Editing Thomas Bilotti

{{short description|American mobster (1940–1985)}}
{{Infobox criminal
| name          = Thomas Bilotti
| image         = Tommy Bilotti.jpg
| alt           = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->
| caption       = Bilotti's 1969 [[New York City Police Department|NYPD]] mugshot
| birth_name    = 
| birth_date    = {{Birth date|1940|03|23}}
| birth_place   = [[New York City]], New York, U.S.
| death_date    = {{Death date and age|1985|12|16|1940|03|23}}
| death_place   = New York City, New York, U.S.
| death_cause   = Gunshot wounds
| resting_place = [[Moravian Cemetery]], [[New Dorp, Staten Island]]
| nationality   = 
| other_names   = 
| occupation    = [[Mobster]]
| years_active  = 
| known_for     = [[Underboss]] of the [[Gambino crime family]]
| predecessor   = [[Aniello Dellacroce]]
| successor     = [[Frank DeCicco]]
| allegiance    = [[Gambino crime family]]
| conviction         = 
| conviction_penalty = 
}}
'''Thomas''' "'''Tommy'''" '''Bilotti''' (March 23, 1940 – December 16, 1985) was an American [[mobster]] who briefly served as [[underboss]] of the [[Gambino crime family]] in [[New York City]]. It was his promotion that helped trigger the 1985 assassination of Gambino boss [[Paul Castellano]]; Bilotti would end up killed as well as part of the assassination.

==Criminal career==
The son of [[Italian Americans|Italian immigrants]] Lillian (née Rosso) and Anthony Bilotti, he was born on the [[Staten Island]] borough of [[New York City]].<ref name="MafiaHistory">[https://mob-who.blogspot.com/2017/02/bilotti-thomas-1940-1985.html Bilotti, Thomas (1940-1985)] MafiaHistory.us {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202092309/https://mob-who.blogspot.com/2017/02/bilotti-thomas-1940-1985.html |date=December 2, 2022 }}</ref> As a young man, Bilotti became an associate in the crew of John "Johnny D" D'Alessio, a ''[[caporegime]]'' in the [[Gambino crime family]] who controlled [[illegal gambling]] and other rackets on Staten Island. He later became a criminal associate of John's brothers Alexander "Pope" D'Alessio and Michael "Mikey D" D'Alessio. Bilotti also spent time as the chauffeur and bodyguard of Alexander "The Ox" DeBrizzi, an uncle of the D'Alessio brothers who controlled the Staten Island waterfront for the Gambino crime family.<ref name="Mob girl">[http://www.americanmafia.com/News/9-10-00_Memories_Of_Mob_Girl.html Memories of a mob girl. The fast life and wild times of Island's 'Malafemina' Terry Dee] Robert Gavin, ''[[Staten Island Advance]]'' (September 10, 2000) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201004030/http://www.americanmafia.com/News/9-10-00_Memories_Of_Mob_Girl.html |date=February 1, 2023 }}</ref><ref name="Waterfront">[https://www.villagevoice.com/2002/02/26/they-cover-the-waterfront/ They Cover the Waterfront] Tom Robbins, ''[[The Village Voice]]'' (February 26, 2002) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214234405/https://www.villagevoice.com/2002/02/26/they-cover-the-waterfront/ |date=February 14, 2023 }}</ref> He became an integral member of the D'Alessio crew and was involved in [[Labor union|labor]] [[racketeering]], [[extortion]] and [[loansharking]].<ref name="AmericanMafiaHistory">[https://americanmafiahistory.com/castellano-underboss-thomas-bilotti/ Thomas Bilotti] Mike Dickson, AmericanMafiaHistory.com (December 23, 2018) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727033111/https://americanmafiahistory.com/castellano-underboss-thomas-bilotti/ |date=July 27, 2019 }}</ref> In 1969, Bilotti was arrested on Staten Island on a felony charge of possessing stolen property.<ref name="Photo">[https://lcnbios.blogspot.com/2023/01/photo-thomas-bilotti-gambino.html Photo: Thomas Bilotti (Gambino)] LCN Bios (January 28, 2023) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131163551/https://lcnbios.blogspot.com/2023/01/photo-thomas-bilotti-gambino.html |date=January 31, 2023 }}</ref> He gained a reputation for violence. In one incident, Bilotti assaulted [[Colombo crime family]] associate Robert Pate.<ref name="AmericanMafiaHistory"/> The [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] (FBI) agents Joseph O’Brien and Andris Kurins described Bilotti in the book ''Boss of Bosses: The Fall of the Godfather: The FBI and Paul Castellano'' as: "He was basically a pit bull with shoes on. If he had a business ability beyond choreographing a shakedown or calculating the interest owed on shylock loans, it didn't show. In a milieu not known for its conversational finesse, Bilotti distinguished himself by spluttering inarticulateness... He was short – five feet seven. He was stubby – a rock-solid two-twenty. He wore a bad [[toupée]]. He had no tact, no charm, no sense of humor. He had a big mouth, and his piggish eyes were too close together. To the concept of self-control he was a stranger".<ref name="Forgotten Man">[http://www.crimemagazine.com/forgotten-man-sparks Forgotten Man at Sparks] Allan R. May, CrimeMagazine.com (October 14, 2009) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920111701/http://www.crimemagazine.com/forgotten-man-sparks |date=September 20, 2017 }}</ref> Bilotti was a reputed [[Contract killing|hitman]] for the D'Alessio crew,<ref name="AmericanMafiaHistory"/> and was allegedly involved in at least eleven murders.<ref name="Forgotten Man"/>

Bilotti was a resident of 33 Kensington Avenue on Staten Island in April 1970, when he and an accomplice, Thomas Papanier, were observed discarding firearms and arrested following a shooting in [[Jamesburg, New Jersey]]. Bilotti and Papanier were apprehended as they ran from the scene of the shooting, in which African-American teenager Emory Parks suffered superficial injuries when he was struck in the back of the head by [[birdshot]] pellets.<ref>"Jamesburg youth shot, two held" George McCarthy, ''[[Asbury Park Press]]'' p. 1 (April 29, 1970)</ref> The quick arrest of the pair occurred as the Jamesburg area was in the midst of significant racial tension after riots at the local high school, and police from [[Spotswood, New Jersey|Spotswood]] and [[Monroe Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey|Monroe Township]] were on alert.<ref>"Jamesburg quiet after outbreaks" ''[[Asbury Park Press]]'' p. 1 (April 30, 1970)</ref> Although police suspected that the duo were responsible for Parks' injuries, Bilotti and Papanier were initially charged with carrying a concealed weapon, carrying a pistol without a permit and failing to secure a permit to purchase a pistol.<ref>"Jury to get case of duo in shooting" ''[[Asbury Park Press]]'' p. 18 (May 20, 1970)</ref> A [[Middlesex County, New Jersey|Middlesex County]] [[grand jury]] ultimately indicted the men only for illegal possession of concealed weapons.<ref>"Two indicted as result of shooting" ''[[Asbury Park Press]]'' p. 10 (June 1, 1970)</ref>

In 1971, John D'Alessio allegedly recruited Thomas Bilotti and his brother [[Joseph Bilotti|Joseph]] to murder Thomas "Tommy Edwards" Ernst, the common-law husband of D'Alessio's daughter Theresa.<ref name="AmericanMafiaHistory"/> Ernst, who was in debt to two Staten Island mobsters, survived an initial attempt on his life at a [[Grasmere, Staten Island|Grasmere]] diner on August 31, 1971. He then agreed to meet with D'Alessio at the Wild Acres bar in [[Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania|Dingmans Ferry]], near D'Alessio's summer home in the [[Pocono Mountains]] of Pennsylvania, on September 2, 1971. After leaving the D'Alessio country mansion on his way to the meeting, Ernst's [[Cadillac]] was overtaken by three men in a car who opened fire at him. However, this murder attempt also failed when Theresa D'Alessio, who was not supposed to be present, returned fire with a semi-automatic rifle.<ref name="Mob girl"/> Ernst reportedly identified the two shooters to the [[Pennsylvania State Police]] before withrawing the identification.<ref name="Police Discount Gallo">[https://www.nytimes.com/1972/04/08/archives/police-discount-gallo-connection-in-slaying-on-si.html Police Discount Gallo Connection In Slaying on S.I.] Richard Phalon, ''[[The New York Times]]'' (April 8, 1972) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201002635/https://www.nytimes.com/1972/04/08/archives/police-discount-gallo-connection-in-slaying-on-si.html |date=February 1, 2023 }}</ref> Ernst was ultimately killed on April 6, 1972 when he was ambushed and shot twice by an unidentified gunman on the porch of John D'Alessio's home at 151 Jumel Street in [[Great Kills, Staten Island|Great Kills]], where he had been making a visit to Theresa D'Alessio.<ref name="15th Gangland Victim">[https://web.archive.org/web/20220613215032/https://www.nytimes.com/1972/07/17/archives/eboli-is-15th-gangland-victim-in-a-year.html Eboli Is 15th Gangland Victim in a Year] ''[[The New York Times]]'' (July 17, 2023) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613215032/https://www.nytimes.com/1972/07/17/archives/eboli-is-15th-gangland-victim-in-a-year.html |date=June 13, 2022 }}</ref>

Bilotti's first wife Catherine died of cancer in her mid-30s, and he subsequently remarried to Donna, a [[Brooklyn]] beauty parlor owner. He had a severely autistic son who had been institutionalized since childhood, and although Bilotti visited the boy regularly, he rarely spoke of him.<ref name="Forgotten Man"/> Bilotti was [[best man]] at the wedding of actor [[Gianni Russo]], a fellow native of Staten Island.<ref name="Russo had to battle Brando">[https://www.silive.com/news/2022/10/gianni-russo-had-to-battle-marlon-brando-after-snagging-carlo-rizzi-role-in-the-godfather.html Gianni Russo had to battle Marlon Brando after snagging Carlo Rizzi role in “The Godfather”] Tom Wrobleski, ''[[Staten Island Advance]]'' (October 3, 2022) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130005113/https://www.silive.com/news/2022/10/gianni-russo-had-to-battle-marlon-brando-after-snagging-carlo-rizzi-role-in-the-godfather.html |date=November 30, 2022 }}</ref> Another Bilotti brother, Jimmy, worked for the singer [[Frank Sinatra]] in [[Las Vegas]] for several years during the 1970s and 1980s.<ref name="His Way">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P2t3yXXDWwAC&dq=jimmy+bilotti+sinatra&pg=PA537|isbn=9780553172454|title=His Way: An Unauthorized Biography Of Frank Sinatra|date=June 1983|publisher=Bantam Dell Pub Group|author=Kitty Kelley}}</ref>

===Castellano protégé===
Over the years, Bilotti became a close aide-de-camp and confidant of another Gambino ''capo'', [[Paul Castellano]], who reportedly saw much potential in the ambitious Bilotti and took him on as a [[protégé]]. He served as Castellano's primary chauffeur, bodyguard and [[Mob enforcer|enforcer]].<ref name="MafiaHistory"/> Although Castellano had worked hard to cultivate a sophisticated image, he chose the thuggish Bilotti as his protégé because he was "vigilant, hardworking, fearless, and, above all, loyal", according to O'Brien and Kurins.<ref name="Forgotten Man"/> The agents described his traits: "As long as he was waiting on Paul Castellano, Tommy Bilotti was deferential, subdued, watchful yet calm, like a dog on a rug. His self-esteem derived from adoration of the master, and he could afford to be well-behaved. Problems occurred, however, when Bilotti was sent on errands of his own. Out of sight of the Boss, he got rambunctious. He tried to play the big shot; he overdid things. He got creative in a sadistic sort of way, and embroidered gratuitous cruelty through what should have been straightforward business transactions".<ref name="Forgotten Man"/> In one incident, Bilotti entered a Staten Island bar armed with a baseball bat to collect an interest payment from the owner, who was still recovering and trying to pay medical bills from a beating sustained weeks earlier. He berated the bar patrons and owner before unzipping his pants and ordering the bar owner to put his mouth on him, saying to the patrons looking on: "You see? He likes it".<ref name="Forgotten Man"/> O'Brien was warned by Bruce Mouw, the supervisor of the FBI's Squad C-16, which was assigned to investigate the Gambino crime family: "Don't ever talk to Tommy Bilotti alone. He doesn’t play by the rules, [and he has a] very short fuse". In an incident when O'Brien followed Bilotti to a beauty parlor owned by his second wife Donna, Bilotti left the parlor by a back door, entered another car and pulled up next to the vehicle from which O'Brien was carrying out surveillance and confronted the agent. Describing Bilotti's demeanor during the encounter, O'Brien said: "Now, most people, when they are building up to a fit of rage, need some give-and-take, some goading, to get them really psyched. Not Tommy Bilotti. When he got mad, it was like a nuclear reactor going into a meltdown. Once a certain threshold was reached, the process just fed on itself, the voltage increasing exponentially until the fuel was all used up and everything within a certain radius had been leveled. His voice got louder and louder, he made less and less sense. Soon he was just spitting out curses wrapped in random phrases, his face purple, his nostrils distended, ropy veins standing out on his pit-bull neck".<ref name="Forgotten Man"/>

Following the death of [[Carlo Gambino]], Castellano was elevated to [[Crime boss|boss]] of the Gambino crime family in 1976.<ref name="AmericanMafiaHistory"/> Gambino's decision to appoint Castellano as his successor essentially split the family into two factions; Castellano's "[[White-collar crime|white-collar]]" branch, and a "[[Blue-collar crime|blue-collar]]" wing led by [[underboss]] [[Aniello Dellacroce]].<ref name="Castellano’s Reign">[https://medium.com/@EdScarpo/scars-on-mob-boss-paul-castellanos-reign-933bc98d727 Scars on Mob Boss Paul Castellano’s Reign] Ed Scarpo, [[Medium (website)|Medium]] (December 30, 2016) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203034532/https://medium.com/@EdScarpo/scars-on-mob-boss-paul-castellanos-reign-933bc98d727 |date=December 3, 2022 }}</ref> Bilotti was subsequently [[Mafia induction ritual|inducted]] as a [[Made man|"made" member]] of the family in October 1977, and his older brother Joseph followed suit in 1980.<ref name="Photo"/> When Castellano moved into a custom built palatial mansion at 177 Benedict Road atop Staten Island's [[Todt Hill]] in 1980, Bilotti moved into a less ostentatious home nearby. He was a regular visitor and dinner guest at Castellano's mansion and was considered a close family friend. However, when Castellano started an affair with his live-in maid Gloria Olarte, Bilotti kept it secret from Castellano's wife Nina. Bilotti, along with Salvatore Barbato, also provided security for Castellano and his estate. Bilotti and Castellano regularly vacationed together at [[Pompano Beach, Florida]].<ref name="MafiaHistory"/> Castellano promoted Bilotti to ''capo'' in the fall of 1981, and he oversaw a crew of ''[[Soldato|soldati]]'' ("soldiers") that included his brother Joseph Bilotti and [[John Gambino]].<ref name="Photo"/>

In addition to maintaining a large loansharking book, Bilotti was granted lucrative new business ventures by Castellano. The pair were partners in Scara-Mix, a concrete-supply company headquartered at 2537 Richmond Terrace in [[West New Brighton, Staten Island|West New Brighton]] which continuously won profitable contracts.<ref name="oocities">[https://www.oocities.org/organizedcrimesyndicates/ThomasBilotti.html Thomas "Tommy" Bilotti] oocities.org {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20230209214037/https://www.oocities.org/organizedcrimesyndicates/ThomasBilotti.html |date=February 9, 2023 }}</ref> The company obtained more than $2 million in subcontracts on [[Government of New York City|city]] and [[New York City Transit Authority|Transit Authority]] construction projects between 1984 and 1986 alone.<ref name="Supplier of Concrete">[https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/14/nyregion/supplier-of-concrete-to-city-had-link-to-a-crime-figure.html Supplier of Concrete to City Had Link to a Crime Figure] [[Selwyn Raab]], ''[[The New York Times]]'' (September 14, 1986) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319202854/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/14/nyregion/supplier-of-concrete-to-city-had-link-to-a-crime-figure.html |date=March 19, 2022 }}</ref> Paul's son Philip Castellano was installed as president of Scara-Mix, and Bilotti served as the company's vice president, overseeing day-to-day activities on various construction projects in New York City and New Jersey in which the Gambino crime family had an interest.<ref name="oocities"/><ref name="Supplier of Concrete"/> He was also heavily involved in the Steam Fitters Local 638 of the Plumbers Union that was represented by George Daly, an associate who belonged to Bilotti's crew.<ref name="Indictment Struck Blow to Gambino Family">[https://apnews.com/article/f437cabbb9804603d96b8d0c0f531efb Indictment Of Reputed Mobsters Struck Blow to Gambino Family] Vera Haller, [[Associated Press]] (June 21, 1986) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209220857/https://apnews.com/article/f437cabbb9804603d96b8d0c0f531efb |date=February 9, 2023 }}</ref><ref name="Court aide indicted">[https://www.nytimes.com/1986/06/21/us/court-aide-and-15-others-indicted-in-move-against-gambino-group.html Court aide and 15 others indicted in move against Gambino group] [[Selwyn Raab]], ''[[The New York Times]]'' (June 21, 1986) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151130014835/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/06/21/us/court-aide-and-15-others-indicted-in-move-against-gambino-group.html |date=November 30, 2015 }}</ref> Daly served as Local 638's business agent until his 1987 conviction for soliciting bribes to ensure labor peace.<ref name="U.S. v. Daly and Giardina">[https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/842/1380/295619/ United States of America v. George Daly and Louis Giardina] [[Justia]] (October 13, 1987) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209220402/https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/842/1380/295619/ |date=February 9, 2023 }}</ref><ref name="Court lets conviction stand">[https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/10/03/The-Supreme-Court-let-stand-Monday-the-conviction-of/4704591854400/ Supreme Court lets Giardina conviction stand] [[United Press International]] (October 3, 1988) {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20230212210242/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/10/03/The-Supreme-Court-let-stand-Monday-the-conviction-of/4704591854400/#selection-477.77-477.85 |date=February 12, 2023 }}</ref>

===Conspiracy===
Aniello Dellacroce's death from cancer on {{nowrap|December 2, 1985<ref name=tplvd>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CtxVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DeEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5927%2C712063 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |agency=Associated Press |title='Top level hoodlum' dies of cancer |date=December 4, 1985 |page=12A}}</ref>}} started a chain of events that led to Castellano's murder two weeks {{nowrap|later.<ref name="dellacrocce dies">{{cite news|last=Blumenthal|first=Ralph|title=ANIELLO DELLACROCE DIES AG 71; REPUTED CRIME-GROUP FIGURE|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/12/04/nyregion/aniello-dellacroce-dies-ag-71-reputed-crime-group-figure.html?scp=64&sq=%22Paul+Castellano%22++indicted&st=nyt|access-date=January 4, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 4, 1985}}</ref>}} A group of Gambino mobsters, including members of Dellacroce's faction as well as onetime Castellano loyalists, conspired to assassinate Castellano and supplant him with [[John Gotti]] as head of the family.<ref name="Five Families">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5JPhSgeJFCsC&dq=the+fist+gotti+decicco+gravano+debernardo&pg=PA374|isbn=9780312300944|title=Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America's Most Powerful Mafia Empires|date=2005|publisher=St. Martin's Griffin|author=[[Selwyn Raab]]}}</ref> The main conspirators who composed the dissident faction were Gotti, [[Joseph Armone|Joseph "Joe Piney" Armone]], [[Frank DeCicco|Frank "Frankie D" DeCicco]], [[Robert DiBernardo|Robert "DB" DiBernardo]] and [[Sammy Gravano|Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano]] – collectively known as "the fist".<ref name="Jerry Capeci's Gang Land">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WzuzPiXD2LgC&dq=the+fist+gotti+decicco+gravano&pg=PT129|isbn=9781592571338|title=Jerry Capeci's Gang Land|date=2003|publisher=Alpha Books|author=[[Jerry Capeci]]}}</ref> Several factors contributed to the conspiracy to kill Castellano; his failure to attend Dellacroce's [[wake (ceremony)|wake]] was an insult to the Dellacroce family and his followers.<ref name="Blum 107">Blum, p. 107</ref> Secondly, Castellano named his bodyguard Bilotti as the new underboss, a decision which caused insult to other members of the family who felt they were more deserving of the position. Castellano also hinted that he planned on breaking up Gotti's crew over rumors of drug dealing.<ref>Blum p. 112</ref>

Gravano suggested killing both Castellano and Bilotti while they were eating breakfast at a diner.<ref>Blum p. 115</ref> However, when DeCicco tipped Gotti off that he would be having a meeting with Castellano and several other Gambino mobsters at Sparks Steak House on December 16, Gotti and the other conspirators decided to kill him then.<ref>Blum p. 128</ref>

==Death==
[[File:Sparks Steak House Entrance (Manhattan, New York).jpg|thumb|[[Sparks Steak House]] entrance at 210 East 46th Street<!--, the murder scene-->]]
On Monday, December 16, 1985, Bilotti drove Castellano to the prearranged early evening meeting at [[Sparks Steak House]] in [[Midtown Manhattan]], on {{nowrap|East [[46th Street (Manhattan)|46th Street]]}} near {{nowrap|[[Third Avenue]].<ref name=mayignt>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=skFHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=m_gMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3428%2C3712894 |work=The Day |location=(New London, Connecticut) |agency=Associated Press |title=FBI fears murder of Castellano may ignite war for mob control |date=December 17, 1985 |page=A1}}</ref>}} {{nowrap|A hit team}} ([[Salvatore Scala]], Edward Lino, and [[John Carneglia]]) waited near the restaurant entrance; positioned down the street were backup shooters [[Dominick Pizzonia]], [[Angelo Ruggiero]], and {{nowrap|[[Tony Rampino]].<ref name="answers mafia">{{cite news|last=Capeci|first=Jerry|title=Answers About the New York Mafia, Part 2|url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/09/answers-about-the-new-york-mafia-part-2/?scp=8&sq=castellano%20carneglia&st=cse|access-date=January 11, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 2, 2008}}</ref>}} {{nowrap|Gotti, along with Gravano, observed}} the scene from a car across {{nowrap|the street.<ref name="shot by shot">{{cite news|last=Lubasch|first=Arnold H.|title=Shot by Shot, an Ex-Aide to Gotti Describes the Killing of Castellano|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/04/nyregion/shot-by-shot-an-ex-aide-to-gotti-describes-the-killing-of-castellano.html?scp=2&sq=castellano|access-date=January 7, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 4, 1992}}</ref>}}

As Castellano was exiting the car at the front of the restaurant at around 5:26&nbsp;pm [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]], the gunmen ran up and shot him several {{nowrap|times.<ref name=ergaprmb>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-ttVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DeEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3061%2C4363821 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |agency=Associated Press |title=Reputed Mafia boss murdered |date=December 17, 1985 |page=3A}}</ref><ref name=sraphit>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=0klj8wIChNAC&dat=19851217&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |agency=(''New York Daily News'') |title=Crime boss, bodyguard murdered in Manhattan |date=December 17, 1985 |page=A1}}</ref><ref name=upimbbmlbl>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=62APAAAAIBAJ&sjid=soYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6746%2C3158237 |work=The Bulletin |location=(Bend, Oregon) |agency=United Press International |title=Mob boss murder leads to bulletin for Lincoln car |date=December 17, 1985 |page=D4}}</ref>}} Allegedly, Carneglia was the gunman who shot Castellano in the head.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roFmxSXGOeU| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014015614/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roFmxSXGOeU&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=2013-10-14 | url-status=dead|title=YouTube|website=www.youtube.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/archives/|title=Archives &#124; The Philadelphia Inquirer|website=inquirer.com}}</ref> {{nowrap|Bilotti was shot}} as he exited from the driver's door; before leaving the murder scene, Gotti drove past to view {{nowrap|the bodies.<ref name="shot by shot"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.directv.com/|title=Watch America's Book of Secrets Online &#124; Season 2, Ep. 13 on DIRECTV|website=DIRECTV}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vudu.com/content/movies/|title=Vudu - Watch Movies|website=www.vudu.com}}</ref>}}

===Aftermath===
<!--Thomas-->Bilotti is buried fifty yards away from Castellano in the [[Moravian Cemetery]] of [[New Dorp, Staten Island]].<ref name="MafiaHistory"/><ref name="AmericanMafiaHistory"/><!-- Bilotti--> He&nbsp;left behind ten children, including a six-week-old baby daughter; his wife Donna suffered a [[nervous breakdown]] and a [[miscarriage]]. Bilotti's lucrative loansharking business was taken over by [[Joe Watts]], who was given Bilotti's shylock book as a reward for acting as a backup shooter in the Castellano assassination.<ref name="Ex-mobster sentenced">[https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2002/06/24/ex-mobster-sentenced/28715641007/ Ex-mobster sentenced] Howard M. Unger, ''[[Sarasota Herald-Tribune]]'' (June 24, 2002) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209211250/https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2002/06/24/ex-mobster-sentenced/28715641007/ |date=February 9, 2023 }}</ref> His former home on Staten Island was later purchased by the actor [[Steven Seagal]].<ref name="Forgotten Man"/>

Five years after Castellano's murder, Gotti was arrested by the FBI in late 1990 on racketeering {{nowrap|charges,<ref name=gagnorch >{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qEJWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=i-oDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6874%2C3094561 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |agency=(''New York Times'') |title=Gotti arrested again on rackets charges |date=December 12, 1990 |page=7A}}</ref><ref name=mbgnb>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cm4xAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jG4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6197%2C3009377 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |agency=wire dispatches |title=Mob boss Gotti nabbed by FBI |date=December 12, 1990 |page=2}}</ref>}} and denied bail 10 days {{nowrap|later.<ref name=gtsphij>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XopRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RQgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3774%2C526985 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |agency=wire reports |title=Gotti to spend holidays in jail |date=December 22, 1990 |page=A4}}</ref><ref name=jretgbpp>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yHEjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0mMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3148%2C4118579 |work=Pittsburgh Press |agency=Associated Press |title=Judge refuses to grant bail for reputed mob boss Gotti |date=December 22, 1990 |page=A8}}</ref>}} {{nowrap|On April 2, 1992,}} with the help of Gravano becoming a government witness, Gotti was convicted of numerous racketeering charges, including the 1985 Castellano and Bilotti {{nowrap|murders.<ref name=spcgoguil>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2LgSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9vkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6073%2C175434 |work=Spokane Chronicle |location=(Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=Gotti guilty of murder, racketeering |date=April 2, 1992 |page=A1}}</ref><ref name=mtahgcn>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7U5XAAAAIBAJ&sjid=L_ADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6230%2C1348663 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Lubasch |first=Arnold H. |agency=(''New York Times'') |title=Mob takes a hit: Gotti convicted |date=April 3, 1992 |page=A1}}</ref><ref name="gotti guilty">{{cite news|title=John Gotti, Guilty at Last|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/03/opinion/john-gotti-guilty-at-last.html?scp=2&sq=gotti+convicted+castellano+murder&st=nyt|access-date=January 9, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 3, 1992}}</ref><ref name=tflnomil>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=35YWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1RIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6570%2C576551 |work=Milwaukee Sentinel |agency=news services |title=Teflon no more |date=April 3, 1992 |page=3A }}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name=tblgv>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UFhPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SgMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5886%2C609109 |work=Toledo Blade |location=(Ohio) |title=Gotti verdict opens door to rival mob |date=April 3, 1992 |page=1}}</ref>}} {{nowrap| On June 23,<!-- 1992,-->}} Gotti was sentenced to life in federal {{nowrap|prison,<ref name=gglfpsap>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XbkSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-_kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5871%2C3046398 |work=Spokane Chronicle |location=(Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=Gotti gets life prison sentence |date=June 23, 1992 |page=A1}}</ref><ref name=mcggls>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aE5XAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FfADAAAAIBAJ&pg=5710%2C2937663 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |agency=(''Washington Post'') |title=Mob chief Gotti gets life sentence |date=June 24, 1992 |page=A3}}</ref><ref name="gotti sentenced">{{cite news|last=Lubasch|first=Arnold H|title=Gotti Sentenced to Life in Prison Without the Possibility of Parole|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/24/nyregion/gotti-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-without-the-possibility-of-parole.html?scp=9&sq=gotti+sentenced&st=nyt|access-date=January 9, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 24, 1992}}</ref>}} where he died of throat cancer a decade later {{nowrap|in 2002.<ref name=fmbdip>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gN1WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0OsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6649%2C2777222 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |agency=news services |title=Former Mafia boss dies inside prison |date=June 11, 2002 |page=4A}}</ref><ref name=xcbjgdi>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WGZWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tPIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3817%2C5633 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spkane, Washington) |agency=wire reports |title=Ex-crime boss John Gotti dies |date=June 11, 2002 |page=A1}}</ref>}}

Bilotti is portrayed by [[Richard Foronjy]] in the TV movie ''[[Boss of Bosses]]'', Ron Gabriel in the 1996 made-for-TV movie ''[[Gotti (1996 film)|Gotti]]'', and Jerry Grayson in the NBC network TV movie ''[[Witness to the Mob]]''. He was portrayed by an uncredited actor in the biopic 2018 ''[[Gotti (2018 film)|Gotti]]''.

==Further reading==
*Davis, John H. ''Mafia Dynasty: The Rise and Fall of the Gambino Crime Family''. New York: Harper Collins, 1993 {{ISBN|0-06-109184-7}}
*Maas, Peter ''Underboss: Sammy The Bull Gravano's Story of Life in the Mafia''
*O'Brien F. Joseph ''Boss of Bosses: The Fall of the Godfather: The FBI and Paul Castellano''

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-other|[[American Mafia]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Aniello Dellacroce]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Gambino crime family]]<br />Underboss|years=December 2–16, 1985}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Frank DeCicco]]}}
{{end}}

{{Gambino crime family}}{{American Mafia}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bilotti, Thomas}}
[[Category:1940 births]]
[[Category:1985 deaths]]
[[Category:1985 murders in the United States]]
[[Category:20th-century American criminals]]
[[Category:American male criminals]]
[[Category:Murdered American gangsters of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Gangsters from New York City]]
[[Category:Criminals from Staten Island]]
[[Category:People murdered in New York City]]
[[Category:Deaths by firearm in Manhattan]]
[[Category:People murdered by the Gambino crime family]]
[[Category:Burials at Moravian Cemetery]]
[[Category:Gambino crime family]]