And thankfully, it was just us two in the gym at the time. He hit me in the face with a shot, and I couldnt let him know it hurt me, but it was like getting hit with a brick, Ill never forget it. I mean, its a rink, but excessively cold for some reason. He was contacted by The Atlantic for a profile in May 2018 and told the outlet the only thing he was up to was enjoying life., While his son, AJ, is no longer in charge of the Danbury Trashers, he's reportedly started a boxing club close to his hometown and told The Atlantic he was attempting to make the area a reputable location for boxing, in competition with Oxnard, Calif.. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2012-2023 On Secret Hunt - All Rights Reserved The character of Tony Soprano is said to have been inspired by DeCavalcante crime family boss, John The Eagle Riggi as detailed in an episode of the American Greed series, titled Mob Money. AJ Galante is an American boxing promoter and former hockey team manager of Danbury Trashers. James Galante is an American convicted felon and associate of the Genovese crime family,[1] owner of the defunct Danbury Trashers minor-league hockey team and a defunct racecar team fielding cars for Ted Christopher, and ex-CEO of Automated Waste Disposal , a company that holds waste disposal contracts for most of western Connecticut and Westchester and Putnam counties in New York. She was just destroyed, because she loved him. James Gandolfini. But he is also famous for owning the Danbury Trashers, a minor league hockey team that had his son managing it at just 17 years old. I was under the impression that he worked for the CIA or FBI and that he was on these missions.. You can access his archive of reviews here. I was looking into them actually a few months back, kind of reaching out, seeing where people are. It was at this meeting that the old and new Mafia divided the lucrative heroin trafficking routes and roles each clan would play. Advert. So even when I was younger I knew my daddy owned a restaurant in Canada. We Have A Ghost Review. The feds yesterday arrested reputed Bonanno boss Joseph Massino and his three top associates, charging them with murder, racketeering and other crimes, including the 1981 murder of a fellow mobster who allowed an FBI agent the infamous Donnie Brasco to infiltrate the family. Loading. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. [23], In 2007, Former Connecticut State Senate Minority Leader Louis DeLuca pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges in connection with Galante. On the other side, in terms of scorers, you had this guy Beauregard, the guy with the one eye. His story is now the subject of a new Netflix crime documentary, Untold: Crime & Penalties, releasing on the streaming service on Aug. 31. By now, Galante had established himself as a capable and reliable hitman. So many guys, they just stay in the sport one way or the other. The trashers were famous for intentionally starting as many hockey fights as possible. As the team president, how did you sort of foster an environment that would make it happen? He dropped his guard momentarily and admitted it was all "a bit nerve-wracking." After claims that the government violated their plea agreement, he was given the remaining $3.1 million. Look, anyone that grows up over here in the Northeast, there wasnt an Italian-American that I knew around here that didnt think, Oh, that could be me, or, That could be this one, or, That could be that. So I dont know, Ive heard it my whole life, I used to hear that type of stuff. He was a well-known philanthropist, but because of his controversy, he eventually had to stop, and by taking the wrong turns in his life, his life was turned upside down. With the official Bonanno boss Philip Rastelli in prison, Galante had taken effective control of the family in the early 1970s. However, in hockey, fighting is part of The Code. Fighting has been an officially accepted part of hockey at the professional level for almost a century. She never stopped loving him. I used to hear it, hes named AJ! and the kid was a little kid douchebag kid, I think. Jimmy Galante almost broke free from the hell of heroin. Tresca was shot to death, allegedly, by Galante in front of his office in Manhattan on January 11, 1943. He just went about it the wrong way.. [3] The businesses handled 80% of garbage hauling in southern and western Connecticut, and Westchester and Putnam counties in New York. But after Jimmys arrest in 2006, the team also ceased to exist amidst the controversy surrounding the FBIs investigation into Jimmy. Who is the most powerful crime family? I had three surgeries in six months on it. In June 2008, Galante pleaded guilty to these charges. Galante found this out when he was betrayed by his Sicilian bodyguards and allies on July 12, 1979. In 1979, he, among others, sought the Commission for approval of the kill, which was swiftly approved. It also estimated that the Genovese familyconsists of about 270 @COMILLASmade@COMILLAS members. But unfortunately, a lot of NHL teams, foolishly, in my opinion, kind of steered away from him, because hes got one eye. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Together they built a successful hockey team, but at significant personal cost. He was a favorite. Angela: He was stocky, but it wasn't fat, he was all muscle. James Galante and 28 others were indicted by the U.S. attorney for involvement in an alleged racketeering scheme (Hartford Courant, August 6, 2007) June 9, 2006 . [3] He was released in 2014 after serving seven years. He won the Super Bowl with Marblehead High . 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. There may have been a fish, a couple of fish planted in the air vents. "We marketed to hard-working blue-collar people," he said. James/Jimmy Galante was the king of garbage disposal and the mastermind behind the illegal activity which pertained to the Danbury Trashers. A lot of it we tried to set up. Galante, who made his fortune as CEO of Automated Waste Disposal, would eventually serve two prison sentences: One in 1999 for a year for tax evasion, and a separate 7-year sentence for. What was the injury that actually ended your hockey career? [3] In June 2006, Galante was issued a 98-count indictment describing Galante as a man who ran an illegal enterprise by carving up the garbage business in western Connecticut and Putnam County and using mob muscle to strong-arm any competitors who might get in his way. Cookie Notice Galante was owner of twenty five different trash disposal businesses based out of Danbury, Connecticut and estimated to be worth over $100 million. I dont know. The Danbury Trashers actually folded as a team not long after Galante's arrest. I kind of just sit back and observe and kind of play chess from here. A lot of guys are like, Look, this is how Im going to stay on the team. 3 of 9 4 of 9 James Galante, left, meets with his attorney Hugh F. Keefe in a hallway outside the courtroom at Hartford Superior Court in Hartford, Conn. on Sept. 29, 2008, prior to entering a . It was tough. So, I was playing. Hes still in Danbury, now running a boxing gym, but didnt mind reliving the glory days of the Trashers for posterity. As of 2022, Jimmy Galante is estimated to have a net worth of $3 million. There was a little rut in the ice, and my right blade on my skate got stuck. Then when the pain started rushing to my body, I just started pounding on my leg, which sent the knee cap back into place. He was about five foot seven with boots on. Im a prime example. Jimmy Galante was charged with crimes including extortion, evading the IRS, and racketeering as well as wire fraud. AJ later said of the teams approach, We were trying to develop a hockey town out of a town thats never had hockey. Revolving around the thuggish antics of Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano, played by the late James Gandolfini, the show became famed not only for its twisted storylines of gang brutality and power play, but also for its comments on family dynamics, mental health and the dark underside to the American dream. His father tried to sell him. The Danbury Trashers were a Minor Professional hockey team based in Danbury, CT playing in the United Hockey League from 2004 to 2006. It was an ending only he believed in. The film claims that James Galante was the inspiration for the character Tony Soprano, although it is disputed and many have said it is loosely based on New Jersey mobster Vincent Palermo. I'm just wondering if he had any relation to Carmine Galante of the Bonanno Family. Jon Nasty Mirasty. His mother found him two days after Christmas, in his bedroom at her home in . Deadline has reported that Stranger Things star David Harbour will star in The Trashers as Jimmy Galante, said to be one of the inspirations for The Sopranos. The character of Tony Soprano is said to have been inspired by DeCavalcante crime family boss, John The Eagle Riggi as detailed in an episode of the American Greed series, titled Mob Money. If you have not seen it, the show is about a guy named "Jimmy Galante" who buys his son a hockey team called, " The Trashers". Thats a good question. [19] Amidst these allegations, the Trashers suspended operations and released their players. Anthony Indelicatos wife is Catherine Burke, a daughter of Lucchese crime family associate Jimmy Burke. Mike Rupp, who ended up playing in the NHL. "[15] The businesses were sold, with the money going to the United States Department of the Treasury, under laws allowing the forfeiture of property obtained through criminal activities. They modeled their team on Slapshot. I swear to you. Powerful bosses relied upon his areas of expertise. I read about the equipment manager, that you guys had maybe playing some tricks on the other teams [such as soaking the home jerseys in Crisco so the other team couldnt grab them]. The James R. Galante Memorial Fund was launched online through GoFundMe and through Grand National Bank. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); I was very surprised he wasn't killed earlier, much sooner, and that's probably why I was so shocked when he died. No-bid contracts and old-fashioned ass whippings! At the time of this interview, AJ admitted he hadn't watched Crimes and Penalties yet. Growing up, AJ was instantly attracted to the game of hockey and wanted to play nothing else. James Galante. Jimmy Galante turns out to be a Capo in the Genovese family. Marblehead High School senior James Galante and his teammates achieved success last season that few athletes reach. Many of whom AJ found by browsing websites like hockeyfights.com, and whose services the Trashers were able to afford thanks to some allegedly creative accounting tricks pulled by AJs father. Well, Danbury, Im still here, obviously. Who was the boss that got whacked in Donnie Brasco? She loved this man. While the business made him a rich man, Jimmy stated in the documentary that his son, AJ, was the love of his life. He said Mr. Galante, 56 years old, was an inducted member of the Bonanno family and the nephew of Carmine Galante, who the authorities said was the boss of the Bonanno family when he was shot to death in a Brooklyn restaurant in 1979. Since 1993, they have been accused of muscling out local competition , Widely regarded as one of the greatest TV series of all time, The Sopranos is the iconic American crime drama created by David Chase, which has long been praised for its sharp writing, impressive cast and slick stylisation and for dealing with themes like violence, gender roles and Italian-American family culture in a smart, engaging way. Loading. While just a teenager, AJ was able to acquire players on the roster and, along with his father, was very clear about the kind of game they wanted to play. The Sopranos was hitting its stride right around the time that you started leading this team. In 2008, he was sentenced to five to seven years in prison for charges of racketeering, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and defrauding the IRS. Flying by the seat of his pants, calling in favors, and working to build a team packed to the brim with brawlers, Galante looked to his favorite wrestlers, Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Undertaker, and took notes in how they, under the guidance of his hero Vince McMahon, crafted a narrative and galvanized the crowd. The heroin pipeline that now flowed from Europe to North America was dubbed the Pizza Connection. Theres the New York Connecticut, which is like us. My father said, out of nowhere, If I ever buy a hockey team, youre going to run it. I was like, Yeah, sure. Then, two days later, he said, Okay, I bought the team., Between 2004 and 2006, the Danbury Trashers gained a reputation for their fights and toughness on the rink. From a religious point of view, Jimmy Galante is Christian and his Zodiac sign is Capricorn. As of 2023, James Galante's net worth is estimated to be $3 million. Great show. Petty gang crimes led to a career in bootlegging and connections to powerful figures in the Mafia. And theyre like, Oh, that guy, David Beauregard, hes got one eye. So, I guess he was a big high-level prospect coming up, and from what I heard, he was on a breakaway once. Its my buddy Jon Mirasty. Hes in Bakersfield, California at the time. In June 2008, Jimmy decided to make a deal and pleaded guilty to racketeering, conspiracy to defraud the IRS, and wire fraud conspiracy. I heard some things, allegedly. We may or may not have planned some of these things, but no, I mean everything from the stupidest pranks. Blending WWE with the UHL is a disruptive idea, to be sure. He also admitted to witness tampering. AJ grew up with his family in New Fairfield@COMA Connecticut. Michael Gandolfini is the son of Sopranos star and Hollywood legend James Gandolfini. HBO. Against All Odds: Oscar Goodman and the Jimmy Chagra Murder Trial, Drug trafficker Peter Shue on coke vs. heroin, doing 21 years, Suge, Alpo, Keith Sweat, Madonna & Mike Tyson, Inside Italy's biggest Mafia trial in decades. Paul Grondahl. For more information, please see our THEN AND NOW: The cast of 'The Sopranos,' 14 years after the series finale. You guys are kind of like streetwise Italian guys, New York kind of guys, and then, youve got these rustic Canadians that are playing hockey, who seem kind of like the opposite thing, but you guys are all just thrown together in this hockey environment. He ended up serving an eight-year sentence. All Rights Reserved. I got no A/C in here, so its like Im dying, but what are you going to do? He is a New England native who went to Boston College and currently resides in Brooklyn, NY. While a senior at New Fairfield High, he was an alternate captain on the school's hockey team but couldn't play for long because of a serious injury. [10] Galante was indicted in 2006 on charges of paying a 'mob tax' to Ianniello. Netflixs Untold: Crime and Penalties brings to the viewers this rather unusual story of the meteoric success that AJ achieved as a teenager before an FBI investigation into his fathers businesses changed everything. At that time it never felt like anything but a vacation to me. As a 17-year-old, AJ Galante was suddenly thrust into the spotlight in 2004 when his father, Jimmy, bought a minor league hockey franchise and made him the president. Jimmy Galante is also known as James Galante. How did AJ Galante get injured? He had no visor or anything, and he ended up getting hooked from behind, and the stick ended up coming up and taking his eye out. AJ worked as a truck driver for quite a while after the whole fiasco, but through all of that, he maintained a close relationship with his father. I was like, We need to find the guys that like this, that actually care about it.. "1,000,000 percent, it was like a human video game," AJ said with a laugh. What did you think of it when it first came out? The FBI was investigating Jimmy for suspected ties to the mob. James Galante, who had direct ties to the Genovese crime family, who have been cited as part of the inspiration for The Sopranos, was arrested under a massive FBI indictment and was charged with 72 counts of racketeering, extortion, and witness tampering, among other crimes. My knee cap was actually on the side of my knee which I didnt know at the time, because I had all my gear on. DeLuca also accepted large donations from Galante and his associates and allegedly promised to look out for Galante's interests. The US Attorneys office also stated that Jimmy and some of his associates burned a competitors truck in 1992 after leaving the driver bound. Federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment of Galante and 28 others in an alleged Mafia-backed scheme to stifle competition in the trash industry (Republican American, September 1, 2007) Galante got into trouble at an early age.
