Michael Franzese on Joining Mafia, Stealing Millions, John Gotti, Michael Jordan (Full Interview)

In this full interview, Michael Franzese speaks about his life as a former New York mobster and caporegime of the Colombo crime family, where through the gasoline tax rackets in the 1980s he reportedly made more money for a crime family than anyone since Al Capone. During the height of his scheme, Franzese was selling half a billion gallons of fuel a month while earning approximately $10 million a week, all the while keeping the tax revenue for himself which was spread throughout the family. Additionally, due to the substantial profits being made, Franzese was able to sell the gas at the cheapest prices in the city, thus becoming known as the Robin Hood of his community.

Elsewhere, he talks about family turmoil where his own father put a hit on him after leaving the mafia, who later was given an 8-year prison sentence after Franzese's brother wore a wire and took the stand against him. Additionally, he mentions how the mafia killed Jimmy Hoffa and extorted J Edgar Hoover, as well as sharing information he heard regarding the mafia's involvement in JFK's assassination. 

FB:  Michael Franzese
FB:  Michael Franzese Ministries 

Books:  “Blood Covenant,”  “I’ll Make You An Offer You Can’t Refuse!”

[dgn]

This guy doesnt actually answer most of the questions. He just starts telling a story instead of answering and its rather impressive.

[oneillvelez]

Fear an old man in a profession where men die young

[ChindoggOriginal]

"What is your favorite drink?"
"Look, when you're into drinking it doesn't matter what the drink was made of. You're just drinking without knowing what you're drinking and when you finished the drink you don't ask about the drink. Not that I liked the drink, but you drank the drink that you had to drink."

[michaeltowslee]

Mr.Franzese answers questions like a man who is planning, thinking, and listening every second. I admire his technique.

[christopherlopez]

I love how this guy talks about everything, without talking about everything.

[SMLEFGFJB]

This dude is alive for one reason... he was the smartest of all of them.

[davidroutledge]

Michael expertly answers questions like he’s being cross-examined. It’s like he’s mastered the art of answering questions as truthfully as possible, without self-incriminating himself or incriminating others.

[MaximIl]

This guy is brilliant! He walked away from this life, got out of prison... and all of that without putting anyone else in prison or getting killed for leaving the life.

[michaelelliott]

Didnt curse once, remained calm, spoke intelligently... this man is th real deal. jesus

[EddieRainbowVWFC]

I love the way he talks and answers the questions...you learn so much and yet know nothing at the same time

[bigpeeler]

Just imagine the things that he's NOT talking about. Wow.

[danielhead]

Michael does not lose.
He went thru all his life with power and money and at the end of the life walks away with books, interviews, and many other successful ventures!
This man is a boss!

[JH-nlbp]

The next big mafia movie needs to be about this man.

[nateman]

This guys blood pressure has stayed at EXACTLY 120/80 for 45 years

[lasselindstrom]

I dont know the guy, but already feels like i owe him money

[davehowes]

Smart, disciplined guy. He rarely gives you information that is not already publicly available. He does personalize what he says but only to a point. And is still entertaining.

[sergiotaylor]

"Did it happen in the summer?"
"I mean, look... all I can say is it was warm"

[edwardsfinancial]

A polygraph would be scared to snitch on this guy.

[Dmc]

This guy is the definition of a smooth operator.

[summerrain]

Michael clearly is accustomed to being questioned! Look at how he conducts himself and responds to questions.