The Infamous Carmine Persico: Unmasking His Most Trusted Informant
Carmine Persico was one of the most notorious American gangsters of the last century. He was the head of the Colombo crime family for over 20 years and was known for his ruthless ways. However, even a man like Persico needed to rely on others to help him carry out his dirty work. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at one of Persico’s most trusted informants and the impact he had on the Colombo crime family.
Who Was Carmine Persico?
Before we dive into the details of Persico’s informant, let’s take a closer look at who Carmine Persico was and what made him such a feared figure in the world of organized crime. Persico was born in 1933 in Brooklyn, New York. He joined the Colombo crime family in the 1950s and worked his way up the ranks over the years. In 1973, he became the boss of the family, a position he would hold until his death in 2019.
During his time as boss, Persico was known for his willingness to use violence to maintain his power. He was involved in numerous criminal activities, including racketeering, loan-sharking, and extortion. He spent a significant portion of his life behind bars, but even while he was in prison, he still exerted control over his family.
The Rise of Persico’s Most Trusted Informant
One of the keys to Persico’s success was his ability to gather intelligence on his rivals and potential threats. He had a network of informants who kept him informed about the goings-on in the world of organized crime. However, there was one informant who stood out from the rest.
Joseph Barone was a member of the Colombo crime family who became one of Persico’s most trusted confidants. Barone was known for his intelligence and his ability to gather information. He quickly rose through the ranks of the family and became a captain, a position that gave him access to valuable information.
Barone’s role as an informant began in the early 1990s, when he was faced with a long prison sentence. Knowing that he needed to provide something of value to the government to reduce his sentence, Barone turned to the FBI. He began meeting with agents and providing them with information about the inner workings of the Colombo crime family.
The Impact of Barone’s Information
Barone’s information was instrumental in several high-profile cases against members of the Colombo crime family. He provided key evidence in the trial of Gregory Scarpa Jr., a hitman for the family. He also provided information that led to the indictment of several other high-ranking members of the family.
Barone’s cooperation with the government eventually led to his release from prison in 2002. However, his role as an informant was not well-received by his former associates in the Colombo crime family. He was labeled a rat and was forced to enter the Witness Protection Program to ensure his safety.
Conclusion
The story of Carmine Persico and Joseph Barone is just one example of the complex relationships that exist within organized crime. While Persico was a ruthless leader who would stop at nothing to protect his power, he still needed to rely on others to gather the information he needed to stay ahead. Barone was able to use his position within the Colombo crime family to become one of Persico’s most trusted confidants. However, when faced with a long prison sentence, Barone chose to betray his former boss and work with the government. His information was instrumental in several high-profile cases against members of the Colombo crime family, but it also led to his exile from the world of organized crime.
