Meet Vinny 'Ocean' Palermo: The First Mob Boss to Flip - Interesting Fast Facts #genovesefamily

Vincent Palermo, known as Vinny Ocean, was born in Brooklyn in 1944. Growing up with 5 sisters and 2 brothers, he was a quiet child who served as an altar boy in the church. At 16, he had to leave school to support his family, especially his ailing mother. In the 1960s, he found employment at the Fulton Fish Market through a connection with a Genovese associate. His marriage to the niece of Sam DeCavalcante further solidified his ties within the mob.

Sam DeCavalcante appreciated Vinny's ability to generate income while maintaining a low profile. Vinny excelled as a loan shark and cultivated strong relationships with both the Genovese and Gambino families. His involvement in the Fred Weiss hit in 1989 earned him a promotion to Capo. Despite tensions with fellow Capo Charles Majuri, who attempted to usurp power within the family, Palermo opted not to eliminate him.

Following the death of Jake Amari, Palermo assumed the role of acting boss under John Riggi's leadership. However, in 1999, facing the death penalty for his criminal activities, Palermo made the unprecedented decision to cooperate with authorities, becoming the first acting boss to turn informant. As a result, he entered the Witness Protection Program (Witsec) and currently resides in Texas.#VinnyOcean #MafiaBoss #WitnessProtection

[ShawnMilstead]

Supposedly part of the inspiration for Tony Soprano. Owned a topless bar named Wiggles.

[RemnantReAnimated]

🎶Woke Up This Morning 🌄..Got Yourself A 🔫..Got Yourself..🎵

[JosephMBlack]

I'm not necessarily for protecting tattle tales but saying where a federal informant lives online is wild shit

[johndesalvo]

Think he still runs a topless bar in Texas

[CarlosHernandez-kdvb]

Vinny the ginney turned into Vinny the rat. Hey Vinny, ba fangul eh!