Wiretaps from Sicily shed more light on the Montreal mafia war and the inner workings and power of mob boss Vito Rizzuto.
According to these secret wiretaps, Vito Rizzuto broke one of the Mafia’s century old rules by inducting non-Italians into his mafia family. Two of these non-Italian inductees were Raynald Desjardins and Juan Ramon Fernandez a French-Canadian and a Spaniard. Desjardins is now believed by many to be the head of a rebel faction that attempted to take control of the Montreal mafia away from Vito Rizzuto and the Rizzuto family. It is now believed that Fernandez may have been murdered because he was reluctant to choose sides in the deadly mob war in Montreal showing loyalty to both Desjardins and Rizzuto.
“Vito Rizzuto (left) and Juan Ramon Fernandez (right)”
The wiretaps released on Friday from a large investigation in Sicily shed some unexpected light on the deadly struggle for control of the underworld in Montreal. Conversations by dozens of mobsters including Canadians living and visiting Sicily the birthplace of the Mafia. Fernandez asserted his rights to sit at the table with other made men in Sicily declaring that “Mr. Rizzuto makes the f-king rules” and “Vito made me and my compare , Raynald” referring to officially being inducted into the Mafia a right usually only given to Italians. Another man in the conversation says “You’re not Italian” in a surprised voice replying to Fernandez’s comment and he then replies “No, no Me and my Compare were made” despite their lineage. Fernandez then says “Show some respect. I sit at the right hand of God, that is how close i am” referring to his relationship with Vito Rizzuto. The other man in conversation says in a now quiet and meek voice apparently realizing the danger “i just thought you couldn’t because you’re not Italian“.
These wiretaps also showed that even with the passionate words from Fernandez in regards to the power of Vito Rizzuto and his affinity for him he was very reluctant to back the side of Rizzuto in the present underworld war. Mr Fernandez told associates in Sicily that he was close to Mr. Rizzuto but also close to Desjardins whom he named as the leader of the faction challenging Vito for power in Canada according to authorities in Sicily. He wanted to remain neutral say members of Sicily’s organized crime unit. Now some authorities believe this waffling may have been the cause for his death which was ordered from Canada although it is still unknown which faction actually ordered the hit. Vito may now regret his decision to induct these non-Italians and has decided it was time for Fernandez to go amidst his undecided loyalty. If so this shows the reach of the powerful Montreal mob boss may reach all way into Sicily.
