The Quiet Power of Frank DeCicco

After Sparks… the spotlight fell on John Gotti. But the real work of holding the Gambino

family together happened somewhere quieter. Frank DeCicco was named underboss

— not because he wanted the title, but because everyone knew he could steady

the family after the storm. Gotti embraced the cameras. Frank stayed in

the background. While the boss enjoyed the attention, DeCicco handled the business —

settling disputes, calming older capos, keeping the rackets running. Construction.

Unions. Trucking. Gambling. Frank kept the money moving and the violence

down. To other families, he was the reassurance — proof the Gambinos