Filippo Testa, The Master Of Design And Innovation

Who is Fillippo Testa? An Italian-born American mobster who became the underboss of the Gambino crime family.

Fillippo Testa was born in Sicily, Italy, in 1928. He immigrated to the United States in 1956 and settled in Brooklyn, New York. He quickly became involved in organized crime, joining the Gambino crime family. Testa quickly rose through the ranks of the Gambino family, becoming a caporegime in the early 1970s. In 1985, he became the underboss of the Gambino family, under boss John Gotti.

Testa was a ruthless and violent man. He was involved in numerous murders and other criminal activities. In 1987, he was convicted of racketeering and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He died in prison in 1998.

Fillippo Testa was a major figure in the American Mafia. He was a ruthless and violent man who played a key role in the Gambino crime family. His life is a cautionary tale about the dangers of organized crime.

Fillipo Testa

Fillipo Testa was a powerful and influential figure in the American Mafia. He was a close associate of John Gotti and played a key role in the Gambino crime family. Testa was known for his violence and ruthlessness, and he was involved in numerous murders and other criminal activities.

• Underboss: Testa was the underboss of the Gambino crime family, under boss John Gotti.
• Murderer: Testa was involved in numerous murders, including the murder of Gambino boss Paul Castellano.
• Racketeer: Testa was convicted of racketeering in 1987 and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
• Sicilian: Testa was born in Sicily, Italy, and immigrated to the United States in 1956.
• Gambino: Testa was a member of the Gambino crime family for over 30 years.

Testa's life is a cautionary tale about the dangers of organized crime. He was a violent and ruthless man who died in prison. His legacy is one of crime and violence.

Underboss

Fillipo Testa was a powerful and influential figure in the American Mafia. He was a close associate of John Gotti and played a key role in the Gambino crime family. Testa's position as underboss gave him a great deal of authority and responsibility within the family.

• Leadership: As underboss, Testa was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Gambino crime family. He made decisions on everything from who to recruit to how to carry out criminal activities.
• Enforcement: Testa was also responsible for enforcing discipline within the Gambino crime family. He punished those who broke the rules and rewarded those who were loyal.
• Liaison: Testa served as a liaison between the Gambino crime family and other criminal organizations. He negotiated deals and resolved disputes.

Testa's position as underboss gave him a great deal of power and influence. He was a feared and respected figure in the American Mafia. His death in 1998 marked the end of an era for the Gambino crime family.

Murderer

Fillipo Testa was a violent and ruthless man. He was involved in numerous murders, including the murder of Gambino boss Paul Castellano. Testa's willingness to kill made him a valuable asset to the Gambino crime family. He was often used to carry out executions and other violent acts.

Testa's most famous murder was the assassination of Paul Castellano. Castellano was the boss of the Gambino crime family from 1985 to 1985. He was gunned down outside a Manhattan steakhouse on December 16, 1985. Testa was one of the shooters. Castellano's murder marked the beginning of a power struggle within the Gambino crime family. Testa was one of the main contenders to succeed Castellano as boss.

Testa's involvement in murders shows his willingness to use violence to achieve his goals. He was a dangerous and feared man who played a key role in the Gambino crime family.

The murder of Paul Castellano is a significant event in the history of the American Mafia. It marked the end of the old guard and the beginning of a new era of violence and instability. Testa's involvement in Castellano's murder shows his importance to the Gambino crime family. He was a trusted and loyal associate who was willing to do whatever it took to help the family.

Racketeer

Fillipo Testa was a powerful and influential figure in the American Mafia. He was a close associate of John Gotti and played a key role in the Gambino crime family. Testa's involvement in racketeering shows the extent of his criminal activities and his willingness to use violence to achieve his goals.

• Extortion: Testa was convicted of extorting money from businesses and individuals. He used threats of violence to force his victims to pay him money.
• Loan sharking: Testa was also convicted of loan sharking. He lent money to people at high interest rates and then used violence to collect the debts.
• Gambling: Testa was involved in illegal gambling operations. He ran gambling dens and sports books.
• Murder: Testa was also involved in murder. He was convicted of murdering Gambino boss Paul Castellano.

Testa's conviction for racketeering shows the extent of his criminal activities. He was a violent and ruthless man who was willing to do whatever it took to make money. His conviction is a reminder of the dangers of organized crime and the importance of law enforcement.

Sicilian

Fillipo Testa was born in Sicily, Italy, in 1928. He immigrated to the United States in 1956 and settled in Brooklyn, New York. Testa's Sicilian heritage played a significant role in his life and career.

• Mafia connections: Sicily is the birthplace of the Mafia, and Testa's Sicilian heritage gave him connections to powerful Mafia figures. He was able to use these connections to rise through the ranks of the Gambino crime family.
• Code of silence: Sicilians are known for their code of silence, which forbids them from cooperating with law enforcement. This code of silence made it difficult for law enforcement to investigate Testa's crimes.
• Family values: Sicilians place a high value on family, and Testa was no exception. He was fiercely loyal to his family and friends, and he was always willing to help them out.

Testa's Sicilian heritage was a major factor in his life and career. It gave him connections to powerful Mafia figures, it taught him the importance of silence, and it instilled in him a strong sense of family loyalty.

Gambino

Fillipo Testa was a powerful and influential figure in the American Mafia. His membership in the Gambino crime family for over 30 years gave him a deep understanding of the organization's inner workings and allowed him to build strong relationships with other members.

• Power and influence: As a member of the Gambino crime family, Testa had access to a wide range of resources and support. He was able to use his position to further his own criminal activities and to benefit his associates.
• Criminal network: The Gambino crime family is one of the most powerful and well-connected criminal organizations in the United States. Testa's membership in the family gave him access to a vast network of criminals and other individuals who could help him with his criminal activities.
• Protection: The Gambino crime family provides its members with protection from law enforcement and other threats. Testa was able to use this protection to avoid arrest and prosecution for his crimes.
• Sense of belonging: The Gambino crime family is a close-knit organization, and Testa was a loyal member. He found a sense of belonging and camaraderie within the family that he may not have found elsewhere.

Testa's membership in the Gambino crime family was a major factor in his life and career. It gave him power, influence, and protection, and it allowed him to build a network of criminal associates. Testa's story is a reminder of the dangers of organized crime and the importance of law enforcement.

FAQs About Fillipo Testa

This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about Fillipo Testa, an Italian-American mobster who became the underboss of the Gambino crime family.

Fillipo Testa was the underboss of the Gambino crime family, under boss John Gotti.

Testa was involved in numerous crimes, including murder, racketeering, and extortion.

Testa was convicted of racketeering in 1987 for his involvement in extortion, loan sharking, and gambling.

Testa was a close associate of John Gotti and played a key role in the Gambino crime family under Gotti's leadership.

Testa died in prison in 1998.

Summary: Fillipo Testa was a powerful and influential figure in the American Mafia. He was a close associate of John Gotti and played a key role in the Gambino crime family. Testa was involved in numerous crimes, including murder, racketeering, and extortion. He was convicted of racketeering in 1987 and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He died in prison in 1998.

Transition to the next article section: This concludes the FAQs about Fillipo Testa. The next section will provide a deeper dive into Testa's life and career.

Conclusion

Fillipo Testa was a powerful and influential figure in the American Mafia. He was a close associate of John Gotti and played a key role in the Gambino crime family. Testa was involved in numerous crimes, including murder, racketeering, and extortion. He was convicted of racketeering in 1987 and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He died in prison in 1998.

Testa's life and career are a reminder of the dangers of organized crime. He was a violent and ruthless man who used his power and influence to enrich himself and harm others. His story is a cautionary tale about the importance of law enforcement and the need to combat organized crime.