Posted on 04/03/2022 10:02:45 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A celebrity chef who once ruled the peaks of New York City's restaurant scene has admitted to being an active member of the Gambino crime family and committing shocking crimes at the height of his powers in the 1980s and 90s.
David Ruggerio, 59, who once ran the kitchens of top Manhattan restaurants La Caravelle, Maxim's and Le Chantilly, came clean with the shocking admission in an interview with Vanity Fair published on Thursday.
Ruggerio -- a former Food Network star who largely dropped out of sight after a 1998 arrest on credit card fraud charges -- admitted in the interview to a staggering range of mob crimes, including heroin dealing, truck hijackings, loan-sharking, bookmaking, extortion, and even participating in gangland murders.
As he lived a secret double life, few realized that he was actually blood related to the 'boss of bosses' Carlo Gambino -- though the FBI was not unaware of his ties, particularly after he hosted the 'Teflon Don' John Gotti's 50th birthday party in Maxim's luxurious dining room.
Now, though he refuses to speak about the crimes of any other living mafioso, Ruggerio is breaking the seal of omerta, the mob's code of silence, saying he regrets his life of crime.
'I wouldn't have wished my life on anyone. I hate to sleep. The nights are very long and filled with nightmares,' he told Vanity Fair. 'I didn't want to be a criminal. I want you to understand that. I loved being a chef.'
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Sounds like he ruined that dish.
Prison food to improve soon.
When it comes to reality tv stars, it is always a case of “who knows?”
I’m sure the FIB will be right on it.
He’s cooked.
So much for destroying old stereotypes.
This guys father was first cousin to the Don of Don’s Carlo. That by blood makes him Cosa Nostra. He was a made man from birth effectively. All you have demonstrated is that you don’t know crap.
‘I’m gonna make him a Caponata he can’t refuse.’
Based on what?
Agreed, When you meet a guy in a bar bragging about his mafia exploits it’s about as likely true as when you meet someone claiming to have been a Navy Seal.
#10 “I remember eating at Hobo Joe’s, much later I found out it was a mob front.”
The meat served up in their meatloaf was actually ground up chunks of whacked mob guys....
If his story about his involvement in murder is true, why tell it now? Can he still be investigated and arrested for those crimes?
If his story is true, I especially feel sorry for the 22-year-old victim.
Ok, that's a confession, right? Arrest him, try him, execute him.
Hands down best food in the federal prison sentence is FCI Otisville because it’s run by wise guys or at least used to be.....it’s a holding joint for monsters mostly who aren’t held at MCC MANHATTAN or FDC Brooklyn
And no it’s not like the moves with cappy and po boy bread and calamari brought in to order ....they just run the main line well
El Reno breakfast ....well done too....Oklahoma...ancient territorial prison
Prison fare usually as you’d expect ....sucks
I worked with a client on numerous projects each year. Smart, quiet, skinny but in great shape (and older). One time we were out hacking out some lines in the woods. One of his partners was talking and swearing most of the time as we hacked through the brush in the heat.
“Just like F-ing Vietnam, hey Bob!?”
“Oh, were you guys in Vietnam together?”
“No - I was a grunt and Bob was Special Forces.”
“Special Forces? Up in the mountains training the locals and leading operations?”
“Yep - that was Bob. He was a real badass!”
Bob didn’t say anything, just quietly went about his work.
“I was a Navy Seal in the Gambino family, I swear.” “I scuba-ed into lobster tank at Spark’s and personally shot Castellano”
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