Real life ‘mafia prince’ coming to Hull for VIP Goodfella event
A REFORMED “Mafia Prince” is visiting Hull to tell all about his former life of crime.
Michael Franzese was a member of one of the most feared mafia families in the US and was portrayed in Martin Scorsese’s 1990 film Goodfellas.
An Evening with Michael Franzese: The Real Goodfella, will see the reformed Mob boss tell the story of his life at the Hull Doubletree by Hilton onsaturday, July 23.
The show’s promoters are describing the event as an “at times chilling, no holds barred insight from within one of history’s most feared and violent mafia families”.
Franzese was a “caporegime” (captain) in the notorious Colombo crime family, who ran the New York mafia alongside four other crime families.
In 1986, he was sentenced to ten years in prison on conspiracy charges and later retired to California - one of the few major mob figures to walk away with his life.
Franzese said: “I’m really excited to be landing in Hull and to share a unique experience with everyone as we unearth some of the untold truths of the mafia.
“There are not many people who can say they’ve sat on both sides of the divide between the mafia and the law and lived to tell the tale.
“But I’ve seen the destruction caused by ‘the life.’ The pain, suffering, loss it leaves in its wake. I’ve seen families devastated, and wars on the streets.
“I’ve been marched into a room, expecting never to walk back out.
“But now, I’m ready to share my story with people and give an insight into what that life really means – and why I simply had to get out.”
Tickets cost from £100. There will be a VIP reception and soiree, three-course gala dinner, a series of VIP experiences ranging from meet and greets with Michael Franzese to being seated on his VIP table, an exclusive after-show party and an on-stage “in conversation” style interview.
Franzese promises to take the Hull audience on a journey from life growing up as the son of one of the era’s most famous mob underbosses to some of the deepest and darkest never-before-told secrets of a former “caporegime”.
He will bare all on criminal operations, high-profile celebrity and political associations, run-ins with law enforcement, his imprisonment, finding faith in God, and the threats he faced on his life once he broke his oath of silence (omerta) and walked away from the Colombo family to live a reformed life.
At the height of his mob life, Michael defrauded the US Federal Government of upwards of $35m (£29m) with a gasoline bootlegging scheme, making him one of the most powerful men in the city and a prime target for law enforcement.
In 1986, Vanity Fair named Michael one of the biggest money earners the mob had seen since Al Capone, with Fortune Magazine listing him at number 18 on the “Fifty most wealthy and powerful mafia bosses” list.
Joseph Bono portrayed him in the famous Martin Scorsese film Goodfellas.
In 1995, following several years in prison on racketeering charges, Michael’s life changed.
Guided by a newfound faith in God, he walked away from the mob, a decision that led to several contracts being placed on his life.
Today, he works closely with troubled and vulnerable youth around the world, helping to steer them away from a life of organised crime and violence.
Tickets for the Hull show, An Evening with Michael Franzese - The Real Goodfella, are on sale now.