprecedented decision to cooperate with the government. He became the first official boss of a New York Mafia family to become a government witness, earning him the label of a ‘rat’ or ‘snitch’ within the criminal underworld.

Massino’s decision to become an informant was motivated by self-preservation and a desire to protect his assets. By testifying against his former associates and providing crucial information about the inner workings of the Bonanno family, he secured a reduced sentence and protection for himself and his family.

Massino’s cooperation led to the indictment and conviction of multiple mobsters, including his own underboss and brother-in-law, Salvatore Vitale. His testimony also played a pivotal role in dismantling the Bonanno family’s hierarchy and weakening the organization as a whole.

The Legacy of Big Joey

Joseph Massino’s life and actions have left an indelible mark on the history of organized crime in America. His decision to cooperate with the authorities shattered the unwritten code of silence within the Mafia and exposed its inner workings to the public.

While some view Massino as a traitor who betrayed his oath and the loyalty of his fellow mobsters, others see him as a necessary evil who helped law enforcement dismantle a dangerous criminal enterprise. Regardless of one’s perspective, there is no denying the significance of his cooperation in the fight against organized crime.

With Massino’s passing, a chapter in the history of the Mafia comes to a close. His death serves as a reminder of the ever-evolving nature of criminal organizations and the unpredictable paths that individuals within them may take.

Joseph ‘Big Joey’ Massino, the former boss of the Bonanno crime family, has died at the age of 80. His life was characterized by power, violence, and ultimately, betrayal. As the first Mafia boss to turn informant, his actions had far-reaching consequences for the criminal underworld. Whether viewed as a traitor or a necessary evil, Massino’s legacy will forever be intertwined with the history of organized crime in America.

His decision to cooperate with law enforcement shattered the code of silence and exposed the inner workings of the Mafia. With his passing, a chapter in the history of the Mafia comes to a close, leaving behind a complex legacy that continues to captivate and intrigue.