John Pennisi on Becoming Made Man in Lucchese Mafia, Working w/ FBI Against Them (Full Interview)
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- In this VladTV exclusive, John Pennisi, former made man of the Lucchese crime family, opened up about growing up in Queens before getting involved with the mafia at 14. He started off by driving a truck for a racket dealing with lost airline luggage. Pennisi later described his relationship with John Gotti Jr. and talked about serving 17 years for a non-mafia-related murder. He also explained how he ended up working with the mob again five years after his release. After Pennisi described the process of becoming a made man, he explained why he ended up cooperating with the feds. To hear his explanation and how he currently feels about his involvement with the mafia, take a look at the full interview.
This may not be the golden age of the Mafia but it certainly is the golden age of Mafia interviews and Podcasts on UA-cam. Lol.
vlad cutting full interviews like cutting a dope gram
I know right its like he just googles Mafia rats and then does a interview but far out his constant talking over his guests is getting annoying
Lmao 😂 I was gona say wtf is with the surge of ex mob guys coming on vlad
@@Clearview718 probably because of the surge of new followers he's getting because of getting these guys, I wish it was any other interviewer instead of Vlad. I hate his style and the way he does not respect his clients by talking over them and also asking questions that are deliberately meant to make them awkward. It's as if he's got a sadistic nature.
Example calling Larry Mazza a mass murderer, then a serial killer. Larry wanted to murder him by the look in his eyes
@@mcseedat yea like idont know what he was tryin to get at by tellin him that but i guess if u see it through a civilian's point of view they probly would in fact think its mass murder and serial killing but the mob doesnt just go around mass murdering random innocent people for no reason either so it was def a retarded shit to say to the guy.
I really like how sincere these guys are. They're really quick to call out any over exaggerations and BS that were said through history regarding anything they were involved with while they lived that life.
"What I thought was, was not."
That single line sums up so much of the strife in this world today... The reality never matching what the perception was. Good wisdom.
Wisdom comes with age, and experience. A child doesn’t have wisdom, they can’t.
He thought it was one way but it.was another
Things are never what they seem. Just like everyone on Facebook with “perfect marriages”, “loads of money”, and “pure joy every day”. Aren’t you jealous?
I love all these Cosa Nostra / Mafia docies and interviews. Please keep'em coming.
This guy is super interesting. He starts off all meek, mild and quiet.... almost vulnerable.
Then he increasingly raises his voice, assertiveness, eye contact and word count as the interview goes on.
He starts off chin down, almost apologetic.
With each question he raises his head and voice a little bit more, speaks more concisely and makes more direct eye contact.
He gradually flips the dynamic from being questioned like he's a kid in trouble to taking control of the interview and telling the story he wants to tell.... and you don't even know it has happened.
A super skillful communicator and probably a master manipulator.
Take notes folks. This approach will get you a job, get you a promotion, get you laid and get you out of trouble.
Yeah worked out real well for him. You sir, are talking out of your ass.
I noticed it too. Very subtle. He can play any role he needs to. And probably has a short fuse as evidenced by his fights ans altercations.
Do you play on Team Redundancy Team?
Very accurate my friend 👌🏼
@@jamesharris40001 u didn't do 20 years in anything
This guy is a classic example that you can't judge a book by it's cover. He doesn't talk like a gangster or have the demeanor. Although believable unlike some other guests.
Very true but it say if he’s a book I see that suit and say it’s a mafia book
@@artieoleary6119 hahaha or a "bad taste" book.
I dunno. I reckon he looks like a classic mobster 😂
@@willmosse3684 true! He looks like Luca Brasi's younger brother!🤣
@Arshad. He's as "picture book" gangster, as it gets. A high class act at that, I must admit.
This man seems to be sincere, his facial expressions appear truthful, his manner of explaining his past life is percise without exaggeration. Seems like a truly reformed man trying to live a good life free of criminal behavior.
you can follow him in his UA-cam channel. great story about his life in the mob
Thanks for the approval susan. Totally means something. Great job
This man looks like buddy the baker in nyc
Real recognise real. You'd make a great mob boss, Suzanne
" Pennisi borrowed that beautiful jacket from my extensive wardrobe collection and never returned it.... true story.. I know right.... can you believe this shit !? " --Gianni Russo.
At least he didn’t steal your bright blue scarf.
and your bright blue teeth! 😄
He blew the doors off the Paramount lot, while wearing that jacket
Now that is funny
@@johncriscione4298 " I seen him do it " --Gianni Russo.
I’m the same age as John. I grew up across the bridge in the Bronx. I can relate to a lot of his stories. He truly is a gentleman and I mean the classic meaning of a gentleman. Not the way people in that life say it. He’s an unbelievable writer and a bright guy, it’s good to see.
@Dorando Cavallacci your saying 'that life' is a 'nowhere life'?
@Dorando Cavallacci I was actually born in Kew Gardens. And my grandmother lived across from Martin van Buren high school. Second home
@@Alpacabowl98 he’s right it is a nowhere life
I was in his class in 5th and 6th grade. He used to sit in the back. He was always well dressed and kind of kept to himself in school. I sat in the back too and was also quiet.
Writer?
The man talks about how hard it was on him, and how bad he felt about having to leave his 2 year old son when he went to prison...and Vlad’s response? “I mean, were there any violent incidents in prison?”
Show FACE
Vlad no what we want to hear
I like the interviews but you're right, Vlad is not the best.
He's like the Geraldo of podcasts.
" My Dad was in jail for 50 years. Mafioso Boss. Never got to see him. Disavowed me"
Vlad: Ya, I know what that's like. My Dad died in November He was a plumber"
Vlad is a terrible interviewer. No class.
Enjoyed listening to John Pennisi's story. Wish the best for him.
I love John Pennisi. He’s a real man’s man.
"MBA and Button Man Podcast" w John is great!
I'm a single man living alone. Instead of joining a gang i got a job and learned how to use a washing machine.
No arrests to date.
You and me both. I think we should start a gang called the "squares"
Damn, Respect, dude. It's awesome to hear from The Clown..
I’m glad you’re so perfect. Maybe you can teach people your tricks clown 🤡 lol.
You're the real g
Spend a couple nights hungry with kids and come back and tell me about what choices you had to make in life. Who are any of us to judge
So he was made in 2012? And Vlad didn’t think to ask him what it’s like being made present day vs back in the day? How strong is the mafia today? What kind of rackets did they have going? How many made guys were there in the family? Come on Vlad...
No shit i was thinking the same thing
This Gentleman, is well spoken, intelligent, and doesn't use profanity.
Um
And wtf is wrong with f’n profanity anyway? Some of the most intelligent mf’ers I know curse like drunken sailors.
I don't know why this guy just makes me feel so sad when I hear him speak. He's either putting on a great act or is deeply hurt by his past life.
He has that sad puppy dog expression 😄.
You can see the pain in his eyes.
The sad don?
@@massivepump3059 I like it. The dreary don
@@dannyh5937 the dreary don is even better!
He hit the nail on the head when he said it’s like a spaceship dropped him back on earth when he got out of prison. When I was locked up I was tacitly aware of changes via tv and visits but when I got out it was like being a time traveller. So much had changed and things like mobile phones and computers was the biggest shock. It was fucking weird.
I’ve been down before in Arizona but I was a short timer so I can’t say that I really understand. I do have friends that did 10,16,22 years and it was difficult for them once they got out. The one that did 22 would tell me “bro I don’t know if I’m going to make it out here “ he was actually more scared of being on the outs then being locked up. He is doing good now but that first year was definitely difficult for him. Glad that you are out bro.
@@tomking7080 yeah mate, that’s what being institutionalised is like. It’s hard for some people because they get used to having everything provided for them and not have to worry about bills and accommodation and food etc. Some places have programs to slowly reintegrate long term inmates back into society because it’s hard if you’re just dropped back in and not taught how to navigate through life. Things are difficult enough without not knowing how to pay bills online or set up a job interview or all the other things you need to know. I’m lucky I’m Australian and we don’t have the same stigma attached to people who’ve done time. I mean in the USA it’s hard for ex-crims to get hired because you have to put it on an application where here unless it’s relevant (eg: a bank robber going for a job in a bank) background checks don’t preclude you from a job, which I think is better for society as many blokes who’ve done long laggings just want to have a chance to go straight. Otherwise they will just go back to doing crime. It seems the recidivism rate is much higher there because you’re tarred with that brush and unless you know someone or have someone who will take a chance on you then you’re pretty much relegated to shit jobs the rest of your life.
@@Dan_Ben_Michael I agree bro. I’m fortunate that I have my own business otherwise it is extremely difficult to get a decent job in the states. That’s cool that Australia has that system. Everyone makes mistakes and people deserve second chances. Especially if their crime was done when they were a kid.
Are you good with smartphones today?
@@sirhcffoh294 I’m all over them now. I think they made them so any idiot can use them anyway so it doesn’t take long to get used to them.
John Pennisi is a class act . Been following him on you tube for awhile . His stories are true and sincere . There's alot to be learned from this guy . Wish him the best
What kind of man knocks out his girlfriend's teeth. burns her with cigarettes, rips her ear off?
@@HadEnough745did he say he did that? I must’ve missed that part.
The funniest thing about these interviews is when the interviewer says OK, and these guys look at him like: no, the point is that it really was pretty far from OK.
It's a tactical response by a good interviewer. Think about who the subject is. It's an ego deflation. The purpose is to get the person to reveal more in order to impress the interviewer/audience, and on these guys it works 9/10 times.
Why is it funny? Did you really laugh at that? I didn’t think it was very funny but maybe I’m missing something. 🤔
More power to these MADE guys turning their lives around and doing interviews
@@MaxWhiteArabiLouisiana So what? Stop idolizing crime, those people are parasites and psychopats
@@MaxWhiteArabiLouisiana yeah on scumbags
They’re rats
More power wtf u civilians talking about this is not power this is now destroying what it means to stand up against everything that’s holding u down and back from progressing in life now u got theses scared money loving people other than men that stood on principle
Yesss finaly my boy John!! Iv'e been waiting for this
you admire a rat
@Happy Wanderer its sad... most of the mob rackets are now govt rackets... protection by cops... sports betting is legal... numbers is the lottery... dope and coke is illegal but oxcotin and ritalin is ok... loan sharking is bad but subprime and payday loans are ok etc... rats are heroes now
@@juanshaftpatel7488 saide by a guy who never did nothing and probably is a keyboard gangster. He is a very smart guy and you have much to learn from him. Never judge a guy before you walked a day in he's shoes
@Happy Wanderer i'll give you the same answer bro:
saide by a guy who never did nothing and probably is a keyboard gangster. He is a very smart guy and you have much to learn from him. Never judge a guy before you walked a day in he's shoes
@@k.o.f.records1874 you probably worship jews too
I only wait till the full videos drop
OK
He looks like the cake boss lol
He needs a sepossitory
Correct.
-John Pennisi
He's the boss of cheese cake factory
Yee
Bruh i cried when i seen this 😂
I feel for this man.
He made a mistake and he seriously has remorse.
Thats what he wants
This man never should have got made. That’s the mistake he made, he wasn’t built for the oath he took them words meant nothing to him when he repeated them.
I don’t get that impression… he only turned himself in and went to the FBI when he was about to get whacked.
@@dylanconklin9872 Not only that but get whacked for no reason known to him.
He's a rat!
I hate it when Vlad tries to school these guys on the history of their own borgata.
He can't even pronounce half the names he butchered saying Castellano during the Alite interview like come onnn man.
Right... straight from information on Wikipedia...🤦🏾♀️😂😂😂
Vlad was correct though.
@@Kanfachan This comment applies to u aswell goofy
It's disgraceful
You should hear johns whole story. It’s crazy and he really gave the G rated version here. He is a smart dude and his story is one of the most unique mob stories ever. He was chasing them in the street with a pistol at one point
Im interested, thanks for the tip.
@@riiadejaneiro3766 he was chasing the mob and bloods in the street. Crazy
@@christianburk2432thats wild man, i gotta dive in the mob rabbit hole of youtube to hear more. So he was one of those mobsters who were first hand chasing the other gangs away from NY 🤔 i presume.
@@riiadejaneiro3766 what happened was one of his people in his crew actually his capo started a rumor that he was a rat. But before he figured it out he noticed they were acting different and since he wasn’t he didn’t know what was wrong. So long story short he caught guys laying on him so after that he wanted to walk away which he did he went to Georgia. And as his crew got the discoveries from their lawyers his name wasn’t in there so they knew they’ve made a mistake. They tried to get him back but he couldn’t trust them anymore. So when he moved back they sent bloods and he chased them in the street of Manhattan when he was working.
@@riiadejaneiro3766 that’s such a shortened version of the story though. You should go to his UA-cam channel and look up the episode 48 I think it is. I’ll look it up for you
53:06 "What I thought it was....was not." I have found the same thing true about everything I have ever become involved in. Marriage, military, religion, education, family, all of it pretending to represent some false ideal. The mob is not a place for an individual. I feel bad for some of these guys because they were born into a small world even in a big city. They didn't and couldn't know their real options nor develop their own natural personality and abilities. If you want to know yourself and be yourself you have to be able to stand alone.
🐀
Sadly your 1000% correct. John pennisis on the other hand is complete LYING full of sht 2 the max.
@@YoungBrada you a rat
It gets better when you stop living for other and what other people think and start living for yourself. Do what you like what makes you happy fuck what these sheep think
@@YoungBrada and you are who?
If everytime Vlad says OK, we take a shot, we would all be on our asses... Holy shit!
Right...he sounds like a robot
Or “so”
Or dead
OK
@@alexcorrea4828 I came to this comment to say the same thing. Haha.
His eyes tell a lot of untold stories waiting to be shared. I know that John is legit the way he speaks and carry himself.
Not legit if yu tell 😅
John is great guest & he has a awesome podcast. He’s turning his life around god bless him. Vlad keep up the good work. (OK) OK!
I completely agree with you, he's just a man who is being honest about what he did wrong and I get a great vibe from him and also wish him and his family a very happy future. 👍
My only issue with JP is the reported story that he knocked a woman's teeth out, reportedly over a breakup. He has Never addressed it or denied it.
If true i would think totally different about him.
I've seen quite a few interviews with him now and I just can't picture him getting violent. He just seems like he's so mellow I can picture him saying " let's talk our problem out " lol. Keep the great interviews coming .stay safe everyone.
I agree, I think that's why he's so scary to me. You got to really push his buttons but when he gets mad I'm sure it's pretty terrifying, he was a lone shark after all
@@josephschiro9081 yeah you have to watch the quiet ones
That's what they said about Ted Bundy.
Yeah right. These do it like doing a job. Go clip a guy, come home eat dinner with the family. You don’t gotta be a violent person to kill a couple people and especially in that life. Not when it’s on the way to getting what you want which in that case would be getting made or just here and there when called on.
Still waters run deep
I enjoyed the interview. John is very smart and speaks/communicates well. I hope the best for him.
lol where did you learn English? listen....
This guy John Pennissi is the best guy on this UA-cam shit right now. Hands down.
I feel like hundred percent this guy was telling the truth much respect to him
You can tell he didn't wanna tell to much.. Unlike allot of other guests on here.
🐀
@@YoungBrada You’re a kid online lol
These guys needed to hang out w Feech Lamana. He knew it was important for the young guys to know the history. Like when he beat a longshoremen to death over a corner table
Are you fuckin deaf? I said my nephew has this area... Gary LaManna
Richie gave him his jacket
king of the sticks
Did you heared that tone
I said his king of the sticks hahahhh
You can’t hate on this guy he did 17 years in prison over manslaughter case, and he still has severe remorse over everything he did. And he also did not try to give anybody up great guy
How many times could he be asked how it felt being a spineless tatle tale great job Vlad
Yeah, I was getting tired of that nonsense myself. Quit goading the guy already.
Good interview. And Vlad shuts up. Loved this...
Really been excited for this one glad the entire interview finally dropped can't get enough of this content... But I have to say this interview is a little different than some of the others almost seems like an interrogation.....
Most of Vlad interviews are interrogations, trust me lol
Check mba and button man
@@jaywilliams4750 rigghttt
He needed more prodding to talk it seems
This is a man that literally took everything dead seriously & followed the rules to a T! Then you have guys that didn’t & he wasn’t standing for it, he felt betrayed! This guy is truly a no nonsense kind of guy, period !
I met John a few months ago. I was eating at Wendys and this old lady fell , he picked her up, and helped her back to her feet. He then bought everyone at the restaurant a frosty. He was such a sweet man and this is what America is all about
Didn't you post the same exact thing about another wise guy on this channel?
🤣🤣
@@Cuckold_Cockles THE SAME STORY!!!! 😂😂😂
@@Cuckold_Cockles and he doesn’t even tell the truth of the story. He actually tripped the old lady in the first place and picked her pocket while pretending to be the Good Samaritan and picking her up.
@@larrycera1943 don't make shit up. Not cool. Neither of u witnessed these things
He really is so sincere. You can tell he wouldn’t have turned them in unless his life had been threatened. His back really was against the wall.
He is a women basher though
@@Jazzjasey Hi Jay. As you can see my comment is 9 months old so I really don’t remember anything about the video now or if he’s a woman basher or not.
@@jojowynne233 but yes, he appears like a great guy ..
@@Jazzjasey I like your reply. He “appears” like a great guy 😀
I hope then if he was a woman basher (which obviously I detest) that after having his life threatened, he turned his life around and was a protector instead.
Like Anthony S Luciano, he’s very sincere too lol
So nobody mentioned this guy looks like Michael from GTA 5?
Vlad teaching John about the history of the mafia
Like this interview vlad, ngl. More please.
Love all the tough guys on here talking bout him being a snitch but I know damn sure all you clowns would tell on your own mothers if it came to it hahaha always the internet tough guys 😂
It's funny most ppl on the net who say they never snitched, never had the chance too😂
@@NatHenrickClarke straight up 😂😂
Well put
You guys are so hardcore !
@@float.facedown.143 😂😂
Love the sports jacket and hanky.
That life is all about misery, sorrow,betrayal,prison and death,nothing honorable about it
Agree, ...
unfortunately this was is the truth
Their GO (vlaD)...😂, Just joking 🤣👍
The honor bullshit is what they tell themselves to justify their crimes.
If u close our eyes u can hear christopher walken speaking
i did and you nailed that! 🤣
Holy shit 💯💯💯😂😂I can’t get it outta my head now
And so I hid this watch in the only place no one would find it...
Dude I'm 7 minutes in and you've said OK 38 TIMES! I can't do it anymore! OK????!!!
The mafia interviews are fascinating as the mafia has always been fascinating. what i find strange is that all these mafia made men being interviewed come across as sweet, humble, polite, mild mannered men.... but in reality, they will/can blow your head off without flinching.
That's not necessarily true. Yes, they are all involved in crime to some extent. Some are almost completely legit though. The majority of them are not hard core killers. That's a common misconception.
@@zachshelton8321 dont they take a blood oath to do whatever their boss tells them to do - whether that means extortion, breaking somebody's knees or blowing their best friend's brains out ? Maybe they lucked out and were never called upon to do it, but they are expected/prepared to do it.
The Mafia doesn't really kill anyone today. It's too risky.
I was working for the first part of this and listening only to the audio. His voice sounded so vulnerable, so full of accumulated sadness, i was really surprised when I saw his face, he looks tougher than his voice.
It's really annoying to have to wait til Vlad can squeeze every single view out of 20 fucking videos out of a 50 minute interview.
Then stop watching? No one is forcing you. You're bitching to the wind
He's so calm and quiet spoken to the others I have watched.
Great interview. Thank you for sharing your story.
My friends and I play a drinking game watching your channel, everytime you say ok we take a shot...we have never made it through more than 20 minutes of your videos without have 20 shots each !!!!
How many times is Vlad gonna ask him how he felt when he testified.
Paranoia saves lives...very true
This is such a fascinating interview...It's hard not to like this fellow...!!!
John P. WAS a wiseguy, but what I got out of this interview is John P. IS a good man.
im gettin stoned tonite and count how many times vlad says ok and how many times john says umm...lol great interview as always
This dude seems too smart to have gotten in so late.
He was in prison for 17 years, don't forget.
It’s funny if you pull up the luchesse crime family on Wikipedia, it’s word per word what vlad says during the interview haha
John Pennisi, what a lovely intelligent and amiable guy. I wish him well for the future.
I enjoyed this interview.
Everytime Vlad says "Okay" I just think that he has no idea what he's talking about. For a guy whos never on camera, he's got a really unlikable personality. WE literally only watch for the interviewee, other people like Michael F. who interviews people, we watch his videos for the interviewer!
It's a tactical response by a good interviewer. Think about who the subject is. It's an ego deflation. The purpose is to get the person to reveal more in order to impress the interviewer/audience, and on these guys it works 9/10 times. (copied and pasted from my reply to similar comment on this video)
Love the videos, but this has to be Pete Davidson from SNL doing these interviews. Mafia guy: “ I committed 17 murders and 83 assaults “. Vlad: “ ok”. Lol. Love it. 👍👍
"Are they here with you today"-
In my Boosie voice... "COME ON VLAD.
glad*
Great interview John! Otm!
Really enjoyed this interview John seems sincere best of luck to you God bless you🙏
Mafia Boss; Vlad we're taking you out. Vlad; Okay
See the look in his eyes when he unbuttoned his blazer? Thought I was going to see a gun pop out. In the 80s 90s he would've killed vlad so easy as soon as he said that condescending ummmkayy tone. Say ummkay to me one more time vlad one more time!!!
Idk about the 90s but in the 50s for sure you don’t talk to a made man that way
@@chopboxing6197 he snitched tho so it kinda cancels out imo
Dude is a straight up snitch. He walked in and told on them for what? He did it got money, a paid informant.
john pennisi is an honorable man. God bless him for his courage and strength. RESPECT
No honor in ratting, this guy has no honor what so ever
A convicted murderer (manslaughter). You probably sleep with him.
Vlad " is that something you wanted to do" (join the mafia) Penissi " I would have to say yes, I did it" another hard hitting question from comrade Vlad
His Sitdown news blog is legit as shit, great writing it was meant to go down like that⁉️
Yep!
His blog is great, top notch story telling and a very fresh perspective into organized crime.
@@bernardopkmDP178 🕵️♂️
nothing better than someone talkin to real gangsters
the pain in his man's eyes.
facts.. seemed very regretful the whole interview
@@vladtv props to this man for not letting prison break him mentally. U could tell he’s still very sharp in the mind and very well spoken. I couldn’t fathom doing a month in prison let alone 17 years.
The window to the soul.
This guy not knowing The origins of the Lucchese family honestly makes him more believable. If he was fronting he would’ve done his research. Most of these guys are boneheads
I like this guy, he seem to have a lot on his mind after all those years
Just watching for the ACCENT😂
Sir, you informed, you literally informed the Feds of crimes they were unaware of. And people got life in jail. I think they call that an informer
good for him.
The guys around him really played themselves didn't they?
Ya he basically did that because they were trying to kill him so he got them all locked up. lol
Good for him? People like him get killed in prison for ratting. Ratting is not okay if ur apart of that life
Look at this mans line up, that’s that new ish. Prolly ask for the “Captain Hook” when he goes to the barber.
I believe this is one of the few real gangsters because of what he just said how he did not want to tell the story in respects of the family in my opinion that means killing to him is nothing to brag about it's just a job that needs to get done
whats w/ the 1970s suit??
I noticed most of these mob guys still dress Iike it’s 1970-1985
New UA-cam channel. I'm reposting all of Vlad's interviews and bleeping every 'OK" from Vlad....
It’s a shame he can’t even put a link to johns channel SITDOWNNEWS.
Man, I love this channel. Keep the content coming, Vlad.
Getting straightened out is now my favorite thing to say lol
Wow what a stand up guy . Cool as heck . GOD bless him . He seems straight up . He will make it
Yeah Johns a good guy but the mafia fucked him over like they do a lot of guys there's no honor anymore.
Ronnie Wood stones Ronnie?
This guy John has an amazing channel
John is smart and personable.
It sounds like he didn’t wanna talk about that manslaughter conviction, but Vlad brought it up anyway and kept questioning him about it. I would’ve walked off that interview, but John is extremely polite and a good guy and he stuck it out.
I think he made the correct decision. They accused him of doing something he never did. He was a dead man and any loyalty should go out the window, in my eyes.
100% they betrayed him.
Interesting interview.
“Ok, skimming the stuff out of the luggage, you began with socks, but later on were you stealing deodorant and/or t-shirts? And eventually you spent time in prison after you got involved in dress shirt part of it right? ok?”
He also had to steal toliet paper to resell stocking up for the pandemic
Great interview!
If umm's was jail time he will have five life sentences.
He look like Michael from GTAV
Way to go John. Great story.