Unveiling Anthony Ruggiano Jr: An Inside Look into His Involvement with the Gambino Crime Family

Summary

Anthony Ruggiano Jr. was a peripheral member of the Gambino crime family and had a more marginal role in the organization.

Ruggiano Jr., in order to protect himself, chose to betray the crime family, resulting in the capture of other criminals by the authorities and a shortened sentence. Following a mere three-day stint in prison, Ruggiano Jr. completely transformed his life and currently dedicates himself to raising awareness about organized crime through his podcast, Reformed Gangsters.

In Netflix's latest true-crime series, Get Gotti, viewers may find themselves questioning the connection between Anthony Ruggiano Jr. and the Gambino crime family. This three-part docuseries focuses on the FBI's efforts to dismantle notorious mob boss John Gotti's criminal empire, which also delves into the lives of prominent figures like Anthony Ruggiano Jr. Growing up in the New York mafia scene, Gotti eventually eliminated Paul Castellano, the head of the Gambino crime family, paving the way for Gotti to lead America's most influential criminal syndicate.

Before orchestrating the murder of Castellano, Gotti and his crew were involved in drug trafficking in Queens, which attracted the attention of the FBI—an occurrence that would happen repeatedly throughout their criminal careers. Fearing that Castellano would issue a contract on his life, Gotti took matters into his own hands and eliminated the Gambino leader. Despite facing three high-profile trials, Gotti was acquitted, earning him the moniker "The Teflon Don," although it was not his first noteworthy nickname. Known for his extravagant lifestyle and confident persona, Gotti, also referred to as the "Dapper Don," was unafraid to make media appearances. Comparatively, Anthony Ruggiano Jr. played a more peripheral role in the Gambino crime family, but his significance should not be underestimated.

Anthony Ruggiano Jr. Was a Former Member Of The Gambino Crime Family

Born into a life of organized crime through his father, Anthony Ruggiano Sr., Anthony Jr. rose to a position of authority within the Gambino crime family. While his father achieved the rank of Captain in the family, Anthony Jr. played a lesser role in the organization. He did, however, find himself imprisoned on multiple occasions due to his involvement in mob-related activities. During this time, he associated with some of the most notorious figures in the mafia, including John Gotti. However, viewers new to the story may be surprised by Anthony Jr.'s role in "Get Gotti."

In a groundbreaking turn of events, former associate of the Gambino family, Anthony Ruggiano Jr., switched sides to protect himself. Faced with charges for the murder of his brother-in-law, Ruggiano Jr. assisted law enforcement in apprehending individuals such as Bartolomeo "Bobby Glasses" Vernace and Dominick "Skinny Dom" Pizzonia. This collaboration allowed him to receive a lighter sentence for his own crimes. Naturally, betraying the crime family and committing the act of murder created a fresh set of enemies for Ruggiano Jr. Nonetheless, it is intriguing to observe his involvement in the Get Gotti story, considering his upbringing within a family closely associated with organized crime.

Where Is Anthony Ruggiano Jr. Now?

By cooperating with authorities, Anthony Ruggiano Jr. reduced his own sentence for the murder of his brother-in-law. Thanks to his assistance, Ruggiano only spent three days in prison. The judge presiding over the case acknowledged that Ruggiano had become an "instrument of the government in dismantling this notorious mafia organization" (source: The New York Post). After receiving treatment for his addiction, Ruggiano Jr. dedicated himself to aiding others. Through his podcast, Reformed Gangsters, Anthony Ruggiano Jr. has emerged as a passionate advocate for steering young individuals away from a life of organized crime. Similar to Get Gotti, Reformed Gangsters debunks the longstanding glamorous image associated with the mob.