Paul Castellano (June 26, 1915 – December 16, 1985) was the head of the Gambino crime family in New York in 1973 after the death of Carlo Gambino. In 1983 the F.B.I. wired Castellano's house and obtained over 600 hours of Castellano discussing mob business.
Because of the tapes Castellano was arrested for ordering the murders of 24 people and was freed on bail. Just months later he and several crime family bosses were arrested based on information from the tapes in what became known as the Mafia Commission Trial, designed to connect Mafia mobsters to the construction business.
It is believed by many that John Gotti hated Castellano and ordered his murder which was carried out on Dec. 16, 1985, outside Sparks Steak House in Manhattan.
See Also: Glossary of Common Mafia Terms
