Unveiling Sal Polisi's Association with the Mob: The Enigmatic Journey of Gotti's Right-hand Man

Article Overview

Sal Polisi played a significant role in the Italian American Mafia and New York organized crime scenes, being associated with both the Gambino and Colombo crime families.

Disillusioned with the Mafia, Polisi decided to collaborate with federal authorities in their mission to capture notorious mobsters like John Gotti. As a result, he testified against his former associates in multiple trials.

Since parting ways with the Mafia, Polisi has achieved remarkable success as a public speaker, author, and Hollywood producer. He currently operates Ubatz Productions with his wife.

Sal Polisi's impact on the Italian American Mafia and New York organized crime cannot be overlooked. He was involved with both the Gambino and Colombo crime families, leaving a lasting impression on the scene. The documentary series Get Gotti highlights Polisi's role and what transpired after John Gotti's trial. Gotti, who orchestrated the killing of Paul Castellano, rose to become the leader of the Gambino crime family, with assistance from notorious associate Anthony Ruggiano Jr. The nickname "Teflon Don" was bestowed upon Gotti due to his ability to evade prosecution through witness tampering and bribes. Eventually, Gotti was apprehended by the authorities and ultimately received a life imprisonment sentence in 1992. Get Gotti features various prominent figures in Gotti's criminal network, including Sal Polisi.

Sal Polisi's Connection To John Gotti Explained

Renowned for his ruthless enforcement skills, Sal Polisi joined the Colombo crime syndicate at a young age and swiftly acquired the moniker "Crazy Sal." In due course, he took charge of The Sinatra Club, an illicit hub for gambling and a hotspot for aspiring mobsters such as John Gotti. Despite later aligning himself with the Gambino crime family, Polisi grew disenchanted with the Mafia's ethos. The rampant presence of drugs, insatiable greed, and the abandonment of traditional principles eroded his loyalty, prompting him to retire after dedicating 15 years to organized crime (via Simon & Schuster).

As the Gambino family's drug trade became increasingly entrenched, Polisi found himself transforming into the very archetype he had loathed: a informer. Taking a firm stance against narcotics trafficking, Sal Polisi cooperated with federal authorities in their pursuit of individuals like John Gotti. In return for his cooperation, known as "Crazy Sal," he provided testimony against his former associates in numerous Mafia-linked trials. Similar to the trajectory of Gambino underboss Sammy Gravano, Polisi entered the Federal Witness Protection Program in the mid-1980s. Notably, Sal Polisi's testimony against Gotti, as depicted in Netflix's docuseries, played a pivotal role in the federal apprehension of the Gambino crime boss (via Gangland Wire Podcast).

Where Is Sal Polisi Now?

After receiving lengthy sentences, John Gotti and others, Sal Polisi emerged back into the public eye to share more about his past. In addition to the biography "Sins of the Father" by Nick Taylor, Polisi's own book, "The Sinatra Club," tells his story. In an interview (via IMDb), Crazy Sal expressed gratitude for his second chance, stating, "I consider myself fortunate to still be alive!" Not only was he a keynote speaker at the FBI Academy's graduation ceremony in 1989, but this former mobster has also found success in Hollywood as a producer, writer, and consultant for the show "The Sopranos." Presently, Sal and his wife, Deborah, run the production company Ubatz Productions, Inc., which played a role in Polisi's involvement with Netflix's "Get Gotti."

Sources: Simon & Schuster, Gangland Wire Podcast, IMDb.