John Franzese Jr.

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John Franzese Jr.
Mobster
SpouseDenyce Franzese
Parent
RelativesMichael Franzese (brother)
AllegianceColombo crime family

John Franzese Jr. (born 1960/61), now living as Mat Pazzarelli, is an American former mobster and associate of the

John "Sonny" Franzese.[1] He is the first son of a New York mobster to turn state's evidence and testify against his father.[2][3][4]

Organized crime

Franzese Jr. was born into the family of Colombo underboss

AIDS.[1]

Informant

Franzese Jr. wanted a way out of his life and was approached by the

wire around his father.[7] Franzese Jr. testified twice against his father, the last time his father attempted to have him killed; he later lived under witness protection.[8] In 2010, he admitted that he received $50,000 from the FBI as a cooperating witness.[9]

With the help of Franzese Jr.'s testimony, his father was sentenced on January 14, 2011, to eight years in prison for extorting two Manhattan strip clubs, running a

loanshark operation and extorting a pizzeria on Long Island.[10] He is the first son of a New York mobster to turn state's evidence and testify against his father.[11]

In 2017, he was recognized by someone attending a recovery meeting and was exposed via a post on

Witness Protection Program in Indianapolis. In 2019, Franzese met with his father at the nursing home where he resided and reconciled with him.[1] His father died of natural causes in New York, on February 24, 2020, aged 103.[12]

Personal life

His wife Denyce was featured on I Married a Mobster TV show episode "Rat Trap".[13] He is a recovering addict living in Indianapolis encouraging others with the affliction of addiction, offering an example of what rehabilitation can look like at a special housing unit.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Keefer, Zac. "The mobster in our midst". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  2. ^ Daly, M. "It's the ultimate in Mafia betrayals as John (Sonny) Franzese is ratted out by son". Daily News. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  3. ^ "Turncoat Son, Death Behind Bars, Haunt Sonny Franzese". Huffpost New York. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  4. ^ Fisher, Janon (June 10, 2010). "Boss: Rat's my boy". New York Post. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  5. ^ Riley, John (July 15, 2010). "Franzese Jr. told feds he wouldn't write tell-all". News Day. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  6. ^ "A Godfather Betrayed by His Namesake, Part II". The Sun. May 17, 2007. Archived from the original on June 14, 2010. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  7. ^ "John Franzese Jr. testified against his dad, Sonny — and then quit Witness Protection". newsday.com. March 27, 2019.
  8. ^ Capeci, Jerry. "Feds: Sonny Asked a Mob Pal to Help Whack His Turncaot Son". Huffington Post. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  9. ^ "Colombo underboss John (Sonny) Franzese's son admits he sold his dad out for $50,000". nydailynews.com. June 10, 2019. Archived from the original on June 13, 2010.
  10. ^ "93-Year-Old Crime Boss Gets 12-Year Sentence". cbsnew.com. January 14, 2011.
  11. ^ "Colombo underboss John (Sonny) Franzese betrayed by son, who'll testify against legendary mobster". nydailynews.com. June 9, 2010. Archived from the original on June 12, 2010.
  12. ^ "John Franzese, Mafioso Who Consorted With Celebrities, Dies at 103". The New York Times. February 24, 2020. Archived from the original on February 24, 2020.
  13. ^ Rabinowitz, Dorothy. "War, Sex and Counterterrorism". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on June 22, 2015. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
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