Sammy Gravano - Definition and Overview

Sammy "The Bull" Gravano (born March 12, 1945) was underboss of the Gambino family in the 1980s under John Gotti. Originally a "capo" for the Brooklyn sector of the Gambinos, he was contacted by John Gotti once the plan to murder Paul Castellano was contrived. Gravano would play a key role in Gotti's bid to murder Castellano and become the new Gambino boss. Weighing his options, and seeing there was "something in it for him", he teamed with Gotti to kill Castellano in 1985. This dramatic murder would elevate Gravano's position in the family to underboss, under the new Don John.

In 1991, after he was arrested as a result of a major FBI operation against the Gambino Family, Gravano famously turned state's evidence and testified against Gotti in exchange for a reduced sentence. John Gotti received life imprisonment. Gravano, who confessed to taking part in nineteen murders, was convicted of a token racketeering charge and sentenced to five-years.

Gravano was released early and then entered the Witness Protection Program, but he left it in 1995 and relocated to Arizona. In February 2000 he was arrested and charged as the ringleader of an Ecstasy trafficking organization there. Ultimately he was sentenced to fifteen-years in prison for trafficking.

On February 24, 2003, New Jersey state prosecutors announced they will pursue murder charges against Gravano for his alleged role in a 1980 slaying.