"Did You KILL Anybody?" Piers Morgan Grills Former Mafia Boss Michael Franzese
Piers Morgan Uncensored・46 minutes read
Michael Fran, a former mafia boss, shares insights into his criminal past, focusing on the mafia code, his time in prison, and interactions with the mob. Despite significant challenges, including a contract on his life, he has turned his life around and now leads a positive second half of life, showcasing gratitude for support and the opportunity to share his experiences publicly.
Insights
- Michael Fran, a former mafia boss, underwent a significant transformation, moving from a life of crime to a positive second half marked by family, speaking engagements, and a commitment to sharing his experiences.
- The mafia's strict code of loyalty and honor, with dire consequences for violations, shaped Michael's life, leading to conflicts with his father, violent actions, and a constant need for caution even after leaving the criminal world.
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Recent questions
What challenges did Michael Fran face after leaving the mafia?
After leaving the mafia, Michael Fran faced challenges such as the risk of potential threats due to violating the mafia code, the need for caution when visiting certain areas like Brooklyn, and the inability to openly return to his former neighborhood. Despite these obstacles, he has not encountered any issues in the 25 years since leaving the criminal life.
How did Michael Fran's father react to his involvement in the mafia?
Michael Fran's father, who was also involved in the mob, put a contract on his life for violating the mafia code. Despite this, Michael reconciled with his father, who denied his involvement in the contract. This strained relationship with his father was a significant consequence of his mafia ties.
What scheme did Michael Fran devise as a mafia captain?
As a mafia captain, Michael Fran devised a scheme to defraud the government of gasoline taxes, generating substantial revenue. At its peak, they were selling half a billion gallons of gas monthly, earning $789 million weekly. The profits from this scheme were distributed among payroll, the boss, Michael Fran, and other involved individuals.
How did Michael Fran reflect on the accuracy of mafia movies?
Michael Fran emphasized the accuracy of movies like "Goodfellas," "Donnie Brasco," and "Casino" in depicting mafia life. He mentioned that his wife was taken aback by the movie "Goodfellas," prompting them to leave the cinema. This reflection highlights the impact of media portrayals on individuals with real-life mafia experiences.
What positive aspects did Michael Fran mention about caring for individuals in the mafia?
Michael Fran mentioned the advantage of caring for individuals in the mafia, potentially leading to benefits. He emphasized not forcing individuals to do things, citing examples like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. This insight sheds light on the interpersonal dynamics and strategies within the criminal organization.
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Summary
00:00
"Former Mafia Boss Turned Life Around"
- Michael Fran is a former mafia boss who inspired a character in Goodfellas and turned his life around.
- He discusses the mafia code and the consequences of violating it, including death.
- Michael Frances shares insights on his interactions with the mob and the truth about Sinatra's connections.
- He talks about his time in prison and the challenges he faced after leaving the mafia.
- Michael reveals that his father, also involved in the mob, put a contract on his life due to violating the code.
- Despite the contract, Michael reconciled with his father, who denied his involvement.
- Michael's entry into the mafia was driven by his desire to help his father, who was imprisoned for alleged crimes.
- He describes the process of joining the mafia, including taking an oath and the seriousness of the commitment.
- Michael explains the consequences of violating the mafia code, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and honor.
- He reflects on the dangers and uncertainties of mafia life, highlighting the constant need to be cautious and aware of potential threats.
13:05
Mafia captain's lucrative scheme and violent past.
- The boss is deceased, and the current individuals in that life are not concerned about the speaker.
- The speaker cannot return to Brooklyn openly due to potential risks.
- Caution is necessary when visiting New York, especially Brooklyn.
- The speaker has not faced any issues in the 25 years since leaving.
- The speaker, as a mafia captain, devised a scheme to defraud the government of gasoline taxes, generating significant revenue.
- At the scheme's peak, they were selling half a billion gallons of gas monthly, earning $789 million weekly.
- The profits were distributed among payroll, the boss, the speaker, and involved individuals.
- The speaker acknowledges the violent nature of the mafia life and admits to following orders that led to deaths.
- The speaker's wife was taken aback by the movie "Goodfellas," prompting them to leave the cinema.
- The speaker emphasizes the accuracy of movies like "Goodfellas," "Donnie Brasco," and "Casino" in depicting mafia life.
26:00
"Speaker reflects on mafia past and influences"
- The speaker discusses the advantage of caring for individuals, possibly leading to benefits.
- The speaker mentions not forcing individuals to do things, particularly referencing Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.
- The speaker reflects on the lack of interaction with former mob associates due to their absence.
- The speaker acknowledges the high risk they faced in their criminal life, with numerous arrests and indictments.
- The speaker notes the decline in mafia activity from its peak years to the present.
- The speaker recounts a positive interaction with Rudy Giuliani, despite past conflicts.
- The speaker expresses support for Donald Trump as a former president and criticizes the treatment he receives.
- The speaker discusses the influence of Andrew Tate on young men, acknowledging both positive and negative aspects.
- The speaker shares skepticism about Jeffrey Epstein's suicide in prison, suggesting a possible murder.
- The speaker reflects on their past in the mafia, clarifying that they did not receive special treatment in prison.
39:22
"Last Mob Boss Standing: A Life Redeemed"
- Fortune Magazine published an article in 1986 featuring the 50 biggest and wealthiest mob bosses in the country, with the author being one of the six individuals highlighted in the piece, ranked at number 18. Over 30 years later, 48 out of the 50 mob bosses are deceased, with one still in prison and the author being the sole survivor living freely.
- The author had interactions with various famous personalities like Al Pacino, Chazz Palminteri, and Lenny Montana during the filming of The Godfather, expressing mutual respect and friendship with them. A juror in a trial involving the author and Giuliani mentioned that they wouldn't convict someone Frankie Valli loved, leading to the author's acquittal.
- Despite his past involvement in the mob, the author has turned his life around, being married with seven children and embarking on a tour in the UK, showcasing a positive second half of life. The author expresses gratitude for the support received and the opportunity to share his experiences with the public, especially in the UK where there is a keen interest in mob-related stories.
