Get Started. Michael felt fascinated and attracted to the commitment to Christianity exhibited by Camilles mom. Baptism helped because it was a ritual for him.. [37], His younger son, John Franzese Jr., was a Colombo family associate before becoming an FBI informant. Michael passed away on month day 1982, at age 21 at death place, Florida. We encourage you to research and examine these . We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family trees to create each person's profile. [11][12][13][14][15] Although Franzese recounts this ceremony had taken place in 1975, the membership books reportedly were not reopened until 1976 (they had been closed since 1957). 1917 February 6, 1917. To send flowers [67] Franzese lives in Newport Beach, California with his wife, Camille Garcia, and their seven children. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. Michael and Camille Garcia met on the set of the film Knights of the City. Camille and her daughters are fitness enthusiasts who run a gym. We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. All Rights Reserved. [25], Franzese had claimed that at the height of his career, he generated up to $8 million per week. He has spoken as an NCAA life skills speaker to student-athletes in over 400 college campuses. We encourage you to research and examine these records . He eventually helped implement a scheme to defraud the federal government out of gasoline taxes in the early 1980s. We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family trees to create each person's profile. [1][2][3] His parents had already immigrated to the United States at the time of his birth, and were back in Italy for a visit. Franzese family sit down If you would like . [13], However, on March 3, 1967, Franzese was convicted in Albany, New York of masterminding a series of four bank robberies across the country in 1965, and was finally sentenced to 50 years in prison at United States Penitentiary, Leavenworth, by judge Jacob Mishler in 1970, after several denied appeals. Then it gets weirder. She predicted that Michael would one day preach the word of God to millions. : Mafia: Michael Franzese, an ex-Colombo family capo, says he is 'born-again' and hopes for a Hollywood career", "TWO SLAIN AND ONE HURT IN A MOB-STYLE SHOOTING", COLOMBO ORGANIZED CRIME FAMILY ACTING BOSS, UNDERBOSS, AND TEN OTHER MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATES INDICTED", "After Serving Six Years, Mobster Receives His Sentence", "Five Mafia Families Open Rosters to New Members", "BASEBALL; From Captain to Coach: Ex-Goodfella's New Life", "Even the trial of federal witness Anthony Sarivola bears secrets", "Former Colombo family capo to visit Mob Museum and tell how he left the mafia but lived to talk about it", "Special Report: Michael Franzese talks about quitting the mob", "9 LINKED TO MAFIA ARE ACCUSED OF BILKING LEGITIMATE BUSINESSES", "Mobster Sentenced in Probation Violation", "TESTIMONY LINKS FILM BOSS TO 2-STATE GAS-TAX FRAUD", "Former New York crime boss Michael Franzese on walking away from the mob, forgiving his father & cleaning up Chicago", "Former mobster to speak at Midwest Theater", "Former mobster recounts his road to redemption", "Former Prince of the Mafia Shares His Story", "Former mobster Michael Franzese is trying to do good in the world as a motivational speaker and author", "Crime Figure Testifies to Link With Sports Agent", "Sports of The Times; Is Don King's Asbestos Tuxedo Turning Toxic at Last? [41], Gioino, Catherina and McShane, Larry (June 24, 2017). Franzese, who had never met King, says he was introduced to him by civil rights leader Al Sharpton. [41][42] He also was ordered to pay an additional $3 million in restitution to the state of Florida. [66] On his channel he tells stories about his past life, makes interviews and reviews mafia related films, television shows, and video games and analyzes their accuracy. Free trials are normally available and are a good way to fill out . Michael Franzese was born on May 27, 1951, in Brooklyn, New York, USA to Cristina Capobianco-Franzese and John Sonny Franzese, Sr. Franzese, Sr. did not want Michael to get into organized crime. Father of Private; Private; Private; Private and Private, https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Franzese. [25][27], In April 1985, Franzese was acquitted of racketeering charges. At the time, Franzese was at the height of his crime career. He was released on parole a couple of years later in 1989. [4][40] He was buried on February 28, at St. John Cemetery following his funeral at Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family trees to create each person's profile. Ancestry is a major source of information if you are filling out the detail of Michael Franzese in your family tree. Compared to legitimate gas stations, Michaels organization often sold the gas at lower prices. Franzese would later testify he provided the initial $50,000 to Walters to start his agency booking company with a 25% share of any profits. He dropped out of University to become a mob member after he grew tired of the police harassing his father and crime boss John Franzese. Over the years, Michael has evolved into a motivational speaker. He attended Mount Carmel Elementary . He gave us nothing of value about anyone in Cosa Nostra. Salvatore was born on June 11 1916, in New York City (All Boroughs), New York, USA. Research genealogy for Michael Franzese of New Jersey, as well as other members of the Franzese family, on Ancestry. [60], In 2019, Franzese became co-founder of a national franchise of pizza restaurants called "Slices Pizza". [30][31], During the 1970s, he began to enter the world of legitimate business and by the mid 1980s Franzese had a stronghold on various businesses such as car dealerships, leasing companies, auto repair shops, restaurants, nightclubs, a contractor company, movie production and distribution companies, travel agencies and video stores. . Share your family tree and photos with the people you know and love. He was part of the Colombo crime family, and at the height of his power, he brought in up to $8 million per week. [10] He took the oath alongside friend Jimmy Angelino, Joseph Peraino Jr., Salvatore Miciotta, Vito Guzzo Sr., and John Minerva all of whom except Miciotta died violently over the next 20 years. [21] On December 24, 2008, Franzese was released from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Research genealogy for Michael Franzese of New Jersey, as well as other members of the Franzese family, on Ancestry. You're going to meet 3 of my daughters today. In 1986, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison on conspiracy charges, released in 1989, rearrested in 1991 for a parole violation, and ultimately released in 1994. Franzese was contacted by a flea market owner who complained that his partner was using and selling drugs at the market in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. [4] Franzese used Buddah to launder illegal mob earnings and to bribe disc jockeys with payola. [24] An associate later testified that Franzese personally made $1 million per week from the gas scheme. She also played a key role in his subsequent spiritual transformation. He was the husband of Evelyn (DAlessio) Franzese. In May 2016, The History Channel featured him in a show titled The Definitive Guide To The Mob.. Michael Franzese is one of the most famous mobsters in the world. Somet. [29], Franzese hosted a stage musical, A Mob Story, at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. He underwent the Mafia initiation ritual along with his best friend Jimmy Angelino among others. Research genealogy for Michael Franzese of Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY, USA, as well as other members of the Franzese family, on Ancestry. His son John Franzese Jr. had testified against him, becoming the first son of a New York mobster to turn state's evidence and testify against his father. ", "Whiting: Former mob capo juggles past, current 'affiliations', "John Franzese, Mafioso Who Consorted With Celebrities, Dies at 103", List of Italian-American mobsters by organization, Collaborations between the United States government and Italian Mafia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Michael_Franzese&oldid=1145284410, Non-fiction writers about organized crime in the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox person with multiple spouses, Pages using infobox person with multiple parents, Pages using embedded infobox templates with the title parameter, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 10 years' imprisonment and ordered to pay $14.7 million in, Motivational speaking, storytelling, interviews, movie reviews, This page was last edited on 18 March 2023, at 07:43. Tape Distorts Truth", "NEW BREED SAID TO EMERGE IN ORGANIZED CRIME", "Reputed Mobster Among 26 Charged In Gas-Tax Scheme", "FRANZESE ENTERS A PLEA OF GUILTY TO RACKETEERING", "Top Suspect In Operation Tiger Tail Pleads Guilty Again", "Mobster says he was silent partner with Walters", "Walters, Bloom sentenced to jail, fined $395,000", "NEW TRIAL REQUESTED FOR CONVICTED AGENTS", "Walters, Bloom, convictions overturned on technicality", "Appeals court overturns sports bribing convictions", "What to stream: 'Fear City' and other Mafia picks beyond the usual suspects", "Former mafia boss Michael Franzese sounds warning over match-fixing", "20 years a mobster, Michael Franzese now inspires gangsters to turn their lives around", "REVIEW: The Definitive Guide to the Mob (DVD)", "The Mafia with Trevor McDonald, ITV, review: 'surreal' Telegraph", "Trevor McDonald Meets the Mafia and exposes shocking tales Daily Post", "The Mafia with Trevor McDonald, review: Nice guy Trevor just isn't cut out for the mean streets | The Independent", "The ambitious, original 'A Mob Story' is worth a visit to the Plaza", "Up in 60: Former mafia boss brings new pizza joint to Dallas", "Dallas Finally Gets A Verified Mobster Pizza Joint, Plus a Book-Signing This Saturday", "Ex-mafioso in Anaheim Hills now serves God, not the mob", "Who is Michael Franzese of Netflix's 'Fear City: New York vs. He invited Camille for a date, and despite saying yes, Camille didnt show up. [56] Later in 2013, he appeared in Inside the American Mob, a National Geographic documentary. The Mafia'? We encourage you to research and examine these . By the age of 35, in 1986, Fortune Magazine listed Franzese as number 18 on its list of the "Fifty Most Wealthy and Powerful Mafia Bosses". In 1970, Franzese, Sr. was sentenced to 50 years in prison for masterminding several bank robberies. Franzese fell for Camille immediately after he saw her. Franzese was enrolled in a pre-med program at Hofstra University, but dropped out to make money for his family after his father was sentenced to 50 years in prison for bank robbery in 1967. He once again faced a four-year sentence in federal prison on December 27, 1991, for violating the probation rules at the time of his release in 1989. Michael Franzese (/ f r n z i s /) (n Grillo; born May 27, 1951) is an American former mobster who was a caporegime in the Colombo crime family, and son of former underboss Sonny Franzese.Franzese was enrolled in a pre-med program at Hofstra University, but dropped out to make money for his family after his father was sentenced to 50 years in prison for bank robbery in 1967. A look at his dating life, The truth about Hasan Minhajs wife Beena Patel, What is Sofia Richies ethnicity? [3] Vanity Fair cited him as one of the biggest money earners for the mafia since Al Capone. [55][29] He also speaks at Christian conferences and churches, including Willow Creek Community Church, in 2016. Skip Ancestry navigation Main Menu. He has also spoken to professional athletes associated with the National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), and Major League Baseball (MLB). He was the husband of Evelyn (D'Alessio) Franzese. Circumstances as such made him grow up in the world of mafia and crime. Research genealogy for Michael Franzese of New York, as well as other members of the Franzese family, on Ancestry. He attended Mount Carmel Elementary SchoolandCardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx before going on to earn his Bachelors degree in American History and Education from Manhattan College and his Masters degree in American History from Hofstra University. To avoid having a scandal surrounding having a child out of wedlock, Capobianco married Frank Grillo. [7][4] He was also a boxing fan of Rocky Graziano. Check out the store: https://store.michaelfranzese.com/ On todays sit down, I bring my daughters back on Franzese family sit down If you would like your chance to Sit Down with Michael \u0026 get world class support \u0026 advice to grow your business or improve your life on LIVE virtual calls, join Michael's INNER CIRCLE MENTORSHIP:https://join.michaelfranzese.com/inner-circle For Booking Requests or to join Michael's CREW for free (a private online community), go here:https://www.michaelfranzese.com/speaking-engagements/For *AUTOGRAPHED* Books/Poster personally signed by Michael Franzese, VISIT https://store.michaelfranzese.comFollow Michael on:https://www.instagram.com/michaelfranzese_/https://www.facebook.com/michaelfranzesehttps://twitter.com/MichaelFranzeseFollow Michael Franzese Daughters:@miquelle_camille@amandafranzedwards@juliegrlsFilmed by Alec ThomasInstagram || @alecmthomas In 1989, Michael was subpoenaed to testify at a trial of Walters when the latter had invoked Michaels name to frighten college students into signing management contracts with his sports agency. After the 2004 incarceration of John "Jackie" DeRoss, Franzese was again promoted to Colombo family underboss in 2005, for the first time since his 1967 imprisonment, by Thomas Gioeli. Franzese also suggested wearing a hairnet during the murder so as to avoid leaving any hair strands at the crime scene that could be DNA analyzed. Above all, Michael regarded his family as both the most important part of his life and his greatest achievement. In 1986, Michael was ranked 18 in the Fortune magazines list of Fifty Most Wealthy and Powerful Mafia Bosses. According to Michael, he was earning between $510 million per week at the height of his career. One day, she decided leave the set and go back to California. and our A keynote speaker at corporate events, Michael leads seminars involving students of business and law. Read more about the life story of Michael and share your memory. A documentary titled God the Father, which was released on October 31, 2014, recounts the spiritual transformation of Michael Franzese. [34], In 1983, the FBI launched an investigation into boxing promoter Don King's organized crime connections and targeted Franzese to introduce an FBI undercover agent, using the alias Victor Quintana, to King. In this video, Michael shares stories of his Father that few. For more information, please see our He had criminal dealings with Gambino crime family boss Paul Castellano; future Gambino crime family boss John Gotti; and Genovese crime family underboss Anthony Fat Tony Salerno. This article will look at Michaels wife and the role she played in his transformation. [22] In Florida, Franzese was one of 26 people indicted on 177 counts after a 16 month investigation in Florida called "Operation Tiger Tail". He was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Michael Franzese is one of the most famous mobsters in the world. [61] His subscriber count exceeded 1,000,000 in January 2023. [34][35] Franzese had four more children with Capobianco, who died in 2012. . Research genealogy for Michael Franzese of Modesto, CA, as well as other members of the Franzese family, on Ancestry. [20], On June 4, 2008, Franzese was indicted along with other Colombo mobsters on charges of racketeering, conspiracy, robbery, extortion, narcotics trafficking, and loansharking. We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family trees to create each person's profile. Meanwhile, he co-wrote a sensational book titled Quitting the Mob with Dary Matera in 1992. [22] John Franzese Jr. testified twice against his father, the last time his father attempted to have him killed; he later lived under witness protection. [32] He also helped to finance the $22,000 budget of the 1972 pornographic film Deep Throat, which generated $3050 million, and the 1974 slasher film The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, which earned over $30 million from a $80,000140,000 investment. [4] Franzese had initially believed that he had been adopted by John after his mother divorced Frank Grillo, whom Franzese thought to be his biological father. [16], Franzese was briefly mentored by Colombo soldier Joseph "Joe-Joe" Vitacco (19271980). In the 1950s and 1960s, Franzese listed his official occupation as an owner of a dry-cleaning store in Brooklyn. The franchise started in California, and includes five branches across the country including Dallas, Texas. Cookie Notice Connect to the World Family Tree to find out, Feb 25 2020 - Lucas County, Ohio, United States, Michael Franzese, John Franzese, Lorraine Franzese, Feb 6 1919 - Naples, Naples, Campania, Italy, Feb 24 2020 - Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States, Carmine Salvatore Franzese, Maria Franzese (born Romano), Filomena Franzese, Onofrio Franzese Grandson, Anna Franzese, Michele Franzese, Josephine Franzese, Rose Franzese, Felicia Rose Franzese. We encourage you to research and examine these . Family History Learning Hub ; My Trees ; Start a New Tree ; Upload a GEDCOM ; Search & Browse. He went on to introduce his friend and Genovese family soldier Joseph Joe Glitz Galizia into the operation. Michaels mother succumbed to cancer in 2012 when his father was in prison. In a shocking display of good parenting, Michael's father didn't want him to follow in his footsteps, so Michael initially studied pre-med at Hofstra University. [32], By 1980, Franzese was a partner with booking agent Norby Walters in his firm. Research genealogy for Michael Franzese of Florida, USA, as well as other members of the Franzese family, on Ancestry. A vast range of data is available to search ranging from census records, births, deaths and marriages, military records and immigration records to name but a few. [5] Michael says he had gone by the name "Michael Grillo" until he was 18 years old. John "Sonny" Franzese Sr. (Italian:[frantseze; -ese]; February 6, 1917 February 24, 2020) was an American mobster who was a longtime member and former underboss of the Colombo crime family. Michael P. Franzese, age 66 of Bethel, CT, passed away Tuesday, March 9, 2021 in New York University Hospital in Manhattan, NY. [4] His mother had given him the nickname "Sonny" at a young age. On the night of Halloween in 1975, Michael became a member of the Mafia and was inducted into the Colombo crime family as a soldier. [26] Revenue officials estimated $250 million in gasoline tax was stolen in New York state per year, before moving on to Florida which was estimated to have lost $40 million to $250 million in stolen gasoline tax. Instead, he wanted his son to become a doctor. [29][30][31][28], Franzese is listed as an associate producer of the 2003 film This Thing of Ours, which starred James Caan. Check out the store: https://store.michaelfranzese.com/ Today's Mob Story Monday, Michael Franzese sits down and discusses his reaction to Newsday's ser. [49], In March 2015, he appeared in a two-part documentary on the American Mafia with television presenter and reporter Trevor McDonald. [25] In court, prosecutors complained that Franzese had only started paying the balance of his court-ordered restitution payments earlier that year. He also enjoyed reading, traveling, sports, American history, classic movies, collecting comic books, and listening to the golden oldies. [64][65] The film uses a combination of stock footage, animated recreations, as well as interviews to tell his life story. The boxers Baltimore upbringing, What is Kahiau Machados ethnicity? Entertainment, sports management and other businesses, "A Godfather Betrayed by His Namesake, Part II", "At 100, mob underboss Sonny Franzese gets out of federal prison", "Fate of a Jailed Mobster: Films, Fortune or a Bullet? [10] After he was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 1986, Michael was ultimately released in 1994 and retired to California in 1995. I'm gonna do the whole 50". When the authorities suspected one of these companies of fraudulent activity, Michael would move to the next company to run his illegal business. In 1984, Franzese was released on parole again. [34] While married, John had gotten Cristina Capobianco, a 16-year-old cigarette girl at the Stork Club in Manhattan, pregnant with his son Michael Franzese. Check out the store: https://store.michaelfranzese.com/ Most of you know by now, I have 7 children. In exchange for his testimony, he was given immunity from prosecution in the Walters case. [21], In 2010, Franzese's brother John Franzese Jr. testified against his father Sonny Franzese in a racketeering case after wearing a wire during conversations with his father. On June 23, 2017, Franzese was released and returned home. Michael Franzese was born on month day 1961, at birth place, Florida, to Salvatore John Franzese. [4][5][6] Court papers accused him of committing rape against a waitress in 1947, but he was never arrested in relation to the crime. The autobiography narrates Michaels story, including his life with his crime lord father, his own criminal pursuits, and interactions with mobsters across the US and Europe. [10][5][4] He was arrested with nine other people on April 13, 1966,[11] and during his trial, the prosecution produced records that claimed that Franzese had killed between 30 and 50 people. [39], Iorizzo, who was already sentenced to five years and ordered to pay $1.7 million for his role in the theft of $1.1 million in gas taxes and placed in the witness protection program, began testifying against Franzese and others in their operation in March 1985. Michael dropped out of college around 1974 to take care of his father. Skip Ancestry main . Geni requires JavaScript! Skip Ancestry navigation Main Menu. Angelo Ruggiero was also present. [25], With the help of Franzese Jr.'s testimony, the 93-year-old Franzese Sr., on January 14, 2011, was sentenced to eight years in prison for extorting two Manhattan strip clubs, running a loanshark operation and extorting a pizzeria on Long Island. We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family trees to create each person's profile. [57][58][59], In 2017, he played a reformed mobster in the Kevin Sorbo film Let There Be Light. John Franzese (Napoli, 6 febbraio 1917 New York, 24 febbraio 2020) stato un mafioso statunitense, di origini italiane. We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family trees to create each person's profile. Michael recently told DJ Vlad that Amanda once harbored dreams of joining the police force the organization that Michael tried to evade for most of his early life. He also became a partner in Walters sports management agency which was established in 1985. We encourage you to research and examine these . [24] According to officials, Franzese kept 75 percent of the profits, making $1.26 million per month, while Iorizzo made $45,000 per month. After leaving the mob, he became a target for the crime family. . Finally, Franzese stressed the importance of properly dealing with the corpse. We encourage you to research and examine these records . We encourage you to research and examine these records . Michael convinced her to let him met her family and she agreed. Sometimes the family part of the mafia is literal. Once enforcement agents attempt to collect the tax from the dummy company, it declares bankruptcy and the daisy chain would continue. can stop at any time. Michael was born March 25, 1954 in the Bronx, NY, a son of the late Michael P. and Virginia (Benevento) Franzese. In June 2020, Franzese started a YouTube channel. Initially, Michael didn't plan on joining the mob. I think that was the hard thing for Mike. [27] Franzese was denied compassionate release in July 2016. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/michael-franzese-12137.php. Sometimes you do your best to raise these children, you think you got everything down, then they say things that just shock you. A Franzese Family Sit Down If you would like your chance to Sit Down with Michael \u0026 get world class support \u0026 advice to grow your business or improve your life on LIVE virtual calls, join Michael's INNER CIRCLE MENTORSHIP:https://join.michaelfranzese.com/inner-circle For Booking Requests or to join Michael's CREW for free (a private online community), go here:https://www.michaelfranzese.com/speaking-engagements/For *AUTOGRAPHED* Books/Poster personally signed by Michael Franzese, VISIT https://store.michaelfranzese.comFollow Michael on:https://www.instagram.com/michaelfranzese_/https://www.facebook.com/michaelfranzesehttps://twitter.com/MichaelFranzeseFilm by Alec ThomasInstagram || @alecmthomasMusic: \"Come 2gether\" on behalf of epidemic sounds He was part of the Colombo crime family, and at the height of his power, he brought in up to $8 million per week. John "Sonny" Franzese Sr. (Italian: [frantseze; -ese]; February 6, 1917 - February 24, 2020) was an American mobster who was a longtime member and former underboss of the Colombo crime family.. Franzese's career in organized crime began in the 1930s and spanned over eight decades. [5], Franzese later moved to Long Island. He often said that the happiest days of his life were his wedding day and the births of his two children. After another arrest, Michael chose to take plea, and was handed a ten-year sentence. Franzese sent Colombo soldier-turned informant Anthony Sarivola and another member who remains unidentified. [68] His father was sentenced to eight years in prison, and was released from prison in 2017 at the age of 100,[69] dying three years later.[70]. [9], In 1986, Fortune Magazine listed Franzese as number 18 on its list of the "Fifty Most Wealthy and Powerful Mafia Bosses". Check out the store: https://store.michaelfranzese.com/ Today's Mob Story Monday, Michael Franzese sits down and discusses his reaction to Newsday's series about his father, Sonny Franzese's, life(Franzese Family Falls Apart). Edit Search New Search Filters (1) To get better results, add more information such as Birth Info, . to the family or plant a tree [41], Franzese was subpoenaed to testify at Walters' trial in March 1989, as Walters had invoked his name to frighten college athletes into signing management contracts, including Maurice Douglass. Obituary. Camille said: It took him 10 to 12 years to actually be okay with grace and forgiveness and that he was forgiven and that Gods mercy was for him too. [4], In 1967, Franzese gained a financial interest in a new recording company, Buddah Records. He was released on November 7, 1994, retiring from the mob in 1995 by moving to California with his wife and children; the relocation was also a result of receiving multiple death threats and contracts on his life, including one approved by his father. [1][14] His son, Michael, alleged that when Mishler sentenced his father, Franzese declared, "You watch. The family was one of several who dominated organized crime activities in New York City in the. We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family trees to create each person's profile. At present, Franzese, Sr. is the oldest living gangster in the world. By 1963, he had been promoted to underboss by boss Joseph Colombo. He has given interviews to HBO, ESPN, CNBC, CNN, Fox Sports, Fox News, MSNBC, The Savage Nation, USA Today, TBN, Jim Rome Show, Renegade Talk Radio, and Nat Geo., He came up with another book titled Blood Covenant in 2003. [52] In the book, Franzese discusses his criminal activities, life with his father, and meeting his second wife, Camille Garcia. By the mid-1980s, he had invested in various businesses including movie production, distribution companies, travel agencies, restaurants, nightclubs, leasing companies, video stores, and car dealerships among others. In total, he has penned down five books so far. [5] In 1942, in the midst of World War II, he was drafted to the United States Army, but was discharged later that year classified as "psychoneurotic with pronounced homicidal tendencies". After being released in 1994, Michael left the crime world the following year. [36], In 1985, Walters set up a sports management agency with Franzese as a silent partner. All Collections ; . Camille was a devout Christian from Anaheim, California, who had landed the dancing job after one of the dancers left the set to work elsewhere. Michael was known to be a very kind and generous person with an outgoing, upbeat personality and an indomitable spirit. He couldnt accept that. Skip Ancestry main menu Main Menu. Under law at the time in Panama, gasoline could be sold tax-free from one wholesale company to the next. [20], Franzese's son, John Franzese Jr. became a government informant. Michael told The Church of The Apostles that Camille stood him up five times. [4] However, in May 2007, Franzese was again returned to prison for a parole violation. [26] Prosecutors had asked for a sentence of 12 years, while Franzese's lawyer asked for leniency based on a variety of ailments, including partial blindness and deafness, gout, and heart and kidney problems. He also speaks at prisons across the globe.