Robert DiBernardo

rdf:langString Robert DiBernardo

rdf:langString Robert DiBernardo

rdf:langString Robert DiBernardo

rdf:langString Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.

rdf:langString "DiB"

rdf:langString Robert DiBernardo

rdf:langString Robert DiBernardo.png

rdf:langString Robert "DiB" DiBernardo (May 31, 1937 in Hewlett, New York – June 5, 1986) was a member of the Gambino crime family and one of John Gotti's subordinates, who was reputed to control much of the commercial pornography in the US. During the 1984 US presidential election, publicity about DiBernardo having rented business premises from the husband of Geraldine Ferraro embroiled her in damaging media innuendo about organized crime. By some accounts, DiBernardo was the major figure behind the US adult industry. In any event, he was a relatively capable businessman who did not have any personal reputation for involvement in violence, but his Mafia links deterred potential competitors and warded off other criminals. He became immensely influential in the US pornography business, and an associate of Reuben Sturman. Whether DiBernardo's relationship with Sturman and others was based on outright extortion or mutual advantage was never established. DiBernardo was seen as a phenomenal money maker, secretive, and a lone operator (unlike most Mafia members of his status, he did not retain a 'crew' to back him up). All of these traits made him vulnerable to others within Gotti's organization. DiBernardo, who had been the target of a federal investigation into child pornography, was awaiting sentencing when he was murdered by Sammy Gravano. The body was never found. According to some accounts, Angelo Ruggiero engineered an order from Gotti to kill DiBernardo because he had once told Ruggiero that he was not smart enough to be underboss.

rdf:langString "DiB"