37 Facts About Vinny Ocean Palermo

The Early Life of Vincent "Vinny Ocean" Palermo

Vincent "Vinny Ocean" Palermo's life began in Brooklyn, New York, where he was born to Italian immigrant parents. His early years were marked by family responsibilities and a strong sense of tradition.

1. Vincent Palermo was born on June 4, 1944, in Brooklyn, New York.
2. His father, an Italian immigrant, instilled in him a strong sense of family and tradition.
3. Palermo grew up in a close-knit family with five sisters and two brothers.
4. His father's early death when Palermo was 16 forced him to leave school and work two jobs to support his family.
5. Palermo's mother was a bedridden asthmatic, adding to his responsibilities at a young age.

The Nickname "Vinny Ocean" and Marriage

Palermo's journey into the world of organized crime began with a nickname and a strategic marriage that solidified his position within the DeCavalcante crime family.

6. Palermo earned the nickname "Vinny Ocean" while working at a wholesale fish business in the Fulton Fish Market.
7. In the early 1960s, he married the niece of Simone "Sam the Plumber" DeCavalcante, the head of the DeCavalcante crime family.
8. This marriage provided Palermo with a powerful ally and solidified his position within the family.

Rise to Prominence in the DeCavalcante Crime Family

Palermo's rise to prominence within the DeCavalcante crime family was marked by strategic maneuvering and violent acts that cemented his position as a leader.

9. Palermo became a trusted member and eventually the de facto boss of the DeCavalcante crime family during the 1990s.
10. His leadership was characterized by a combination of violence and strategic maneuvering.
11. Like Tony Soprano, Palermo operated a strip club called Wiggles, using it as a front for illicit activities.
12. He orchestrated the murder of Fred Weiss, a former newspaper editor entangled with the mob, at the behest of John Gotti.
13. This act earned him recognition within the crime family and cemented his position as a capo.

FBI Involvement and Government Witness

The FBI's focus on Palermo and the DeCavalcante crime family eventually led to his arrest and decision to become a government witness, significantly altering his life.

14. The FBI began to focus on Palermo and the DeCavalcante crime family in the late 1960s.
15. By 1969, the FBI had released transcripts revealing the truth about the family's operations.
16. Despite this, Palermo managed to evade detection for many years.
17. In December 1999, Palermo was arrested on multiple charges including murder, extortion, and bookmaking.
18. He agreed to become a government witness just a few weeks later, a move that significantly altered his life.
19. After becoming a government witness, Palermo entered witness protection and moved to Houston, Texas.

Life in Witness Protection and Continued Operations

Even in witness protection, Palermo's ties to the mob lifestyle remained strong, as he continued to operate strip clubs until law enforcement shut them down.

20. Despite being in witness protection, Palermo continued to run strip clubs.
21. This was a testament to his enduring involvement in the mob lifestyle, even after turning against his former associates.
22. After leaving witness protection, Palermo's strip clubs were shut down by law enforcement.

Comparisons to Tony Soprano and Real-Life Inspirations

Many have drawn parallels between Palermo and Tony Soprano, the fictional mob boss from The Sopranos. The show's creator, David Chase, also mentioned other real-life mobsters as inspirations.

23. Both Palermo and Tony Soprano were de facto bosses of their respective crime families.
24. They used violence to maintain control and operated strip clubs as fronts for their illicit activities.
25. The show's creator, David Chase, mentioned the Boiardo crew as another significant influence.
26. FBI wiretaps captured conversations among Palermo's crew discussing the TV show The Sopranos.

Personal Life and Family Ties

Despite his involvement in the mob, Palermo was known for his dedication to family and his protective nature towards children.

27. Palermo was an altar boy during his adolescence and later became the godfather to a troubled teenager named Richard.
28. He rescued a toddler relative who had accidentally fallen into a pool and was protective of children.
29. Palermo was divorced once and remarried. His second wife, Angela, had tax liens totaling $68,000 against their property.
30. He supported his second family, including daughters Danielle and Tara, and a son Vincent Palermo Jr.
31. His son Michael, from his first marriage, was a graduate of Fordham University and worked as an investment banker with Goldman Sachs until his father's indictment.

Indictment, Plea Bargain, and Legacy

Palermo's decision to become a government informant and his subsequent plea bargain marked the end of his involvement in organized crime, but his legacy as "Vinny Ocean" continues to fascinate.

32. When Palermo was indicted, his son Vincent Jr. went into hiding.
33. In October 2000, Palermo pleaded guilty to four murders, seven murder conspiracies, extortion, loansharking, gambling, and obstruction of justice charges.
34. After leaving witness protection, Palermo's life has been significantly altered.
35. He now lives far removed from the spotlight, a testament to his decision to cooperate with law enforcement.
36. Despite his involvement in violent acts and his decision to cooperate with law enforcement, Palermo's legacy continues to captivate those interested in the world of the mob.
37. The DeCavalcante crime family has had several leaders over the years, with Palermo serving as an acting boss during the 1990s.

Vinny Ocean's Legacy

Vincent "Vinny Ocean" Palermo's life was a whirlwind of crime, loyalty, and betrayal. Rising from humble beginnings, he became a key figure in the DeCavalcante crime family. His nickname, Vinny Ocean, came from his early days at the Fulton Fish Market, but his reputation was built on violence and strategic moves. Running strip clubs and orchestrating murders, he mirrored the fictional Tony Soprano in many ways. However, his story took a dramatic turn when he became a government witness, entering witness protection and leaving his mob life behind. Despite his cooperation with law enforcement, his legacy as a mobster remains intriguing. The parallels between his life and the character of Tony Soprano continue to captivate those fascinated by organized crime. Vinny Ocean's story is a testament to the complex world of the mob, where loyalty and betrayal often go hand in hand.