Unraveling the Truth: John Gotti’s Escalation After Paul Castellano’s Murder
The saga of John Gotti and the culmination of his actions following the murder of Paul Castellano is a complex, yet fascinating narrative of organized crime and the intricacies of the Cosa Nostra. This article delves into the events that defined Gotti's rise and the aftermath of Castellano's death, uncovering the reality behind Gotti's seemingly audacious yet ultimately futile maneuvers.
Why Gotti Wasn't Protected by Permission from the Entire Commission
Contrary to the popular belief that Gotti acted without permission from the entire commission, he in fact had the indirect backing of key figures, such as Anthony Corallo from the Lucchese family and Vincent Gigante from the Genovese family. These powerful figures ordered the murders of Gotti and his underboss Frank DeCicco to seek revenge for the killings of Paul Castellano and Thomas Bilotti.
The Double Miscalculation: Bombing Frank DeCicco Instead
The fateful bombing that Gotti escaped from occurred when his underboss, Frank DeCicco, was mistakenly identified as Gotti by the bombers. The bomb placed in DeCicco's car detonated when he got in, along with a fellow soldier. This mix-up prevented Gotti from being eliminated, and the incident marked a significant moment in the Cosa Nostra tapes, where the bosses of the three families agreed to a temporary peace to avoid war. However, Gotti lost his underboss, a critical ally in the assassination plot, as the bombers mistakenly targeted someone else. The loss of DeCicco severely impacted Gotti's operations but didn't deter him.
The Allied Support and Aware of Cosa Nostra's Power
John Gotti wasn't merely lucky to escape. He carefully orchestrated his survival and ascent by waiting until his direct boss and family underboss, Neil Dallacroce, had passed away. Gotti then secured the support of the captains within his family and even reached out to other family captains, such as Sammy Gravano and Anthony Gaspipe's Casso, to ensure his position. His strategic moves allowed him to maintain control and prevent a full-scale war with Cosa Nostra, which would have been detrimental to the entire organization.
The Failed Revenge Operation
One of the most notorious attempts on Gotti's life was orchestrated by Anthony Casso and his hit squad. They rigged the car of Gotti's underboss, Frankie Decicco, who was mistaken for Gotti in a meeting at a well-known Gotti hangout. The bomb killed Decicco but missed Gotti. In retaliation, Mickey Paradiso was dispatched to take down Casso, but the hit was botched, leaving Casso alive. Gotti's unwillingness to lie down in the face of murder attempts, rather than his immunity from hunting, exemplifies his determination to survive and succeed in the criminal underworld.
Understanding the Impact and Perception
The perception that Gotti was somehow untouchable by the Cosa Nostra commission is misguided. The reality is that while his actions initially appeared audacious, Gotti's survival was a testament to his strategic acumen and the influence of his allies within the criminal network. His enemies understood the power and reach of the Gambino crime family and were hesitant to provoke a full-scale conflict that could have shattered the entire Cosa Nostra structure.
Conclusion
The story of John Gotti's escape from murder charges after the death of Paul Castellano is a cautionary tale of the complexities of organized crime. Gotti's survival was not a result of his immunity to the Cosa Nostra commission but rather a combination of strategic planning, supportive allies, and an understanding of the consequences of declaring war on a powerful family.