Phil 'Lucky' Giaccone Was the Power Behind the Throne

Phil Giaccone

Phil Lucky Giaccone is an interesting figure in Mafia history, primarily known as one of the three capos blown apart by Joe Massino and a crew he put together to do the work; the team included Vito Rizzuto, current boss of Montreal.

Many major powers in the Bonanno family started out in his crew. That would include Tommy DiFiore, the current (or acting) boss of the under-siege Bonannos.

It has been written that Phil Lucky was the one his faction of the family was touting to be boss; he was actually the key target of that three-capo takedown.

 Giaccone, back in the 1970s, actually threw boss Tommy DiFiore out of his crew -- putting the destined for success gangster on the shelf.

"Reading Around" is a new regular feature I am launching with this story, which is coming soon. Its purpose is to put forward interesting stories from the mob's past taken from the many mob books I have accumulated. Since the author usually is someone with an ax to grind, veracity is difficult to judge. But I do make sure each story passes the "smell" test -- in other words, that what is postulated is likely -- or at least possible -- to have happened.

Stay tuned for the story of Phil Lucky's rise and fall, according to his nephew.