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"Last Godfather" Had $7 Million In Cash, Hundreds Of Gold Bars In His House
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 14, 2011
Modified Apr 14, 2011
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By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 14, 2011
Modified Apr 14, 2011
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Joseph Massino, the former Bonnano crime family head currently serving a life sentence, has been testifying against fellow Bonnano crime associate Vincent "Vinny Gorgeous" Basciano and we're learning all sorts of things. Terms like "Clip. Boob. Strip. Brokester. Chase." How Massino's wife received $50,000 in a Dom Perignon bottle from Basciano after Massino was arrested. And that he had $7 million in cash and hundreds of gold bars in his Howard Beach home.
Naturally, the cash was in his attic and the gold bars were in the basement—that's where everyone keeps theirs, right? Massino revealed that he agreed to become the first crime boss to testify for the government so his wife would be financially secure: According to the Daily News, Massino turned over the cash and gold, but his wife Josephine "and his mother got to keep the homes they lived in, as well as five homes in Howard Beach and one in Brighton Beach that produced rental income."
Massino was wearing a "black velour track suit" and confirmed he was known as the "Last Godfather." Basciano, who is also already in prison for a different murder, is on trial for killing underling Randolph Pizzolo—the federal prosecutors are hoping to get a conviction and a death penalty sentence.
Tagged
big joey
bonnano
Joseph Massino
la cosa nostra
mafia
mob
Vincent Basciano
Vinny Gorgeous
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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