Reputed Gambino crime family boss Francesco Cali gunned down outside Staten Island home
A gunman in a blue pickup shot dead Francesco (Franky Boy) Cali, the reputed head of the notorious Gambino crime family, outside his mansion in New York City's Staten Island borough on Wednesday night. Cali, 53 was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Federal prosecutors have referred to Cali as a Gambino underboss in court filings, but police sources tell the New York Post and New York Daily News that Cali was elevated to head of the Gambino organization in 2015, replacing Domenico Cefalu. The Daily News says he was shot six times in the chest.
This was the first murder of a mob boss in New York City since Gambino chief Paul Castellano was gunned down outside Sparks Steak House in Manhattan, on orders from the man who replaced him, John Gotti. Unlike the "Dapper Don," who died in prison in 2002, Cali "was a real quiet old-school boss," a police source told the Post, and "no one ever sees him." Killing Cali outside his house was "disrespectful," another police source told the Post. "Even Gotti had more respect. ... He did it out in Manhattan."
Cali, a native of Sicily, had replenished the ranks of Gambino gangsters with Italian immigrants and had focused operations on heroin and OxyContin, the Post reports. He was convicted in an extortion conspiracy involving a failed NASCAR track projected in 2008 and served 16 months in prison.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The next place you'll find Starlink tech isn't a war zone — it's your airplane seat
Under the Radar Several major airlines are offering free in-flight Wi-Fi through the technology
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The fishy diplomacy causing tensions between Bangladesh and India
Under The Radar Exports of a 'sacred' fish were recently suspended during difficult relations for the two nations
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Today's political cartoons - October 6, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - Sunday scaries, in-fighting, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Trump criminal trial starts with rulings, reminder
Speed Read The first day of his historic trial over hush money payments was mostly focused on jury selection
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Parents of school shooter sentenced to 10-15 years
Speed Read Jennifer and James Crumbley are the first parents to be convicted in a US mass shooting
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Unlicensed dealers and black market guns
Speed Read 68,000 illegally trafficked guns were sold in a five year period, said ATF
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bankman-Fried gets 25 years for fraud
Speed Read Former "crypto king" Sam Bankman-Fried will report to federal prison
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Feds raid Diddy homes in alleged sex trafficking case
Speed Read Homeland Security raided the properties of hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Goon Squad' cops sentenced for torturing 2 Black men
Speed Read The former Mississippi law enforcement officers pleaded guilty last year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Michigan shooter's dad guilty of manslaughter
speed read James Crumbley failed to prevent his son from killing four students at Oxford High School in 2021
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Shooting at Chiefs victory rally kills 1, injures 21
Speed Read Gunfire broke out at the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl victory parade in Missouri
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published