Franzese Talks About Gambling

Michael Franzese gave a talk recently on the dangers of slot machines and gambling. Intercollegiate Athletics sponsored the event which was held on October 31st in the Johnson Center Cinema on the Fairfax Campus. Franzese is the author of the books “Quitting the Mob” and “Blood Covenant” as well as being a former member of the Colombo Crime Family.

Franzese came to speak to the group about his life as a member of the mob and how he eventually came to turn his back on that way of life. He was considered to be the “Prince of the Mafia” and tells about how it changed his life to put all of that behind him. Instead he spends his time talking about the things that he learned being in that situation.

Franzese also talks about the dangers of slot machines and gambling, and how much trouble you can get into if you mess with the wrong people. It is interesting to see him talk on a subject that he obviously knows much about, as he was one of the ones you did not want to owe money to.

Franzese was making between $6 and $8 million a week at the peak of his career, and also made him the target of Rudy Giuliani – who was at the time the New York Federal Prosecutor, and then Mayor. He was considered to be the most powerful “superstar” of the mob before he was sent to prison.

While in prison, the FBI asked him to join a program that would go around the country speaking to professional athletes about the dangers of gambling, and Franzese agreed. He initially recorded a videotaped message that was shown to them about the dangers of gambling, and the impact it can have on their lives.


 

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