After the Takedown: Unveiling Sammy 'The Bull' Gravano's Fate Post John Gotti Era

Summary

Sammy "The Bull" Gravano played a key role in taking down John Gotti, helping the FBI to secure convictions against the notorious mob boss.

Gravano began his career in the Colombo crime family, but later switched loyalties to the Gambino crime family, affiliating himself with Gotti and other prominent mobsters.

Following his release from incarceration, Gravano ventured into the realm of media by launching a podcast and YouTube channel, offering a glimpse into his transformation from a criminal existence to a fresh, public identity.

To understand what happened to Sammy "The Bull" Gravano after assisting in the downfall of John Gotti, viewers of Get Gotti might be curious due to the significant consequences connected to organized crime. Gotti, who was known as the "Dapper Don" because of his fondness for fashionable attire and willingness to embrace media attention, was previously the leader of the Gambino crime family. Gotti's rise to power involved orchestrating the murder of his predecessor, Paul Castellano, and transitioning from a drug operation in Queens to overseeing America's most successful criminal organization. However, not all of Gotti's associates remained loyal to him until the end.

Despite managing to evade conviction in several trials during the 1980s, primarily through engaging in illegal activities like witness tampering, intimidation, and bribery, Gotti, also known as "The Teflon Don," seemed untouchable. Nevertheless, the federal authorities persisted in pursuing cases against him. Netflix's docuseries, consisting of three parts, portrays how the FBI eventually received assistance from Gotti's former associates, including Sammy "The Bull" Gravano. Another ex-member of the Gambino crime family, Anthony Ruggiano Jr., who appeared in Get Gotti, also collaborated with the FBI to receive a reduced sentence. For Gravano, aiding the federal authorities carried its own consequences, exposing him to numerous enemies within the Gambino crime family.

Sammy Gravano Helped The FBI Take Down John Gotti

Andrea Giovino's connection to the Gotti family was complex, but it was Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano who played a crucial role in bringing down the mob boss. Gravano's impact on the organized crime world in New York was significant. Initially associated with the Colombo crime family, Gravano later joined forces with the Gambino crime family, aligning himself with Gotti and other prominent mobsters such as Angelo Ruggiero, Frank DeCicco, and Joseph Armone.

This group of Gambino associates played a pivotal role in the 1985 murder of Paul Castellano, the boss of the Gambino family. After eliminating Castellano, Gotti took over the syndicate and recognized Gravano for his involvement in the assassination. Gravano's status within the Gambino family grew, eventually becoming a captain and later a consigliere, trusted as an advisor and mediator. By the late '80s, Gravano held the position of underboss in the Gambino family.

However, when Gravano overheard derogatory remarks made about him by Gotti, he decided to testify against him on behalf of the authorities. This act made Gravano the highest-ranking member of the Mafia's "Five Families" to break their blood oath, as reported by The New York Times.

Sammy Gravano’s Time In Prison Explained

John Gotti, as portrayed in Netflix's Get Gotti, received a life sentence without the possibility of parole in 1992. Two years later, Sammy Gravano, the former underboss, was convicted of his own crimes and given a five-year prison sentence. While Gravano's testimony against Gotti helped reduce his sentence, his extensive involvement with the mob prevented him from evading prison altogether. Despite admitting to being connected to numerous murders, Gravano received a more lenient treatment than other Gambino associates. At the time of his sentencing, Gravano had already served four years, and his total time incarcerated was slightly over a year more. Following his release, he entered the Witness Protection Program, but his involvement in drug charges led to his arrest approximately ten years later. He was sentenced to around 20 years in both New York and Arizona, serving the sentences concurrently. After almost two decades in prison, Gravano was released under lifetime supervision.

Where Is Sammy The Bull Gravano Now

In 2017, Sammy "The Bull" Gravano was finally released from prison after serving significant time for his involvement in drug trafficking operations in New York and Arizona. Despite his involvement in mob activities as an underboss, Gravano didn't serve as long for those crimes. Notwithstanding his violent reputation and hindered chances for parole, he was released earlier than expected (via 12News.com). In 2020, the former mobster embarked on a new venture, launching a podcast and a YouTube channel called Our Thing. Undoubtedly, Sammy Gravano is one of the most captivating figures documented in Get Gotti.

Sources: The New York Times, The New Yorker, The New York Times, 12News.com