Why John Franzese Jr. Testified Against His Father

[@Tesla_ofthe_Skies]

103 years old before passing. What a mob historian he must’ve been, the stories that went with him

[@alvinwiggins924]

Word that’s crazy he lived to be that old shame he did all that time in jail tho true definition of a stand up guy 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽 rest up sonny

[@nickmaihofer1084]

If they could have only offered immunity just to tell the tale of what was going on with the mafia during his time. As a law abiding American who has a weird fascination with this kind of thing... it would have been a fair trade. The man was in his 90s. Come on now... you have to respect the fact that Sonny stuck to what he truly believed in, even if it wasn’t right. Sad and horrible story yet beautiful at the same time.

[@deuceboy937]

They said when he died he was to last one to know what happen to Hoffa

[@SoulsKing23]

Could you imagine his own son wore a wire and snitched on him

[@dylanh4657]

@@seannaamani121 He died in 2019.

[@mountainmanorganicz7742]

He obviously resented his father, was jealous of his brother on every level and the feds took advantage of his situation but also gave him the chance to settle his own issues and affairs as well as punish his family in his own mind... shameful really

[@jamisonbernhardt3310]

that was very well put and thought out

[@carpediem4512]

That’s what detectives do. It’s part of their training to squeeze the weakest link.

[@SantiagoMAXIMOleon]

👌🏾

[@MrRobm81]

Well articulated.

[@kumarg3598]

Agreed!

[@Crossfire2003]

I think that John Franzese is a man that had a lot of pain in his heart. I could never accuse John for what he did because I've never lived his life. I'm really happy for Michael Franzese. Michael is the only one with a happy ending story in that family.

[@anthonydelgrosso4818]

Not true Michael definitly has trouble sleeping at night and living with him self for snitching and betraying his friends.sonny sleeps great at night and can live with himself cause he stood tall and took his consequences like a man

[@Crossfire2003]

@@anthonydelgrosso4818 I disagree. Sonny was framed. He was going to spend his life in jail no matter what! Michael did cooperate with the authorities, but he did not get any of his friends in jail through that cooperation. (If that were the case, he'd be dead by now!) I think that Michael sleeps very well at night because he found peace through Jesus Christ. Also, his marriage and family life is good. (Sonny's marriage was bitter).

[@Dman3827]

Lol you're a fool if you don't think Michael put a lot of people away not to do time.

[@Crossfire2003]

@@Dman3827 If that were the truth, he would've been killed by now.

[@iunklulkbyuyg]

@@anthonydelgrosso4818It does appear that sonny so believed in his oath to the mafia family that he would spend life in jail for it. Like many things, those days are gone though, a combo of RICO and time.

[@grumpyae86]

Never trust a Junkie. A friend, family or whatever, the drugs will change them internally. Sad story but so many lessons to learn from it

[@highland96]

The FBI definitely took advantage of him

[@ZODAGAWD]

Crack-Head has no Soul!

[@donramontecarlo3735]

Thats fucking nonsense! Of course very often the drugs turn people into unreliable liers, but If you are a strong honest guy, the drugs cant change it! Im a former heroin addict and i have the same friends from my childhood since about 20 years and they never leaved me because i never fucked them up! And with my Family it's the same!

[@brazyd5]

@@donramontecarlo3735 exactly. so many mis informed retards on here. thank you for your post

[@reapersfv818]

Don’t trust no one. U can meet a junkie that is solid and a person that has never did drugs that is a piece of shit.

[@codyroberts7993]

Kid wore a wire and the old man still loved em and didnt bad mouth him at all

[@dizzy6277]

Yes, his serial killing, career criminal crime boss father was the better man, smh!

[@DNGINFORMANT]

That’s because the father knew he screwed up his kids lives.

[@welcometoreality3450]

I think Sonny knew deep down that he severely damaged John's life from a very early age (just by who he was in society). When John said he knew sonny would never kill him, I 100% believed it. That's a dads guilt. ...One look at the coach interview tells a lot. whole story is so sad, John never had a chance, but still crawled out & became some kind of free. Call John what you want but... That's a lot of internal courage (& I don't mean turning in sonny, but reclaiming his life)

[@welcometoreality3450]

​​@@DNGINFORMANT yes 100%. Sonny knew, he knew, a clue was what he said about crying...That's gonna fuck you up as a dad no matter who you are

[@SilasBlagdon]

@@welcometoreality3450 I think excuses for a drug addicted snake has been getting old

[@axlyoung1218]

You never betray your Father or Mother&Family. John Jr plays the Victim. No one forced him into drugs. And he still has no remorse. And Honestly it’s unforgivable

[@anthonydelgrosso4818]

And for money shame on u

[@JulioJones-cm7vw]

What's real messed up is his family must have given him $$$ so he wouldn't have to go through the horror's of addiction. I am a recovering addict and with enough therapy they will have you rationalize anything

[@roadrunner776]

I agree with you 💯 fact there's no way or reason you grass out your own father or anybody for that matter In my mind

[@alexvagias5295]

A lot of Mafia kids have mental or addiction problems (one and the same). That's what happens to an innocent child when they grow up close to the devil.

[@dazdealz4648]

Couldn't agree more. Betraying your own family is gotta be up there with the lowest of lows

[@Vub.]

"He said I realized every part of that life was bad and I want no part of it" referring to the mafia. But he couldn't do the same with drugs that took everything from him.

[@ethan4234]

he has been clean for 17 years tho

[@ivangudelj3928]

@@ethan4234 doesnt look clean to me but maybe its hiv

[@aizakkutheweeaboo6429]

i mean, drugs directly screw with you. dopamine rushes can sometimes really screw with you, kind of like how a lot of people are addicted to devices, social media, etc.

[@kingtemisan]

So sad

[@ivangudelj3928]

@@aizakkutheweeaboo6429 dopamine drugs are the worst ciggareted cocaine gambling but some of serotonin drugs are domewhat okay...mushrooms can actually benefit you in life

[@James-nc1dz]

Dudes the real life Fredo

[@lorenzo2534]

Exactly. Weak links in the chain. What a schmuck. Sonny Franzese A True Mobster.

[@ShawnCadieux1984]

No he isn't. This is so stupid

[@ShawnCadieux1984]

This is entire bullshit Go directly to the source.

[@TreyParker318]

For real! And Michael had alot of similarities to Michael Corleone

[@huckleberryfinn8795]

Lmao real talk, he a str8 punk

[@jordangreen4400]

Just want to say THANK YOU to everyone that put this masterpiece of a series together. I thoroughly enjoyed every second!

[@bittnerbs]

It’s interesting hearing from the other Franzese brother. Michael is right...there is nothing good that comes from living in “The Life.” All it has ever done is destroy people and their families.

[@jimbo4260]

Power is a powerful motivation as well as money. But eventually "other" factors take over your life. Jail n death.

[@anthonydelgrosso4818]

Carlo Gambino prolly the only one I can think of that absolutely strived in the mob

[@Heopful]

Imagine what your wife would think you getting home after cutting someone up. Itd be a mental existence. Its like living with Jack the Ripper

[@Norwalquero]

16:13 "So inevitably he got caught up on tape, but it wasn't our intention...". BULLSHIT! Why ask his kid to wear a wire if you didn't "intend" to catch him?! Just admit the obvious truth!

[@farzana6676]

They played this kid and he was too stupid to realise it.

[@Norwalquero]

@@farzana6676 Absolutely right.

[@marilynrobertson17]

Oh hell yeah!!!!

[@a.k175]

Absolutely agree how the hell they didn't want his father when they knew he was the underboss

[@JoeSmith-dl9ok]

So…you expect a cop to feel bad for trying to put away a piece of shit life long criminal? Even mobsters know, it’s all just cops and robbers. Each side has their job-it’s a mobsters job to rob, steal, kill, and extort, and it’s a cops job to try to catch them doing that, what’s the big deal? And why is everyone so sure Sonny had nothing to do w the bank robberies? Sonny would steal a little girls piggy bank, of course he’d rob a fucking bank.

[@josephmorley7965]

Feds - Wear this wire John Jr. - Nah Feds - We won’t arrest your father John Jr. - Gimme da wire Feds - We arrested your father John Jr. - OK

[@dizzy6277]

Homer Simpson - Doh!

[@NizzyHussle]

@@dizzy6277😂😂😂 I heard homer in my head immediately

[@edwardsherwood9192]

As a former addict the truth is addicts are extremely selfish. I always hear bs from addicts how addicts are the strongest people ever or whatever but that’s just feel good bs. I’ll never forgive myself for the crap I did in addiction. Anyone that sees how bad they hurt there family and continue to do drugs is weak it’s that simple

[@muaythaisaro3175]

I feel u g we chase the high high instead of using our money and time with fam and build ourselves we chase chase the next line the next pill the next lean cup

[@danielamaya112]

I think you’re right hit right on the spot. It’s common to see addicts be selfish and have little regard to others when their own interests are at stake. I can see how John Jr is a likeable person and even fun to be around with , but he put his own life before his father’s. I guess it’s karma for Sonny for how he set up Michael to get killed over the envy he felt because he was making a lot of money

[@anthonydelgrosso4818]

I can't believe repeat some of the shit I am disgusted with

[@anthonydelgrosso4818]

I guess I'm not the only one who stole off family for drugs

[@fishyyrotmgxclusivee6713]

@@anthonydelgrosso4818 same and i feel so shit about it , and hes right that were weak.. not strong enough to overturn the addictions and not being able to break out of the cycle because we too afraid or dont want to bear the pain of depression of the comedown and withdrawals.. i will go rehab soon because i cant take to see my mother and family so hurt because of my selfishness

[@TreyParker318]

Michael and John Jr. having a sit down would break the mob internet

[@georgecoull1883]

Couldn't happen. Bad for both

[@josueespinal5704]

Michael would give him a slap

[@legacy7450]

Needs to happen

[@christianburk2432]

Didn’t John jr. pass away?

[@johnnyboy7256]

@@christianburk2432 no

[@whelmo14]

This guy has NEVER taken responsibility for anything he ever did. It was always someone elses fault. There is a down side to having someone like Sonny as a dad but there are also many opportunities. He had choices and he made the wrong ones.

[@evilcam]

This really was a family tragedy of epic proportions. Sonny was framed for bank robberies he had nothing to do with, went to prison so his kids in many ways grew up without a father, at the times in their youth and adolescence when a person needs their father as a guiding light, the most. Though he was framed, Sonny was not living in a vacuum, and was a real criminal, and his criminal personality caught up with him, and not only did he pay for it, so did the entirety of his family. Michael joined the life to try to help Sonny get out of prison, and ended up almost destroying his own family when Michael ended up behind bars for the gas scam. John Jr ended up a junkie who could not control his impulses, and pissed his entire life and family down his legs. Tina likewise had a hard time learning to control her impulses, and ended up dead by her own hand. The kid's mother went kinda crazy with paranoid thinking and did not have the good, autumn life she should have had. Sonny may have had all the other criminals on the street respect, but it cost him 50 years of his life and freedom, and destroyed his family beyond any ability to fix it, even if he had gotten and stayed out early. Someone in the comments on this video said this reminded them of an ancient Greek tragedy, in the likeness of Oedipus or Agamemnon. They're right, this family was so beset with tragedy,t hat I think the ancient greek moral lessons about human nature and its ability to attract tragedy, is a very poignant description of The Franzese story.

[@farzana6676]

100% Sonny Franzese went through alot of shit between prison and his kids.

[@lynnhauenstein4136]

I have heard the illegal, issues. Michael needs to tell the event, re false testimony, with court and DA Records and conviction, very easily believed today, after Comey, Strozk "insurance policy". LISA.

[@BullshitMan]

Excellent comment. (Unfortunately there's a lot of immature fanboyism for the mob in these comments - goes with the pop culture territory I guess - but this real life 5-decade saga has incredible life lessons in appreciating each of their struggles, decisions, actions and consequences... Poses so many interesting moral dilemmas... "It's complicated".

[@williamclinard2438]

One of the best comments I've seen on KZbin. Insightful accurate and to the point

[@mgomez9736]

@@Benjamin369Podcast I think he mentioned it.

[@budfox2337]

John JR did the worst thing a son could do to a Father. He didn’t even do it to get out of jail. Gutless and the ultimate betrayal.

[@charleswilkinson5211]

The whole mob game is nothing but money murder an betrayal so what you expect, joining any organization that will tell you that they come before your family even if your mom was on her death bed I'm mean come on man, you think his dad would not have killed him if he went against the Mob than your out of your mind their ain't no love or real loyalty in that life even between family the mob comes first, it ain't like they were a regular family.

[@lisamaria661]

I agree he got hooked on drugs fried his brain. Then rock bottom couldn't hold a job. Got paid to go up against his family spend it on drugs!

[@lisamaria661]

@@waltersobchak7275 it's an expression! Please don't tell me what I watch or what not. Truth of the matter is that we have brain cells and drugs damage them. You are probably taking side because u do drugs yourself! Have a lovely evening.

[@Pro1938ftc3ch]

Nah the worst betrayal was Judas betraying Jesus

[@davorinkuhar6932]

@@waltersobchak7275 what? a lot of drugs are neurotoxic. Stop lying to yourself.

[@BusterMSC1]

One of the most powerful videos I have ever seen on KZbin. I don’t agree with KZbin on a lot of things. But I appreciate them. For real.

[@reecee2941]

He still takes no personal responsibility for the horrible mistakes he made. He still makes himself out to be a victim. I would go to the grave or a permanent cell before testifying against my father, no matter what lifestyle my father had. This entire story is difficult to listen to.

[@jeffmiller3499]

Agreed.

[@robbierude247]

Lol you people on yt are a joke always speaking on things you were never apart of or never experienced .

[@sobo5476]

That's the same father who just sat there while a contract was put out on his son.

[@denycefranzese8275]

Nope

[@bibiayube677]

Talk is cheap

[@richnoble3577]

I know Sonny was disappointed by his son betrayal but being the stand up guy he was probably felt responsible for not being there for his family that caused this Shakespearean tragedy.

[@orvil9223]

Lovely sentiment, but, you apparently missed the first part of this series. Sonny said that he destroyed his family, but, then said he sleeps good at night because he didn't rat, when he could have and saved his family. Dude wasn't some honorable dude you people build him up to be. He was a despicable human being.

[@netherton244]

Everyone going on about what a tragedy its been for this family what about the victims of this man his brother and his father they caused so much pain,damage to others thats the real tragedy and now they glorify themselves Michael the born again Christian what a joke the creep is making more money now by selling books movies doing tours around the world just another mafia scam lying lowdown creeps

[@tektako]

⁠@@orvil9223No, he was a flawed man, like most. He honoured the code he signed up for, regardless of consequence, and thats a trait that would be positive in any other context. ‘Ratting’ by the father wouldn’t have saved anyone from anything, just as the son doing it against his own father, no less, achieved nothing positive. You don’t get to justify snitching on your own just because you don’t like the life you were born into.

[@mgomez9736]

I'm sorry, but how do you wear a wire on your father? The man you're named after? The man you literally look like?

[@tektako]

Drugs rot the brain.

[@azoutlaw7]

Man. So much information and emotion in less than half an hour. Very, very well done. I'm glad he is on a better path. God bless him.

[@gregoryvita6932]

He didn't recognize his father? But he recognized him in the court room.

[@lorrainevitolo9451]

Leave it to a cop to try to pit a son against a father EVEN THOUGH Franzese Sr. was no choirboy . What a messed up thing to do. On every level. You set your father up. Wow. Just a horrible situation across the board.

[@terry4137]

I agree! I don’t like that FBI agent anyway his name escapes me. Bastard

[@RockNRollJeezus]

This was absolutely incredible. Its like a Greek tragedy

[@giannisthug1193]

in greek colture tragedy comedy is brothers but here is not the one of them :( life needs both

[@freebee8221]

not a greek, an italian-american

[@TurquazCannabiz]

@@freebee8221 A Greek tragedy is an expression a play in which the protagonist, usually a person of importance and outstanding personal qualities, falls to disaster through the combination of a personal failing and circumstances with which he or she cannot deal.

[@freebee8221]

@@TurquazCannabiz i know

[@pragma2017]

Drugs destroy most families!!!!!!😱😱😱 black white rich poor; drugs aren’t racist!!!!! Stay safe snd healthy 👍🏼👍🏼🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@felixditomso21]

Your brother has stated publicly that he still loves you I hope you too can patch up your problems together may God bless you both

[@thoughtfinder]

How could you testified against your own father. My dad died last year but when he was alive I could never betray my own dad. You are a man without honor

[@mikeharryhunt1709]

He's the worst, did it for money. Gave up his own dad and friends for money. Idk How he lives with himself..

[@gangoffour6690]

With you on that man. I'd rather die than even rat out my enemy. I hope some how they get to this rat .

[@walterfrantz2053]

if he was a good person he wouldn't be in the mob

[@user-gu3ie]

@@gangoffour6690 hahahahaha you should stop watching all those mobster movies kiddo😂 they have a bad effect on you

[@mikeharryhunt1709]

@@walterfrantz2053 u talking about sonny? Sonny came from a time when the mob was good. They watched out for the italians and then it slowly morphed into what it became.

[@rsb8380]

No, people like you are the worst. The people that comment on these videos that clearly have no emotional or intellectual understanding of the intricacies of family, relationships, addiction, love, betrayal etc. - especially those facets of which are entwined intrinsically and unavoidably with the mob by those that live them - and make judgements on another man from the high pedestal of his keyboard in the corner of his parentally subsidised bedroom. It does my head in the amount of people who comment on these clips like some morally superior, pseudo-gangster, existing in a fantasy world entirely in their own head, whereby they live by the rules and principles of La Cosa Nostra without any of the material repercussions. Use your fucking head. Watch, listen. And if you're lucky, you might learn something about yourself.

[@pattskatoey3139]

That’s a real shame Sonny’s two sons didn’t attend his funeral.Those drugs turned johns brain to mush.

[@farzana6676]

Michael said he didn't want to attend because a bunch of mobsters from his former life would be there.

[@infectedmuhrom6039]

Yeah Michael testified too

[@Timalloy6782]

@@infectedmuhrom6039he didnt rat on anyone or put anyone inside, just himself

[@Jason.cbr1000rr]

@@Timalloy6782 he did checj out the channel mobfax theres footage of the testify

[@bazjr86]

@@Timalloy6782 He was ready to take the stand against a couple of made guys but out of respect for sonny they took a plea. In that life micheal is a rat and he knows it. Some of his court footage is on here.. He named plenty guys and linked them to crimes.

[@whatsupsnapper]

Just watched this series, you all did an excellent job in this piece

[@mikeywhispers1588]

"I didn't testify against my dad I testified against his way of life" sooooo u testified against ur dad

[@acemogany6369]

I don't believe that he I don't know exactly what his things was that he did when he testified against his dad cuz I haven't heard about this too much it is one thing to get them help so I'm sure his dad has done some dirt to him to make it become this my dad has did dirt against me and my life no lie and he was the closest thing to me than anybody and it really hurt me but I would still know not go up and speak on every single thing he's done in life for what what good is it going to gain me really that lands me a hit TV show or something like that that's one thing other than that I do have a good story to tell though and I think I'm going to create it I was never in the mob but had a rough childhood and it rough upbringing

[@adwoamk8918]

His dad killed many people, helped extorted other people, business, hard working innocent people. His dad had a lovely time, many years of getting away with crime and taking other people's lives this is the consequence.

[@tektako]

@@adwoamk8918how many people was that, exactly? And for what reasons? Who were these ‘hardworking innocent people’?

[@GraemetheGuiriLordHaHa]

Absolutely brilliant videography and cutting throughout all of this. Great work.

[@Delphisteve]

One of the best documentaries I've ever seen... I think it really makes us all take a good long look at ourselves and our values

[@suziescott1238]

I understand he didn't approve of his father "life style " but u would have to kill me or id go jail before id ever ever turn my father! How could he! U riped his soul out!

[@dirkbogarde44]

Then you don't understand anything.

[@TonyMontana-ss6ut]

@@dirkbogarde44 You don't understand anything. Doesn't matter what family do, you dont go against them, fool

[@toddschlicher]

@@TonyMontana-ss6ut You’re right, but the FBI had a lot to do with it, by lying to him about not wanting his father, and promising they would help him with medication for his HIV.

[@Dpurple28]

@@toddschlicher Are you serious the FBI Weaponized his hiv diagnosis against him. Evil!!!!

[@toddschlicher]

@@Dpurple28 They certainly did, and you’re right, it’s evil.

[@trinodelpino1]

The mob destroyed many families period. There is no question that the life is glamorous but it never ends well. Is it worth it? I'm going to have agree with the "Bronx tale" line, "the working man is the real tough guy. Hopefully young people can watch this and many other testimonies from former members of the mob and are inspired to take a different path. Life is to short. Nothing better than freedom. God bless

[@johnmac91]

I've never understood how criminals live that way. Any criminals, not just mafia guys. You spend your whole life looking over both shoulders. You're looking over one shoulder for cops trying to put you away, and over the other shoulder looking for other criminals looking to kill you. I don't see how anyone can enjoy living that way.

[@alienwarex51i3]

Plenty of high ranking mobsters died of old age with their millions.

[@randomperson-gp8ph]

@@alienwarex51i3 Well that is true but its just money. However if you know truth of Christ you know you can gain the whole world to lose your soul.

[@alienwarex51i3]

@@randomperson-gp8ph Yeah I guess, how did you reconcile with Exodus 21?

[@robertlulek1634]

@@alienwarex51i3 Problem is if you do not understand the Bible and why it was written in Exodus 21 would seem that something you could not understand. Remember it was written by a people whether it was right or wrong God allow that to be written because it was a story of a nation of the people does not necessarily mean that got approved that Solomon to that many wives and cocky Brian’s or throw babies from the walls

[@SPAZZYok]

John Jr. seems pretty slow. "I ratted on my father to do him a favor." Pretty easy mark for the fbi to flip.

[@Josh_you_uh]

Idk how this popped up but I’m glad it did, great stuff.

[@TreyParker318]

Same

[@Josh_you_uh]

@@TreyParker318 must be from watching all these mafia channels

[@anthonydelgrosso4818]

I seen this 20 times it's fukin great

[@gr8t1bobo]

As Sammy the bull has said, if you're in the mob life then you are all equally guilty no matter if you pull the trigger or not.

[@bradbiggs4283]

Sonny: "... Mafia? I can't hear that.... What's this 'mafia'?" 🤣🤣🤣

[@NinoG053]

Of course you had to bring that rats name up as if he’s someone honorable smh. You sammy groupies are out of control

[@jeffmiller3499]

@@NinoG053 do you think gotti is honorable? In how he did things or how he did sammy? Fuck outta here. He was a shit boss no way around it. Sammy aside Cosa nostra would of been better without john.

[@blablableh724]

it is not Sammy's opinion he was explaining the RICO act.

[@TheMsklg1981]

@@NinoG053 Gotti was dry snitching on Sammy before they got arrested. He had no one to be loyal too.

[@terry4137]

Sometimes your family are your worst enemy.

[@garymccreath2773]

Betrayed his dying father, he has every excuse for it ,all made up to soothe his self loathing

[@D777-z3j]

Do you know how much they all went through growing up? What the hell is wrong with you? Sonny ruined his own family for Cosa Nostra, caused them so much stress. Are you okay?

[@bossman2223]

Man this turned my stomach I don’t know how anyone could do this really

[@ciscosvpXlll]

I felt the same way, total devastation.

[@user-sg2bp5vh7e]

Straight up shits sad

[@kumarg3598]

Cocaine is a helluva drug. In John's case, it was coke, dope, bud, crank, Crack, and everything under the sun.

[@coffeecrimegal5968]

I try not to judge honestly! That being said I don’t think I could ever have done this to my father.

[@danielk8149]

I don't understand it eather I couldn't have ratted on my own father no matter what .

[@zimecka72]

If you look past the effects of the drugs have on him he is a man of virtue and honour. He is a Son who is heartbroken at what his Father is.. You have to feel for him. And you can see that Michael does love him when he talked about wanting him around to be with his Nieces and Nephews

[@DeepakSingh-qg4ri]

This is an amazing documentary, very well done!

[@gregoryvita6932]

It's fake news

[@gregoryvita6932]

In 60 years no one has ever said anything good about John Franzese Jr.

[@happytrailsgaming]

Only those that know redemption

[@citypopFM]

Sonny Franzese was the last person alive to know more about lost mob history than anyone else, so many things the rest of us will never know or learn, but he stayed solid to that life, his convictions, and deserves all the possible respect as a man's man even if many of us would've loved him to divulge his life story. Sonny was a part of that life as a known name when it first began its course when figures like Luciano and Lansky were organizing it in the 1930's. This man became a respected soldier and heavyweight because he truly loved and lived that life and never bent or broke to anyone or anything. Even though Joe Bonnano published his book and did a primetime television interview that led to some terrible consequences for the guys and old timers in that life, the lot of us who feel lucky to appreciate a man of his stature casually divulging his opinions of legendary figures he knew as peers is absolutely invaluable and timeless. Still, say what you will about Sonny and the bullshit that befell him and his family, but he was a real deal heavyweight for a reason: He was as solid as they'll ever be born. We won't see a man like him ever again.

[@hubes96]

So very true!

[@robertlevy5048]

We need MEN like him instead of these worthless kids today who don't have a clue & are being guided into a miserable life

[@kooskoos8181]

This was by far the best story or video i have EVER seen on youtube. Very emotional story, it felt like i was watching a movie.

[@SwissCheese112]

I dont care how much you disagree with with your family, you never ever rat on them. man did everything he could for his son.

[@stanleyhood9873]

@Exotic if my family murdered someone I would rat on them. If a family mber is a pedophiles I would rat on them. If my family member is dealing in drugs I would rat.

[@SwissCheese112]

@@stanleyhood9873 murder or drug dealing no. pedophilia yes, thats unforgivable.

[@yarcusmoungbar5051]

@@stanleyhood9873 u would snitch on the ppl that brought u into the world and raised u for selling drugs? u are a disgrace😐

[@knightstar1312]

What goes around keeps going around. Just look at what happened to JFK, his father was a bookie for the irish mafia and got support for his son JFK to presidential office. Then civil inequities. Then death onto his son.

[@DanielMalek-wh7cm]

Always has been in our family. I have dealt with serious addiction issues but have overcome them through Perseverance. Thank God. We both belong to families. I lived in Indianapolis for 23 years and attended your meeting and loved listening to you. You probably helped me more they you realized.

[@jeffreyweston900]

John makes Fredo look like a choir boy!

[@josephcamhi5676]

Perhaps, but Fredo Cuomo is far worse than he.

[@paulragland6152]

I can understand why you say that. But fredo put a hit on his brother.

[@cohenfromdiscord2551]

Nah but Fredo wasn’t an addict. I think the feds used his addiction and his HIV against him.

[@darrincassidy9045]

Any man bagging two cocktail waitresses at a time is a legend,RIP Fredo.

[@grumpyae86]

@@darrincassidy9045 😂 you legend

[@gzuspeterson4748]

So instead of confessing to crimes that he had done because he felt guilty, he wore a wire and took other people down.

[@Samiam88]

So many people would kill to feel that kind of love from a father.

[@noloc4246]

Michael touches up lightly on the fact that his family was dysfunctional. It seems just from seeing, and hearing this, that the dysfunction was really, really, deeply rooted. God listens, though everything else is definitely, entirely, up to us. God bless them always!😇

[@HWKUK]

Sad story thanks for posting

[@davidpolott1250]

Actually, I knew John, Jr for about 2/3rds of my childhood. We were bunkmates at day camp, plus somewhat friendly with him from 7th through 10th grade. At the time, I had a feeling John, Jr was someone who was quite brilliant, and really super-duper with socializing amicably with other contemporaries. At about the latter part of 8th grade, I became aware he was from a mafia family; then began to realize and had a sense he was under pressure psychologically under burden due to his family circumstances. In the end, I am glad to see John Jr kept a distance from that life and is doing what he is doing today.

[@robcicero8746]

You went to “H” schools too? The whole town isn’t the same anymore. I knew the whole family

[@chrismaurina5260]

He wasn’t in the life and the fbi played him ,he left out the part where he was paid

[@charliem4867]

The FBI agent in this video said that they weren’t trying to put Sonny back in jail, just trying to get info on the mafia as a whole. But he said that they couldn’t avoid the audio of Sonny incriminating himself

[@denycefranzese8275]

It's called Greed. They didn't play him.

[@justinlecroy3579]

@@charliem4867 He lied to him for his help.

[@CommanderLongJohn]

@@charliem4867 Because an FBI agent would never ever lie or even embellish the truth 😁

[@chrsmmlln7888]

@@denycefranzese8275 he got paid hundreds of thousands from the feds.

[@gstone1345]

This guy used to run up huge debts and use his dad’s name to clear them or make them go away then when all the drug dealers got scared of giving him drugs and he had no way of getting anything he decides to turn his back on everyone, story has it that he was actually the one that gave his sister the bad drugs it ended up killing her.

[@gregoryvita6932]

True

[@johnnyjacuzzi7498]

Well, consider the family. His dad would regularly extort people, even friends, and his brother got rich off being a scammer. Using his dad’s name to clear low level drug debts was probably the most harmless grift that came from their family.

[@jdtjames3]

sick bastard i would well believe it

[@mikecamacho1993]

The cop that wired Sonny's son is real scum

[@RP-ip4se]

He seem to gloat, about the situation, Mr. Mike

[@SandriaGuest]

Reprehensible

[@hamzak2181]

a lot of fake wiseguys who were never in the life siding with Sonny is so funny. Sonny would literally clip you in a heartbeat if he wanted to.

[@mikecamacho1993]

@@hamzak2181 and why would he? I'm from Brooklyn and still live here. Mob guys didn't go around killing any and everyone. Speak on what YOU KNOW.

[@JoeSmith-dl9ok]

Sonny was a piece of shit. The guy spent his whole life robbing, stealing and murdering. The ONLY thing Sonny is admirable for is being a stand up mob guy. And mob guys are pieces of shit, so, Sonny was the best of a bunch of pieces of shit. This kid is a fuckin rat, still, but Sonny is nobody to imitate

[@mr.honesty5115]

I can’t imagine how lonely his dad felt on his way out not having his sons there.

[@sobo5476]

His dad sat back and was Ok with a contract going out on his sons life.

[@tomjohnson3141]

Serving 30+ years in prison will teach any man to control sappy emotions. Time forces your heart to turn cold, as It's the only way to survive and stay somewhat sane.

[@JoeSmith-dl9ok]

Tom-even at 90, nobody was fuckin w Sonny in prison

[@maxpaws3977]

Who wants two rats by your hospital bedside. They would probably rat him out to the nurse for abusing the bed up and down control panels

[@leadgravity53]

They couldn't come they both walked away from the mob. One of them testified against him, the other was a made man who decided to walk away, sure its different than putting people in prison, they probably wont go out of their way to get a guy like that, but that's the fucked up thing the whole Columbo family was going to be their. At least Michael got to hang out with his old man a bit before he passed.

[@paulden3158]

Who's here from Michael Franzese's channel?

[@brewcity2317]

Me.

[@marilynrobertson17]

See all u buffons with your 'who's here because of...' were all behind keyboards phones whatever. Its obvious u are all very lonely.

[@jimdavis6824]

I had the great pleasure of Knowing John for about 15 months in Huntington Long Island around 2005, 2006. A real honest, and humble Man. He never told me about his family, Hey, being from New York, we know not to ask such questions. I knew who he was, I only knew him as a guy who helped others and did his thing living a sober life. May God always walk with you John. JD We went to the Diner in the village of Huntington several times and had some good laughs.

[@sibitsabat]

Loved living in Huntington for a year2008-2009. Lived on soundview we would walk right down into the village for burgers or pizza!

[@jimdavis6824]

@@sibitsabat That's pretty cool. I left Long Island in September. of 2010, soon after the Flash crash destroyed me.

[@audiophileman7047]

"The sins of the father are to be laid upon the children." William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice

[@lawrencestrabala6146]

That’s not what the Bible says.

[@audiophileman7047]

@@lawrencestrabala6146 You're right. I believe that Shakespeare took the idea from the Bible and rephrased it. 👍👍👍

[@MarcPlaysDrums]

It's a verse in Exodus, Deuteronomy and Numbers. Shakespeare got it from there. Everyone was reading the bible back then. There are other religious books that have that concept(the kebra naste, the bhagavad gita, the vetas) Confucianism has a version of it as well. Its basically if you did wrong then your kids are gonna have the burden of righting that wrong. Debt collectors will also come after the children of deceased parents if the parents die in debt.

[@audiophileman7047]

@@MarcPlaysDrums Yes, it's a sad state of affairs for any family. We really see it in this video.

[@johntaylor-lo8qx]

But the kid ratted out ??? The kid lived with only the guilt of intentionally killing his dad, for what ???

[@TheOfficialMorningSonder]

Drugs is the devil💯

[@TheOfficialMorningSonder]

@Source One News Mother Earth is very beautiful

[@Pro1938ftc3ch]

@@TheOfficialMorningSonder God is good and Jesus died for us😁😁😁

[@TheOfficialMorningSonder]

@@Pro1938ftc3ch yesss 🙏👏

[@paulboyle5659]

That was a brilliant piece of work and an amazingly touching story =) the life really sucks and is far from how it's perceived sometimes. Thanks for posting.

[@dmays8960]

Its almost comical. Like this guy just doesn't grasp the damage hes done to the family. The family has already been through a hell of a lot

[@dmays8960]

@Sometimes Right i guess not really. I just think he has to know something is wrong when his brother and father don't want to see him or have him around.

[@timstradley5819]

The damage he’s done?? What about his father?

[@lukasethan6429]

No joke. On the ladder of accountability, he is on the rung of “blame others” for their issues. Jesus, what a piece of shit he is

[@theportugueselegend]

@@timstradley5819 Damage? The purpose of being a better person is to be better than your father. He's lucky he even had one, more or less. Look at Michael and compare him to John, or even to Sonny, who he idolized. He's a completely different man

[@redskyatnight123]

Omerta till he died

[@Josh_you_uh]

Idk how anyone could do this to their own father or anyone close to them...disgraceful. His reasoning behind it doesn’t even make sense, it comes down to just wanting money for drugs and a ticket to being set up and relocated and taken care of by the feds.. he’s in denial about not being a lowlife.

[@gangoffour6690]

I know I would rather die than even rat out my worst enemy never mind your own blood.. A rat is one of the lowest forms of life on earth. Lower than pond scum !

[@nicholassileo2000]

His dad Was in prison most of his life how close could they have been I’m sure they didn’t have much of a relationship at all

[@Josh_you_uh]

@@nicholassileo2000 I barely knew my father and then he passed away when I was 16...I wouldn’t of done this for all the money in the world to him, I wouldn’t be on this earth if it wasn’t for him and I’m going to sell him out and have these ppl lock him up? Disgusting.

[@BeeHatGuy]

He's clearly not all there in the head, sadly

[@universityoflogistics]

@@nicholassileo2000 That's not really for you to say

[@DorreenNoyes]

This is the ultimate betrayal John Jr should be ashamed of himself to betray his father in such a way.

[@c_c836]

This whole story is heartbreaking.....look what the mob and crime did to this family. Absolutely horrible. One life we live and this is how they chose to live-----

[@brunogiovannisantinijunior4380]

Heart breaking? Lol calm down buddy Sonny choose to be a criminal and so did his sons...gimme a fukn break dude ...

[@joea6774]

But the family and victims didn't I get what he's saying.

[@harizotoh7]

It's half and half. Tina was an abusive lunatic which is the other half. note that Sonny's other 3 kids turned out okay, but the ones with Tina half of them became junkies or messed up.

[@signoguns8501]

Yeah, I think the Franzese family were a product of their environment more than anything. They come across as nice, likeable people, who genuinely loved each other. In another life, they could have lived a long and happy life together. Working on cars in the garage, helping dad out on a construction job... you know, ordinary family stuff. But unfortunately, the mob completely destroyed all of their lives. So sad. They all deserved much better.

[@williamtiffee3799]

Ya, and I found it 'telling' that Sonny wanted Michael to endorse John Jr., to "join the mob..." thinking that was going to make a sensitive young man (with a conscience, which is likely WHY he got into drugs... coupled with the "lack of love," to "judgement," shown) before "Jr." eventually had a 'rebirth' by going against "the family" and wore a wire tap for three years, in retribution, against the mob. (For ultimately ruining, their own family...) It's a SHAME that these men ultimately put themselves (and blood oaths) ABOVE their own blood. But this is typical for "proud' narcissists and/ or psychopaths, in particular. (The "government" today is also full of these people... as well as the private sector.) Little to no "morals, conscience, compassion, or remorse..." masquerading as prideful, piety, and demanding "respect," when and where NONE... is deserved!

[@joeboden9803]

Cops took advantage of a junkie!

[@BeeHatGuy]

This is it. The poor guy isn't there in the head, and sending a 93 year old guy to prison is excessive

[@bazjr86]

@@BeeHatGuy So is killing 30 plus people... the old man should of been wiser than to talk business in front of an drug addicted mob associate.

[@giovannigiorgio8664]

Ya it’s all the cops fault 🤦🏻 I mean really how stupid can you be

[@mitchrc3]

The mob pulled down its pants on this kind of thing when it went into the drug trade.

[@brians7901]

The story about him seeing sonny again made me cry. So much hurt in this family

[@gregoryvita6932]

First he puts his dad, a 94 year old man in jail for $50,000. Now he is trying to cash in again. Don't forget he also admitted to giving his sister a fatal dose of cocaine.

[@kumarg3598]

Bro. He did a lot of bad things and was given at least 11 2nd chances.

[@MrN75nokia]

Piece of work and if he gave his sister the fatal dose of cocaine he will take all that pain to his grave.

[@joealtieri758]

Greg he is areal dirty junkie

[@gregoryvita6932]

@@joealtieri758 He is a real life devil

[@gregoryvita6932]

@Anh Thu It's true

[@zfitzz3595]

The worst kind. You can see why michael had nothing to do with him for so long. Looks like he has no regrets about it which is the worst part. You do sort of get the feeling that it was payback towards his dad for all the pain that way of life brought them, like his dad being sent away at 93 was just part of it

[@das8771]

If you do not approve of your father's life, then live your own.

[@masterchief5231]

Crazy how different the brothers are. Michael is a true stand up guy. Even figured the KZbin game out at the age of 69 and making good money again.

[@Monk-ow3ok]

Mike snitched too.😂😂

[@alpineskies2111]

Michael is a stand up guy???? Are you high??? He ratted also!! He testified in court against norby Walter's and testified in front of congress about the mafia and professional boxing scams.

[@duanebailey6253]

Bet mike would have gave him triple not to sell his dad out.

[@steve8450]

Michael is adopted.

[@masterchief5231]

@@alpineskies2111 Fook Norby Walters

[@bradbiggs4283]

The Franzese family story is every Shakespeare tragedy rolled into one. ... While in the mafia.

[@tillwurfel7878]

An unusually mature document. Thank you, and bravo!

[@Patriot6421]

I would have walked away from my father than wear a wire. John had no business to go after his dad nor did he have any reason than, he hated his life. It's not your life john, you should closed the book on that chapter and left it. My son would have just never bothered with me and would never bring justice down my throat. Your excuses are not excused .

[@ryanpellegrini1023]

I dont buy any of his accounts when he went to see his father. This guy spent this whole video, trying to spin himself into some sort of good guy.

[@CD-pq1yv]

Powerful film. John paid the price for an accident of birth. His father seemed unable to accept his part in it even at the end.

[@jerrycraig6522]

I would NEVER under any circumstances, no matter what, wear a wire or testify against my dad or my brother, any family member!!!

[@kelvin6403]

what if he was a serial killer, rapist and child molester

[@gregoryharbridge2169]

John speaks more truth about the downside and tragedy of this shadowy life of lies than any other person from this life, on the internet. Sonny was a unique fellow and Jr. was very much his father's son. There is tremendous beauty in their relationship which had to be navigated along the parameters of personality, stubbornness about the rules and extreme legal circumstances. It's not a world where the truth is welcome and John was sensitive to a minefield of lies and deep contradictions.

[@mikesulyvahn7143]

“There’s nothing in me that tells me I’m a lowlife” Wow, really? There should be..

[@bostontowny4life744]

Sonny Franzese- Vito Corleone Michael Franzese- Michael Corleone John Franzese Jr- F-ing Fredo

[@JoeSmith-dl9ok]

Micheal is one rung above Henry Hill. That guy is so full of shit

[@jaymorgan8013]

@@JoeSmith-dl9ok Yes. He was a good earner though.

[@davidsiracuse6672]

This is a tragic story but Sonny believed in the life. He had to take some responsibility but you cannot blame him for everything. His children knew very well what this life was all about. ( RIP Sonny)

[@courtneybrubaker9738]

Amazing how the abusers can abuse their “loved” ones and expect compliance and loyalty no matter what. Unfortunately when the abusers finally speak out, they are the ones, who again get turned on and torn apart. Geez, what a mess.

[@jameseveland6718]

Boy he looks just like his dad

[@swp2154]

@stephen mcaleese that was Michael not John. You can take 1 look at both of them and tell which one is blood related to Sonny. To bad he didnt have the Character his father had. Besides their looks they are total opposites.

[@harizotoh7]

@@swp2154 John is the biological son, and Michael is adopted step-son. His mom Tina spun some crazy tale in 1992 about how Michael is secretly the biological son of Sonny but I don't buy it. Michael inherited the know-how of the mob life, but Jhon was never smart enough to be cut out for it.

[@Tducks72]

Wait this guy wasn’t even in trouble when he turned rat against his family?!

[@Rahab111222]

No point anymore. All those guys from the past either flipped, died or are too old to care.

[@MizTheDonGargon]

he did it for the money

[@str8kronic]

Govt offered him thousands of dollars

[@Exploration847]

Money for drugs

[@Gypsygirl9]

@@Exploration847 that's probably why he did it..he was dreaming of all dope he'd be able to buy.

[@REALWOODSMAN]

Doesn’t cry about hurting his dad stealing money from him for years but cries when he talks about someone whacking him.. typical selfish inner addict behavior .. even in recovery, me , me , I , my, my, me my I … it’s all about them.. it took me being clean off heroin and cocaine 4 years before I realized the reason I was an addict was because I was a selfish prick who put my needs and emotions before anyone else’s for years, and then you’re in the “ no one gets me” mode and turn into a piece of shit … nothing worse then a self abusing narcissist

[@codyssongs9472]

It’s nice to hear both sides of a story, not taking sides, it’s always more entertaining to hear both

[@anthonydelgrosso4818]

But the thing is we can't get sonny's side fully because he's a stand up man which sucks

[@theguyonutube6928]

The most saddest thing is that the mob let him live at that state ran nursing home instead of somewhere nice like dude did 40 years!

[@blablableh724]

He is cursed, he has to live with his shame and betrayal until his death, to let him live is worse then killing him.

[@theguyonutube6928]

@@blablableh724 he died last year !

[@willd2620]

No loyalty in mob. They are about self only. They don’t take care of your family like they use to when you go away.

[@MABMGuitar]

@@willd2620 they never really did.

[@denycefranzese8275]

The Mob? What about his children? Who could afford to have taken care of him. Let's also not forget about the Grandchildren. Grandchildren.

[@Americal-v6r]

I had some differences with my dad early on in our lives, but not going my dad or moms funeral would be like a life sentence for me personally. Living with that just puts a chill down my spine.

[@trehugr4life]

OMG, just heartbreaking 💔 .. RIP Sonny🙏

[@chrismazzagatti8429]

Mr. Franzese Jr. clearly doesn't possess the markings of a varsity athelete.

[@cowboysfan782008]

Thanks for the laugh, you just cracked me up! I'm sitting here watching this thinking WTF with this guy and you summed it up perfectly!

[@coffeecrimegal5968]

Jesus Christ! That stupid expression is never gonna get old to some people is it?

[@gregoryvita6932]

@@cowboysfan782008 This Newsday version is bullshit. Watch Sonny's Family Hates Me! On Yt

[@Bullishbeto]

It's not an expression ​@@coffeecrimegal5968

[@dg867]

What's the music from 3:22 onwards? Can't find it anywhere! 🙏

[@RJRussoVids]

Imagine trying to lift yourself up by putting your aged father in prison. SMH 🙄

[@andrewspoto9378]

His father died with a broken heart. His own son betrayed him. I hate this man with a passion.

[@silvertongue3003]

To everyone who says he did the unthinkable betrayal to his father, you seem to not realise his father also did the exact same thing to him and every single of his siblings. What he did was wrong, and the drugs was clearly a great motivation for it, but his father also never considered what his life of crime did to every single member of this family, just like this son was never going to choose his family over his addiction, his father was never going to choose his family over his crime partners.

[@Dpurple28]

How could they just leave their dad like that. RIP Sonny 🙏!!!

[@wannabe4668]

Huh??

[@eternalbeing3339]

Leave him where? In prison?

[@BillMcGirr]

Excellent series. Enjoyed it immensely. Good stuff.👍

[@emmalouisesutton565]

You didn’t need to sell your dad out to walk away from the life!

[@mike2696]

This story should be told too evry wannabe gangster 🤷‍♂️

[@prestonpowers7376]

And the real alike...