You can go one step further and say theres never been a family like this in America.. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. After eight years in prison, Sonny Franzese was released on parole in 1978. By the mid 90s, Michael had found God and turned his back on the Mafia. Franzese was famous as the oldest active member of the American Mafia. Soon John got proposedthe first official step toward becoming made. Dont worry, the agent said. But to be a rough-hewn New York paesan in Indianapolis was to draw notice. Greg Scarpa, Sr. - "the Grim Reaper" and 30 Year FBI Informant Posted on August 17, 2015 August 24, 2018 by Mike Dickson Greg Scarpa, Sr., was born on May 8, 1928 near Venice, Italy and immigrated to the United States with his parents and brother Salvatore at a young age. Upon entering his new life, the feds said, John couldnt bring more than 40 pounds worth of possessions. Lewicki periodically called members of the Franzese ecosystem. Sonken's Gold Coast Restaurant. (The marshal nixed Johns first choice: DiMaggio.) The boys were forbidden from reentering their bedroom after shed tidied it up. A regular at the New York City nightclub Copacabana, Franzese ran his criminal activities from New York City and New Jersey. If at any time we find out youre using drugs, Lewicki said, this stops immediately.. Marshals Service, administered a psychological evaluation and pressed him about states and cities. He blamed the FBI. Before moving to Onufrio's current city of Howard Beach, NY, Onufrio lived in Glendale NY and Middle Village NY.Onufrio Frank Franzese, Onufiro F Franzese, Onufrio F Franzese, Onufrio F Franses and Frank Onufrio are some of the alias or nicknames that Onufrio has used. The tape recording, in which a Franzese cousin was heard predicting that John Junior Gotti would end up ratting out his father rather than sit in jail was made while the younger Franzese was the real family rat, wearing a wire to help capture his own dad. He had a prized mentor in Michael, whose meteoric career trajectory was only partly due to his surname. It doesnt go away., When Im in this kind of mood, he says, Ill notice where I parked and Im like, Jeez, Im in between two cars.. Sonny adopted Michael, Tinas son who was said to be from a previous marriage, but who Michael attests was his biological father. There are a lot of Carmine Franzese during the 70's and 80's. The first was with a Mob associate: 03/08/2005: CARMINE QUAGLIARIELLO and the Cooperating Witness (CW) met at the Med Cafe, 99 2nd Avenue, New York City. Hes still a wiseguy after all these years. He wouldnt lose another sibling. Like our page to stay informed about passing of a loved one in Bethpage, New York on facebook. By now Sonny and the Colombos were aware that John had flipped. But as John moves through the restaurants parking lot, he stops cold; a half smile tightens his aquiline features. In February 2020, the infamous short seller woke up in a cold sweat when he realized the pandemic might spell pandemonium on Wall Street, as Liz Hoffman writes in her forthcoming book. He was linked by law enforcement to multimillion-dollar . Try again. John (Sonny) Franzese. Tutti netted an estimated several hundred thousand dollars annually just with this racket. I walk alone in this loneliness, toward this bright spark, knowing beginnings happen thereTRUST. It wasnt like in the movies, when they implant a microchip in your ear or hide a bug under your cazzone. Since then, he has publicly renounced organized crime, became a devoted Christian, created a foundation for helping youth, and became a motivational speaker. Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli: The Epic Story of the Making of The Godfather, http://books.google.ie/books?id=0ZygQJNYnte&f=false, http://s14.postimg.org/b3wgksahd/image_1.jpg. The first three, Maryann, Carmine, and Lorraine were products of Sonnys marriage to an aspiring actor named Ann Schiller. The mortal remains of John "Sonny" Franzese were then carried back out to the hearse. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. He was sentenced to 8 years in prison on January 14, 2011, at 93 years of age. In 1995, John was arrested for carrying an unlicensed gun. Franzese became known as the oldest mobster in history, surpassing the age of 100 and becoming the only centenarian in federal custody. After three hours, John pointed out the time. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. This snapshot of Carmine Franzese's life was captured by the 1940 U.S. Census. Always did. We cant find him. Brother, you can stay under two conditions, Michael said. Hed even arrested him a couple times for parole violations. Hed braced for this moment since 2008, when hed hurriedly packed another 40 pounds and relocated from South Carolina to Indianapolis. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Add to your scrapbook. Michael Franzese (born May 27,1951) is a former New York mobster and caporegime of the Colombo crime family who was heavily involved in the gasoline tax rackets in the 1980s. Carmine Persico was born on August 8, 1933, in Brooklyn. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. Hes killing himself one hour at a time. Once, after John stole $11,000 from a safety-deposit box, he turned to find Sonny watching him. Peter Franzese. By now John knew that Sonny had made his bones by carrying out hits for the bosses; that hed been discharged from the Army due to pronounced homicidal tendencies; and that his taste for DIY work continued even as he ascended to capo, when he began ordering hits. His mother returned his gaze. His deep-set eyes scan a lonely service street. And there was still the matter of Sonny, who again defied expectations. He wanted him to get an unrecognizable one. He didnt squeal on nobody., Dude, hes 102, Gilbreath told John. It was Galante who was considered the street boss at the time, although the incarcerated Rastelli was the official boss. He was even portrayed in Goodfellas, in the famous scene in which Henry Hill enters the Bamboo Lounge. It would have been within reason. I thought he was Louis son but no. Henry Hill had flipped on the Luccheses and Sammy the Bull Gravano had turned on John Gotti. To challenge Sonnys namesake would be to challenge Sonny, and nobody dared do that. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). Carmine John Persico Jr. (Italian: [karmine prsiko]; August 8, 1933 - March 7, 2019), also known as "Junior", "The Snake" and "Immortal", was an American mobster and the longtime boss of the Colombo crime family in New York City from 1973 until his death in 2019. . The Colombos were worried that someone in their ranks was ratting to the feds. Franzese married Cristina Capobianco-Franzese in 1957. Persico had planned to place Franzese on this panel, but in August 1986, Franzese was sent . I would have grabbed [Quagliariello] and told him, Look, you motherfucking rat bastard, Sonny replied. The family occupied one of the biggest houses on Shrub Hollow Road; it had a 40-foot-long pool, a putting green, and a museum room filled with art. Sonnys trial, in 2010, was tabloid manna. . Sonny's had a very strong hold on the music business for many years. For kicks, John and his buddies blew up cars with pipe bombs and jumped random guys. John just picked it up, put it back in his pocket, and kept talking. The target is the Colombos. Just keep it in your shirt pocket, he said. You need to go to a doctor, he said. A perfect location, he says. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. He became the new underboss after the incarceration of John "Jackie" DeRoss in 2005. According to Junior Soprano, Giovanni knew Lucky Luciano and when the Commission was formed . So you realize that it was a possibility for your father, yet you had him vouch for you. Franzese was raised along with his three brothers. John followed protocol even when he heard the last thing he wanted to hear at a meeting: Johnny Boy! He turned to see two Brooklyn guys hed known back in the day. ), Were all partners, Michael and Sonny told John. GREAT NEWS! They would come into conflict with an accomplished . Born a year apart, theyd grown up in the same area at the same time; theyd chased the same girls and cheered for the Jets. Watch. Sonnys moment of clarity arrived after he told John to visit a guy who was a problemSonny-speak for those he wanted killed. Michael Franzese grew up as the son of the notorious Underboss of New York's Colombo crime family and became a made-member in his twenties. I thought he was Louis son but no. Despite Johns proteststhe phone held his family and personal photosthe marshal filled the sink with water and submerged the device. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Images from Getty/AP. But it was conditional. When you hear things that your dad tells you, I need to know that stuff. Anybody who vouches for a guy who goes bad, Catapano said, that guy goes too.. Saint John Cemetery and Mausoleum. He stayed for nine months. . Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? Within months, though, he had a cat, a tenant, and a new name, John Maggio. Peter Franzese. Sonny wouldnt let his soldiers carry messages to the familys boss, Carmine Persico. This fucking guy, hed bellow. He said the family is crushed by his brothers betrayal. The governments trying to frame him. Proof came when Sonnys murder trial ended in an acquittal. The next came when he happened past an A.A. meeting. Try again later. Theyre gonna kill you., You know, Sonny said, it wasnt nice what you did., I know, Dad, John replied. He considered them fine places to bum smokes and pick up women. Franzese Jr. admitted that the LA County Sheriffs Office were giving him $100 a week for expenses. "Tutti" Franzese Jr. is actually Carmine Franzese III, he is a grandson of Carmine "Tutti the Lion" Franzese Snr and son of Carmine Franzese Jnr. You got to rip the guts out, Sonny said, because itll come back to haunt you.. According to John, after Sonny went to prison and Carmine left home for a hippie commune, Michael dropped out of Hofstra University and took on all of his fathers responsibilities. While Michael was still living large, John was content in Indiana, where he now manages two sober-living homes. It was generally assumed that Genovese had ordered Rupolos murder and Franzese executed it in 1964, as a favor to Genovese. A conviction seemed tantamount to a death sentence. Sonny was a devoted father with an uncanny ability to separate work and family. Made guys never discussed past killings. Parent(s) Carmine "The Lion" Franzese and Maria . He was always John Franzese Jr. Date of Birth: Oct 27, 1940 - Jun 10, 2002 (61 years old) Place of Birth: The Bronx. Michael was sharper than most wiseguys. He servedas the underboss of the Colombo crime family that is involved in organized crime activities in New York City, US. but I don't think he sonny kids cause Michael f gave a million interviews and mentions everyone but him, including his mom dad sister brother with the hiv ect. Salvatore D'Aquila was the first recognized boss of what is now called the Gambino Family, leading a large Palermitani faction in New York City as they emigrated. John was rumored to have earned $500,000 from the FBI. found in New York, New York, Marriage License Indexes, 1907-2018. Sonny didnt believe him. Excerpt from Born To The Mob by former Mob Associate Frank Saggio: "There was a meeting down in Marilou's. Sonny Franzese went down there to see them [music executives] over some business. Franzese who now has a pacemaker, hearing aids and a broken hip had been tipped in the 1960s as a potential new Colombo boss. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? That May, Michaels wife, Cammy, seized the moment and invited a surprise guest to Michaels lavish 70th birthday party. It was a relationship conducted with degrees of mutual professionalism. After exchanging pleasantries, they got down to it. John, thank you, Lewicki said, bittersweetly. Youre Sonnys son.. 420 pages of FBI files encompassing John "Sonny" Franzese Sr., his nephew Carmine "Tutti" Franzese and the broad web of the Colombo Family. A dead end., Three or four carsitd be done and over in no time. John "Sonny" Franzese, Sr. (born February 6, 1917) is a powerful Italian-American mobster who is a longtime member of the Colombo crime family.Franzese's career in organized crime spans over six decades and he served as underboss of the Colombo crime family.At the time of his release on June 23, 2017, he was the oldest federal prisoner in the United States and the only centenarian in federal . There was a day when that would happen, John replied. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. John knew why his classmates and teachers whispered about Sonny. Michael thinks that his wife, faith, and refusal to testify against former associates has safeguarded him. When Carmine Franzese was born about 1938, his father, Nufrio, was 33 and his mother, Milared, was 20. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. I think of all the people I called rats and all the ways I hated rats, John says. He was 103. The 42 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time, The 25 Best Shows on Netflix to Watch Right Now. At times, John couldnt get past how different their worlds had become. May 27, 2018 - Carmine Franzese(Brother of Sonny Franzese) May 27, 2018 - Carmine Franzese(Brother of Sonny Franzese) May 27, 2018 - Carmine Franzese(Brother of Sonny Franzese) Pinterest. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. There was a problem getting your location. John was about to be taken for a ride, he says, when one of his cousins happened to walk in. John "Sonny" Franzese Sr. (Italian: [frantseze; -ese]; February 6, 1917 - February 24, 2020) was an Italian-born American mobster who was a longtime member and former underboss of the Colombo crime family.. Franzese's career in organized crime began in the 1930s and spanned over eight decades. Did you give them your real name? He said. The label that recorded hits for artists such as Curtis Mayfield and Melanie Safka, was used by Franzese for bribing disc jockeys with payola and laundering illegal mob earnings. View Carmine Francese results including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. The cost of printing these sheets was pennies per box. Joseph Colombo promoted Franzese to the post of the underboss in 1964. The same went for Tina, with whom Sonny had a fevered relationship. I was walking around for three years untreated, Franzese Jr. said from the witness stand in Brooklyn federal court. John was a little freaked when he headed to L.A. Hes gone for days.. John stayed clean until he didnt. Youre always leakin oil.. Search above to list available cemeteries. It wasnt like in the movies, when they implant a microchip in your ear or hide a bug under your cazzone. However, his son Michael Franzese says that his father was actually born in 1919. His world was reduced to a suitcase and a plane ticket tosomewhere. You wanna say that, fine. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of John Franzese (207687839)? Tutti the Lion passed away sometime in the late 1950's or early 1960's. But is sounds like Michael is a third generation Mafia Prince. Such is the familys grip that John never fully escaped it, because he never wanted to. Carmine Salvatore Franzese Birth 9 Nov 1881. John "Sonny" Franzese Sr. (Italian: [frantseze; -ese]; February 6, 1917 - February 24, 2020) was an Italian-born American mobster who was a longtime member and underboss of the Colombo crime family. This story has been shared 121,242 times. (That guy, Im gonna see him.), Michael was the front man; John was the pleaser who kept things light and friendly. During their conversation, Franzese said that he had killed several persons and would apply nail polish on his fingertips before the murders, so that his fingerprints were not found at the crime scene. Two concrete blocks were attached to his legs, and his hands were tied before being thrown into the water. Michael was also associated with the gasoline tax rackets in the 1980s. I wanted to change my life, John said. But occasionally, when visited by certain sights or sounds, he feels a primal shudder unique to anyone whos spent years in the Federal Witness Protection Program, living a ghostly life of assumed identities and midnight relocations. Family members linked to this person will appear here. But he made a point of looking straight at everyone. They dont like Italians, Tina said. memorial page for John "Sonny" Franzese Sr. (6 Feb 1917-24 Feb 2020), Find a Grave Memorial ID 207687839, citing Saint John Cemetery and Mausoleum, Middle Village . When John landed in New York it was the first time hed been in his hometown in nine yearsnot that he saw much. He wasnt even allowed to say goodbye to his wife or his mother. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Once for the person that told Massino that the 3 capos were loading up with weapons and, the other time about a murder. Join Facebook to connect with Carmine Franzese and others you may know. How a mob life wreaked havoc on Sonny Franzese's family. We have set your language to He mocked Johns fancy, air-conditioned cars. Regardless, now he was a motivational speaker and author (Quitting the Mob). Franzese was finally netted in March 1967, when he was found guilty of masterminding several bank robberies. That Michael was the one who told him the truth only made sense. Johns permanent relocation site, Columbia, South Carolina, was a bit too My Cousin Vinny. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. harley moon kemp partner; baseball puns for marketing; ehren mcghehey snowboarding Its not an everyday thing, the feeling; it hits him less and less as the bad old daysthe days when I was a lying degenerate, John says, the days when I was a thieving, disgusting animalrecede in his rearview. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Lets go on the side., John wheeled him into a private room and asked, Are you sure you know who this is?, Its coming to me, Sonny replied. His human interactions were limited to 12-step meetings, diner chitchat, and covert trial-prep sessions with prosecutors. Xchangetelecom is the fastest internet provider available at this address. based on information from your browser. However, he was sent back to prison for parole violations. But John also documented multiple rackets and schemes: extorting and robbing clubs, hijacking a marijuana operation, and pummeling anyone who didnt pay up. But if youre asked to kill someone, Michael said, you got to., Theres never been a mob family in America like the Franzese family, says Johns former FBI handler, Robert Lewicki. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Print Share. Thanks for contacting us. His personality was so relatable, and his intel was so good, that the two men formed a kind of friendship. The official story continued even after Sonny was convicted in the bank-robberies case. Asked to identify his father, John pointed at Sonny: Hes sitting there in the yellow shirt. After summarizing his rise and fall among the Colombos, John said: Im not talking about my father as a man. But relations with John remained raw. His transformation thrilled Sonny, who wanted John in the fold. The initial federal prosecutions years ago nailed the scam's corpulent mastermind, Larry Iorizzo. When Carmine Franzese was born on 9 December 1910, in Naples, Naples, Italy, his father, Francesco Franzese, was 40 and his mother, Luisa Viola Mammola, was 37. Make sure that the file is a photo. His son, Michael, is a former New York mobster and caporegime from the Colombo crime family, who operated Franzeses rackets while Franzese was in prison during the 1980s. Whenever Sonny heard about similar cases, hed explain that air gets into sunken bodies and floats them to the surface. There is some confusion regarding his birth year. His father Sonny Franzese died in February of 2020 at the age . So Sonny ditched Ann in 1959 for a teenage cigarette girl he reportedly met at the Stork Club. Michael looked at his parents and thought, Is this what our family has come to? When John arrived at Sonnys nursing home, in Queens in, he had a plan. The terms of Sonnys parole prohibited him from associating with other crooks, so being his go-between was a big deal. I think itd be good for you to hear what I have to say. In 1967, he developed a financial interest in the American record label Buddah Records that was formed the same year in New York City. John Franzese was born in Naples, Italy on 6 February 1917, and his family moved to New York City in the United . He didnt want John to get a smoother face. The Lupertazzi Family was founded by Carmine's father, Giovanni Lupertazzi. John was the fourth of Sonnys six kids, born in 1960. Michael tried to rein John in. Throughout his entire adult life, he was involved in organized crime and other criminal. By now John was midway through his mandated evolution. She is dealing with a family health matter as cohost Savannah Guthrie tests positive for COVID. He loved her and berated her; she responded by spending his money. In 1938, Franzese faced his first arrest, for assault. I dont care about anything anymore, Sonny told him. And he probably generated a gross of $400,000 to $500,000 (give or take) a year..with a net probably close to that because of such low overhead. But everyone liked the little guy who spent his days singing as he romped around Roslyn, a prosperous village on Long Islands North Shore. The Lupertazzi Crime Family is a Brooklyn-based New York City Mafia family. He was the son of the late Dominick and Carmella Romeo Franzese. Just stay in our lives now, he said. Terrestrial Fixed Wireless is a technology used by the ISP to provide . Carmine had 5 siblings: Salvatore Franzese, Margaret Franzese and 3 other siblings. I didnt get paid no half a million, John said. Get them wrinkles fixed.. Wired John sounded exactly as he normally did. The latter called Michael: Do you know where your brother is? John 'Sonny' Franzese Thomas 'Irish Tommy' McLaughlin Andrew 'Andy Mush' Russo . But now he was too drunk-sick to care. He became known for having . But this is how you stop things like this from ever happening., No. But he says the main selling point came when Lewicki suggested that Johns cooperation might take legal heat off his parents. John chose faith over flight. Franzese Jr. made history on Wednesday. Father and son barely exchanged glances, but the elder Franzese pinched the fabric of his shirt, as if to question if he was the guy being called out by his son. A family fractured. Sonny was frequently jailed for parole violations; Tina was suspected of credit card fraud. He said that proper handling of the corpse was important and talked about the procedure he followed. All rights reserved. He got there first thing in the morning, when he knew Sonny would be alone and not surrounded by visitors. He married Carolina Pedata De Pompeis on 22 February 1938, in Naples, Naples, Italy. Sonny, slumped at the defense table, wearing an expression of weary indifference, did not. Franzese worked in the gang run by Joseph Profaci in the late 1930s. Hey, Johnny Boy, Lewicki said. Such a sweet kid, everyone said. In these instances and many others, Franzese, the longtime Colombo family underboss who died in a New York City veterans hospital last Sunday at 103, left an indelible imprint on Long Island and came to personify the noirish glamour of New York City's underworld. He needed to make a move. I dont agree with anything hes doing, said Michael. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Do you know anyone in Iowa? Multiple Colombo family members died, numerous were arrested, and even civilians got caught in the cross fire. The first time somebody asked you to take care of business, you never got it done., Soon the Colombos sent John to a private club that was practically empty. According to his son, Michael, after hearing about his sentence, Franzese had declared, "You watch. He was 23 and driving a cream Cadillac Biarritz. He was a star even among A-list entertainers (Marilyn Monroe, Sammy Davis Jr.), boxing champs (Jake LaMotta, Rocky Graziano), and mob titans (Albert Anastasia, John Gotti). By doing the right thing and stopping a way of life that does that., By the time John stepped down, all the Franzeses were wrecked. Give me a call., All the Franzeses knew Lewicki, an affable Long Islander whod for years been openly investigating Sonny. I seriously wonder if he died from natural cause OR did his dad not go to bat with him just like Michael said when Junior called him to the carpet. John was seeking a high when he arrived at the palatial house in Los Angeles that Michael shared with his wife and kids. But if youre asked to kill someone, Michael said, you got to.. And apart from that, the old man had lucrative stakes in the music industry (Buddah Records) and porn production (Deep Throat). Learn more about merges. I'm gonna do the whole 50. He was released on parole several times since then, beginning in 1978. He pulled stickups, smoked discarded cigarettes, and turned tricksanything to finance another $12 vial of bazooka crack. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? But he sent his son. Net Worth: $1 Million We've received your submission. former underboss of the Colombo Crime FamilyParent(s) Carmine Franzese and Maria CorvolaAllegiance Colombo crime familyConviction(s) Bank robbery (1967)Extortion (2011)Criminal penalty 50 years' imprisonment (1967)Eight years' imprisonment (2011), Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. While the federal prison records mention his date of birth as February 6, 1917, according to his son, Michael Franzese, the crime lord was born in 1919. According to the FBI, his father considered having an associate whack his own son. But he had rules. This fucking guy, John thought. I don't think he was ever above the rank of soldier, but someone might know more about him. Officially, this meant he was second in charge; unofficially, he ran the show. If doing so earned him a bullet, then hed die as John Franzese. John offhandedly told a staffer about his minor link to the business. John, like Sonny and Michael, had always scorned drugs. Would a CD with my name in the credits be enough? John asked. When Lewicki happened into a local bakery, Sonny offered him bread and cakes. Sonny didnt realize that Fatato was himself a cooperating witness, wired by the FBI. He was 18 when Sonny magically returned home, having been paroled after just under nine yearsthanks to lax parole codes and God knows what. Rupolo was shot and stabbed several times. He initially served in the crew of Sebastian "Buster" Aloi, as a soldier for the Colombo crime family, and then became the caporegime, or captain, during the mid-1950s. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. He was about 16 in 1976 when Michael revealed that he was a made member of the Colombos, the most violent of New Yorks five families; that he had sworn a blood oath to honor omert, a code of silence; and that their father was the Colombos most feared and powerful captain, or capo. When he left, in late 2002, he was clean. Again, he appeared to nod off at times and had his head down for much of the trial. He was so desperate that hed taken to guzzling bottles of Tabasco for any barfly willing to pay $100 for the show. John was good with that. In the late 1930s Franzese joined the Profaci crime family (later . What are you doing here? To many, he is one of the most darkly iconic mobsters ever. John exited witness protection quietly at first. Oops, something didn't work. carmine franzese sr. Post author: Post published: junho 10, 2022 Post category: the gridlessness family Post comments: eyal lalo net worth eyal lalo net worth Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. By then, he had become the only centenarian in federal custody and the oldest federal prisoner in the US. John, it pays to have a friend in the FBI, Lewicki began. The feds say the nonagenarian wiseguy John (Sonny) Franzese is so well-versed in the art of the modern day mob hit that they want jurors at his upcoming racketeering trial to hear him expound on his style. Hed already been hitting the clubs and booze too hard when a buddy offered him a line of cocaine. Sonnys body count also included the slaying for which hed been acquitted, John concluded. He fought off panic attacks as a bailiff guided him into the courtroom and toward the stand.