He Ran Gotti's Biggest Crew for 20 Years — Gotti Had Him Vanished

On Valentine's Day nineteen eighty-eight, Louie Milito left his wife Lynda a heart-shaped balloon and a written acknowledgement of everything his choices had cost her. Then he went to a meeting with Sammy Gravano — the man who had been his best friend since age thirteen, who stood at his wedding, whose children called him Uncle Sammy — and was never seen again. Louie Milito was a made man in the Gambino crime family for over twenty years. He killed for it, stole for it, served federal prison time for it without saying a single name that could have bought his freedom. He and Gravano had been inseparable since they were both members of the Rampers street gang in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. He introduced Gravano to his future wife. He co-owned restaurants with him. When the family needed something done, Milito was the first call. He was killed in March nineteen eighty-eight — shot once in the back of the head by hitman John Carneglia in a bar belonging to Lou Vallario, the same man whose promotion Milito had been complaining about. His body has never been found. The FBI Ravenite tape from December twelfth, nineteen eighty-nine captures Gotti saying he ordered the murder for insubordination. Gravano's account says he twice deflected earlier contracts on Milito's life and agreed only when Gotti forced him. Lynda Milito's memoir calls Gravano a weasel and holds him directly responsible. Three versions. One bullet. No grave. Key figures: Louie Milito, Sammy Gravano, John Gotti, John Carneglia, Lou Vallario, Lynda Milito, Frank DeCicco. Timeline: early nineteen sixties through March nineteen eighty-eight. Verified Sources: Wikipedia: John Gotti, Sammy Gravano, Gambino crime family; Crime Library: Gravano documented account; Gangland Wire: Louis Milito documented reconstruction; Mafia Dynasty: Milito Gravano falling out documented; Lynda Milito Mafia Wife two thousand and two memoir; Virginia Tech archived trial coverage Gotti ninety-two; Sopranos Wiki Witness to the Mob documented character reference; Michael DeBatt Wikipedia documented account. #MafiaHistory #LouieMilito #SammyGravano #JohnGotti