On this day, Dec. 16, in 1985, Gambino godfather Paul Castellano and driver Thomas Bilotti were shot dead on the orders of John Gotti, who assumed leadership of the Gambino family.
Earlier that year, Castellano was one of many Mafia bosses arrested on charges of racketeering after the FBI bugged Castellano’s 17-room mansion on Staten Island. “Big Paul” was released on $3 million bail and rumors swirled that the 70-year-old might try to cut a deal.
Two weeks before his death, Castellano angered a lot of members when he did not attend the funeral of his underboss. Castellano then made his driver, Bilotti, the new underboss.
To iron out their differences, Castellano agreed to meet Gotti at Sparks Steakhouse in Manhattan.
Around 6 p.m., Castellano and Bilotti had just exited a Lincoln Town Car in front of the steakhouse when two men wearing long overcoats and hats gunned them down. Gotti watched from across the street.
Gotti succeeded Castellano, and was later convicted of ordering Castellano’s murder.
– Scott McCabe
