I Married A Mobster: Thank God, I Di-ent!

Love Majeski for Mob Candy by Al Rodriguez

A popular I Married A Mobster episode around here was definitely Love Hurts featuring the former mob moll Love Majewski.  So viewers felt bad for Miss Majewski not getting the good square guy in the end.  You remember the fellow who dumped her faster than Carl Lewis once the feds came a knocking.

Well it seems he is no longer scared of law enforcement.  I know, I know innocent until proven guilty.  However, Mr. Squarepants seems to have recently had close contact with the feds.  Close enough to be arrested and taken away in handcuffs.  About two weeks ago, Ronald Piggot was arrested in connection with an alleged mob associated loan sharking ring.  And yes Ronald is the legit guy who once upon a time was going to marry Love.

Some have been asking the question: Does Love feel responsible for her ex-fiance's recent arrest and alleged mob association?  I think it's an absolutely dumb question.  Isn't he like a grown ass man?However, I aim to please the intelligent and dumb alike, so I asked her the dumb question.

Hey Love, I have a quick question for you.  I think it's dumb.  We all have dumb moments.

Mob Mistress, you are too much.  Shoot what's the question?

Your fiance was arrested recently.

You know too much.

I agree.  Moving along, do you feel any responsibility for his recent arrest?  Basically do you feel your previous romantic relationship with him introduced him to the lifestyle?

My heart goes out to his family especially his children.  I do not feel responsibility.  When we dated he didn't know about my past.  I had moved on.  I was no longer in the lifestyle.  I didn't introduce him to the lifestyle.  He did meet one of the individuals arrested at a get together.  I don't feel like going into farther detail.  However, it was strictly fun, friends and family.  It had nothing to do with any sort of business legal or illegal.  I know absolutely nothing about what the man does today.  He is a 42 year old man.  He alone is responsible for his choices.  I wish his kids the absolute very best.  I'll always love them.

Well that's all I wanted to know. Sorry, for bothering you and happy halloween.

You never bother me. Happy Halloween Mistress!

I didn't want to push Love too much.  However, one has to wonder if Love is overjoyed that wedding bells di-ent ever ring for her and Ronald.  Well I've done my good blog deed for the week.  It's slow around here.  I am tired of digging.  I am tired of pestering my sources.  The holidays are upon us.  So this blog will be slower than a turtle stuck in molasses.  I do have some great information.  However, it'll be better closer to the premiere of season 2 of Mob Wives. And Jenn Jenn won't get too mad at me, lol.

I hear the Mob Wives have been throwing some Trick or Treat festivities.  I heard one mob wife's party was as poppin as a morgue.  Basically it was low on live bodies in attendance, WOWZERS!  Well in December/January things will pick up, I am sure of it.  And a special halloween hi to Rosey, Kara, Stephen, Alyssa, Miss Janis and Tasha.

Happy Halloween to all The Mob Wives Blogspot readers!

Photo credit: Al Rodriguez for Mob Candy Magazine via Love Majewski

Mob Wives: Mob Bust FBI Agent Talks

During the shooting of the series Mob Wives, in January 2011, the FBI arrested approximately 135 members of organized crime. It was the largest mob bust in FBI history. There were 800 FBI agents and employees involved, along with 130 law enforcement officers involved in this operation. Those arrested were processed at the Fort Hamilton Army base in Brooklyn, NY. One of the FBI agents involved, Supervisory Special Agent George Khouzami, was interviewed by New York Magazine regarding reality shows about mob wives.

Shows about mob wives seem to be a new trend in television. Mobsters and their activities have been depicted in movies, television, and books for decades. Now the focus is shifting to the women who are their wives, mistresses and daughters. They want to tell their stories and break the long standing code of silence the mafia was built on.  NY Magazine wanted to know how real are these shows and how does the mafia feel about them. 

Agent Khouzami says that the mafia is not pleased with these shows and considers them disrespectful. As for the spouses, he believes that they know their husbands are in the mob and are aware of where the money comes for that pays for their luxuries, but they always deny knowing anything. The wives also know about the girlfriends and they tolerate the cheating because of all the money the mobster “earns.” He mentions Karen Gravano, saying that many people are still very angry with her father, Sammy, and that she is taking a risk by going on television and writing a book. He goes on to discuss the changes in the mob and their crimes that have occurred over the years. The mob is now more involved in stock crimes.

Overall, this was a very interesting interview and if you have time it is definitely worthwhile reading.

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Interview link nymag.com

Mob Wives: Renee Graziano Interview With Cherry Martinez

Part 6: The Priest Story!

This 6 part radio interview, on Cherryontopdotcom, with Renee took place on May 9 to May 11, and I found Renee to be playful, charming, engaging, funny, entertaining AND all with no cursing. The interviewer, Cherry, had known Renee before the show and they had a great rapport. It was relaxed and easy going and I really enjoyed it. There is maybe 40 to 45 minutes of viewing from the 6 parts, that you can watch at various times, that touch on different subjects in Renee’s life. Let’s get down to business!


Part 1: Renee brings Cherry a gift of earrings from “Rich Rocks,” a company that makes fake jewelry and Renee loves it. At this point we are only 3 episodes into the show. The subject of Jail Mail Inc comes up first. Renee explains that she has spent 25 years dealing with her loved ones being in jail. Her father has currently been in prison for 11.5 years and Junior is in and out, and due to go back. She plans to have Jail Mail Inc up and running by the end of the first season. Her website will send cards to inmates for you to loved ones, once you register. This is not about the money for Renee, in fact it’s very personal. She has written 8 to 10 thousand letters to inmates over the past 25 years. It’s all about supporting loved ones who look forward to their “mail call” and listen for their names. She knows first hand how important her own letters have been to her loved ones.

Part 2: AJ Pagan is the topic of this segment. When they went to Florida in April, AJ told Renee that she didn’t need sunglasses because she wouldn’t be recognized. No sooner they step off the elevator and take three steps they here “OMG, OMG! Are you AJ from Mob Wives?” The young girls recognize him and he is taken aback by it, but he is a very well grounded young man. He was never star struck as a child and Renee has always worked with famous people, but it has never affected him.

What was AJ’s reaction to Junior’s (Hector Pagan) Mob Bust. AJ seems very strong, but Renee always wants to know how he is feeling and keeps trying to get him to open up. AJ doesn’t react, he has to be strong, and he didn’t have a normal childhood. His father went away when he was four or five and he has known prison visits all his life. His father, Junior, has been in prison 6.5 years of his life. AJ credits Renee with teaching him how to be strong and she feels maybe she hasn’t given herself enough credit for being a good role model to him.

What are the misconceptions of prison life? Renee says that people should understand that everybody is a human being regardless of what they did. She doesn’t fault the government for doing their job and has no ill will towards prisoners, who were doing their jobs, maybe not the right jobs. But everyone is human, everyone has a heart. So stick together and support your loved ones.

Part 3: How did all the women meet? Renee credits her sister, Jenn Graziano, of JustJenn Productions, who is the Executive Producer and Creator of the show with it’s success and bringing together all the women. Renee has known Carla since she was 16 and met her when Carla was dating a friend of hers. Karen and Renee were friends since early childhood because of their fathers, but lost communication when Sammy turned informant and Renee was told never to speak to Karen again. Renee says she met Drita about 15 years ago. Karen and Drita are both long time best friends of Jenn and Renee is friends with Carla and that is how they all got together.

The Mob Bust was reported to be the largest in US History says Renee, and there ended up being 135 mobsters arrested. She describes Junior (Hector Pagan) as her ex-husband, her best friend, the person she likes fighting with the most, the one who protects her, the person she loved most. When the phone rang at 5am, she knew immediately what to do. She yells up to AJ to get dressed because they have to go to court. She refers to herself as pathetic because she continues to allow her ex-husband’s problems to become hers, but the reality is he is still her son’s father, and they are still there for each other. She claims she is not still in love with Junior, she loves him to death, but there is nothing romantic between them. But, they have never really severed all ties and moved on. Renee feels she needs to let go in order to have a healthy relationship with someone new.

Part 4: The popularity of the show! An estimated 2.2 people watched the show the first two weeks it aired. Why is that? Renee says the girl fight must be responsible and laughs. Cherry wants to know if it’s all “real.” Renee answers, the only thing fake about her is her nose. She gives 100%, there is no acting involved. So what does the future hold for Renee? Renee says she would love to “act.” because she has always been a drama queen. After the series ends she will go where God takes her. She is focused on Jail Mail Inc right now. She would also like to write a book. She is open to ideas. She is happy right now and the show is helping her find her identity.

How does her family feel about the show? Renee explains that her father, Anthony "T G" Graziano doesn’t speak to her now because of the show. After she made the decision to do the show he told her “you made your bed, sleep in it.” He told her he loves her and he would always love and protect her, but they could no longer talk to each other. He is not comfortable with her speaking so freely about her life. She respects that and her father. But, She says she needs to live her own life; her father lived his and he has her mother, they will be married 50 years, they’re good. This is about Renee, and not in a selfish way, Renee needs to know who she is. Her mother loves her.

What has she learned about herself from the show? Renee’s list is impressive, she learned: to stop whining, to depend on herself, not wait for a man to do things for her, she’s a better mother because she is giving AJ a better direction in life, she needs to diet because the cameras are abusing her by adding weight, she has learned to live and let live and not to take things so personally.

Part 5: How do the other women treat her? Renee replies that her sister, Jenn, treats them all the same, she does not get any kind of special treatment just because they are sisters. Jenn is a businesswoman and there is no playing around. In fact, she says that Jenn treats her much the same way AJ does, by telling her off when she needs it. The other women consider her to be emotional, overly sensitive and a drama queen. Renee says she didn’t choose to be a drama queen because she likes it---it’s due to the “life” and how she was raised. She said that Karen showing up at her door after the Mob Bust was “out of left field” and unexpected…just like when she showed up at Carla’s party.

How does Staten Island feel about Renee? What does she encounter at the supermarket, for example. She says she has been stopped everywhere she goes and so far, outside of two people, it’s been all positive. Renee doesn’t care if you love the show or hate it, as long as you watch it, she is good with it.

Does AJ have to deal with Renee “haters”? So far no, says Renee, but she prays it never happens because her son is off limits. She is not saying she is threatening, but he is an innocent child, he shouldn’t have to defend his mother. He lives his own life and if anyone decides to attack him in any way, they will be answering to her and his daddy too. There is no playing around when it comes to AJ.

Part 6:  Does AJ have groupies? If he does, he hasn’t told Renee, but there are a lot of young girls following him and he gets recognized everywhere. Renee says he is so, so humble and she goes to him with everything she can. He is in public school now, but he was in a private school. Here’s a little story Renee enjoyed telling and I enjoyed hearing…for me, best part of the interview! AJ went to Catholic school and he hadn’t made his Confirmation yet. So the priest called him “pagan” instead of Pagan. AJ corrected him, and said it’s “Pagan.” The priest says it’s “pagan” until you make your Confirmation. (Uh oh!) Well, Renee paid the priest a little visit. She knocks on his door and yells, “No, it’s GRAZIANO! Got that!?!   I’m not playing with my son.” She tells him not to call him “pagan” because AJ believes in God and that a foul thing to do. The priest said he hadn’t meant anything except that AJ hadn’t made Confirmation. She answered, not making Confirmation is one thing, but calling “pagan” in front of everybody at school? And then she removed him from the school (and converted me into her fan). She said nothing bothers AJ, but this bothered him. Renee tells the story better than I do, you must have a listen!

Her advice for women with men in the mob? She sings, “Stand By Your Man.” that’s her advice. If you love, him stick it out. If you have children who want their father in their life, stick it out. But if you don’t love the guy set him free and move on and set yourself free too.

There are a few more little tidbits here are there, in the interview. Renee does a great job and I am so glad I finally had the time to watch it. This week I am on “Team Renee!”

Picture and video credit: Cherryontopdotcom, 105.1 Radio Station
Link to parts 2 - 6  Part 2 of 6 Renee and Cherry  on youtube.com

Mob Wives: AJ Pagan, Renee Graziano’s Son

AJ stands for Anthony John and I’m guessing he was named after his grandfather. When the series first started, it seemed to me that AJ did not like being in the spotlight at all. Any time some drama was about to go down, he managed to leave the room so he wouldn’t be involved. However, girls seem to find AJ a “hottie” and his new found fame is getting this recently turned 17 year old, lots of female attention. He has his own fan page on FaceBook. All you have there are post after post from girls. He even has a new twitter account. Young Mr. Pagan is definitely coming out of his shell.

During the third episode of the show, “Mob Bust,” he was pretty vocal with his mother. He was even more explosive on a clip they didn’t air, but sent out to fans. You maybe be able to view the clip at VH1 or the Mob Wives Fan page on Facebook. Interestingly enough, he has listed himself as an “entertainer” on his own fan page. Surely, he is getting paid for his appearances and will probably be making more appearances since he has become “eye candy” for girls in his age group.

I find this fact strange…he just turned 17 right? His birthday is listed as April 23^rd, 1987 on Facebook. That would make him 24. So which is it? First Carla shaves off 9 years from her age and now AJ is either cutting his age to 17 or lying on FaceBook and adding 7 years making him 24. I don’t know if it matters or not, but this is a “reality” show, can they at least be “real” about their ages. In any case, Jenn refers to him as a teenager on Twitter, so I guess he is just exaggerating on Facebook.

AJ is becoming a celebrity and enjoying it. He apparently has a girl friend, whose name I won’t mention to respect her privacy. But, on his real Facebook page, there is a “heart” with her name next to it, and his status is listed as “married.” Something kids nowadays do to express they are dating someone exclusively.

I read through his tweets and Facebook posts which all seem to confirm my first impression of AJ. I like AJ. He appears to be a well raised, decent kid, with a good head on his shoulders, who does chores around the house, loves girls, keeps his grades up and respects and loves his parents. Whatever else Renee may have done, she seems to have raised a son to really be proud of.  If you miss his first interview with Mob Mistress read it here.


UPDATE!  It has been confirmed, by an undisputable and very reliable source, that AJ Pagan is in fact 17 years old and definitely NOT married.  The very handsome son of Renee Graziano does have a main squeeze.  Look for a new blog, later today, to read the full story on the update!
Link: Time 2 Set AJ Pagan's Age Right

Picture Credit: VH1

AJs Facebook Fan Page: : http://www.facebook.com/pages/AJ-Pagan/183009805079486

AJs Twitter Account: @ajfrmmobwives

Mob Wives: Recap Ep 103 Mob Bust

Before the recap, a little background on the news. On January 20, 2011, the biggest FBI mob bust in the history of New York took place, with over 100 suspected mobsters (reports go as high as 127) arrested for a variety of Federal charges which include illegal gambling, drug trafficking, extortion, and murder. The suspects include members from all five New York families and one New Jersey Family. Many high ranking mafia men were involved. Of course, the main significance for VH1’s Mob Wives is that Hector “Junior” Pagan, Renee Graziano’s ex-husband, was among those arrested. If you have never read an indictment, here is Count 57, page 116, of the indictment located at the following link http://www.justice.gov/opa/documents/1-20-2011-russo.pdf  which reads as follows:

COUNT FIFTY-SEVEN

(Illegal Gambling – Sports Betting)

250. In or about September 2010, within the Eastern District of New York and elsewhere, the defendants JOSEPH SAVARESE and HECTOR PAGAN, also known as “Junior,” together with others, did knowingly and intentionally conduct, finance, manage, supervise, direct and own all or part of an illegal gambling business, to wit: a gambling business involving bookmaking, which operated in violation of the laws of New York State, to wit: New York Penal Law Sections 225.05 and 20.00, which involved five or more persons who conducted, financed, managed, supervised, directed and owned all or part of such business and which remained in substantially continuous operation for a period in excess of thirty days and had a gross revenue of at least $2,000 in any single day.

So now you have seen the official reason why Renee is hysterical about the “Mob Bust.” Now on to the episode three’s recap!
　
Drita visit’s the Secret Gardens Spa with her friend, Michelle, for a pedicure. She is ranting about Lee, she talks about her past, at age 24, when she lost everything the day he was taken to prison. She has moved 11 times in 13 years, like a gypsy. And now he tells her he may be in prison another 2 or 3 years like it’s nothing! She says is so used to being along that maybe she wants to be alone now. I would agree with her, and maybe if the show remains successful, she can go it alone.

Back at Karen’s apartment, Karen is talking to her writing coach, Carmela, who gives her two assignments. First, she has to write about her feelings in a journal and second she needs to visit her old home, her father’s old office, and try to recapture her feelings from the past. Karen tells Carmela that being in that lifestyle taught her that being bad equals respect. So, after her father became an informant, she became gangster and got involved with his ecstasy trafficking ring in Arizona. She dodged a “bullet” that time because she only got probation.

Renee is stressed out so she decides to go fur shopping. She is mad at “Junior” for not doing his share of the parenting. She mentions her first fur, a white fox, that she got when she was seven years old. She tries on several furs, one of which costs $5,995. She doesn’t bat an eye at the price. She leaves the store with a new fur…furs make her feel “womanly.” Personally, I never knew a woman who was able to buy herself a fur coat because she was frustrated, especially a struggling, single mom. Remember what Jenn said at the start of the series? Jenn Graziano : “I want everyone to know that these women are just like anyone else, like any other single mom out there. The show to me is really about the struggles, trials and tribulations these women go through and hopefully conquer throughout the season.” Maybe they should leave fur shopping out?

Karen goes to visit Sammy “The Bull’s” office in Brooklyn. She needs to put herself back in that mind frame. Seeing her father’s old construction office brings her back to 1985 all over again. She reveals half the men who worked there are dead or in prison. Karen’s old house is in Staten Island. She tells a story of how she was trying to sneak out one night, from the bathroom window, and her father was there ready to shoot her in the head, thinking someone was breaking in. Sammy bought the house purposely near a highway so the Feds could not do any type of surveillance near the property. Good thinking!

Renee is at her house peeling an orange. She says she separated from “Junior” when AJ was four and divorced when he was six. She tells AJ his father wasn’t there for him. Renee seems more upset about it than AJ does. She is going on and on about it. She feels AJ is hiding his feelings and anything that hurts him, kills her. He tells his mother he is sixteen and has it under control. She wants to protect him. AJ seems to reluctantly give his mom a hug to “shut her up;” my kids do that too.

Aleeya and Drita are making a scrapbook for Lee. Aleeya thinks her father may be coming home soon. Drita doesn’t have the heart to tell her it may be years before he is released. They talk about going to visit Lee at prison. Aleeya says she doesn’t want to drive the six hours, but Drita thinks it’s just an excuse because it upsets her to go there. Aleeya sheds a few tears which causes Drita to shed a few too. Seeing that her daughter is hurt is more than she can bare. I didn’t think the prison visit was a good idea myself. In my opinion, Drita needs to tell her daughter the truth, especially with the show airing details of their personal lives. I would want my kids to hear things from me, not friends, neighbors, the internet or television.

MOB BUST! The largest single mob bust in the history of the FBI takes place. More than 100 organized crime members are arrested. Renee yells at AJ to turn on the news. Renee learns of it when her phone rang at 5:30 am and Junior’s girlfriend tells her about his arrest and how the FBI ransacked the house. Renee starts asking the girlfriend questions, she needs the information to pass on to the lawyer. Renee is afraid Junior will not be able to get out because he was still on probation. Renee is emotional and freaking out. She doesn’t know what to do so she calls her dear friend, Carla. She tells Carla what happened and how no one had a heads up about it. Renee expects Carla to come over. Carla tells her to call the lawyer and that she is going to the gym. Renee is disappointed to say the least.

Drita talks to Renee, she is concerned and wants to see if Renee is okay. But, Drita is not concerned enough to go running over there to support her. Instead she answers her door and Carla is there. Carla left the gym and went straight to Drita’s. Somehow my skepticism radar is up, especially by what happens next.

Renee’s doorbell rings. OMG it’s Karen Gravano! She came to see Renee after hearing about Junior’s arrest. She wants to put what was said at the party aside for now. This is about being there for Renee, mother to mother. Renee is shocked, but softens up towards Karen. Of all her friends, Karen is the one who showed up. Renee thanks her for coming. I was surprised too. I am getting the feeling that Carla and Drita were told to stay home and Karen was told to show up for dramatic effect. As Renee says, it’s all about loyalty and if it was her, she would have been at their houses immediately.

Drita and Carla talk about going over to Renee’s, so they call. Renee says she is mentally exhausted, but she is actually mad at both of them for not going to see her when they heard the news. She tells them Karen was just there to show her “complete support.” Every Italian knows that was a “guilt bomb” she dropped right there! It must have gotten Drita thinking that they should have been the ones to be there supporting Renee all morning. Gee ya think? Drita gets the prize for picking up on Renee’s passive-aggressive dig.

Karen calls her brother Gerard to ask about her daughter, Karina. She has started writing her book and wants to bounce a few ideas off him. So far, from what she read aloud, I have to give her kudos because what she has written sounds pretty good. She says that between visiting her old haunts and the FBI bust, she feels like she is back in 1990. I almost feel sorry for her at times, but the feeling passes in a few seconds.

Renee laments that her friends aren’t there for her, AJ is not there for her, Junior is not there either, so she heads over to her therapist to talk and cry. She cries because AJ’s world is shattered again and she crumbles. At first she wanted AJ to follow in his grandfather’s and father’s footsteps in the mob, but now she is thinking about leaving this lifestyle. She feels like a lost child who never grew up and has no identity. “You were told who you are.” She explains she was playing the role of a mafia princess who could never be touched.

Basically, the episode was uneventful except for the FBI bust. They showed footage of the news of the day. I think they owe the FBI a few dollars for unexpectedly spicing up their series with a real, newsworthy, mafia story and adding a little excitement. If you are interested, and haven’t seen the news footage, you can find it online. That’s my take on things! I’d be interested to know yours.

P.S. I hear, from Jenn herself, that she has just finished editing episode six and it’s going to be a good one. I hope so, the last two didn’t really get me excited.