Dominick Montiglio (born Dominick Anthony Santamaria; July 17, 1947 – June 27, 2021) was an American soldier, mobster and associate of the Gambino crime family who eventually became a government witness. In later years he became an artist and podcaster many of which chronicled his life story. He's also appeared and been featured on various national television shows related to the American Mafia.
Dominick Montiglio | |
|---|---|
| Born | Dominick Anthony Santamaria July 17, 1947 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | June 27, 2021 (aged 73) Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Mobster, Soldier |
| Allegiance | Gambino crime family, United States Army |
Early life
editMontiglio was born in New York City to Anthony Santamaria and Marie Gaggi, both of Sicilian origin. When his father became estranged, he was raised by his uncle Nino Gaggi. His mother remarried to Anthony Montiglio, and Dominick took his surname. He was also a cousin of Frank Scalice.[1]
Military service
editIn 1967, Montiglio served in the Vietnam War as a sniper who reportedly killed dozens of men (unconfirmed).[1][2]
Gambino crime family and informant
editUpon his return from Vietnam, he started working for the Gambino family in drugs, extortion and murder, reportedly earning $250,000 per week at his peak in the Roy DeMeo crew.[2] In 1983, Montiglio was arrested for racketeering, and the Gambinos, fearing he would talk, reportedly took out a $1 million contract on his life;[2] Montiglio decided to collaborate with the FBI.[3] He testified against the family and Gaggi in various trials, and reportedly helped send 56 mobsters to prison.[4][2] He later changed his identity and entered the witness protection program,[5] where he and his family stayed for the next decade as they moved around between various locations in Wyoming, Alabama and Colorado; they withdrew from the program in 1993 when they could no longer cope with the constant moving.[2]
Later years and death
editIn his later life, Montiglio devoted himself to art.[5] He also appeared in the 1994 documentary film Loyalty & Betrayal: The Story of the American Mob.[6]
On June 27, 2021, Montiglio died at the age 73 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is buried at Santa Fe National Cemetery.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b Gene Mustain; Jerry Capeci (1993-07-01). Penguin (ed.). Murder Machine. Penguin. ISBN 9781101665886. Archived from the original on 2021-03-31. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
- ^ a b c d e Gittins, Ian (July 2, 2005). "Crime and punishment". The Guardian. Archived from the original on April 27, 2018. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
- ^ "In tv la mafia diventa una saga così rivive la Little Italy dei boss - la Repubblica.it" (in Italian). Archivio - la Repubblica.it. Archived from the original on 2017-03-03. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
- ^ "WITNESS TESTIFIES CASTELLANO IS THE SUCCESSOR TO GAMBINO". The New York Times. 1985-12-05. Archived from the original on 2017-11-24. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
- ^ a b "Mafia Hit Man Trades Corpses for Canvas". ABC News. 2010-02-06. Archived from the original on 2020-09-26. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
- ^ Loynd, Ray (July 25, 1994). "Loyalty and Betrayal': An Inside Look at the Mafia". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2021-03-31.
- ^ "Obituary of Dominick Anthony Montiglio". Archived from the original on 2021-07-13. Retrieved 2021-07-13.