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Fratianno began his career in crime as a small-time hoodlum and pimp in Cleveland. He moved to California in the early '40s, and by 1975 had become head of West Coast operations for gangland chieftains in New York and Chicago. Fratianno was indicted last November, along with Rizzitello, Ricciardi and Locicero, for trying to extort $20,000 from FBI agents who were posing as pornography dealers in Los Angeles. In December, Fratianno and eight other Mafiosi were indicted for the bombing murders of Cleveland racketeer Daniel Greene and his associate John Nardi.
Always a feisty, swaggering type, Fratianno in recent years offended other California Mafiosi by strutting around as if he were the boss. He also angered Chicago Mafia Chief Joseph Aiuppa by violating Mob etiquette. Twice last year Aiuppa had to intercede to halt the greedy Fratianno's attempts to extort money from underworld associates. In December, Chicago Mob bosses finally decided to get rid of him for good. FBI agents spotted henchmen of Chicago Triggerman Tony Spilotro skulking in the bushes near Fratianno's house near San Francisco. When the agents warned him that his life was in danger, Fratianno decided to turn informer. Now he is in the protective custody of U.S. marshals, and the Mob has set a $100,000 bounty on his head.
In return for Fratianno's testimony in Bompensiero's murder, the Justice Department will probably drop its indictments against him and enroll him in an exclusive group of turncoat gangsters who have been given new identities, jobs and homes. Says one official: "He could really clear up a lot of questions and open a lot of doors if he were to open up completely. Fratianno could be one of the most valuable informants ever. He met all the right people in Chicago, Cleveland, New York, Miami. He touched all the right bases." Thus the Weasel can demand—and get—almost anything within reason, as long as he keeps talking. ∙