Digital Social Hour: The Shocking Truth About Mob Life in Vegas | Anthony Ruggiano DSH #1168
Release Date: February 8, 2025
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Anthony Ruggiano
Introduction
In this compelling episode of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly welcomes back Anthony Ruggiano, a man with deep ties to the mob life in Las Vegas. Anthony provides an unfiltered glimpse into the inner workings of organized crime, his personal experiences, and the evolution of the mob over the decades. This detailed summary captures the essence of their candid conversation, highlighting key discussions, insights, and revelations.
1. Anthony's Early Days in Las Vegas (00:30 – 03:06)
Anthony begins by recounting his last visit to Las Vegas in October 1977. At the age of 24, shortly after his marriage in New York, he was sent to Las Vegas as a honeymoon gift orchestrated by Anil Delacroche, the underboss of the Gambino family.
Anthony Ruggiano [01:31]: "I haven't been to Vegas since October of 1977, dude."
Upon his arrival at Caesar's Palace, Anthony was immediately recognized and treated with high regard, indicative of the mob's control over the Las Vegas Strip at the time.
Anthony Ruggiano [01:39]: "They knew. Because back then Vegas was all mobbed."
He describes the stark contrast between the opulent Caesar's Palace and the modest strip mall across the street, emphasizing the mob's pervasive influence.
2. The Decline of Mob Influence in Vegas (02:20 – 04:32)
Anthony discusses the gradual erosion of mob control in Las Vegas, attributing the decline to the 1980s and the 1990s. By the 1990s, the mob's presence had significantly diminished.
Anthony Ruggiano [02:49]: "They had it on lockdown in '77. By the '80s, things were changing, and by the '90s, they were gone."
He reflects on the permanence of mob influence, asserting that while traditional operations may wane, the underlying presence remains.
Anthony Ruggiano [03:10]: "The mob is never going to go away. Then we're going to go."
3. Legal Battles and the RICO Act (04:11 – 17:43)
A significant portion of the conversation delves into Anthony's legal struggles under the RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act. He recounts how his father, a high-ranking mob member, faced multiple trials and ultimately convictions despite jury tampering.
Anthony Ruggiano [15:12]: "He got two hung juries, and then the third time he got convicted."
Anthony himself was indicted for multiple RICO violations, both at the state and federal levels, leading to lengthy incarcerations.
Anthony Ruggiano [17:06]: "I got indicted myself for four RICO's."
He critiques the mob's legal strategies, particularly the unethical practices of mob lawyers who manipulated trials and juries.
Anthony Ruggiano [19:17]: "Mob lawyers are criminals. They tell you how to lie. They take you, you have to pay them, and that's it."
Anthony emphasizes the high conviction rates of RICO cases, leaving defendants with little chance for acquittal.
Anthony Ruggiano [17:26]: "It's got to be super high. It's 90%."
4. Family Dynamics and Personal Trauma (10:14 – 15:26)
Anthony opens up about the personal toll of his family's involvement in organized crime. His daughter, unaware of her grandfather's criminal activities, discovered distressing newspaper clippings about her family's crimes.
Anthony Ruggiano [09:25]: "My daughter, she's traumatized. She found newspaper articles about her loving grandfather and her father involved in murders."
He describes his father's dual nature: a loving family man and a ruthless mobster.
Anthony Ruggiano [11:04]: "At home, he was like a teddy bear, a pushover. But outside, he was Fat Andy, a violent gangster."
This dichotomy created significant emotional strain within the family, leading to long-term psychological impacts.
5. Life in Witness Protection and Beyond (17:43 – 28:31)
Following his legal battles, Anthony entered the Witness Protection Program, relocating to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. He details his life under protection, including the challenges of maintaining a low profile and eventually choosing to leave the program.
Anthony Ruggiano [24:04]: "I was living good. Beautiful apartments, mountain lakes. The girls were throwing themselves at me."
However, bureaucratic hurdles prevented him from attending his father's funeral, reflecting the rigid constraints of the program.
Anthony Ruggiano [23:21]: "They wouldn't let me go to my father's funeral. They said, 'It's Washington's decision.'"
Frustrated with the restrictions, Anthony eventually signed himself out, returning to a life intertwined with his past.
6. The Modern Mob and Its Challenges (29:04 – 35:48)
Anthony observes the significant changes in mob operations, noting the increased surveillance, the rise of informants, and the difficulty in committing crimes like murder without repercussions.
Anthony Ruggiano [29:39]: "Murder seems very hard now... the mob is not what it was like in '77."
He cites recent mob-related murders, such as that of Michael Melnis, highlighting how advancements in surveillance and cooperation with authorities have crippled traditional mob activities.
Anthony Ruggiano [30:10]: "Everybody involved in that mob murder got imprisoned."
Anthony laments the loss of the mob's feared status, attributing it to the modern world's heightened surveillance and legal frameworks.
7. JFK Assassination Theories and Mob Involvement (38:01 – 40:07)
A controversial topic arises when discussing the JFK assassination. Anthony strongly believes that the mob played a pivotal role in Lee Harvey Oswald's actions and Jack Ruby's killing of Oswald.
Anthony Ruggiano [38:10]: "Without a doubt, the mob had something to do with it."
He connects historical mob activities, such as their opposition to JFK and collaboration with the CIA, to the broader conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination.
Anthony Ruggiano [39:18]: "They tried to kill Castro. So why wouldn't they go to Kennedy?"
Anthony also touches upon mob connections with figures like Jack Ruby, suggesting orchestrated efforts to silence Oswald.
8. Interactions with Other Mob Members and Modern Decline (41:04 – 52:35)
Anthony discusses his relationships with other mob figures, including Sammy the Bull and Michael Franzese. He explains the concept of "shelving," where former mob members lose their influence without facing fatal consequences.
Anthony Ruggiano [53:02]: "Shelved means they take away your power. You're shunned."
He reflects on the internal conflicts and diminishing unity within the mob, attributing it to egos and the lack of a cohesive lifestyle among former members.
Anthony Ruggiano [52:20]: "Mob guys are egomaniacs. You have to be in that lifestyle - self-centered and egotistical."
Anthony also hints at ongoing friction and "bullshit" among remnants of the mob, steering clear of the newer generation's conflicts.
9. Reflections and Current Endeavors (55:00 – End)
Concluding the episode, Anthony shares his transition away from mob life, focusing on his podcast and efforts to educate the public about organized crime.
Anthony Ruggiano [59:11]: "Reformgangsters.com... I love it."
He mentions upcoming projects, including special episodes with notable figures like Sammy the Bull and plans to address historical mob activities and their impact.
Notable Quotes
- Anthony Ruggiano [01:31]: "I haven't been to Vegas since October of 1977, dude."
- Anthony Ruggiano [03:10]: "The mob is never going to go away. Then we're going to go."
- Anthony Ruggiano [15:12]: "He got two hung juries, and then the third time he got convicted."
- Anthony Ruggiano [19:17]: "Mob lawyers are criminals. They tell you how to lie. They take you, you have to pay them, and that's it."
- Anthony Ruggiano [29:39]: "Murder seems very hard now... the mob is not what it was like in '77."
- Anthony Ruggiano [38:10]: "Without a doubt, the mob had something to do with it."
- Anthony Ruggiano [53:02]: "Shelved means they take away your power. You're shunned."
Conclusion
This episode of Digital Social Hour offers a rare and intimate look into the life of a former mob associate. Anthony Ruggiano's stories shed light on the intricate and often brutal world of organized crime, its impact on personal lives, and its gradual decline in the face of modern legal and societal changes. Sean Kelly's insightful questioning ensures that listeners gain a nuanced understanding of mob dynamics, both historical and contemporary.
For those intrigued by the raw and unfiltered truths of mob life, this episode serves as a profound narrative of power, family, and survival within the underworld.
Connect with Anthony Ruggiano:
- Website: ReformGangsters.com
- Patreon: Available on his website
- Upcoming Events: Special interviews and appearances, including sessions with Sammy the Bull and Michael Franzese
Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive dialogue between Sean Kelly and Anthony Ruggiano.