Michael Franzese grew up as the son of the notorious Underboss of New York's violent and feared Colombo crime family. It was a life filled with power, luxury...and deadly violence. He was named one of the biggest money earners the mob had seen since Al Capone, by Vanity Fair. At his most affluent, he generated an estimated $5 to $8 million per week from legal and illegal businesses. At the age of 35, Fortune Magazine listed him as number 18 on its list of the "Fifty Most Wealthy and Powerful Mafia Bosses", just 5 behind John Gotti. Avoiding traditional mob domains, Michael masterminded brilliant scams on the edge of the legitimate business world. From auto dealerships and union kickbacks, to financial services and the sports and entertainment industries, to a multi-billion dollar gasoline tax scheme, he earned millions in cash every week at his peak. Not surprisingly, Michael quickly became the target of Manhattan's famed federal prosecutor, Rudy Guiliani. After promising Michael 100 years behind bars after indicting him on racketeering charges, Rudy only came up empty handed. Escaping four more indictments, it seemed Michael Franzese truly was invincible.
While producing Knights of the City, a break dance movie filmed in Florida, Michael met a beautiful dancer from Anaheim, California, named Camille Garcia, whose innocent beauty turned his world upside down. After falling in love and eventually marrying Cammy, she convinced Michael to take the rap on racketeering charges. Michael pled guilty, accepted a 10 year prison sentence and vowed to do the unthinkable - walk away from the mob. Nobody of Franzese's rank had ever just walked away - and lived. Until now.
Michael Franzese is the only high ranking official of a major crime family to ever walk away, without protective custodies, and survive.
His compelling story of fame, power, prestige, love and fear has been featured throughout the country on high profile media. Most recently, he was featured on the following networks:
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