Anthony “Fat Andy” Ruggiano, the Gambino crime family’s caporegime, was a force to be reckoned with, a busy triggerman who ran a crew out of an Ozone Park cafe.
Born on July 4, 1961, he is the son of late Gambino crime family member Anthony “Fat Andy” Ruggiano.
Anthony Ruggiano Jr. is known to have been heavily involved in the Gambino family’s illegal activities and has been associated with various criminal enterprises throughout his life. Here’s a closer look at who Anthony Ruggiano Jr. is and his involvement in the Mafia.
Anthony Ruggiano Jr. was born and raised in Staten Island, New York City. His father, Anthony “Fat Andy” Ruggiano, was a high-ranking member of the Gambino crime family, one of the five major Mafia families in New York City. Fat Andy was known for his involvement in various criminal activities, including loan sharking, extortion, and racketeering. He was also a close associate of Gambino family boss John Gotti. Ruggiano Jr.’s uncle, Salvatore Ruggiano, was also a member of the Gambino family and served as a capo.
Anthony grew up in a Mafia family and was exposed to the criminal underworld from a young age. He was raised with the values and traditions of the Mafia and was expected to follow in his father’s footsteps. He was also closely watched by other members of the Gambino family, who saw him as a potential asset.
Despite his exposure to a life of crime at such a young age, his son, Anthony Ruggiano Jr., walked away from the mafia after being convicted for 40 years at the age of 23.
Anthony Ruggiano Jr. began his criminal career in the 1980s, when he was in his early 20s. He quickly rose through the ranks of the Gambino family, becoming a made member in the mid-1980s. Ruggiano Jr. was known for his involvement in a variety of criminal activities, including loan sharking, extortion, and gambling. He was also involved in the construction industry, where he used his connections to the Gambino family to secure contracts and extort money from contractors.
In the late 1980s, Ruggiano Jr. was indicted on racketeering charges along with several other members of the Gambino family. He was charged with extortion and conspiracy to commit extortion, as well as other offenses. However, he was able to avoid conviction and continued to be active in the Mafia.
In the early 1990s, Ruggiano Jr. was involved in a major Mafia power struggle that pitted the Gambino family against the powerful Genovese crime family. The conflict, which was known as the “Windows Case,” centered around control of the window replacement industry in New York City. Ruggiano Jr. was a key player in the conflict and was responsible for carrying out several violent attacks against members of the Genovese family.
In 1994, Ruggiano Jr. was arrested and charged with several offences, including racketeering, extortion, and assault. He was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison. While in prison, he continued to be active in the Gambino family, communicating with other members and making plans for his eventual release.
He turned his life by helping other people beat addiction to drugs and alcohol.
