[From review]
The mobster — famously portrayed by Joe Pesci in “Goodfellas” — killed two made men, tried to rape the wife of his gangster pal Henry Hill and stupidly lifted his ski mask during 1978’s historic $6 million Lufthansa heist.
So John Gotti took care of it — personally.
The handsome capo used a silencer-equipped Colt .38 to shoot DeSimone three times in the skull in January 1979 in the basement of an Italian restaurant on Arthur Avenue in The Bronx, says an upcoming book, “The Lufthansa Heist,” written by Hill and journalist Daniel Simone.
It’s the first time the details of Gotti’s role in the death of the 28-year-old psychopath have been revealed.
[. . .]
Tommy DeSimone, Played by Joe Pesci in Good Fellas
Photo: Supplied
The book by Hill and Simone, due out Aug. 1, also exposes Gotti’s part in the infamous Dec. 11, 1978, holdup of the Lufthansa freight terminal at JFK Airport, the biggest heist in US history at the time. The robbers made off with about $5 million in cash and $1 million in jewelry, none of which was ever recovered.
[. . .]
Robert DeNiro played Jimmy Burke
The book reveals that Gotti got a $200,000 cut of the proceeds.
Gotti, Burke and Hill discussed the caper beforehand at Prudenti’s Vicin’ O Mare, an Italian restaurant in Long Island City, Queens.
Lorraine Bracco played Karen Hill in Good Fellas
[. . .]The book by Hill and Simone, due out Aug. 1, also exposes Gotti’s part in the infamous Dec. 11, 1978, holdup of the Lufthansa freight terminal at JFK Airport, the biggest heist in US history at the time. The robbers made off with about $5 million in cash and $1 million in jewelry, none of which was ever recovered.
[. . .]
Robert DeNiro played Jimmy Burke
The book reveals that Gotti got a $200,000 cut of the proceeds.
Gotti, Burke and Hill discussed the caper beforehand at Prudenti’s Vicin’ O Mare, an Italian restaurant in Long Island City, Queens.
“It’s a good shot. I like it,” Gotti said. “What can I do to make it go smooth?”
“Well, John, we need some cooperation,” Burke said.
Gotti promised to provide a warehouse where the loot hauled from Lufthansa could be transferred from the getaway van into a “switch car” to evade the cops. He also offered to destroy the getaway van at an auto-salvage yard he controlled in Brooklyn.
[. . .]
Devino — a made man whose last name is sometimes given as Bentvena — spent several years in federal prison on drug charges. During that time, DeSimone and Burke took over his loanshark business. They wanted to keep it, so after Devino was released, DeSimone and Burke killed him, says author Simone.
[. . .]
John Gotti
When Gotti, still seven years from becoming the “Dapper Don,” heard DeSimone was about to be “made,” he demanded a sit-down with Vario.
“This f- -kin’ DeSimone whacked two of my top earners, and I let it go for a long time,” Gotti told his fellow capo. “Now he wants to be made, and I’m not gonna sit quietly. I mean, that’s as bad as putting a cactus up my a–. Understan’ what I’m sayin’, Paulie?”
[. . .]
Vario considered how DeSimone was a constant source of agita. He also figured the feds or the cops would soon pinch DeSimone for the robbery. But there was another reason, the book reveals.
When Hill was in federal prison several years before, DeSimone had tried to assault Hill’s wife, Karen. Vario was furious about this — partly because, at the time, he and Karen were having an affair.
“Well, John, we need some cooperation,” Burke said.
Gotti promised to provide a warehouse where the loot hauled from Lufthansa could be transferred from the getaway van into a “switch car” to evade the cops. He also offered to destroy the getaway van at an auto-salvage yard he controlled in Brooklyn.
[. . .]
Devino — a made man whose last name is sometimes given as Bentvena — spent several years in federal prison on drug charges. During that time, DeSimone and Burke took over his loanshark business. They wanted to keep it, so after Devino was released, DeSimone and Burke killed him, says author Simone.
[. . .]
John Gotti
When Gotti, still seven years from becoming the “Dapper Don,” heard DeSimone was about to be “made,” he demanded a sit-down with Vario.
“This f- -kin’ DeSimone whacked two of my top earners, and I let it go for a long time,” Gotti told his fellow capo. “Now he wants to be made, and I’m not gonna sit quietly. I mean, that’s as bad as putting a cactus up my a–. Understan’ what I’m sayin’, Paulie?”
[. . .]
Vario considered how DeSimone was a constant source of agita. He also figured the feds or the cops would soon pinch DeSimone for the robbery. But there was another reason, the book reveals.
When Hill was in federal prison several years before, DeSimone had tried to assault Hill’s wife, Karen. Vario was furious about this — partly because, at the time, he and Karen were having an affair.
Lorraine Bracco played Karen Hill in Good Fellas
DeSimone was led to the basement of Don Vito’s restaurant. Several old men were seated around a card table, and candles gave the room a dim light. DeSimone was surprised to see Gotti, a Gambino. He thought his induction would be a Lucchese affair.
“Welcome, Tommy. Congratulations!” Gotti said. “Pull a chair up to the table and sit comfortably. This is not an ordinary day in your life, I want you to know.”
DeSimone sat down. Within three seconds, “Gotti pulled out a silencer-equipped .38 Colt Magnum from his inner breast pocket and drilled three bullets into DeSimone’s cranium. PAH . . . PAH . . . PAH.
http://nypost.com/2015/07/12/new-book-reveals-john-gottis-role-in-goodfellas-murder/
New book reveals John Gotti’s role in ‘Goodfellas’ murder
By Bill Sanderson
New York Post
July 12, 2015 | 6:12am
New book reveals John Gotti’s role in ‘Goodfellas’ murder
By Bill Sanderson
New York Post
July 12, 2015 | 6:12am
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