#9: The Real William "Billy Batts" Bentvena: Gambino Crime Family Soldier

In this episode, we cover a mobster who is probably most well-known for enjoying a good shoe shine. That’s right, we’re talking about none other than William “Billy Batts” Bentvena.
“Billy Batts” was a soldier within the Gambino Crime Family from the 1950’s through the early 1970’s, and was one who rubbed elbows with some very famous Cosa Nostra members including of course his good friend, one John Joseph Gotti.
Bentvena’s lasting legacy is in my opinion not as a significant individual contributor to the mob, though he was tied up in a pretty significant event as we’ll discuss.
His name is really only remembered as a result of the repercussions of his brutal murder, which was famously portrayed in the classic mob film, Goodfellas. "Now go home and get your fucking shine box!" is one of the most memorable lines in movie history.
See: membersonlypod...

[@Lynx-lh9it]

I love how this guys cautions the authenticity of people's words... finally someone real

[@johnmorris7234]

Exactly right about the money angle. Bottom line is that Burke was way more powerful as an earner than most made guys and was pretty close to untouchable himself. Not to mention deadly. Tommy was totally expendable.

[@ericad8616]

I was just watching Goodfellas for the umpeemth time and realized that while I'd heard and read quite a bit about many of the other real-life mobsters portrayed in the film, I've hardly come across any information about "Billy Batts" Bentvena. Out of curiosity, I attempted to see what facts on him I could locate and that's how found myself on this video/podcast. It's very well done and informative. I learned a lot! I just subscribed to your channel and will be watching other videos as well. Keep up the great work! BTW, I find it kind of crazy that there are no known photographs of Billy Batts. I know he died well before the era of cellphone cameras, but plenty other cameras still existed in his day. I get that someone in his line of work might not like being photographed, but you'd think there would be at least one or two pictures of him floating around somewhere, even an old mugshot or two. Between Henry Hill and his pals getting rid of his body so thoroughly and no photos anywhere, it's almost as William "Billy Batts" Bentvena never existed.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you for listening! Sorry the episode sounds like I recorded it in a tin can. Still new to the game and figuring out how to get the mic working correctly (which should be fixed in the Patriarca episodes).

[@sylviajohnson5863]

There is a photo of “Billy Batts” over on a channel called “Brazen Breed”. In the photo he is young and very handsome~

[@silverfoxsilverfox6932]

​@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast Billy Batts picture was found by another KZbinr not sure how he found it but it appears to be the real billy batts bentvena.

[@tonithenightowl1836]

Goodfellas is my favorite mob movie bc it was set in my era. I near died when I saw the Morrie character bc I remember watching those 15 second wig commercials on late night TV when I stayed with relatives in NJ in the 60's. I like your style, you do your homework and I learned facts I didn't know. You got my sub and bell. Much success. :o)

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you!

[@OO7angelo]

I also remember those commercials in the 70's.

[@tonithenightowl1836]

@@OO7angelo I have to say the commercials were funny as all hell between the wind and water. I also remember two models in bathing suits which was pretty ingenious to get men to notice such a short commercial. I think they also needed permission from the widow to use that commercial. I do know the Burke family would not allow the family name to be used in the movie, hence Jimmy Conway.

[@thepistolguy859]

Wasn't he just an associate?

[@tonithenightowl1836]

@@thepistolguy859 Yes, Morrie was an associate. Being Jewish he couldn't be made. Same with Jimmy Burke ( they used Conway in the movie ) and Henry Hill. I think both were of Irish descent.

[@bjkarana]

Fellas, I hope we all remember that Phil did 20 years in the can. Now go home and get your shine box!

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

He compromised. He ate grilled cheese off the radiator.

[@bjkarana]

@@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast Haha! Love the channel!

[@pjmagana9547]

No scraps in his scrapbook

[@kathleengenieve3804]

In the 1950s when Billy Bats got married this was long before DNA. The reason I'm saying this is because for the mother not to be Italian it almost seems as though that wouldn't happen if you were to become a made man. In the 1950's they could not prove Paternity. If the baby comes out of you they know it's the woman's, so I highly doubt that he could be a ' Made Man" without both parents being Italian, specifically Sicilian, that way both parents could be checked out as far as their lineage goes. I'm going to say whatever stranger things have happened, I know this to be so because when I was 12 and 13 years old for 7th and 8th grade I went to school with 54 Italian kids & I was the only person who was not Italian.All my classmates were related somehow to each other by blood, not just by marriage Either their parents or grandparents all came from Sicily. If one family wasn't exactly mobbed up their Uncle or their Grandfather or some males direct blood relative was, so that means they were mobbed up as well. That's how it was then,and as far as I know that's how it still remains. Henry Hill is an unreliable source & much of what he said was fact are not. You have to remember he took a lot of drugs and drink a lot of booze and he was always from time he was a boy until he took his last breath was a consummate liar. He had to be, that was one of the ways he survived. Not saying everything he said was a lie, but I would believe about 1/3 of what he says is true.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you for watching and commenting! I can't disagree with anything you said. Hope all is well.

[@chrisdobbs9155]

Not an expert by any stretch, but Batts was made long before he got locked up, and had a street hustle business, probably shylocking but I forget what exactly. This business was taken over by Burke after Batts got locked up with the understanding that Burke would give the racket back on his release. This business, and Burke's unwillingness to turn it back over, is most likely the real reason Batts was killed, and the DeSimone argument was was just extra fuel for the fire.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Yeah, I speculated on that since Carlo supposedly stopped making guys when he took over in 1957. Assuming what I found about Batts really being born in 1933 (and not 1921) was true, that puts him as being made in his early 20s. And yes, I agree that Burke was the bigger cog behind the murder.

[@russcooke5671]

Ive heard that story before. Bats wanted he’s business back But Burke didn’t like the thought of loosing the money so wound disiome up to do the hit with him. Money was burkes governor THATS why he wacked every one that was on the airport heist. As hill said he would rather wack them then pay them. Greed is a great leveller.

[@jonaslafleur2429]

Batts had a loansharking business and Burke had the book to all his clients.He didn't want to give it up.

[@stuboyd1194]

Frank Vincent was killed playing three different Mafia characters by my count.

[@alandemaio3043]

In Casino he hasn’t been killed...

[@ileanaacacostaacosta1813]

I want to add another comment but he was still young only 49 when was murdered it happened on June 11 1970 at the supper club The Suite owned by Henry Hill on the day of his birthday 27 it was inconsiderate of di Simone andJimmy Burke to do this hit in his place it could have costed Hill his life It's amazing this happened 52 years ago Jimmy was 39 and Did Simone 22 or 23 with Billy beingthe oldest Jimmy now will have been 91 and Simone 72 or 73 and Henry 79 but he died ten years ago at 69 Jimmy died in prison at 73 as for Billy Batts would have been 101 definitely he was robbed of his life how sad and Did Simone got what he deserved he disappeared forever never to be found he was 31 got was coming to him

[@chrisfanelli9230]

Yeah

[@kesuya]

They're all criminals

[@georgeloveless4176]

Well done. This is my 1st time watching your content and I enjoyed it very much. I cant get enough of this stuff so it's good to have another channel that I can watch and learn things from another perspective. Thanks for your work.

[@MarkWilliams-dt1ty]

How sad he was robbed of his life? Do you Shar the same sadness for the deaths he was responsible for? Jeez

[@ZDiddy7777]

. < That, is called a period. I highly suggest you look into its use before you decide to again, vomit a bunch of words that only a person on a week long meth bender can comprehend .

[@martinmcguire9974]

Billy Bats committed crimes, served time in jail, was released, insulted a homicidal maniac, got himself brutally beaten and stabbed, tossed in the trunk of a car, didn't actually die, then got himself stabbed and killed some more, then was tossed in a hole in the ground, then later dug up and transported to be tossed in another hole. Bit extreme for just busting someone's balls and being a bit disrespectful. Didn't even get his shoes shined either which must have been really annoying considering what he was subjected to for his cheeky request

[@googlemyself4091]

You do realize that wasn't the reason Batts was killed right?

[@AdamMichalMarkowski]

@@googlemyself4091 I do wonder what was the real reason to be honest. Because we have in this video presented a version with clearly pissed off Tommy who held grudge for said "shoe shining" joke at his expense, and suggestion that Bourke's was actually the mastermind behind it as he did not wanted to give up the rackets he took for himself. To me this is a real mystery since Tommy and Bourke both weren't brain dead and should be well aware that what they've done will put them both in grave danger in case something goes wrong. Neither of two presented reasons seems good enough to take such extreme risk

[@lmaxaudio3965]

@@AdamMichalMarkowski Henry Hill goes into the situation in more detail in the book "Gangsters and Goodfellas", written years after "Wiseguy". From that book, "So when he came home six years later, Jimmy had taken all his customers. Jimmy was king of the neighborhood. But now Billy wanted his business back, so he started to beef every place he went. 'I own this,' he'd whine. So Jimmy was just as nervous about him as Tommy was. A lot of people think that what happened next was because of the way Batts played with Tommy. But it was more about the shylocking, bookmaking, and who was controlling the airport. That's why we knew we had had no problem taking action against him. The airport was vital, so we weren't about to give it up; I'm sure Jimmy would have discussed the Batts problem with Paulie prior to taking action." Looking at things from that perspective it makes a lot more sense. Jimmy was a huge earner for Paulie's crew, despite not being a made guy. The shylock and bookmaking business that he had taken over were two solid revenue streams for Paulie and those alone may or may not have caused Paulie to give his tacit approval for the elimination of Batts, but the airport? That was a big, big deal. In "Wiseguy" Henry talks about how it was like their own personal ATM (or piggybank... or something like that). They were constantly robbing that place, hijacking trucks coming in and out... and this is all years before Lufthansa. Handing control of that area back over to the Gambinos would have been a huge financial blow to that crew.

[@AdamMichalMarkowski]

@@lmaxaudio3965 Thanks, now it makes much more sense!

[@r.8459]

This channel simply never lets down. Awesome work, man, thanks!

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Appreciate it!

[@davidlamb2888]

Well done

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

@@davidlamb2888 Thanks David!

[@antoinesilva1527]

@@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast I think Carlo Gambino was having his hands full in 1970 with the $3 million (back then) hijacking indictment and deportation efforts from the Feds that same year. Only a heart attack hailed their efforts to convict him. Still, I think he could’ve gotten a powerful and respected member such as Neil Dellacroce to take care of business.

[@williamtaylor5193]

The thing about Jimmy was, you may have thought you knew who he was, but he knew who you were. True story.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Jimmy "The Gent" :-)

[@locks69]

shrimping lobtsers were best

[@StompingRabbits]

Shrimping toes is better...

[@BENNY_MAC]

Just found your channel today. This is the first video I've watched from you. Can't wait to watch others! Your editing, story telling and research is top notch. Definitely got a sub here. Thank you.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you Benny! Appreciate the kind words. Hopefully you enjoy the rest of the videos.

[@antoinesilva1527]

@@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast I love that picture of “Donnie Brasco”, Lefty and “Tom Rossi”. It’s easier to understand why the Bonanno administration wanna wiped out top mobsters in Sonny Black’s faction considering both Rossi and Brasco were undercover. It’s a huge fuckup.

[@johnmorris7234]

Might also be worthwhile to make a few videos exploring how often made guys got wacked without approval or retaliation. My guess is it isn’t that uncommon. Roy Demeo’s murder of Lucchese soldier, “Joe Bikini”, Brocchini comes to mind; but I think I’ve heard of others. Probably hard to know since many of these hits were sneaky, made to look like robberies, etc… We also know, that some mob “associates”, like Jimmy Burke or Joe Watts were at least as powerful as many made guys.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

This is an interesting thought but may prove difficult since my sources are mostly external and since I am not really a "street guy" per say who would be privy to or in the know about some of the less well-known situations.

[@johnmorris7234]

Yes, quite a few are hard to prove.

[@johnmorris7234]

Came up with another one. Mob associate, Vito Guzzo’s attempted murder of Vincent “Vinny Unions” Ricciardo- who I think was a made guy. Don’t think anything was done about it. Add in Billy Bats, Joe Brocchini murders, etc. I don’t think it’s as uncommon as people think. Now- someone seems to have paid for the Bats murder and- Demeo came to be seen as a loose cannon- for stuff like this. Though, it seems like very few people knew who killed Joe Bikini. I know I’ve come across other incidents I can’t remember now.

[@johnmorris7234]

Another hit on acting DeCavalcante boss, John D'Amato on rumors of being bisexual also wasn’t brought before the commission- though it was approved by important family members.

[@SIR46661]

Great content and reporting ! It is refreshing to see a channel dedicated to mob only ! Too many gossip girls channels with no mob ! Can you do a big story on Charles ‘Charlie Bullets’ Albero ?

[@SuperCasey1972]

KZbins algorithms threw this channel up in my recommendations and I'm glad it did. Great work with your research with plenty of info that some people may or may not already know about one of the most infamous mob murders of all time, thanks to the film goodfellas. With a little more experience and polish, I'm sure you can grow your subs into the tens of thousands and beyond. Keep up the good work and keep 'em coming, you got my sub.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Appreciate it! Working on the polish and figuring out the tech-side with each episode.

[@tonyloyankees]

“He bought is button, fuckin fake tough guy! Keep him here.” -Tommy D

[@ChampaBayBeast]

This was excellent! Liked and subbed! Can't wait for more!

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you

[@conemadam]

I knew Frenchie MacMahon because his ex-wife and 2 beautiful daughters were my neighbors. He was a very nice man, but the whole neighborhood “knew” that he was in the Mafia. His name was Frenchie because he had been brought up by French-speaking Canadians. (If I remember correctly). He would come and see his daughters often, and he always wore pin-striped suits!

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you for sharing and thanks for watching!

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

@@josephbenedetto8421 technically no I'm not Italian. That being said, funny story. My father-in-law has a very Italian last name, and is even part of our local Italian club. And rightly so he's very proud of that fact. He and I both took a DNA test, just for fun, and it turns out that his percentage of Italian relations is exactly the same as mine and not any different which made us both laugh. So now I'm here with the last name Stoops considering joining our local Italian club as an inside joke with him.

[@austinknowlton1783]

Frenchie had that nickname because he worked for Air France at JFK.

[@teezer316]

bout time someone had it right about everyone using the wrong picture portraying Billy Batts

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Honestly, I didn't realize this fact until I did my research either. But it goes to show that many sites aren't digging in nearly as deep as they should.

[@rubamann]

No picture of Billy Batts? I'm sure if someone research his arrest records thoroughly, he/she will find a picture somewhere.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Unfortunately there wasn't anything I could get my hands on that contained a real picture. And believe me I dug. In the end, I'm sure a picture exists somewhere, it just hasn't made its way online. I mean he has a family.

[@rubamann]

@@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast Your weakness sometimes I think it is in your DNA you didn't compromise researching enough, I'm sure there is his picture at FBI.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

@@rubamann oh well. Time to go eat cheese off the radiator.

[@ileanaacacostaacosta1813]

He was 19 years older than Gotti so maybe he was one of his protectors when Gotti was a teen in a gang and took him under his wing and taught him many things about the life as they called and when he disappeared into thing air he looked for him for years and he avenged him in the end what a story he was immortalized in Goodfellas because of his murder and the grisly way he was killed unbelievable

[@4LP3E]

and his famous line go home and get your fucking shine box

[@HoamerSimpson]

How about a period, or a comma God forbid

[@jaybeswick9062]

billy batts did jail time how is there no mugshot photo in this day in age for such an iconic movie character based on a real person ? the first photo taken was 1826 and its online (smh)

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Honestly, I'm sure a picture exists somewhere - but it for whatever reason has just never made it online. I mean even Billy Batts had family, so I'm sure someone somewhere has a picture of him.

[@LesterMoore]

Exactly Jay. Not like the police to shred old mugshots. Heck, they still have mugshots of Dillinger, Capone, Baby Face Nelson and others. True Billy wasn't as cringeworthy as the others, but still there must be an online version on some site. Just saying.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

@Capo dei Capi yeah, it's not easy

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

@Capo dei Capi this very well could have been, but you just never know...I did find records of him in the New York Times, so I do think that was his real name at least.

[@jamiegroves5155]

When I was a kid My uncle and father knew Billy Batts and he was nothing like Frank Vincent

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Do tell ---- any stories I'm sure would be interesting!

[@jamiegroves5155]

@@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast My uncle is Bobby mana were trying desperately to get him out of prison He is 93 and has cancer and has dementia and a lot of other things wrong with him He is not a threat to anyone give me your email address please I will tell you All about anything you want to know but we're Lost every time we've asked for realese need as much as possible on every platform He is dying

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

@@jamiegroves5155 it's funny you mention your uncle as he is somebody I was considering to do an episode on in the future. Obviously there's probably nothing I can do to help his situation, but I'd love to talk with you about him for the episode I'd ultimately put together. Send a note to [e-mail] and we can take it to email.

[@jamiegroves5155]

@@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast I will send you a email tonight my friend ask me anything you want Tom armchair MBA He also has been trying to help out talk to you soon always love and respect Jamie

[@TriceyDiva]

What was he like?

[@ronpaul242]

Finally somebody brings up Tommy Agro ...........👍👍

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

I believe that's the more believable rumor of the two. But then again, both rumors came from informants so all bets are off...

[@gregoryharbridge2169]

He had two sons Billy and Tommy 64 and 60 now.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Wow! Would have been awesome to have been able to talk to them ahead of making the episode.

[@willleon9165]

Billy died in 2015 not long after his daughter tragically died young. Another KZbinr likely found a pic of Batts

[@marketingmasters3550]

I rode on an airplane with that actor in 96’ from Arizona to Minnesota.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Assuming you're talking about Frank Vincent. Did he tell you "a couple of three things?"

[@jimdavis6824]

Interesting stuff. Great job on correctly naming Pat "TheCat". Many people make that mistake. First time, viewer. Thank you Sir. JD

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you so much. Yes, a lot of places get that fact wrong.

[@mikejackson2922]

Good episode well done...

[@jimmynix5399]

I understand why Vario would sanction the hit on DeSimone but a couple details don’t really add up. It makes sense for him to protect Jimmy because he was a good earner. And in all likelihood Vario gave them the go ahead to kill Billy in order to protect their racket. But why would he protect Henry? By all accounts, Henry was an unreliable junky and a huge liability to Vario. On top of that, if Vario was having an affair with Karen, why wouldn’t he take Henry out so he could be with her? Also if the Gambinos knew Tommy was involved how would they not be able to put 2 and 2 together to figure out that Henry and Jimmy were involved. They should’ve been planted right next to Tommy, no questions asked and no reprieve granted by Vario. My theory is that someone in the higher ups of the Gambino family wanted Batts taken out. For any number of mob political reasons. They were happy to have someone else do it for them. They let it be swept under the rug for 9 years, but Gotti just couldn’t sit by any longer when he heard Tommy was getting made. He demanded action and Vario really couldn’t do anything about it if he wanted to. Had gotti not demanded his pound of flesh, Batts’ murder would probably have been swept under the rug forever.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

All of these points are very astute. Can't say I really disagree with anything you mentioned.

[@jimmynix5399]

@@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast Thanks. Another point I forgot to make is that Vario was far from the gentleman he was portrayed to be in Goodfellas. He was a brutal psychopath like Tommy. Just not a hot head, more calculating and treacherous. It would have been nothing to him to have Henry wacked. And fwiw you have a great channel and I like your presentation style.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Yes, I heard Vario once beat a woman with a bat.

[@jonhammer7109]

The stars lined up for him to run afoul of..Jimmy and Tommy .this kind if killing..unheard of. Not that they cared .

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Yeah, they did line up in a devious way. Real greaseball shit, even amongst the Italians.

[@sniperpatch]

Hi just came across your channel today outstanding content loved this video regards from Ireland 👍👍👍 subbed

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you!

[@giancarlosilano8690]

For what it's worth: I think it is more than possible that Batts' real last name was Bentivena and not Bentvena.....a T followed by a V is unlikely in italian. In the marriage records segment of this podcast, the name Bentivena appeared.

[@busterbiloxi3833]

The narrator doesn't know shit. He doesn't even know the guy's name!

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Good call. I didn't actually notice that myself.

[@ismokekillz]

Good eye

[@illestofdemall13]

Yes but that was another person's name (Jerome Bentivegna). If you look again, it still said William Bentvena on the marriage records.

[@illestofdemall13]

@@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast Yes but that was another person's name (Jerome Bentivegna). If you look again, it still said William Bentvena on the marriage records.

[@Gl6619]

I’m watching Goodfellas and I’m at the “now go get your shine box” scene…The first time I saw the film never pay attention to when Tommy is being pulled away from Billy Batts he yells at him “you bought your button”, mainly because the line is delivered so low you don’t really hear it…also, back then I didn’t know the history of the Gambinos and how Frank Scalice was killed supposedly because he sold memberships to the Gambino family, so even if I heard the line it wouldn’t have registered ….that almost assuredly what Tommy character was referencing…most people being that they don’t have a deep knowledge of Cosa Nostra particularly the Gambinos…probably have no idea that’s what the line was in reference to, if they even caught it…I only caught it because I had subtitles on..

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Nice! This is definitely a possibility of how Billy got made. I always felt that Scalise was thrown under the bus by Anastasia for that.

[@l.williams2989]

Holy shit dude….now I have to go rewatch that part.

[@mindscaped4099]

great stuff, a lot of info I was not yet aware of -but - what's with the audio? It's all over the place, and the volume is up and down like a ship in a storm...

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you. Yes, I had some tech issues, and I'm still trying to work out kinks with a new recording tech setup. It will get better, but a ship in a storm was a good analogy.

[@Bigtimecharlie1980]

In my book you get points for staying out of the can 🤣

[@phoradio1277]

Fun Fact Big John Ormenta slammed into Ray Liotta"s father's brand new car while driving drunk as they were eating at a diner the day he bought it. According to Ray, Ormenta came to the house the following day trying to give his father a new car but he only asked that he fix the other one which never drove right after. Ray said that he was the one who answered the door at the age of 8.

[@dutchybag]

You got both the names wrong bro, but the story is correct...

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Wow. Now that is a hell of a coincidence.

[@dutchybag]

I was wrong it was big John but not Ray liotta

[@scottpence4166]

It was Billy Crystal’s dad’s car

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

@@scottpence4166 that's crazy

[@j-bro894]

Billy Batts never had the makings of a varsity athlete

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

He compromised

[@tristancarroll5979]

Really appreciate your thorough background reserch mate thanks for putting the time in i love it ..

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you!

[@gatorjkd]

Damn. This is masterful. I really appreciate this content brother

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Gratzie! 🫰

[@zorrorus4887]

Been on a mobster kick since watching godfather (RIP James Cann). Your videos are a great filler thru the day. Keep them coming

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you for watching!

[@colonelreb1014]

Billy batts 1962 conviction was overturned in 63

[@kathleengenieve3804]

If he was born in 1921 he would have been 49 when he died if it was born in 1932 he would have been 37 when he died. What does it much matter now the man is so dead that it's almost an afterthought

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

I thought it was interesting. Would have meant he was much younger when he was made as well. In that time, it wasn't necessarily easy to be made (especially that young), there were far more qualified applicants to compete against, so to be made that many years ahead of contemporaries like Gotti indicates he was held in high esteem by the family.

[@rayramos8435]

Hill said the ground was frozen when they tried to bury him. That doesn't happen in June in NY.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Yes, there are a lot of inconsistencies in Hill's story which I believe I did my best to caveat.

[@rayramos8435]

@@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast great video,nonetheless!

[@colonelreb1014]

Billy batts wasn't a soldier when he was whacked. Just an associate. Wasn't born in 1921 he was born in 1936

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Regarding the birth date, if you watch to the end of the episode my research (which I added as an amendment at the end) did show that Bentvena was born in the 1930's and not 1921 as I originally quoted. As far as being 'made' or not, I'll just say that my research approach is much different now than it was when I made the episode, and given that I might have found more evidence to support his being "made" or not. If I remember correctly, I believe I said he was allegedly "made" though I didn't have any proof of a making date. That said, it was a while ago so I might be wrong.

[@colonelreb1014]

@@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast no worries. Only constructive criticism. Henry hill should've just said he was in a Queens based Gambino crew and left it at that.

[@austinknowlton1783]

Goodfellas has the Batts murder happening in December, 1970. Been awhile since I've read Wiseguy so I'm not sure what date Henry claims it happened but per his story the ground was frozen. So the June date doesn't make any sense, why would the ground be frozen in June ?

[@histguy101]

There's some mystery around who Billy Batts really was, and if he actually existed by that nickname. I've heard that picture of Bentventa is really someone else, but I don't remember the name. Also William DeVino is not William Bentventa. Mobsters who died before the mid-70s can be really hard to track down if they didn't have some notoriety already. Edit: nvm, you covered it

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

William Bentvena most definitely existed! Found lots of info related to him in official court documents, NYTimes articles, etc.

[@histguy101]

@@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast Yeah, but is Bentventa Billy Batts, or the same guy Hill talks about? Someone should write a letter to Nick Pileggi while he's still around and ask him if he verified the Batts story with anyone else, or the Spider story for that matter. I'd be curious.

[@mrgreen1888]

Pat Spirito soldier for the Philadelphia crime family, also known as pat the cat who himself was murdered in 1983 on the orders of little Nicky Scarfo.

[@michaelgerard1390]

What about foxy jorothe

[@jameswilliams3241]

Frankie Martin was from Jersey City, Joe Pesci from Newark both Jersey Boys who used to do a double act together singing and telling jokes ala Martin and Lewis in New York and New Jersey clubs.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Yes, and the picture is fantastic!

[@jhors7777]

Very well researched and presented. Thank you for posting this interesting video.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thanks for watching

[@DeLuca101]

Joined today.. Really liking the channel. Nice work

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thanks for hopping aboard Mike! We're dropping a Paul Ricca episode tomorrow morning.

[@turbosammy6085]

Great great video!!!! Awesome job!!!! You don’t hear to much about Billy Bat’s!!!

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you! And that is why I chose to do a video on him.

[@johnwright291]

Ive always been curious about and wanted to know more about the Bat man, the batster or the old bat-a-doodle-doo. I cracked up while watching the movie when they talked about what a deers foot is called. Its not a paw its a hoof.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Hope you learned something new John! I know I certainly did in doing the research.

[@johnwright291]

@@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast yeah i had heard he went down on a narcotics rap but didn't know th details. Im from tacoma Washington and became a mob lore fan when i found out that Meyer lansky's son paul lived in tacoma for 25 years. It sounds like batts got railroaded on the dope charge. Must have had a lousy lawyer.

[@MarkSmith-zi9ck]

Once again you don’t let us down great story 👊 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thanks Mark!

[@andrewalva8881]

New subscriber, really enjoyed the information. Thanks!

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Welcome aboard!

[@alessio272]

Jimmy Burke didn’t wanna give up his loan shark business.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

He surely didn't

[@craig1479]

Nice reading within the presentation. Nice voice, you should consider voice acting or live theater ( if you 're even into acting.) New aubscriber. Thank you!

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you so much! I've done a bit of singing, but I've never considered myself to have a voice worthy of voice acting or radio. That's pretty flattering.

[@mosipd]

What the hell is a 38 Colt Magnum? I've never heard of such a caliber and most 38 caliber handguns are revolvers, which cannot be silenced.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Yeah, this is something that several others have pointed out. I'm not a gun expert so it didn't stand out to me when researching. It came from the book The Lufthansa Heist. Safe to say the author also probably wasn't a gun expert, and it casts serious doubt on the Gotti story.

[@DirtyMac5151]

Technically, Jimmy and Tommy and the Snitch got lucky. They should have greased Alex and his broad bc there really needs to be no witnesses to a made guy, a Gambino, getting whacked. The whole shoe shine comment makes for a nice story but I will always believe Batts was dispatched bc Jimmy never liked parting with money. Batts had a real beef and he woulda won at a sit-down bc he's made and Jimmy is of the finest of Irish stock! So instead of losing a decision and losing face, Jimmy decided to nip this situation in the bud! It can't be stated enough how violent and ruthless Jimmy was and the entire Vario crew was for that matter. Leaving any witnesses to the murder of a made guy is a ballsy fucking move, or completely stupid and out of character for Jimmy and Tommy and the Snitch.

[@anthonyfleming638]

1st time I've came across your channel really enjoyed your content and subscribed & gave a like immediately Tony Fleming from Glasgow Scotland

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you Tony! I really appreciate it.

[@CrazyCajun42]

Enjoyed the show! Keep up the good work friend...

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you!

[@kevindouglas5333]

His death took a long time Gotti pulled out a gun and three quick shots Which was it?

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

See, this is why I believe the Gotti story is likely a fabrication (which I qualified), as Hill's story changed. I relayed both of his versions, one which I believe he shared on the Howard Stern show and the other which he shared in the book The Lufthansa Heist (which he heard second hand from Sal Polisi).

[@weeooh1]

Fantastic, well researched and gripping account of what may have happened to Billy Batts and DiSimone.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you for watching!

[@destreyfaulkner305]

Great job. Do a video on Carlos Gambino and Vincenzo Gigante please.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

They are pretty mainstream and I think you'll find that I tend to cover mobsters who aren't quite as well-known or where there isn't much information.

[@santinodellacroce2079]

apparently John Gotti is the one that clipped Tommy DeVito. i dont remember what video or article i seen this in but everyone talks abt how john never really "paid his dues"

[@jaycreekmore9369]

Tommy DeSimone was his name

[@santinodellacroce2079]

@@jaycreekmore9369 Yes you are right......i got confused with the movie name.

[@jodaresh1078]

@@santinodellacroce2079 gotti has pulled the trigger a few times

[@johnmorris7234]

Would like to see a video or series comparing and ranking, “non fiction”, mob films against the true stories they are based on. Maybe starting with the rather absurd inventions in Donnie Brasco. Goodfellas seems to stick closely to Hill’s story - though I haven’t read the book. (and I think Hill’s tale changed a bit)

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

I would love to do more of this, and my biggest issue has been in using clips from various films and having them get caught up in KZbin's copyright enforcement (e.g. Content ID). I'm still working through trying to understand how other channels are able to get away with using full clips and when I try to pull small clips with lots of commentary under fair use I get dinged. Major sore spot at the moment for me, but a major area of opportunity with respect to my channel's content!

[@johnmorris7234]

Speaking for myself- I’m OK without the clips- for videos that try to dive deeply into the underlying facts and sources behind the films. I don’t think anyone else has done a series like that. One can extend that to true incidents that inspired stuff in fictional films like The Godfather.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

@@johnmorris7234 yeah I would like to do more of that. I'm really lost as to why some channels are able to get away with using clips, yet I've been flagged every time and had my videos completely shut down. It's got to be something I'm doing wrong.

[@toddlambert3465]

I didn't mention though as a very into this genre that you presented factual and hearsay, for and against.. thought the presentation was well researched as best you could. And the edit seemed to keep on a mostly forward track... Will be watching many more as a new subscriber..thank you

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you Todd! I appreciate the kind words.

[@jabbahursty]

hill's "the suite" was on queens blvd in forest hills, which is not all that far from jamaica , but surely is not jamaica.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Good context! As I'm not from NYC, I am not as familiar with the streets, neighborhoods, boroughs, etc.

[@johnmorris7234]

Great video with some things I didn’t know- but Henry Hill’s “Suite” was at 1111-16 Queens Blvd in Forest Hills on the same block as another Goodfellas landmark- Martin Krugman’s “For Men Only”. NYC Crime Spot did a great on location video.

[@johnmorris7234]

Sorry, I mean 111-16, Queens Blvd.

[@antoniodelgado7469]

Damn Y’all - Good Story!!! The Members Only Podcast just Up The Score!!! Let’s go!!! Who’s gonna score next??? Saginaw in the House!!!

[@giancarlosilano8690]

Good work, keep it up!

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you

[@ricklaponte5869]

Just found your podcast on KZbin I really enjoyed it looking forward to the next one you did a fantastic job..

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you

[@mikecornish2679]

There is another story of Tommy's death from Anthony Raimondy who told the story on vladtv that really didn't have to do with Billy's murder so much as Tommy's greed from the Lufthansa heist

[@peterparker9445]

Wow that was pretty awesome thanks for all the research you did on this video I loved it thanks again man 💯👌🏽👊🏽🕷

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@glenmo1]

Just one word about the DeSimone killing by Gotti.. it states that he used a Magnum revolver. With a silencer.. despite what the movies and TV shows you cannot silence a revolver as the gas is escape from the cylinder.. most likely he used a 380... Perhaps a colt semi .380 .. sometimes books will call them a silenced 38 but they actually mean a 380 mainly because 380 semi-auto can be silenced.. and 380 is a subsonic round unlike 9mm.. you need a subsonic round to be quiet...

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Someone else pointed that out too. I don't know a lot about guns so I wouldn't have picked up on that. It came from the book The Lufthansa Heist (author must not be a gun expert either). Casts a fair amount of doubt on the Gotti story. Either way, thank you for watching!

[@austinknowlton1783]

Besides the fact that there is no such thing as a.38 Magnum.

[@brandonpebler2558]

dude, i smashed the like button. great content. tell me where i can find the movie art behind you

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

I got it on Amazon. On vacation, but when I'm back I'll send the product links.

[@brandonpebler2558]

@@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast thanks, dude! I appreciate that

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Hi Brandon - As promised, here are the links where I got the artwork: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073WR2JRL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073WRBSJ6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1 www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073WRCQ3L/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073WRT3DC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Unfortunately they appear to be 'unavailable/out of stock,' but maybe they'll come back or maybe you can just go straight to the iCanvasART website to find them. www.icanvas.com/canvas-art-prints/subject/the-godfather?product=canvas&sort=popular www.icanvas.com/canvas-art-prints/subject/goodfellas?product=canvas&sort=popular www.icanvas.com/canvas-print/casino-minimal-movie-poster-ckg356#1PC6-40x26

[@brandonpebler2558]

@@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast dude. Thanks I really appreciate the time. Have a awesome weekend!!

[@NikoChristianWallenberg]

I don't understand how a Freedom of Information Act request concerning Bentvena can come back empty: to my understanding you should be able to request information on a person like this and the authorities would need to send information they have on him (he did time in prison so copies of his prison files and photos for one should be provided) 🤨

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Okay, empty was probably not the right way to have phrased it. I submitted a request and didn't quite get the information I was looking for. Sometimes with FOIA requests, you have to be more specific with what you are requesting. There is also the element of paying for the FOIA research versus the free 2 hours you get by default. You can pay for more. I may end up doing another request now that I know more about the process (I was a relative novice when I made that video).

[@patmucciarelli8840]

The picture is not Billy Batts, it is Pat "the cat" Spirito, a Philly mob guy. Both pictures are Spirito.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

I mentioned the Spirito thing in the video, which is why I used Frank Vincent's photo as the stand-in throughout.

[@FAHHH-Q]

Great content . new subscriber here.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thanks Frank!

[@ibuprofenPill]

Bro, great show but recording levels are terrible. I have to turn up the volume full blast just to hear you which blasts my ears during the musical interludes. Damn man.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Yes, sorry I had some tech issues. Still working out the kinks with the technology. Appreciate the watch though.

[@ibuprofenPill]

@@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast I’ll live. Looking forward to more videos.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

@@ibuprofenPill once the next one gets out of copyright jail (pending) I promise it's much better.

[@dantecuzzolino3282]

Great content love it

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Appreciate it! Thank you for watching.

[@thoughtcriminal7571]

It looks like you and I are true nerds for this stuff. I got every reference, knew which books, docs, etc stuff came from and you referenced Joe Dogs and Agro. It is so rare Joe Dogs and Agro are mentioned by anyone.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thanks for the kind words! Yes, the Agro story is far more likely to have been real than the Gotti story.

[@thoughtcriminal7571]

@@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast Have you ever looked into the Grande family in Philly? Dom is in the news a bit but there are a bunch over many years and they had hands in many things. It’s just on my list so I always wonder if anyone knows anything.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

@@thoughtcriminal7571 yes, I've read about them in passing but never deep dived.

[@alvinwiggins1200]

If u type in tommy agro tapes u will hear him threatening to brake every bone in Joey dawgs body it’s very graphic

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

@@alvinwiggins1200 yeah, I've read those transcripts

[@RedIce989]

Awesome video.Great and interesting information..Thank.you

[@patdecorvo]

I like what u did with this thing. Do u know anything about Gambino Capo Jimmy "Jimmy Higgins" Palmieri or his brother Nicky? They were my 3rd cousins. Jimmy passed in '65.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you! As for your cousins, I can certainly add them to my ever-growing list of subjects to cover.

[@audree70]

Love these! Love the new channel i found too Gotta get more content goin, listened to everything

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you so much! I'm fully aware that I produce content very slowly and methodically. Unfortunately, it takes a ton of due diligence to really piece everything together, and this is why it takes me so long (as a one-man army) to produce and release my episodes. Maybe someday I'll be able to go faster.

[@audree70]

I grew up in CHICAGO. About 30 miles west. It was normal to know with all the Italians I grew up with, and my older brothers, as they say 'someone in the family' My brothers grew up with the SPILOTRO nephews. There is meat on that bone bother!!!!

[@erwinsmit440]

Fine video; you make very clear points when things are rumoured but never proven as facts. It means you take your content to a journalistic level. The fact that there are no pictures of "Batts" doesn't make this video less interesting. Enjoyed it a lot!

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you. Your kind words mean a lot!

[@dunstonmunson8314]

Thank you for mentioning that's Batts' picture is actually Pat the Cat, I knew from another documentary that that picture was Pat the Cat, I was starting to doubt that the image was Pat the Cat and that the image actually is Billy Batts. Thank you for being the only person I have heard clear this up.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you for watching! It took a little digging to find this fact out, but almost everyone who talks about the "real" Batts uses the Pat "The Cat" photo, so it's a common mistake.

[@jeffculpepper3492]

Isn't weird that Billy Bat's doesn't even have a prison photo. He went to prison and they didn't take a prison photo.??????????

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Honestly I'm sure they did, and I'm sure somewhere family photos exist, but they've either been lost to time or have never been shared publicly. I've tried to search prison records to find his photo and struck out. That said, I may keep trying. I'd love to be the one to finally uncover it.

[@Spook2431NYC]

Fantastic episode, well researched & great presentation!👏👏👏😎🍸

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you Margaret! I appreciate the compliment and thanks for watching.

[@johnr1348]

Well done! Have you ever considered covering Chicago outfit members?

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you John! It's too bad my biggest numbers episode sounds like I recorded it from the inside of a tin can. But I've learned a lot about video and audio production since then. As for your question, yes I will tackle Chicago eventually. There are so many great stories from there.

[@charlesoneil1899]

That was very well done thanks!

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you

[@columbusjustice5183]

You did your homework I subscribe I be looking forward to watching you on KZbin good job

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Thank you!

[@joea67]

Can't believe anything Henry Hil said the movie is no way or how or why he was killed.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

This is why I caveated almost all of the scenarios

[@joea67]

Nice work interesting stuff. We can never know 100% we weren't at each scene or event but certain guys or scenarios carry more credibility. Good luck sub to your channel for sure.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

@@joea67 thanks

[@cal4207]

Now go home and get your f****** shine box

[@Space_Toasty]

Your intro was the best thing about this "podcast"... once the intro ended, that's where my disappointment began Y I K E S

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Sorry to disappoint, and thank you for the feedback. As Uncle Junior would say, "Settle down. We're not making a Western here."

[@Space_Toasty]

@@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast don't call him uncle, unless he's your uncle

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

@@Space_Toasty "Some people are actually so far behind in the race that they actually believe they're leading."

[@Space_Toasty]

@@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast i really wanna keep up the joke here, but i think I'll take the high road. Just get gud. Or better. You're halfway there, anyway

[@georgetullis7216]

Great presentation of the facts! Thank you!

[@Hahah878]

25 dollars is about right especially because when u think about it they have to kick it up

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Yeah! 15 years in the can for $25 just doesn't seem like a good life choice.

[@Hahah878]

@@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast i could never 😂 i can literally go an get a job makin that an hr. Great video btw

[@gregaroivanalininovich9019]

29:44 William "Billy Batts" Bentvena was just 49 at the time of his murder; just a kid.

[@daddybadstuff9087]

Great job, the 1921 birthyear stood out to me as well. He would be 19 years older than John Gotti and it always seemed like they were closer in age.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Yep, glad I was able to find that as it made some things click and it also shows that if he was made that far ahead of Gotti and was around a similar age, later on he may have been of force to be reckoned with. But then again we'll never find out.

[@rubytuesday5446]

Now they make a 38 super witch is an automatic

[@willleon9165]

No wiki wrong he was born in 33

[@warriordog4094]

the actor who played Billy Batts in goodfellas also played a Mobster in the movie raging bull get's beat up by Joe Pesci in both films.....

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Frank Vincent and Joe pesci were also in a comedy troup/band together.

[@lmaxaudio3965]

Well, Pesci got paid back pretty well in Casino. Frank ended up having the last word...

[@jason6010]

Despite the so-called court documents and newspaper articles, there's no photo of Billy Batts. Does Pileggi have a photo? Strange there's photos of pretty much every mobster from back in the day, but one as "famous" as Batts doesn't have one.

[@lmaxaudio3965]

He wasn't 'famous' until Goodfellas came out. He was essentially just a delivery boy for the arrest that he did those 6-8 (depending on who you're asking) years for. He was surely well known in the neighborhood, having solid loansharking and bookmaking businesses but he wasn't at a level where he would've made headlines. A lot of the mugshots that you see of mobsters in that era come from newspapers and other sources. In those days the actual court/police/prison paperwork was kept in hardcopies, filed in boxes and filing cabinets, boxes in dank basements etc. and were susceptible to being lost, damaged in fires/floods and all sorts of things. It's not terribly surprising that a lot of lower-level OC figure mugshots are lost or otherwise inaccessible to someone who doesn't want to make the effort of physically going to a location where you may or may not be able to find a picture in a file somewhere or on microfiche.

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

Jason - The court documents were very real my good friend. And you're right, I'm sure a picture exists somewhere in some prison file or in someone's scrapbook. But if so, nobody including myself has been able to access it and put it online. I tried to get it through records search for the prison he was at and came up empty. But if you're willing and able to find it, I'd appreciate if you'd be willing to pass along. I finally got tired of digging and just gave up. I'd seriously doubt that Pileggi has a photo. That said, thank you so much for watching and commenting!

[@TheGanglandHistoryPodcast]

LMax - You may be my new favorite subscriber. Keep the insightful comments coming!

[@jason6010]

@@lmaxaudio3965 I could argue none of the people featured in Goodfellas were ever famous, at least outside of NYC, before the movie came out. I wonder if a mob buff with extra money has ever hired a private detective to look around for Batts photos. Seems the only option at this point.