Frank DeChico, a high-ranking member of the Gambino crime family who rose to underboss under John Gotti, was killed on April 13, 1986, when a bomb destroyed his car outside a Brooklyn restaurant. The assassination was carried out by members of the Lucchese family, acting on orders from Vincent Gigante and Lucchese boss Anthony Corallo, in what was widely seen as retaliation for the murder of Gambino boss Paul Castellano. DeChico was born on November 5, 1935, in Brooklyn, the son of Vincent “Boozy” DeChico. He joined the Gambino family in the late 1960s or early 1970s and quickly rose through the ranks.
In 1973, he and Anthony Casso, who would later become underboss of the Lucchese family, were involved in robbing diamond dealers and stealing trucks across New York State. DeChico became a protégé of Castellano and was also close to Gambino captain James Failla, whom he described as his “rabbi. ” Under DeChico’s leadership, his crew became one of the most powerful in the Gambino family. As underboss, he was deeply involved in the family’s control of the construction industry, particularly through the so-called “Concrete Club,” a group of mafia-affiliated contractors who dominated concrete work in New York City.
He was responsible for installing Gambino members into Local 282 and for delivering payoffs from union bosses to the family’s administration. In 1978, Gambino associate Nicholas Scibetta was allegedly killed on Castellano’s orders. Scibetta, who struggled with cocaine and alcohol, had insulted DeChico’s niece and been involved in several public fights. He was also the brother-in-law of Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano.
When Gravano learned of Scibetta’s death, he was enraged and threatened to kill Castellano, but DeChico managed to calm him down and convinced him that Scibetta’s killing was justified punishment. By 1983, Roy DeMeo, who led a team responsible for up to 200 contract killings, was under intense police investigation. Castellano ordered DeMeo’s murder out of concern that he might become a government witness. While DeChico’s exact role in the plot remains unclear, he was aware of it and likely took part in the decision-making.
DeMeo was killed in January 1983, and his body was later found in the trunk of his car. In 1985, DeChico joined forces with Gotti and others to organize the assassination of Castellano and his underboss Thomas Bilotti. Tensions between Castellano and Gotti had been building for some time. Many Gambino members viewed Castellano as weak and out of touch, and there were rumors he planned to eliminate Gotti and other senior figures.
Castellano’s failure to attend the wake of Aniello Dellacroce, Gotti’s mentor who died in December 1985, was seen as a grave insult. DeChico, despite his close relationship with Castellano, joined Gotti, Joseph Armone, Gravano, and Frank Lashio in the murder plot. He informed Gotti that Castellano would be meeting Gambino mobsters on December 16 at Sparks Steakhouse. Castellano was urged by DeChico and Failla to meet with Dellacroce’s son as a way to make amends for missing the wake.
Gotti named DeChico as his underboss shortly after Castellano’s assassination and declared himself the new boss of the family. After the takeover, DeChico assumed control of the white-collar rackets previously held by the Castellano faction. There was speculation within the family that Gravano had ambitions of becoming boss himself and may have considered supporting DeChico in a power struggle against Gotti. Some members viewed DeChico as a more stable and pragmatic leader than Gotti.
On April 13, 1986, DeChico visited Failla in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. Gotti had also planned to visit Failla that day but canceled at the last minute. When a bomb exploded outside a restaurant, it killed DeChico, who was riding in a car with a soldier. The bomb was intended for Gotti, and the soldier was mistaken for him.
Gravano later wrote in his book “Underboss” that Gigante and Corallo gave the green light for the hit, but it was carried out by Gigante’s people, particularly Victor Amuso and Tony Casso. Gotti, aware that police surveillance was heavy, had changed his plans and was nowhere near the scene when the bomb went off. His last-minute decision proved fatal for DeChico, who had taken his place. Gotti ordered all Gambino made men and associates to attend DeChico’s wake, which was held at a funeral home near the bombing site over two days.
He later appointed Joseph Armone as underboss to replace DeChico.
