Unveiling the Top 10 Federal Informants List: Names You Need to Know
The use of informants by law enforcement agencies is not a new concept. In fact, informants have been used for centuries to gather intelligence and assist in investigations. In recent years, federal law enforcement agencies have relied heavily on informants to gather insider information about criminal activities.
In this article, we will be discussing the top 10 federal informants that you should know about. These individuals have played a crucial role in high-profile cases and have provided invaluable information that has led to arrests and convictions.
1. Sammy “The Bull” Gravano
Sammy “The Bull” Gravano is a former underboss of the Gambino crime family in New York. He turned informant in 1991 and provided the government with information about organized crime activities that led to the arrest and conviction of several high-ranking members of the Gambino family, including John Gotti.
2. Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Vitale
Salvatore Vitale is a former underboss of the Bonanno crime family in New York. He turned informant in 2003 and provided the government with information about organized crime activities and the inner workings of the Bonanno family. His testimony resulted in the conviction of several high-ranking members of the Bonanno family.
3. Frank Lucas
Frank Lucas was a notorious drug trafficker in Harlem during the 1960s and 1970s. He turned informant in the 1980s and provided the government with information about his drug trafficking activities. His testimony resulted in the conviction of several other drug traffickers.
4. Richard “The Iceman” Kuklinski
Richard Kuklinski was a contract killer for the DeCavalcante crime family in New Jersey. He turned informant in the 1990s and provided the government with information about his own criminal activities and the activities of other members of the DeCavalcante family.
5. Henry Hill
Henry Hill was a member of the Lucchese crime family in New York. He turned informant in the 1980s and provided the government with information about his own criminal activities, as well as information about the inner workings of the Lucchese family. His testimony resulted in the conviction of several high-ranking members of the Lucchese family.
6. Jimmy “The Weasel” Fratianno
Jimmy Fratianno was a member of the Cleveland crime family and later the Los Angeles crime family. He turned informant in the 1970s and provided the government with information about organized crime activities on the West Coast. His testimony resulted in the conviction of several high-ranking members of the Los Angeles family.
7. Joseph “The Animal” Barboza
Joseph Barboza was a contract killer for the New England crime family. He turned informant in the 1960s and provided the government with information about his own criminal activities, as well as information about the inner workings of the New England family. His testimony resulted in the conviction of several high-ranking members of the New England family.
8. Michael “Mikey Scars” DiLeonardo
Michael DiLeonardo was a captain in the Gambino crime family. He turned informant in the 2000s and provided the government with information about his own criminal activities and the inner workings of the Gambino family. His testimony resulted in the conviction of several high-ranking members of the Gambino family.
9. Anthony “Gaspipe” Casso
Anthony Casso was a high-ranking member of the Lucchese crime family in New York. He turned informant in the 1990s and provided the government with information about organized crime activities and the inner workings of the Lucchese family. He later recanted his testimony and was sentenced to life in prison.
10. Whitey Bulger
Whitey Bulger was a notorious Boston-based organized crime figure. He turned informant in the 1970s and provided the government with information about organized crime activities in Boston. His testimony resulted in the conviction of several members of the Italian-American Mafia. He later became a fugitive and was arrested in 2011. He was convicted of several crimes, including murder and racketeering, and died in prison in 2018.
In conclusion, these federal informants have played a crucial role in the fight against organized crime. Their testimony has led to the conviction of several high-ranking members of criminal organizations and has provided invaluable insight into the inner workings of these organizations. Their bravery in speaking out against their former associates has made them heroes of the justice system.
