Just a few years ago, Michael Franzese was “one of the biggest money earners the mob had seen since Al Capone, and the youngest individual on Fortune magazine’s survey of the ‘The Fifty Biggest Mafia Bosses,'” (Vanity Fair magazine). In January, his autobiography, Blood Covenant, will be published telling his story from the early days in the mob and rise to power through his damascus road experience that changed his life forever and led him to do the unthinkable, the unexpected, and by some, the unbelievable – Quit the Mob and follow Jesus.
The son of a kingpin in New York’s Colombo crime family, the smart, sophisticated Franzese was long considered an heir apparent to the family’s vast power. Becoming a sworn, made member at the age of 24, he avoided the traditional Mafia domains in favor of the enormously lucrative edges of the legitimate business world. He masterminded brilliant scams, from auto dealerships to union kickbacks, from financial services to the worlds of sports and entertainment, to a multi-billion dollar gasoline tax scheme, all with the help of ambitious tycoons and his own remarkable acumen. He earned millions a week at his apex and used his wits and charm to keep the likes of John Gotti from encroaching on his operations. Though frequently indicted, he was never convicted of any crime until he met Camille Garcia, a beautiful, born again dancer in one of his films. He fell in love with her, doggedly pursued her and eventually they married. How she convinced him to take the rap on a racketeering charge and how he managed to become the only high ranking official of the Mafia to ever quit the mob, refuse government protection and live to tell about it makes Michael Franzese a truly absorbing and fascinating addition to the speaker’s circuit.
Franzese is now a man on a mission. Determined to use the compelling experiences of his former life for the benefit of at-risk youth, professional and student athletes, corporate executives and for anyone seeking the inspiration to beat the odds and make positive changes in their lives, he has become a highly regarded motivator and a source of invaluable information. Franzese candidly describes how he survived dozens of grand jury appearances, 3 major racketeering indictments, 5 criminal trials, 7 years in prison and a Mafia death sentence. He tells how he engaged bankers, corporate executives, union officials and professional and student athletes in a wide variety of financial scams. His open and honest presentations are fresh and unique.
Today, Michael is a follower of Jesus Christ, finding his own Damascus Road that began with a beautiful woman. The story of his conversion is a testament of God’s willingness to reach into the heart of any man regardless of their past or the present condition of their lives.
Law enforcement officials and mobsters say that the only way to leave the mob is in a coffin. It is said in Proverbs 16:7 that, “when a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, even his enemies are at peace with him.” Michael just might be a living testament to the latter. Over ten years ago, Camille led Michael to accept the Lord and it was at that time that he renounced his life in the mob.
In a January 1991 feature article, Vanity Fair called him “The Born Again Don.” His conversion experience to a Christian faith completed the transition for Michael from a kingdom of darkness into a kingdom of light. January 2003 is the targeted release for “Blood Covenant,” the new book from Whitaker House. The sub-title communicates the heart of Michael’s message clearly, “One bound him to the mob, the other one set him free.” It will include a clear presentation of Michael’s life in Christ, built upon a foundation of the road Michael had traveled. This project is a follow-up to “Quitting The Mob”, published in 1992. Today, he is a regular speaker at NBA and MLB rookie camps, is endorsed by the NCAA, Division I college sports programs, Christian colleges, Churches, and even law enforcement officials for his work speaking to youth and athletes about the dangers of gambling and crime.
He is founder of Breaking Out, LLC, whose mission is to educate young adults about the numerous career opportunities that exist within the sports and entertainment industries and inspire them to seek out these jobs as alternatives to a life of crime and poverty. In that regard, the company is currently developing a curriculum accompanied by a DVD/video series that would be made available to at-risk youth and students across the country. In 1997 Michael produced a special for Pay-Per-View, “Live From Alcatraz”, featuring top Rap artists and athletes, dedicated to promoting a way out of the hard life through hard work and proper focus.
Through his Michael Franzese Ministries, he travels to Churches, Youth Events, and Christian Colleges to speak and share his story. He is also a principal contributor for frauddiscovery.net, a new software teaching tool that provides detailed instruction on how to identify fraudulent activity in companies, avoiding the pitfalls now made famous through such scandals as Enron, MCI WorldCom, and Adelphia.
To learn more about Michael Franzese, visit www.michaelfranzese.com.
