Aniello Dellacroce

American organized-crime boss

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July 21, 2026

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Aniello Dellacroce was a prominent figure in American organized crime, serving as a mentor to John Gotti and a rival faction leader within the Gambino crime family. He was considered by some to be next in line for leadership after Carlo Gambino. Dellacroce's influence was significant, with him controlling a substantial portion of the syndicate's operations. His death in 1985 preceded the assassination of Paul Castellano, the then-boss of the Gambino family, an event that John Gotti, Dellacroce's protégé, is believed to have witnessed. The Gambino crime family is one of New York City's historic Five Families, with roots tracing back to Sicily.1234

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Paul Castellano
Assassination and aftermath
…causes of Castellano’s previous underboss, Aniello Dellacroce, who had headed a rival Gambino faction that disregarded Castellano’s ban on drug dealing. Dellacroce’s death may have emboldened his ambitious and violence-prone protégé John Gotti, who, according to an informant, witnessed Castellano’s murder from a parked car. Gotti, who took control of…
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…causes of Castellano’s previous underboss, Aniello Dellacroce, who had headed a rival Gambino faction that disregarded Castellano’s ban on drug dealing. Dellacroce’s death may have emboldened his ambitious and violence-prone protégé John Gotti, who, according to an informant, witnessed Castellano’s murder from a parked car. Gotti, who took control of…
Read More