Dominick Napolitano – The successful crew leader and right hand man of Philip Rastelli

Dominick Napolitano had a nickname called Sonny Black. He was born on 16th June 1930 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. He started his life as petty thief. Although, his family belonged to Naples, Italy, he had a blond hair during birth, which he dyed black once he grew up, thereby earning that nickname.

His personal life

He is regarded to be an avid enthusiast for pigeons and had them kept at the apartment building’s rooftop. The pigeons were said to be prized coming from pedigree bloodlines from Russia, Germany and France. He often used to visit his coop, which according him made him to feel peace of mind and to help think better. He befriended Brasco, who actually was a FBI undercover and explained him the activities and functions of the Mafioso.

As a mafia

He had controlled parts of Florida and Pasco County after getting the approval of Santo Trafficante Jr. and the Trafficante Mafia Family. Orlando at that point of time was considered to be a developing gambling district, which prompted Napolitano to start a bookmaking operation here. He is known to have owned Motion Lounge – a social club and apartment building in New York. His lounge had become his headquarters for his crew to get involved in numerous illegal activities such as robbery, burglary, loansharking, bank robbery, bookmaking, and hijacking, drug trafficking, casino operations, extortion, etc. His crew was regarded to be the leading in the family and a successful one.

After the murder of Carmine Galante in 1979, he got promoted to the rank of a capo, while Michael Sabella, his mentor was demoted, on whose place he came. He took over the crew of Sabella and had become a confidante and close aid of Phillip Rastelli, the Bonanno Mafia Family’s boss. But the Bonanno family got split into two groups, with one behind Rastelli and the other by Alphonse Indelicto, with both fighting for the top position. It was the responsibility Napolitano and Joseph Massino to have the power struggle to be ended and their task was cut to killing three capos namely Alphonse Indelicato, Philip Giaccone and Dominick Trinchera.

According to Pistone, Dominick was much more disciplined and observant and also had watchful eye. When it came for personal loyalty to sidewalk soldiers, he simply had a wonderful reputation.

On 17th August 1981, he was shot to death for allowing FBI agent to be in his crew.