Subject: Anthony Graziano Leaves This Thing of Ours

Reputed Bonanno Crime Family consigliere, Anthony Graziano, has passed away at the age of 78.

https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-20190525-yxbnarzozzhgbdop3oc5hxsvge-story.html

If the name sounds familiar, it is because his daughter, Renee Graziano, was one of the participants in the Mob Wives TV show. His personal businesses involved extortion, bookmaking, investment scams, and strip clubs. Pretty standard stuff, no drugs. At one point he ordered a hit on two guys who impertinently shot up one of his strip clubs and wounded a customer. Later he called off the hit, but nevertheless was indicted (but not convicted) of conspiracy to commit murder. Moral of the story... don’t mess with the customer experience at Tony’s establishments.

Graziano became a well-respected (within La Cosa Nostra) gangster and top family earner who moved up through the Bonanno ranks to capo and then consigliere under boss Joseph (Big Joey) Massino.  However, Massino eventually broke omérta and became a federal witness, ratting out his associates.

Anthony on the other hand, never broke the code. An associate was once asked if Tony would ever turn rat, and he said “Are you nuts? That guy is a man and a half!” He learned at an early age to never rat out his friends and to always keep his mouth shut.  :-X

Nevertheless, the Mob was not happy with his daughter’s TV show, and as a result Tony was seen as a risk. The bosses started cutting down on Graziano’s workload.

There is no word on who will take over Graziano’s role of consigliere.