Culotta: The Life of a Chicago Criminal Las Vegas Mobster and Government Witness

by Dennis Griffin, Frank Culotta

Frank Culotta, Las Vegas mob figure, turned government witness to save his skin when his mob boss, Anthony "the Ant" Spilotro was going down. Didn't know, till I read the book, that Culotta did so because he felt Spilotro was willing to betray him to postpone his own fall from grace. Saw Culotta speak at the Nevada History Museum in LV in fall 2007, when the book came out. Less of a monster in person. Weird to learn that Culotta relied on his former FBI handlers to make first contact w. co-author Griffin. Culotta is no longer in witness protec. program, as I understand, but still understandably keeps a low profile. So his museum appearances was quite the event -- lots of private investigators and former fed. agents in attendance!

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Biography, History

First published July 1, 2007

About the author

I moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1994, after a 20-year career in investigations and law enforcement in New York State. I began writing my first novel, The Morgue, in 1996. In 2000, I started work on a Las Vegas-based trilogy of mystery/thrillers. Killer In Pair-A-Dice was followed by One—Armed Bandit. The third book, Vegas Vixen, was published in November 2008.

In 2001 I turned my attention to non-fiction, and began writing Policing Las Vegas – A History of Law Enforcement in Southern Nevada. This book follows the evolution of law enforcement in Las Vegas and Clark County, from the establishment of Las Vegas in 1905 thru 2005. It was released in April 2005 through Huntington Press.

My second non-fiction, The Battle for Las Vegas – The Law vs. the Mob, is the story of the Tony Spilotro era in Las Vegas, and was released through Huntington Press in 2006. CULLOTTA – The Life of a Chicago Criminal, Las Vegas Mobster, and Government Witness was published by Huntington Press in 2007. My most recent Mob book is Surviving The Mob - A Street Soldier's Life Inside The Gambino Crime Family, and was published by Huntington Press in January 2011.

In October 2012, House Party Tonight, the story of legendary saxophonist Don Hill, was published by Houdini Media. That book was followed three months later by Rogue Town, the true story of crime and corruption in Stamford, Connecticut, also by Houdini Media.

I am co-host of the popular Blog Talk Radio show Crime Wire, and serve as a consultant to the Vegas Mob Tour. I recently opened BEAR Media Consultants, which helps match true crime movie and documentary producers, writers and event coordinators, with potential technical consultants and speakers for their projects or events.

Reviews

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to my father in law Jack for this one…

So aside from sounding like a delicious Italian cured meat, apparently Frank Culotta was a pretty bad hombre. That also happens to be when this book shines. Culotta’s early life and early criminal career are deeply fascinating to read about. I am not sure what that says about me 🤷‍♂️
However as the book enters its third section, it becomes a tale of Frank turning into a government witness. Nothing against that, but it’s markedly less interesting because we as readers already know the crimes he was party to. Given that the author and coauthor of this book identify as “friends” of Frank Culotta, I assume this section was added on to make for something of a redemption arc. That is not why I read crime biographies.

Absolute barnburner for the first two thirds. Last third is a slog.

3.5 rounded up

[Seth · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting read, but a lot of the story blends into "bad guys doing bad things". I am familiar with "Casino" and enjoyed reading about some of the true story behind the story, however the most interesting part of this book was the final few chapters discussing Cullotta's time spent as a compliant informant in the FBI's witness protection program. This was new information for me as it isn't something that's regularly disclosed in the films about these guys.

[Mila Pool · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think Frank puffs himself up way too much and its obvious. If you read this and didn't know better you would think he is this 6'4" tough criminal genius. In yet the truth is that he was a terrible criminal, always arrested, never thought out a good plan to not get caught. Oh and is able to predict who informers are in yet he still goes out on jobs? Were not idoits. Also, he was only in las Vegas for like 2 years so and wasn't in a position to know any mob events I wanted to read about. I am very disappointed. Oh and he feels the need to try to show people that his testimony was like Sammy the bulls.

[Peter Panico · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved like 80% of this book. This man's story is absolutely fascinating and is told with a clear eye and without too much judgement. Plus it's the real story behind Casino, which is one of my favorite movies. Then, in the last like 20-25 pages it just turns into a big slobbery kiss for law enforcement and the (apparent) angels and Einstein-level geniuses they all are. One FBI agent basically admits that their investigations led directly to Anthony Spilotro's brutal murder and even sounds happy about it in his quote. Disturbing! Even a scumbag like Spilotro does not deserve to be beaten and buried alive. Love this guy's story but should've left it at that

[Augusto Moreno · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay at best. It’s downfall was the snitch being a little full of himself even for a crook. Could do no wrong and always had an excuse for when he did. Everyone else did it wrong except him. Tried to say he was a different type of snitch in order to justify it like he was any different from the others etc etc stuff like that. Least favorite true crime book I’ve ever read. Only thing that kept me interested was the link to Las Vegas Mob history.

The author is probably a snitch too

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had purchased this right from Mr. Culotta when he was a tour guide of mine on a mob tour in Las Vegas. Had not read it back then and decided to read it now. Lots of great information about the mob and how they operated in Chicago to Las Vegas and other points in between.

But, as I was reading it I realized that I had been on a bus with a mobster. Don't think I thought about that at the time. Kind of creepy.

[Mike Boyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read

Very detailed and compelling account for the life and activities of not only Frank Cullotta, but associated Outfit members and activities. I found the book very informative and interesting.

[Matt White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Good mob story, it goes in depth about the life of Frank Cullotta and shows why he did what he did.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting part of Vegas history

No filter and no holds barred inside account of the mobs history in Vegas. Fascinating and formed the basis for the movie Casino.

[Mickey Mantle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical Chicago Mafioso read. Fun if you like this stuff.

[Kevin O Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

finished it very quickly
couldn't stop
brilliant

[Victor J. Triolo · Rating 1 out of 5]

One man's perspective , ( ME) .

The theory of the protection of the machine ( Organize Crime ) by its top echelon always takes president is an obvious one for their own existence , no surprise ! , except to their soldiers . But be it the gun & mob , to survive ,or going to a bigger stronger entity ( The Government ) in this case , doesn't change the fact a scumbag will always have to live with himself . A true man only dies once a rat dies every second . No redemption here , just surviving in his own shit . Every informer has there on set of entitlement excludes , always self serving. Interesting reading of contradictory conclusions of all parties concerned rationales for their self-serving actions ! Old M.O.'s NEVER CHANGE , JUST THE NAMES . THANKS ,V.T. , AUTHOR OF " NOVEMBER SHADOWS " , BY VINCENT TERRA ,PAGE PUBLISHING .

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Living in Chicago, I have listened to news stories about the Mob for years. So when I saw this book at an airport news stand, it looked like an interesting book for a 4 hour flight. Culotta was an enforcer and burglar for Las Vegas Mob boss, Tony Spilottro, in the 1960's-1980's. In and out of witness protection after turning into a FBI informant, he details his life and the gory deeds he performed. This book is not for everyone, but it certainly made me wonder how a person could live with himself after carrying out hits or burglarizing 200 homes and businesses.

[Valerie Quigley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of Frank’s books. They are really good; co-written by the late Dennis Griffin. I had the pleasure of meeting Frank in June of 2020 when my family and I went on his Vegas mob tour. Sadly he passed away in August of 2020 due to COPD and COVID-19. His books tell about his life of crime but having met Frank, his story is one of redemption and forgiveness. I never would’ve known that had I not spent those special hours with him. May he RIP.

[matt sakaguchi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best part of this book is the character of Cullotta. He even says so, but had he chosen a life on the other side of the law, he no doubt would have been successful. Even as a killer and a criminal, he never compromised his internal values, which is rare. A fascinating life, and it's great he's no longer in hiding and is enjoying time with his daughter and grandkid.

[Danny Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great read, informative enough that I felt like I got something out of it afterwards but interesting and entertaining enough to keep me reading until the end. due to my personal encounter with the man the book was about I am unsure or how accurate the book is due to his chances of exaggerating but still wad a great educational and fun.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

attended book's launch at Nevada State History Museum in Lorenzi Park, LV, with author and Culotta present -- as well as a tough ex-police-looking blonde who, I'm told, started out as Culotta's bodyguard but is now his main squeeze. lots of police in the audience.

[Jeff]

Good read about Frank Cullotta, head of the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang and Tony Spilotro's right hand man in Vegas.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who has seen the movie "Casino" would really like this book.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is worth buying/reading just for his description of when he plays himself as a hitman towards the end of Casino.

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a great character study, but an amazing story nonetheless.. I'd recommend the iceman by Philip Carlo before this one tho.

[Mark Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on the mob in Vegas- my hometown now.