Dominick Montiglio (born Dominick Anthony Santamaria; July 17, 1947 – June 27, 2021) was an American soldier, mobster and associate of the

Gambino crime family The Gambino crime family (pronounced ) is an Italian-American Mafia crime family and one of the "Five Families" that dominate organized crime activities in New York City, United States, within the nationwide criminal phenomenon known as the Ame ...

who eventually became a government witness. In later years he became an artist and podcaster many of which chronicled his life story. He's also appeared and been featured on various national television shows related to the

American Mafia The American Mafia, commonly referred to in North America as the Italian American Mafia, the Mafia, or the Mob, is a highly organized Italian American criminal society and organized crime group. The organization is often referred to by its membe ...

Early life

Montiglio was born in New York City to Anthony Santamaria and Marie Gaggi, both of Sicilian origin. When his father became estranged, he was raised by his uncle Nino Gaggi. His mother remarried to Anthony Montiglio, and Dominick took his surname. He was also a cousin of Frank Scalice.

Military service

In 1967, Montiglio served in the Vietnam War as a sniper who reportedly killed dozens of men (unconfirmed).

Gambino crime family and informant

Upon his return from Vietnam, he started working for the Gambino family in drugs, extortion and murder, reportedly earning $250,000 per week at his peak in the

Roy DeMeo Roy Albert DeMeo (; September 7, 1940 – January 10, 1983) was an Italian-American mobster in the Gambino crime family of New York City. He headed a group referred to as the "DeMeo crew", which became notorious for the large number of murders ...

crew. In 1983, Montiglio was arrested for racketeering, and the Gambinos, fearing he would talk, reportedly took out a $1 million contract on his life; Montiglio decided to collaborate with the FBI. He testified against the family and Gaggi in various trials, and reportedly helped send 56 mobsters to prison. He later changed his identity and entered the witness protection program, where he and his family stayed for the next decade as they moved around between various locations in Wyoming, Alabama and Colorado; they withdrew from the program in 1993 when they could no longer cope with the constant moving.

Later years and death

In his later life, Montiglio devoted himself to art. He also appeared in the 1994 documentary film '' Loyalty & Betrayal: The Story of the American Mob''. On June 27, 2021, Montiglio died at the age 73 in

Albuquerque, New Mexico Albuquerque ( ; ), ; kee, Arawageeki; tow, Vakêêke; zun, Alo:ke:k'ya; apj, Gołgéeki'yé. abbreviated ABQ, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Mexico. Its nicknames, The Duke City and Burque, both reference its founding in ...

, and is buried at Santa Fe National Cemetery.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Montiglio, Dominick 1947 births 2021 deaths American gangsters of Italian descent People of Sicilian descent DeMeo Crew Gambino crime family Criminals from Brooklyn People from Levittown, New York People who entered the United States Federal Witness Protection Program Federal Bureau of Investigation informants American military personnel of the Vietnam War