Mob Wives: Anthony “T.G.” Graziano

Graziano is the father of two of the Mafia princesses involved in the new VH1 series, Mob Wives. Jenn Graziano came up with the idea for the show, and Renee Graziano plays one of the four women in the series. Anthony is not speaking to either of his daughters over this, even though Jenn told him they weren’t going to reveal any “secrets.” I’m sure he found that very reassuring. The princesses also have an older sister, Lana, who is not participating in the production as far as I know.

Anthony Graziano is a big name in Mafia history. He started as a member of the Bonanno crime family as part of Anthony Spero’s crew of murderers and he did very well. By the late 1980s or early 1990s it is alleged that he had risen to a high-ranking captain making money from crimes such a loan sharking, drugs, and murder while he ran the Staten Island operation. Unfortunately, he was found guilty of tax evasion for which he had to pay a fine of $250,000 to the IRS and serve 5 years in prison. When he was released from prison he resumed his role in the family with additional leadership responsibilities in Queens and Brooklyn. In 2001, Spero received a life sentence and Graziano was made a consigliore (advisor) of the Bonanno family. 

In March 2002, Graziano had more legal problems. He faced racketeering charges in both New York and Florida. He received 11 years for the Florida charges and nine years for the New York charges. He currently sits in a North Carolina prison with an expected release date, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, of January 30, 2012.

According to sources, Graziano will allegedly resume his role of consigliere when he is out of jail. If that is the case, it is certainly understandable that he would not appreciate two of his daughters bringing attention to and exposing any aspect of the crime family lifestyle. You have to wonder how the Mob Wives series is going to make him look to everyone in the Bonanno family. It might diminish his authority or make him a laughing stock. If he can’t even control his two daughters, how effective a leader can he be in the mob?

I wonder if his daughters gave any thought to their father’s pride or to his high level position in the family? He needs to command respect from those under him, but even his own daughters do not respect his wishes. I have to wonder if this is it all about money and fame for the Graziano princesses? And, all this while, I was under the impression that the mob was all about “family,”“loyalty,” and “respect.”