Former Gambino crime family underboss Sammy “The Bull” Gravano sat down with Sean Hannity on the “Hang Out With Sean Hannity” podcast to discuss one of the most consequential moments in organized‑crime history. Gravano said he was approached by Angelo Ruggiero, a close associate of John Gotti, with a request that would change the power structure of the Gambino family.
According to Gravano, Ruggiero told him, “We have problems with Paul. I need your help. We need you — me and John Gotti.” When Gravano asked what the help entailed, Ruggiero replied bluntly, “We’re gonna kill him.” The target was Paul Castellano, the then‑boss of the Gambino family and one of the most powerful figures in the American underworld.
Gravano’s questions and the stakes
Gravano recalled pressing Ruggiero for more details, especially the whereabouts of Gotti himself. “I told him, ‘Angelo, first of all, where’s John Gotti? You’re talking to me. Where is he?'” he said. Ruggiero insisted that Gotti was involved and that the hit required Gravano’s participation.
Gravano described the request as “a big deal,” noting that ordering a hit on a family boss could bring severe, even deadly, consequences for anyone involved. He emphasized that the plan was not a routine mob favor but an audacious power move that would ultimately lead to a leadership change.
The 1985 murder and its aftermath
In December 1985, Castellano and his underboss, Thomas Bilotti, were assassinated outside a New York City steakhouse. The hit was orchestrated by John Gotti, who later earned the nickname “The Dapper Don” for his flamboyant style and rise to power. Gotti’s role in the murder cemented his position as the new head of the Gambino family, a role he would hold until his conviction in the early 1990s.
Gravano’s interview also touched on his broader criminal history, including involvement in nearly 20 murders and a lengthy prison sentence. He reflected on his relationship with Gotti, noting that while he once admired the mobster, his view shifted dramatically after Gotti’s eventual imprisonment.
Where to hear the full conversation
The full interview is available on major podcast platforms, including iHeart, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Listeners can hear Gravano’s detailed recollections of the 1985 hit, his interactions with Gotti and Ruggiero, and his perspective on the inner workings of the Gambino family.
Gravano’s account provides a rare, first‑hand look at a pivotal moment in organized‑crime history, illustrating how a single request to eliminate a boss can reshape an entire criminal empire.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
