Full Interview: Michael Franzese on Gianni Russo, Crazy Joe Gallo, The Snake, Goodfellas (Full)
Part 5: Michael Franzese on Joe Gallo Killed as Revenge for Joe Colombo Shooting
Part 3: Michael Franzese Doubts Gianni Russo's Mafia Stories
Part 1: Michael Franzese on Frank Cullotta Dying of COVID, Frank Made Comments
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In the latest clip, Michael Franzese detailed the attempted hit on Joe Colombo and the chain of events that followed. Colombo had started the Italian-American Civil Rights League. Other crime families were upset with Colombo because they felt the league put them on the FBI's radar even more. After a successful first rally, Colombo was shot in the head three times by a Black man named Jerome Johnson before his bodyguards returned fire on the assailant. As a result of the shooting, Colombo was paralyzed and was in a coma for about eight years.
Many assumed "Crazy Joe" Gallo was behind the hit because he resented Colombo for being the boss and felt like the role should have been given to him. In addition, Gallo was affiliated with Black gangs in prison. When Joseph Yacovelli, a.k.a. Joe Yac, took over for Colombo, his first order was to take out Joe Gallo. After Joe Gallo's death, Albert Gallo wanted revenge and ordered a hit on Joe Yac. However, the hitmen didn't recognize Joe Yac and shot four innocent patrons at a restaurant and killed two. Franzese stated Joe Yac fled New York as a result of the assassination attempt, resulting in Carmine "The Snake" Persico taking over and stabilizing things.
