Published on: August 1, 2023, 05:34h.
Last updated on: August 1, 2023, 05:34h.
Reputed Mafia Boss “Mikey the Nose” Mancuso Faces Consequences for Illicit Pasta Sauce Discussion
A wiretapped conversation about pasta sauce has resulted in the imprisonment of reputed Bonanno Mafia boss Michael “Mikey the Nose” Mancuso.
Mancuso, who was released on parole in 2019 after serving a 14-year sentence for his involvement in a murder case, violated the terms of his parole by engaging in discussions related to cooking with other convicted felons. The conversation in question took place between Mancuso and alleged Colombo soldier Michael Uvino on October 24, 2020.
Are you gonna do the gravy today or make the sauce?” Mancuso asked alleged Colombo soldier Michael Uvino on October 24, 2020, according to federal court documents.
“No, I’m making it in the morning … cause we’re not gonna eat early,” replied Uvino, who was convicted of racketeering charges in July. “What time you want to eat tomorrow?”
Mancuso responded, “I don’t care, five o’clock or so?”
Mancuso Faces Consequences
Mancuso’s troubles do not end with the illicit pasta sauce conversation. According to prosecutors, he had been using his girlfriend’s eyeglass shop and local restaurants to meet with other Mafia members in violation of his parole.
On October 7, 2020, Mancuso attended Salvatore’s of Elmont restaurant with Uvino, Colombo captain Vincent Ricciardo, convict David Del Franco, Gambino associate Vito Cortesiano, and convict Joseph Russo, federal prosecutors claimed.
Mancuso, the official boss of the Bonanno family since 2013, has a history of criminal activities. In 2004, he orchestrated the murder of Mafia associate Randolph Pizzolo as instructed by then-boss Vincent Basciano. Mancuso also served a ten-year sentence for manslaughter in 1984.
A Culinary Obsession
Mancuso’s interest in cooking is not unique among Mafia members. Popular movies like Goodfellas and The Godfather depict the influence of Italian cuisine within the criminal underworld.
Despite the allure of Mafia-cooked dishes, not everyone supports the association between organized crime and Italian cuisine. In 2016, Italian farmers organization Coldiretti criticized foreign food manufacturers for using Mafia-themed branding to sell their products.
Coldiretti’s Sara Paraluppi described such products as “a double insult” to Italy.
“Global producers are marketing foreign products as Italian by linking them to the worst Italy has to offer, organized crime,” she said.