Last Rites
Authors: William J. Craig
Published by The History Press
Charleston, SC 29403
Copyright © 2009 by William J. Craig
All rights reserved
First published 2009
e-book edition 2012
All images are by the author unless otherwise noted.
ISBN 978.1.61423.340.4
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Craig, William J., 1972-
Last rites : the final days of the Boston mob wars / William J. Craig.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
print edition ISBN 978-1-59629-834-7
1. Mafia--Massachusetts--Boston--Case studies. 2. Marino, Vincent, 1960- 3. Gangsters--Massachusetts--Boston--Case studies. 4. Organized crime--Massachusetts--Boston--Case studies. I. Title.
HV6452.M42M343 2009
364.1'0609744--dc22
2009040849
Notice
: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. It is offered without guarantee on the part of the author or The History Press. The author and The History Press disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This book is dedicated to my precious wife Charlene. She has been the backbone of my life. She has given me strength when I had none and continued love and support throughout my ventures, no matter what path I chose. If I ever needed a reason to become a better person she gave me the reason, and our daughter Meadow Jean has given me the chance. I love you both and I promise my love will never falter
.
C
ONTENTS
CHAPTER 2.
Growing Up in Revere
CHAPTER 3.
The Boston Underworld
A
UTHOR
'
S
N
OTE
This is a work of nonfiction. Most of the spoken words were taken from interviews, wire taps, court testimonies and newspaper articles, were reconstructed by eyewitnesses to the events or have been recounted to me. I have attributed thoughts to some of the characters, and all of these were plausibly described to me. I describe criminal proceedings and cite various documents relating to them.
While growing up in Revere, I have not only personally known the men mentioned in this book, such as Sean Cote, Paul Strazzula, Eddie Portalla and Gigi Portalla, but I have associated with them from time to time as well. I have had and continue to have a very close personal friendship with the Portalla family. I also personally know and have interviewed some of the Revere Police officers mentioned in this book. Many of the stories and their details have never been revealed until now.
A
CKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my father-in-law, Mike Devaney, for all his time and effort in reviewing this manuscript prior to publication. To my stepchildren, Cory Devaney, Kyle Ferguson and Leah Ferguson, thank you for your patience and understanding while my time was taken up with research and writing. I would also like to extend my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to Grandma Dorothy Devaney for all her care packages that she mailed from Kansas City, Missouri, to the family while this project was being undertaken. I can't forget my favorite bartender, Scott Devaney, whose prompt service is always appreciated. At this time, I would also like to thank Ray Regan for his constant friendship and advice and M.G. for his friendship and caring, especially toward my family and daughter. Grateful appreciation should also be extended to my brother, author James Craig, for his assistance in finding The History Press and guiding me in their direction for the publication of this book. Last but not least, special thanks need to be extended to my dear friend Ed Portalla for his assistance, friendship and advice throughout the years.
I
NTRODUCTION
The nefarious, blood-stained culture of the Italian-American underworld has long been a spectacle of attraction for the American public. These men have been romanticized, mystified into men of honor and propelled into American idol status. In reality, they are sociopathic deviants who traverse a depraved world. Their charisma is dark, and their chilling presence bodes ill tidings to the law-abiding public. These men and their world tap into a part of us that we manage to keep hidden even from ourselves. This is true because organized crime exists to serve our primal human appetites. The appetite could be drugs, the urge to make a fast buck or to get laid by someone other than your wife.
The main tool of the mafia trade is intimidation, and undeniably, intimidation works. Just think how quickly we would pay our bills if the threat of bodily harm were thrown into the mix instead of a late payment notice. The inevitable carnage that comes with mob life is only a byproduct of doing business. First and foremost, organized crime is a business. The main objective of any entrepreneurial endeavor is to make money, or rather, to earn. The workload is constant and oftentimes exasperating. Much of the work revolves around bill collecting. The hours are sometimes long and brutal, and your co-workers are all thieves. However, there is an upside. There are no pension plans, health plans, audits or taxes to deal with. What you earn you keep, except for a small portion that is kicked up to the people above you as a form of tribute. For these men, crime is what they do, not who they are. There are no feelings of guilt. This is a world where family lines, business lines and generational lines constantly cross and merge.
Gigi's graduation photo from Revere High School, 1980.
Courtesy of Revere High School
.
For many years, organized crime in Massachusetts has been viewed as a weak and pesky stepchild when compared to organized crime in New York or Chicago. However, once the underhanded dealings between Whitey Bulger, a South Boston gang boss, and the FBI were broadcast across the national news networks and
America's Most Wanted
, this opinion quickly changed. The American public quickly became aware of just how prevalent organized crime was in New England and in the Boston district of the FBI.
This is the story of Gigi Portalla, aka Vincent Marino, a man well known within the New England organized crime cabal as well as law enforcement circles. Gigi is a unique and surprising man. He stands six feet, three inches, and weighs in at 250 pounds of pure muscle. He is intimidating to look at; however, he is extremely well spoken and courteous. His life does not follow the stereotypical mobster story. Rather, this book follows a young man's personal journey for direction and understanding in a world few rarely see. He is also probably the last standup guy of the mafia generation. Unlike other racketeers, he did not sell out every one of his crime associates to stay out of prison. Instead, he is serving a thirty-five-year sentence in federal prison. Leading up to Gigi's incarceration, an attempt was made on his life. He was severely wounded during a botched mob hit, and controversy surrounded certain circumstances in the aftermath of that incident. While he was undergoing surgery for his wound, it is widely believed that the FBI and DEA planted a tracking device in his buttocks. Both bureaus have denied this accusation, all the while not allowing Mr. Portalla to undergo the necessary medical tests to prove his case. The denials come from the same FBI field office that is responsible for the Whitey Bulger fiasco, raising some serious doubts on the credibility of their stated denials. Gigi's life mirrors the life of a true, tragic Machiavellian hero.
This book is more than a rare look into a repulsive criminal world that not only celebrates, but rewards, the self-destructive behavior of people who are devoid of conscience and bereft of human decency or morality. It is a story of personal reflection and how the choices we make today will dictate the life we lead tomorrow.
C
HAPTER
1
T
HE
B
OTCHED
H
IT
In the early morning hours of Sunday, November 24, 1996, a nondescript Chrysler parked on a North Shore road outside of a local watering hole called Club Caravan in Revere, Massachusetts. Although it was a chilly fall night, the club was still a flurry of activity. A few local patrons braved the wind coming off the ocean as they hurried into the bar to make last call. The driver of the Chrysler exited the vehicle and approached a solitary man waiting on the sidewalk in front of the club. The two men began arguing, with the shorter man explaining that he needed more time to raise the money. At the same time, a black Lincoln Continental pulled up across the street from the Chrysler. Suddenly, a Bronco screeched up to the club. The driver slipped on a pair of gloves, exited the vehicle high on cocaine and headed toward the two men arguing. Instinctively, the taller man turned toward the man approaching from the Bronco and began to wrestle over a gun that had its barrel oiled in case of this scenario. The peaceful night quickly erupted with the sound of gunfire and shattering glass, as the man in the Lincoln began to shoot at the passenger in the Chrysler. The driver of the Chrysler scrambled into the nightclub, pushing past patrons and security in an attempt to evade his would-be assassins, and lurched toward the band only to collapse on the dance floor from a wound in his buttocks. The passenger of the Chrysler managed to crawl into the driver's seat amidst the flying bullets and shattering glass, only to drive the car approximately fifty yards down the road, where he ran into the Wonderland Ballroom before collapsing from his wounds.
