A High‑Stakes Gas Scam Revealed by a Former Mob Leader

Michael Franzese, the former capo of the Colombo crime family, sat down on a popular talk show and revealed the inner workings of a massive gas‑tax fraud that netted millions every week.

How It Worked

• Tax collection without payment – The scheme involved collecting fuel taxes from customers but never forwarding the money to the government.
• Revenue split – Franzese claimed the plan brought in about $2 million a week for his boss, while he personally pocketed $3–4 million.
• Pump pricing strategy – To attract customers, the operation lowered pump prices, which also allowed a portion of the tax money to be returned to buyers as cheaper gas.
• “Robin Hood” image – By offering lower prices, the group cultivated a reputation of giving back to consumers.

Scale and Impact

• Weekly profit – Franzese estimated the total weekly profit from all stations to be $7–8 million.
• National significance – The operation is described as one of the biggest racketeering cases in the country.

Where to Watch

The interview is available on several streaming platforms, providing listeners a rare glimpse into the mechanics of organized crime.