Thomas “Monk” Sassano has been named captain by Gambino boss Domenico Cefalu of the Queens based crew which was being headed by Alphonse Trucchio due to a family dispute. Trucchio was once considered a young rising star in the Gambino family before being demoted in part because of a disrespect he showed former consigliere Joseph “JoJo” Corrozo according to reports.
His disrespect toward Corrozo stemmed from a disagreement the two mobsters had over a defense strategy stemming from racketeering charges from the 2011 Mafia Takedown. The defendants had been divided into separate trails at the time and none of them wanted to be first up facing the prosecutions evidence fresh making it more difficult to dispute. During a pre-trial session an argument developed between Trucchio and Corrozo’s lawyer his son Joseph.
“Hey Al, so it’s every man for himself, now,” said Corozzo.
“Why don’t you come here and say that to my face,” replied Trucchio, as he kept moving toward the elevator.
“So, I’m not a man now,” snapped the lawyer, with a look of disgust on his face.
Trucchio would eventually agree to a plea deal and begin serving his 10 year prison sentence. Reports continues to surface while in prison of the Gambino’s unhappiness with his actions although he remained an official capo in the family until recently. But the 38 year old Trucchio has now been officially replaced as skipper of the Howard Beach crew by the 68 year old Sassano according to sources.
A former sanitation worker Sassano professed his loyalty for the Gambino crime family in the late 1980’s during the rise of former boss John Gotti. The long time loyal Gambino soldier has finally reaped a reward for his time in the New York Mafia.
