By Marla Eggar

This week we journey into the life of mobster, John D’Amato, of the De Cavalcante Family. But before we do, here’s a little FYI for you. Back in the day, (when I was just an itch in my daddy’s pants) the New Jersey crime family was seen as the “red headed step child” of the mob. (Also, referred to as “The Farmers”). They were the smallest but oldest of the crime families. In fact, men who couldn’t get made anywhere else within the five families would join the New Jersey fraction as a last resort. Nevertheless, don’t be fooled by their numbers. What they lacked in size they made up for with violence and ruthlessness. (Who says size matters?)

In time, they became known for their brutality and intimidation. Rumor has it, they’d rather beat a man like a government mule then have sex with a woman. Fortunately for one mobster that wasn’t an issue. You see, John D’Amato, boss of the De Cavalcante Family in the early 90s, was a super freak! You know the type you don’t take home to mother… or your mob friends.

This gangster liked to get his freak on. Unfortunately for him, he liked to hide his cannoli in men. As you probably already know this doesn’t sit well in the mob. According to D’Amato’s girl at the time, they were a little bit nonconformist (translation: freak-a-leeks between the sheets) and frequented sex clubs. Supposedly, one night at the club she saw him go down on another man… I shit you not! Now there’s a lot I could say about that but I’ll move forward and “put” it behind me ~ much like D’Amato, sorry I couldn’t resist.

Nevertheless, once his old lady ratted him out to Anthony Capo, a hit man for the family, he couldn’t resist telling the story to the rest of the family. Out of fear of being disgraced and embarrassed, the family had to eradicate the situation immediately. So, they decided to go fishing, want to take a wild guess who they were going to use for bait? Actually, I’m just being a wise ass again. In reality, Anthony Capo picked D’Amato up from his girl’s house. Then Capo shot D’Amato five times. Yeah poor little tink, tink, (in my Kat Williams voice) “Using the Wrong Head to Think With”.

Now here’s my question? Why would you join this organization when you know you have those types of feelings? Knowing it would not be accepted and furthermore putting your life at risk! Surely, he didn’t believe he would get a pass if found out. This clearly was not worth the risk in my opinion. Just for the record, I don’t think him being gay/bisexual made him any less capable of doing his job. It just seems like being gay/ bisexual is an added stressor to an already nerve- racking work environment.

Seriously, before any readers out there get the bright idea of calling D’Amato a finook, fennel or any other gay slur let’s be clear… We all know he’s not the only one. Furthermore, all the pretenders out there that claim they’re so hard but once those prison doors close, they become lonely after that their “gay for the stay”… SHUT UP! Nevertheless, knowing what type fun-loving, open minded establishment this is one would think his choice of lifestyle would present a major conflict of interest, don’t you think? I mean at the very least why not ask to join the Lanza Crime Family (now defunct) out in San Francisco. He probably would’ve enjoyed the change in scenery. I’m sure they would’ve bent over backwards to keep him happy.

In closing, I guess there are two life lessons we can take away from D’Amato. First, Mai temere Roma, il serpente se ne sta attorcigliato a Napoli (my TeamGotti players will get that). Second, trust and believe what you do in the dark will eventually come to light!

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