Salvatore Gravano

American gangster

Also known as: Sammy the Bull

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July 16, 2026

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Salvatore Gravano, also known as "Sammy the Bull," was an American mobster and high-ranking member of the Gambino crime family in New York City. He rose through the ranks, becoming a close associate of John Gotti. Gravano played a significant role in the Gambino family's operations, which included illegal activities such as gambling, loansharking, and hijacking.

A pivotal moment in Gravano's criminal career was his testimony against John Gotti in 1992. This act, a violation of Mafia codes, led to Gotti's conviction and life sentence. Gravano's cooperation with federal authorities significantly impacted the Gambino crime family and the broader organized crime landscape in New York.1

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John Gotti
…assassinated in a shooting that Salvatore Gravano (“Sammy the Bull”), a Gotti associate, later claimed Gotti witnessed from a parked car. In 1986 Gotti emerged as the leader of the Gambino crime family.
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…assassinated in a shooting that Salvatore Gravano (“Sammy the Bull”), a Gotti associate, later claimed Gotti witnessed from a parked car. In 1986 Gotti emerged as the leader of the Gambino crime family.
Read More

Gambino crime family
John Gotti years
…murder charges after his underboss Salvatore (“Sammy the Bull”) Gravano testified against him, including regarding Gotti’s role in the 1985 murder of Castellano. He was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole and died in federal custody in 2002. After his conviction leadership of the family passed through several hands, including…
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…murder charges after his underboss Salvatore (“Sammy the Bull”) Gravano testified against him, including regarding Gotti’s role in the 1985 murder of Castellano. He was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole and died in federal custody in 2002. After his conviction leadership of the family passed through several hands, including…
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