James Failla
James Failla | |
|---|---|
Mobster | |
| Allegiance | Gambino crime family |
| Conviction(s) | Conspiracy to commit murder (1994) |
| Criminal penalty | 7 years' imprisonment (1994) |
James "Jimmy Brown" Failla (January 22, 1919 – August 5, 1999) was an American
Criminal career
Early days
Failla was raised in the
In 1966, Failla was again fined for bookmaking and illegal gambling. In 1970, Failla was charged with contempt of court for refusing to testify before a grand jury, but the charge was later dropped. By 1971, Failla had become a caporegime in the Gambino family.
Man of power and caution
Failla was one of the most respected and feared racketeers in New York, and one of the all-time top earners. A resident of
Law enforcement agents characterized Failla as being extremely cautious and constantly wary of
Failla directed a large crew that was involved in
Failla and his associates are notoriously known to be heavily discreet, often avoided being seen with certain individuals in public, and frequently utilized Failla's infamous "walk-and-talk" method to avoid surveillance while discussing legitimate and lawful business dealings. While Failla was feared by many, as his reputation was of a fierce and vicious operator and handler of his trade, he did in fact conduct the majority of his business in a lawful manner, which for many years saved him from tangling with the criminal judicial system. Failla avoided incarceration for many years due to his unique manner of conducting himself and his business. Failla is acknowledged and distinguished as one of the all-time top earners for the Gambino family. Nevertheless, after many years of unsuccessful efforts by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to indict Failla, he was eventually incarcerated and then soon after passed while serving a sentence in prison for conspiracy to commit murder, a conviction the District Attorney's Office obtained with much help from mobster-turned-informant Sammy "The Bull" Gravano.
Garbage rackets
For 30 years, Failla controlled the Trade Waste Association of Greater New York, an association of trash haulers in the New York area. Failla skimmed off 50% of the association dues for the Gambino family.[2] Failla allocated hauling routes and set pricing. Companies were prohibited from switching trash-hauling companies or using non-union drivers.[1] To prevent competitors from entering the New York City market, Failla used threats and intimidation.
In 1993, the
Castellano years
In 1976, Gambino died and Failla became the acting boss of the Gambino family. However, Gambino's successor was Paul Castellano. Failla built a strong relationship with Castellano, meeting him weekly at Castellano's Todt Hill mansion on Staten Island. On December 16, 1985, Failla was waiting for Castellano at the Sparks Steak House in Midtown Manhattan to discuss family matters. When Castellano arrived outside the restaurant, gunmen allied with Gambino capo John Gotti assassinated him on the street. Soon after Castellano's death, Gotti became the new boss. Despite Failla's ties with Castellano, Gotti left Failla in charge of the lucrative trash-hauling rackets.
Gotti years
Over time, Failla built a close partnership with the Genovese crime family. It was rumored that the Genovese leadership wanted to install Failla as Gambino boss after a failed assassination attempt on then Gambino boss John Gotti. In 1986, as a result of the tapings at Castellano's house in 1983, Failla was indicted on racketeering charges. However, in June 1987, Failla was acquitted on federal racketeering charges. The reason cited for the acquittal was his lack of conversation on those tapings.[4]
In 1989, Failla participated in the murder of Gambino mobster Thomas Spinelli. A member of Failla's crew, Spinelli had recently testified before a grand jury and was due to appear again. Gambino underboss Sammy Gravano ordered Spinelli's murder to prevent him from providing further testimony. Spinelli was murdered inside a Brooklyn factory.[5]
In December 1990, when Gotti went to jail awaiting trial, he appointed Failla as acting boss of the family.[6] After Gotti's incarceration, Failla and Peter Gotti both jointly held the acting street-boss position until Peter took over control completely.
Prison
In 1991, Gravano became a government witness and implicated Failla in the 1989 Spinelli murder. In April 1993, Failla was charged with racketeering and murdering Spinelli.
Death
On August 5, 1999, James Failla died of natural causes in a federal prison in Texas.
References
- ^ a b "He Runs Trash Hauling With Silence and Pastry" By SELWYN RAAB New York Times February 20, 1993
- ^ a b To Prosecutors, Breakthrough After 5 Years of Scrutiny Selwyn Raab, The New York Times (June 23, 1995)
- ^ a b Judge Backs Competition In Trash-Hauling Industry The New York Times (February 28, 1994)
- ^ 2 Acquitted of Racketeering Charges at Gambino Trial in Brooklyn Leonard Buder, The New York Times (June 12, 1987) Archived November 11, 2021, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Sammy 'the Bull' Gravano Allan May, TruTV Crime Library
- ^ Wanted: a Mob Boss Without the Flash The New York Times (April 4, 1992)
- ^ Charges Link Trash Industry To the Mafia The New York Times (April 20, 1993)
- ^ Judge Says He May Reject Plea Deal in Garbage-Hauling Case The New York Times (April 5, 1994)
