Did Murder Machine Roy DeMeo Record Some Wiseguys? Or Are We Whistling In The Wind

Roy DeMeo was a ruthless killer—allegedly—and not a man worthy of admiration—but in the context of Cosa Nostra, he offers an example of a fascinating mobster with great business acumen.
 
Roy DeMeo of Gambino family
DeMeo mugshot 




Gambino boss Paul Castellano at least at first rejected the idea of straightening Roy out, but in the end was too greedy not to. Roy was bringing in too much cash to simply dismiss.

Roy combined his skills with a blood lust that drove him to commit torture murders not common even among mobsters. (Or so we have been lead to believe.)

Roy had a crew of young wannabes, some of whom would eventually be given buttons, such as Gemini Twins Anthony Senter and Joey Testa, who hooked up with the Lucheses after leaving Roy. Others wound up dead. (Like Roy when the Gemini Twins left him.)

An FBI bug installed in the home of Gambino soldier Angelo Ruggiero picked up an intriguing conversation between Angelo and Gene Gotti, a brother of John Gotti.

When Castellano finally decided he wanted DeMeo hit, he had difficulty finding someone willing to do the hitting. 

On the phone with Ruggiero, Gene Gotti said that brother John was wary of taking the contract because Roy had an "army of killers" around him. It is also mentioned in this same conversation that, at that time, John had killed fewer than 10 people, while DeMeo had killed at least 38.

Jerry Capeci uncovered the transcript of the conversation and has written that it was the idea of Gotti fearing this crew, whom many outside law enforcement had never even heard of, that ignited the book Murder Machine, a kickass, deeply researched biography of the DeMeo crew and its crimes, which Capeci and coauthor Gene Mustaine christened MURDER MACHINE.

A private researcher contacted this blog and discussed DeMeo. We wondered, why didn't the FBI warn Roy DeMeo of the murder threat. It's SOP for the FBI to notify any person -- criminal or not -- when they gain information that said a person's life was in danger. Now the FBI may have notified Roy, but there is nothing in the literature, in Capeci's book or even in DeMeo's son's book, which is an absorbing read, too.

Was he so despised the Feds didn't tell him? Though for all we know the FBI did warn Roy -- but if they did it has not been publicly revealed.

The researcher, who has a deep fascination for the DeMeo story, began contacting law enforcement officials whose names he got from Murder Machine


Screen shot of text message

Eventually he made contact with one such official -- who we won't name because he didn't know his communications would be published. So the researcher sent a text message to him, asking whether Roy had been duly warned by the law about Big Paul's contract.

Rather than give a direct reply, the official responded:

"Roy was offered a deal. When Roy was killed he was dumped in the trunk of his Cadillac. There was a microphone leading from the backseat to the trunk of his car. The tape recorder [and the tape] was gone when we got there; what does that tell you? The word on the street was Joey Testa whacked him because Joey took over Roy's loan shark operation."

The former detective seems to be saying that he believed Roy was informed of Castellano's contract and had agreed to turn informant.

If this is true, mob history books may need some revising. 

Jerry Capeci, for one, wrote in "Murder Machine" that Roy had grown exceedingly paranoid and had taken to tape recording his own conversations -- Capeci never wrote that Roy had flipped or that Roy was making tapes for anyone but himself.

DeMeo's son Albert also wrote that in his final days, his dad seemed a bit paranoid -- one of the few points on which the two books do agree.

John Gotti; Neil Dellacroce


Capeci does reveal that, when Roy's body was found in the trunk, the tapes had been removed from the recording device. These tapes have never been found.

Now let's assume the Feds did flip Roy -- why would they hide it? They usually love to demoralize the mob by trumpeting all the turncoats they have under their protection. They also like to screw with mobsters' heads by putting out false information. For example, Time magazine, for one, ran an obit for Neil Dellacroce, Gotti's mentor, revealing that Dellacroce had been a federal informant. You have to be a subscriber to read the full article but here is a summary.

Seize the Night: A curious story in Time magazine, datelined on the day of Castellano’s murder but printed earlier, declared that Dellacroce had been an informer for the FBI for some two decades. Among other things, it claimed Dellacroce had tipped off the FBI when Carmine Galante, a would-be boss of bosses, was marked for death.
 
He also was said to have given the FBI leads on the long-unsolved murder of Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa and that he helped to break some major narcotics cases. Perhaps the most stunning, or the most unbelievable, part of the story was that Dellacroce never asked for some kind of a payoff – most Mafia informers want legal clearance for themselves or money or both.

Not unsurprisingly the New York media seemed underwhelmed by Time‘s disclosures, ignoring the story pending some additional proof. It can be speculated whether the story would have appeared if Castellano’s murder had become known first. Some observers looked on the story as a form of FBI disinformation. It was possible that the FBI – clearly the source of Time’s account – was seeking to rattle the boys in general or quite possibly was intent on using the story as a ply to cover up its real informers. There had been for many weeks some feeling in the underworld that Castellano might break or indeed might have already broken, that he was not tough enough to take a long prison term at the twilight of his life. Maybe the FBI was carrying out a “dirty trick” operation to plant suspicions on all the elderly dons it was bringing to trial? That could make them hit candidates and perhaps more interested in accepting a deal with the government.

Gambino associate Joe Watts was also rumored to have been an informant.

Joe "The German" Watts 


Generally, little attention has been paid to these rumors -- although we must say that today, when we know the government has had killers like Greg Scarpa and Whitey Bulger on its payroll, it is not as difficult to believe.

But how can anyone know for certain? Only the Feds would...
 
Back to DeMeo: we think the Feds have a very good reason to hide a relationship with Roy. Read the first two graphs of this story again... Roy was, basically, a mass murderer, widely reviled... The Feds would've taken heat, most likely, for forming a relationship with Roy DeMeo. But if Roy gave them evidence and was then whisked off to a WitSec program, they could possibly never have to reveal Roy was even alive... (But how would they get the tapes admitted if there was a trial?) 

We are speculating here, and this is a complicated issue. It could be that we are "over-thinking" this.

When we tried to contact the law enforcement official on our own to follow up on the information our friend received and then shared, the official would not return our phone calls or an email.

If anyone in law enforcement out there reads this, please email us at cosanostranews@gmail.com.


This information is historical; Roy has been gone for decades, so any revelations would strictly have their greatest impact among the academics of Cosa Nostra.


Comments

  1. I don't know about Roy but Neil and Joe Watts:.no fucking way. Joe Watts who is a friend of my father has done more time then Rolex and never opened his mouth. They tried for years to flip him and he told them to fuck off. The feds even harrased his daughter because that's how the so-called good guys act.

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  2. I agree -- but ask him if there was ever a story published that said he was an informant. And I know about his daughter, too; she ran the marketing for the energy drink company.

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    1. yeah the energy drink company was one example of the fed harrasment. Robyn Watts is a nice woman who just loves her dad

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  3. I like to share quickly one story I personally know. In a particular case against the powerful Casalesi clan in Naples, a ´capo´ (we dont´have that classification but anyway) of the Schiavone faction was offered immunity by the Italian State.

    He took the legal paper and told the State lawyers to give him about 10 minutes ´to think this important step in his life´. He said, will come back wih his opinion.

    When back to his cell, took a shit, clean his ass with the immunity paper and show it to the state lawyers 11 minutes later.

    We still have that type of members in the Camorra. But for what I have read also, Aniello Dellacroce was an amazing role-model.

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    1. Wow that Casalesi guy is a real stand up true gangster, much respect

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    2. Yes, that is true. Even now, he sits in jail, doing life-setence but the oath you took it means something, god dawmn it. He wont´be able to see his kids, his wife, his friends......

      Many of us, when accepted in to the clan got a tattoo with the following: ¨Prima morte, poi disonore.¨ First deah, then dishonor.

      Meaning, kill me first and then, you can do whatever the fuck you want.

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  4. " Roy DeMeo was a ruthless killer -- I want it known that I fully agree with that sentiment, upfront."

    Thank you for putting this post in it's right and proper context.

    The endless parade of pro OC comments on all of the myriad websites I visit boggles the mind.

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  5. As the only one commenting who actually knew Fat Roy, I can honestly say he was not the mad dog killer he is portrayed as, but someone who would kill for a pat on the head and a chance to move up the mob ladder. He was a willing creation of those above him who all too easily sentenced guys to death at Roy's hands. Granted, though, that number two is easier than one, and progressively easier as it goes along. That's why there are mob "workhorses" around, with ten to thirty notches, and many who couldn't sink a rubber duck. Roy was a workhorse. As for being a rat, remember the pat on the head. Roy would rather walk a prison yard where everyone sucked up to him than ever live in WitSec.

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  6. No offense Sonny;

    Almost all people on the inside and out of Cosa Nostra would have never believed that:

    Joe Massino
    Sammy The Bull
    Gas Pipe Caso
    Crazy Phill Leonetti

    Just to name a few would have ever flipped.

    But they did with that being said I am sure would agree anything is possible.

    E. Mazzella

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    1. Mr Mazzella - great point -- I should've included it in the damn article...

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    2. Hey Sonny n Ed "Anonomous" has a point there! However, as we use to say back in the day, about the guy in question, "I never liked the guy anyway." It just so happens that the names he listed therein sure make it seem like "THE CODE" is dead! However, both from personal experiences with the Bull[shitter] during a schoolyard sit-down and in-depth assessment of each n every guy mentioned therein we see the writing on the wall. Image, if you could, assigning four or more captains in your crew that are RATS!!! No surprise there, for me, that Joe n his brother-in-law were RATS!

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  7. I agree, and would never swear for anyone. My judgement, which will never be proven, is that Roy was like one of those guys who moves up in a corporation and is more thrilled with the size and view of the office than the salary. It was his dream since boyhood and he thrived on the pats on the head. I had an argument with him over that one time, when he talked about some business we had planned that I wanted to keep off the record. I see the weakness and decline of the mob to be more of a reflection of the time and the culture of America (see articles in my new book, "Sonny Girard's Mob Reader." I would also like to remind everyone of those who were truly stand up guys, like "Joe Rogers" Stassi who did 22 years straight on a 35 year sentence he got at 60 years old, "Tony Gawk" Augello who killed himself instead of ratting when he couldn't bear the pressure of returning to prison, and Allie Romano who was part of the French Connection and died in Atlanta penitentiary when a P.A. pounded on his chest as if he was having a heart attack instead of blowing up his collapsed lung. Yes, I miss the old days and each of these guys who were men, not just males. And, since we'll never know about how Roy would have stood up, I'll keep him in that class.

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    1. When will It End--allegations of Rattery upon Honorable Men?
      Interestingly Joe Rogers, Tony Gawk, and Allie Romano (all-until now-unquestionably stand-up MEN)were one and all confined at Atlanta Pentitentiary (at that time n now, "Eroneously defined as a correctional institution"). I knew Tony n O'Neil while I was there in Atlanta; both of whom were outstanding stand-up guys period (Tony just didn't listen; I told him that guy was a rat against The Dutchmen from Brooklyn before he got to Atlanta-quite sadly and foolishly he didn't believe it. Nevertheless, when He ultimately learned of the truth of it He realized He should have heeded the news. Accordingly, He paid for His mistake by His Own Hand. HEllO!) (N it wasn't because he couldn't do the time either that He killed Himself! He knew what time it was n His Death from within His Crime Family would HAVE BEEN not only assured but also would have been quite violently lmposed before He Expired! (Compare Sally D n Red's fate). Finally, in this regard, Allie's brother n friends in Atlanta always spoke very, very highly of him as a stand-up Guy! Sure, for the most part, anything is possible, but recognize here that real Men have, for more than a century n then some, stood-up n taken the hit without further ado. The accusations cannot travel any lower to ruin a Man's Rep. Indeed, just compare now a days, thanks to the false conception out here that when a man does commit a piece of work for his crime family he is, per se, a stand-up guy, we are seeing the weakness of that theory. Last, but not least, moreover I feel so strongly against demeaning O'Neil with that Rattery Brush I take issue with Mr. O'Neil being described as anything but a Man's Man. Indeed, in my book-from experience- He was the Real Deal so I don't accept that story of him being otherwise. From all of my personal experiences with the Man He was all Class; that is He was a Giant of an Honorable Man!!! Thus, in the absence of the absolute proof that such a Man is nuttin more than a phoney I take unbrage!

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  8. Don't know facts but I would guess out of all these murders NYPD&Ice man got paid to do 1/2 of them??Sonny did the Gawk kill him self in a phone booth???

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    1. Not IN a phone booth, but at a phone.

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    2. His last wordss were, "Tell them the Gawk is still a stand up guy."

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  9. roy was a good uncle and mans man and would never rat ,its real easy to say things about a dead man who can't talk back RIP uncle Roy

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    1. TO ROY'S NEPHEW: I meant no insult but must ask if you actually read my article. I printed a text message from a detective who reveals info consistent with Roy informing. My "investigator" -- only seeking the truth -- is trying to follow up on -- and pin down -- what this detective is saying. I bent over backwards to provide the proper context around Roy and must respectfully disagree with your criticism of my story...

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  10. I wonder if the tape in that recorder was ever destroyed????????????????If I was a dirty cop or FBI I'd destoy it if Roy taped them!!Just my 02??I would not trust the word of a cop after the Mob Cop case!!PS it all got dismissed???LOl

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  11. who really knows if roy is gone ?????

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    1. I think we can safely say he is... read his son Al DeMeo's book... It includes his recovery of his father's body from the coroner's office, which didn't make the slightest effort to clean the man up. They left him there, a bloody mess of a corpse, dropped on a metal slab, for his son to see...

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    2. Roy is dead along with Albert Roys brother Candelora identified the bloodly mess had to have a closed casket he was a mess

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  12. Roy was never charged or convicted of murder so isnt a person innocent until proven guilty? So Roy died and innocent man. He was a devoted and loving Son, Brother,Cousin,Husband,Father,Uncle, and Friend who would do anything for us. I would like people to know that his family loved him and he loved them.

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    1. You are correct; he would've been charged for the Empire car theft ring, but died first, which is why Castellano assumed the role of lead defendant... If you are a member of Roy's family and would like to comment for this article, please write me at eddie2843@gmail.com -- I will include whatever you'd like to say in the story...

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    2. Listen up. I haven't had the occasion to read tha article you refer 2 Sonny. However, once again, I knew both Roy n Freddy quite well since we all were kids. Freddy (Dename n not DeNome) was always a PUNK n a RAT who worked with the police since we wetre kids of the tender age of 12! Foxey, the 71st Pct. Warrant Officer, had Freddy [n Freddy's older brother Pauly as his RAT]. Roy knew of the allegations. He took Freddy's back n his skipper told him he would pay the price if he was wrong--n he was wrong! At least about Freddy---or, perhaps, he wasn't! I refuse to conjecture a guy a RAT but one n all from my neck of the woods in Brooklyn knew full well that Freddy was an informant. Indeed, Foxey's son-inlaw repeatedly tried to get Roy to listen!

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  13. I know I'm correct and if you are creditable revised your acticle. He was NEVER a convicted crimmal all speculation that were NEVER proven. Personally I don't think you will,would love to have you prove me wrong!

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    1. Never convicted? What about his mug shot -- which is all over the Internet? Didn't he get pinched in NJ for porn? Also there is the Gene Gotti wiretap I mentioned...

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    2. I did change the headline though in the interest of fair play ...

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  14. Here say which i don't believe says he was going to cut a deal to keep out of prison??What year was Roy murdered before or after Castellano murder??

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    1. Roy was whacked before Big Paul on Big Paul's orders -- rest of your comment I find somewhat unintelligible. The detective's text message, if you read the story or even just look at the graphic of the cellphone screen, intimates that Roy had cut a deal. I don't say it is the truth; I am searching for the truth and there will be a followup to this when appropriate. Meanwhile, don't get your nuts in a bunch, friendo.

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    2. Roy was call in by Paul Castellano and blew him off ,there WAS A TAPE RECORDER IN HIS CAR . Pretty odd for a ganster .Whos to say them recording were dirt on his boys to save his soul. Idk. Roy was acting Erratic in his last days . Roy was murder in 1983 Paul 1985 . Paul die cuz roy die that was his guns .. Roy would of been found guilty . The Evidence was Overwhelming plus Dominic , Vito , two rats . If roy made a deal they cant Acknowledge it cuz he was murdering people till the end . That leaves Lawsuits of loved ones who died . Roys been dead for a long time! There was millions of Surveillance and info on roy . Murder machine got over 1million Documents to write it . Why cant we have it Freedom of information act and it hard to get it

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  15. HE NEVER GOT PINCHED FOR PORN IN NJ!Hear Say also couis???Post the arrest sheet
    /

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  16. ROY ALBERT DE MEO was NEVER charged or arrested all information is heresay and assumed by a bunch of low life crimmals looking to make a buck.

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  17. I will check tonight... but I know -- he was an angel; didn't do nuttin' wrong!

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  18. Please tell the few that are out there fix their teeth get a job&stop telling MOB stories!The End!RAT!

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  19. you guys!!!!!! ever if roy wanted to flip(rat) he couldnt the strike force chashing him would never cut him a deal!!! they knew his bodycount and would never make him a cooperating witness!!
    butt apart from that i think roy would never flip it just dont fit his caracter me might have been paranoid at the end cuz he knew his days were numberd but he choose to exept his fate( he could have run of with millions!!

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  20. roy never flipped simly because the FEDS woulnt not give him a deal. Walter Mack, the U.S attorney and head of the strike force chasing the Demeo crew wanted roy on death row or with a ife sentence. Roy had killed to much for him to become cooperating witness. he might acted irratic in his last days, but he didnt flipp even if he wanted too!! i think roy was loosing it at the end because he knew his days were numberd but he acepted it he could have run of with millions!
    still i think he had the last laugh Paul got clipped by Neils boys Nino got ratted out by his own nepfew and the rest of his gang got life. roy besize of Ninos bullets never had to answer to the public for his abnormalitys

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  21. but i tell yall one thing else, IF THERE IS A HELL, roy wouldnt be burning between the rest of the mobsters. Roy would be between war criminals and dicators. he killed innocent people he didnt have to kill. making him to me a sicko serial killer. he should not have been tryed in federal court but in Den Haag for crimes against humanity

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