Organized Crime Figure. Benjamino "Lefty Guns" Ruggiero was born in little Italy and lived there for most of his life. As a youth he got involved in the Bonanno Crime Family. Over the years he became one of Bonannos top soldiers and hitmen with over 20 hits under his belt. In 1977 Benjamino became a 'made' guy (member) in the Bonanno Crime family. Shortly after Benjamino was made he met Donnie Brasco. Donnie was actually F.B.I. agent Joseph Pistone and was posing as a jewel thief to infiltrate the Bonanno family. Benjamino took Donnie under his wing and showed him the ways of La Cosa Nostra. However, several years into Pistone's infiltration a war broke out within the Bonanno Crime family. Pistone's superiors decided that his continued involvement with the family was too dangerous and pulled him out. Shortly after Pistone was pulled out, F.B.I. agents walked into the social club where the Capos and Soldiers frequented and informed them that Brasco was an agent. The stunning news was passed on to all levels of the Mafia and they promptly put a $500,000 contract on Pistone's life. Benjamino knew that because he was close to Pistone he would likely be killed. The F.B.I. never gave the Mafia the chance at Ruggiero for they arrested him on August 30, 1981 when he was coming out of his apartment. He was offered to enter the Witness Protection Program but refused. He was convicted to 20 years in prison and was paroled after 13 years. He died of Cancer on November 24, 1994. In 1997, the movie 'Donnie Brasco' was released and was a worldwide smash hit.
Organized Crime Figure. Benjamino "Lefty Guns" Ruggiero was born in little Italy and lived there for most of his life. As a youth he got involved in the Bonanno Crime Family. Over the years he became one of Bonannos top soldiers and hitmen with over 20 hits under his belt. In 1977 Benjamino became a 'made' guy (member) in the Bonanno Crime family. Shortly after Benjamino was made he met Donnie Brasco. Donnie was actually F.B.I. agent Joseph Pistone and was posing as a jewel thief to infiltrate the Bonanno family. Benjamino took Donnie under his wing and showed him the ways of La Cosa Nostra. However, several years into Pistone's infiltration a war broke out within the Bonanno Crime family. Pistone's superiors decided that his continued involvement with the family was too dangerous and pulled him out. Shortly after Pistone was pulled out, F.B.I. agents walked into the social club where the Capos and Soldiers frequented and informed them that Brasco was an agent. The stunning news was passed on to all levels of the Mafia and they promptly put a $500,000 contract on Pistone's life. Benjamino knew that because he was close to Pistone he would likely be killed. The F.B.I. never gave the Mafia the chance at Ruggiero for they arrested him on August 30, 1981 when he was coming out of his apartment. He was offered to enter the Witness Protection Program but refused. He was convicted to 20 years in prison and was paroled after 13 years. He died of Cancer on November 24, 1994. In 1997, the movie 'Donnie Brasco' was released and was a worldwide smash hit.
Bio by: Soorus
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