Carmine Persico, the former head of the Colombo crime family in New York, has died at age 85 following a 33-year prison sentence for organized crime convictions.
Persico's attorney attributed his death to complications from diabetes. He leaves behind a wife, two children, and 15 grandchildren.
Known by the nickname "The Snake," which he reportedly disliked, Persico maintained influence over his criminal network while incarcerated, according to law enforcement records.
Born in Brooklyn in 1933, Persico began his criminal career as a teenager. He rose through the ranks of the Italian-American Mafia, eventually becoming the Colombo family's leader in the 1970s after internal conflicts.
His downfall came in 1986 when then-Manhattan U.S. Attorney Rudy Giuliani secured his conviction on racketeering charges. Persico received a 139-year sentence, of which he served 33 years.
Prosecutors alleged Persico orchestrated extortion schemes targeting unions and construction firms, amassing millions in illicit gains. He was also linked to over 20 murders, either directly or through subordinates.
Despite multiple arrests, Persico often avoided conviction due to lack of evidence. In 1961, a police sergeant witnessed an assault at a bar, but charges were dropped for insufficient testimony.
Persico's legal team claimed inadequate medical care in prison contributed to his death. No official statement has been released from the Federal Bureau of Prisons regarding his final days.
