1. Joseph Armone, known as "Joe Piney", was an American mobster in the Gambino crime family of New York City who served as underboss between 1986 and 1990, and consigliere from 1990 until his death in 1992.
18 Facts About Joseph Armone
1. 2.
Joseph Armone was the younger brother of mobster Stephen Armone, an early member of the Mangano crime family, forerunner of the Gambino family.
3.
Joseph Armone was uncle to Gambino crime family capo Joseph "Joey The Blonde" Giordano.
4.
Joseph Armone earned his nickname "Piney" in the 1930s by extorting money from Christmas tree vendors.
5.
However, before the attack could take place, Joseph Armone was arrested on a narcotics charge and sent to jail.
6.
Joseph Armone was then arrested when he told an informant to make a drug delivery to Calamaris at 116th Street.
7.
The identity of the organization's financier remained a mystery to the FBN and Joseph Armone was imprisoned on drug charges when he refused to reveal the identity of Biondo.
8.
Joseph Armone was in the Reno bar in Manhattan when a gunman shot him five times at point blank range.
9.
On June 22,1965, Joseph Armone was convicted of the French Connection charges.
10.
In July 1965, Joseph Armone was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
11.
Joseph Armone was recruited by capo John Gotti into a conspiracy to kill Castellano.
12.
Gotti already had the support of capo Frank DeCicco and soldiers Sammy Gravano and Robert DiBernardo, but lining up the support of Joseph Armone was a critical step in the conspiracy.
13.
On December 22,1987, Joseph Armone was convicted in New York on charges of racketeering conspiracy involving extortion, bribery and illegal interstate travel to commit bribery.
14.
Joseph Armone was offered a similar temporary release, but only on the condition that he publicly admit his role in the family and renounce his ties to it.
15.
On February 22,1988, Joseph Armone was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison and was fined $820,000.
16.
On September 24,1988, in a separate case, Joseph Armone was acquitted by a directed verdict in Florida of extortion, loansharking, and racketeering in Broward County.
17.
On February 23,1992, Joseph Armone died in prison of natural causes.
18.
Joseph Armone is portrayed by Dominic Chianese in the 1996 TV film Gotti.