Sicilian Mafia Sent Hit Man to Knock Off Rudy Giuliani

The head of the Sicilian Mafia once sent a hit man to knock off then US Attorney Rudy Giuliani in the 1980s, the New York Post reported this week.

“Boss of bosses” Salvatore Riina targeted Giuliani because of his friendship with an anti-mafia judge in Sicily, Giovanni Falcone.

The plot was only uncovered during a trial in Sicily in which former Italian government officials are accused of agreeing to a peace pact with the mob in the 1990’s.

From the NY Post:

Naimo told investigators that a bloodthirsty mobster named Benedetto “The Beast” Villico arrived from Italy with a letter from Riina that ordered the assassination of Giuliani, the news agency ANSA reported.

But Riina dropped the plan when he realized that US law enforcement could retaliate by destroying the Sicilian mob, the website Palermo Today said.

Falcone wasn’t as lucky. He was assassinated by Riina’s men in 1992.

Giuliani was known for his aggressive moves to rid the city of New York of Mobsters during both his time as US Attorney and Mayor.

- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com