Feb 16 2007
Insights Into The Mafia With Donnie Brasco
Bulletin: What movie, aside from yours, came closest to betraying the mafia?
JP: “Goodfellas!” The language, the distrust, and viciousness are portrayed well in that movie.
Bulletin: What was the funniest event that happened to you while undercover?
JP: There were a lot of them. One time we were on a fishing boat. It didn’t have a head on it. It had a gallon jug, and like a nitwit, one of the guys throws it and gets it all over another guy. Of course there were funny moments. Some guys are naturally funny. They are people with different personalities.
Bulletin: What event made you think I better get out while I still can?
JP: There were a couple of sitdowns over me. There were lots of petty jealously. A guy will lie about you. If you lose, then you will get killed. I didn’t want to be killed as a gangster.
Bulletin: Do you miss being in the FBI?
JP: I do. I miss the camaraderie. I don’t miss working undercover. I was part of a great organization.
Bulletin: Do you think Americans, because of shows like “The Sopranos,” either understand their evil or admire their life style?
JP: You know something. ‘The Sopranos’ was such a tremendous hit. People admired their life style. They saw in these guys certain things that they would love to be able to do. The average guy goes to the same job every day and spends a little time with the family and has the same routine all week and then does this around the house and always has credit problems. They always have to save for six months and they see these guys and they always have money and nice cars and they don’t need to do home work with the kids or mowing the lawn. They are out all hours of the night. The break in the monotony!
Bulletin: What do you do now?
JP: I do a lot of lecturing to police departments about under cover work and organized crime and movie product and TV work.
Unfinished business can be found at any Barnes & Noble.
The Evening Bulletin 2007 - By: Marc Kramer, For The Bulletin - 02/16/2007 - http://www.thebulletin.us/site/news.cfm?newsid=17861858&BRD=2737&PAG=461&dept_id=576361&rfi=6
