A Young Gang Tried to Tax Gambino’s Streets — They Were Found Cemented Into the New Highway Bridge

On June 3, 1963, construction workers at the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge site in Brooklyn stumbled upon a discovery that would send shockwaves through the underbelly of New York’s organized crime. As foreman Eddie Torino inspected Pier 4, he noticed something peculiar about the concrete—its color was off, and a fabric-like material was visible. Upon closer inspection, Torino discovered a hand protruding from the hardened mixture. By noon, the NYPD had confirmed the grim reality: three bodies were encased in the very foundation of what was to become the longest suspension bridge in the United States.

The victims were Michael “Mikey Shoes” Delano, 23, Anthony Russo, 21, and James Carpetti, 19—small-time hustlers from Bensonhurst who had gone missing just 72 hours prior. Their deaths would be officially classified as mob-related homicides, but the underlying reasons for their brutal end remained obscured, buried beneath layers of fear and silence that characterized the mafia’s grip on the city.

The Rise of Carlo Gambino

To understand the fate of these young men, one must first delve into the world they unwittingly challenged. Carlo Gambino was not yet the boss of bosses in 1963, but he was a formidable power in New York’s organized crime scene. At 61, he had spent decades building his empire through cunning strategy rather than overt violence. Gambino controlled significant portions of the Brooklyn waterfront, the garment district, and had his hands in every major construction project in New York City, including the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge—a project worth over $320 million.

Gambino’s operations were meticulously organized; he controlled the unions, supplied materials, and ensured that every transaction flowed through his hands. This system generated a staggering $50,000 a week in clean money—money that was untouchable by law enforcement and did not require bloodshed. But in May 1963, this well-oiled machine faced an unexpected disruption.

A Young Gang’s Ambition

Mikey Delano, having grown up idolizing the mobsters of Bensonhurst, saw an opportunity in the chaos surrounding the bridge project. He believed that the sheer scale of the construction might allow him and his small crew to carve out a niche for themselves. Their plan was simple: tax the independent contractors working on the bridge—those who were not affiliated with the Gambino family. They demanded a 5% cut, claiming it was protection money. For two weeks, this operation seemed to work, netting them $3,000—a fortune in their eyes.

However, this audacious move did not go unnoticed. Sal Provenza, a cement contractor who had been paying Mikey’s crew, eventually sought help from Paul Castellano, Gambino’s underboss. Provenza’s loyalty to the Gambino family was unwavering, and he feared the repercussions of crossing them. Castellano’s response was clear: Mikey and his crew were operating on Gambino territory, and that could not be tolerated.

The Warning

On May 16, 1963, Mikey was having lunch at Lion’s Italian when two men entered—Tommy Botti and Frank Diko. Botti, with his expensive suit and confident demeanor, wasted no time in delivering the message: Mikey was taxing Gambino’s operations, and that was unacceptable. Botti’s warning was clear: stop collecting money, return what had been taken, and disappear. Mikey, fueled by newfound power and a youthful bravado, chose to ignore the warning.

Mikey’s decision to continue their operation was a fatal miscalculation. He believed that their small-scale hustle could go unnoticed, that they could remain beneath Gambino’s radar. But in the world of organized crime, even the smallest challenges to authority are met with swift and brutal consequences.

The Meeting

Just days later, after Mikey’s crew continued their extortion, Castellano arranged a meeting under the guise of legitimacy. On May 19, 1963, Mikey, Anthony, and James arrived at a warehouse in Red Hook, expecting a discussion about how they might work together. Instead, they were met with the cold reality of their situation. Castellano laid out the terms: they could either accept a legitimate position within the Gambino family structure or face dire consequences.

Mikey’s pride and stubbornness blinded him to the gravity of the situation. When offered a lifeline—a chance to work within the family—he foolishly suggested moving their operation elsewhere, believing that geography would shield them from Gambino’s wrath. This was a critical turning point. Castellano, seeing the defiance in Mikey’s eyes, knew that this was not just about money; it was about maintaining control and sending a message.

The Consequences

Paul Castellano’s patience wore thin. He made it clear that there was no room for negotiation. The young men had made their choice, and it would cost them dearly. Within minutes, the four unnamed men accompanying Castellano sprang into action. The execution was swift and efficient; Mikey, Anthony, and James never made it out of the warehouse. By 9:45 p.m., the scene was eerily quiet, as if the meeting had never taken place.

The following day, a cement truck arrived at the bridge construction site, delivering a special mix that would soon harden around the bodies of the three young men. Their disappearance was meticulously covered up, leaving no trace of the violence that had taken place. The NYPD’s investigation yielded no results; the bodies were found, but the truth was buried under layers of silence and fear.

The Aftermath

The families of Mikey, Anthony, and James held funerals for empty caskets, knowing full well what had transpired. In Bensonhurst, whispers of their fate spread quickly, serving as a grim reminder of the consequences of challenging the established order. The story of their demise became a cautionary tale, a warning to others who might think they could carve out a piece of Gambino’s empire.

Carlo Gambino himself never acknowledged the incident publicly, but the message was clear: those who dared to challenge his authority would face swift retribution. The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge opened to traffic in November 1964, standing as a testament to engineering achievement and the price of ambition in a city ruled by fear.

Conclusion

The tale of Mikey Shoes, Anthony Russo, and James Carpetti is one of ambition, pride, and the harsh realities of power. Their desire to seize control of their fate led them to a tragic end, becoming part of the very foundation they sought to exploit. Their story serves as a reminder of the invisible structures of power that govern society, and the dire consequences that await those who dare to challenge them.

As cars continue to cross the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge every day, few are aware of the dark history beneath their wheels—a history that speaks to the cost of ambition in a world where respect is paramount and power is absolute. In Carlo Gambino’s New York, the lesson remains: you don’t take what isn’t offered, and if you do, you risk becoming a permanent part of the foundation—lost to time, but never forgotten.