Angelo Ruggiero

Angelo Ruggiero
U.S. Department of Justice picture of Angelo Ruggiero Sr.
Born
Angelo Salvatore Ruggiero

(1940-07-29)July 29, 1940
DiedDecember 4, 1989(1989-12-04) (aged 49)
New York City, U.S.
Other namesQuack Quack
AllegianceGambino crime family

Angelo Salvatore Ruggiero Sr. (Italian: [ˈandʒelo rudˈdʒɛːro]; July 29, 1940 – December 4, 1989), also known as "Quack Quack", was a member of the Gambino crime family and a friend of John Gotti's. Once Gotti became leader of the family he made Ruggiero a caporegime. Although he showed little organizing or money making ability, anyone questioning Ruggiero's suitability for a top position in the hierarchy did so at their peril so the FBI regarded Ruggiero as an unpredictable psychopath not amenable to confrontational tactics. While Gotti was held in pretrial detention for a state case that he eventually beat, Ruggiero served as his contact with the crime family until the impulsive capo got himself thrown in jail beside Gotti by cursing and arguing with the judge during a hearing. This blunder lost Ruggiero any chance he had of becoming Gotti's underboss.