Sammy “The Bull” Gravano’s testimonial dismantled the formidable Gambino crime family, and the notorious gangster now reflects on his enduring remorse.
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Sammy The Bull Profile
| Full name | Salvatore Gravano |
| Nickname | Sammy the Bull, Jimmy Moran |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | 12th March 1945 |
| Age | 78 years old (as of 2023) |
| Zodiac sign | Pisces |
| Place of birth | Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York City, US |
| Current residence | Arizona, USA |
| Nationality | Italian-American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed-race |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Height in feet | 5′ 5″ |
| Height in centimetres | 165 |
| Hair colour | Dark brown |
| Eye colour | Green |
| Mother | Caterina Gravano |
| Father | Giorlando Gravano |
| Siblings | Two sisters |
| Relationship status | Divorced |
| Ex-partner | Debra Scibetta |
| Children | Two |
| Profession | Former underboss, YouTuber, and social media personality |
| Net worth | $500,000 |
Sammy The Bull Biography
Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano, born on March 12, 1945, is a former American mobster who rose to the position of underboss within the Gambino crime family. He played a significant role in the prosecution of John Gotti, the boss of the crime family, by cooperating with the government as a witness and providing testimony against Gotti and other mobsters. In his confession, Gravano admitted involvement in 19 murders.
Initially affiliated with the Colombo crime family, Gravano later joined the Brooklyn faction of the Gambino family. In 1985, he was part of the group that conspired to assassinate Gambino boss Paul Castellano. Alongside John Gotti, Angelo Ruggiero, Frank DeCicco, and Joseph Armone, Gravano played a pivotal role in planning and carrying out Castellano’s murder.
Following Castellano’s death, Gotti promoted Gravano to the position of captain, replacing Salvatore “Toddo” Aurelio, who had retired. Gravano held this position until 1987 when he became consigliere. In 1990, he ascended to the position of underboss, which he held at the time he decided to become a government witness.
In 1991, after hearing incriminating wiretap recordings of Gotti making disparaging remarks about him and implicating both of them in multiple murders, Gravano made the decision to cooperate with the prosecution and provide evidence. This act marked a significant betrayal of his loyalty and the highest-ranking breach of the Five Families’ Blood oath at the time.
As a result of his testimony, Gotti and Frank Locascio received life imprisonment without the possibility of parole in 1992. In 1994, Gravano was sentenced to five years in prison, but due to already serving four years, his actual sentence amounted to less than one year. He was granted early release and entered the U.S. Federal Witness Protection Program in Arizona, although he left the program in 1995.
In 1997, Gravano collaborated with author Peter Maas for the biographical book about his life, “Underboss,” providing significant insights. In February 2000, Gravano, along with nearly 40 other individuals, including his ex-wife Debra, daughter Karen, and son Gerard, was arrested on federal and state drug charges.
In 2002, he was sentenced to twenty years in prison in New York, followed by a concurrent nineteen-year sentence in Arizona. Initially slated for release in March 2019, he was granted early release in September 2017.
How Did Sammy Make Money?
Sammy the Bull initially earned his money through various means before eventually getting involved in organized crime. In 1964, he joined the US Army and served at Fort Jackson in South California. Starting as a mess hall cook, he gradually climbed the ranks, becoming a corporal within a few years. Eventually, in 1966, he received an honorable discharge from the Army.
Despite his father’s attempts to guide him away from a life of crime, Sammy gravitated towards the Cosa Nostra crime family at the age of 23. Initially, he engaged in minor criminal activities such as hijacking, theft, and armed robbery. Over time, he transitioned into more lucrative ventures like loansharking and racketeering.
One of Sammy’s notable ventures involved running an illicit gambling operation in the backroom of an after-hour club. This operation proved to be highly profitable, and he even became a part-owner of the club.
Additionally, Sammy found himself involved in non-criminal activities under the direction of his family boss Joe Colombo. He was utilized by Colombo to picket the FBI Manhattan headquarters as part of the Italian-American Civil Rights League initiative, which aimed to address issues faced by the Italian-American community.
These various endeavors contributed to Sammy the Bull’s financial gains during his involvement in organized crime.
Gambino Soldier
Sammy the Bull ventured into the plumbing and drywall business alongside his brother-in-law, Edward Garafola. This business proved to be highly lucrative, establishing Sammy as a renowned earner within the Gambino family. Through his involvement in this enterprise, he amassed a significant fortune, becoming a multi-millionaire in the process. Sammy wisely invested his earnings by purchasing real estate for himself and his family, further solidifying his financial standing.
Additionally, Sammy utilized his wealth to establish himself as the proprietor of a popular disco club called The Plaza Suite. It is rumored that the club generated a weekly income of $4,000 for him. Not only did the club serve as a source of entertainment and profit, but it also functioned as the headquarters for its construction racket activities.
Sammy the Bull ventured into the plumbing and drywall business alongside his brother-in-law, Edward Garafola. This business proved to be highly lucrative, establishing Sammy as a renowned earner within the Gambino family. Through his involvement in this enterprise, he amassed a significant fortune, becoming a multi-millionaire in the process. Sammy wisely invested his earnings by purchasing real estate for himself and his family, further solidifying his financial standing.
Additionally, Sammy utilized his wealth to establish himself as the proprietor of a popular disco club called The Plaza Suite. It is rumored that the club generated a weekly income of $4,000 for him. Not only did the club serve as a source of entertainment and profit, but it also functioned as the headquarters for its construction racket activities.
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Sammy Properties
Sammy the Bull currently resides in Arizona, USA, where he has made his home. He spends the majority of his time working as a social media personality, engaging with his online audience. In terms of his living arrangements, he occupies a modest bungalow, which serves as his residence. Accompanying him in his home is his beloved little dog, providing companionship and joy.
Although details about his vehicle ownership are undisclosed, Sammy has not shared any information regarding the number or types of cars he possesses.
Social Media Personality
Sammy the Bull has found a source of income and fame as a social media personality. His primary platform is a weekly podcast titled “Our Thing Podcast,” where he openly discusses his infamous life journey, starting from his upbringing up to the present day.
In addition to his podcast, Sammy also operates a YouTube channel under the name Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano. The channel was launched on August 23, 2020. Since its inception, Sammy has garnered a substantial online following, amassing over 552,000 subscribers and accumulating an impressive 95 million views on his videos. Through his YouTube presence, Sammy continues to engage and connect with his audience, sharing his unique perspectives and experiences.
