For the entire length of the run of Law And Order the Masucci crime family has figured into any number of episodes. This two part episode marks the first Masucci appearance. It even has a real live Godfather Masucci played by Charles Cioffi.
As played by Cioffi, Frank Masucci is a combination of John Gotti and Joey Gallo a couple of mob guys who did like the attention of the public, always dressed quite nattily and was always available to the media. The last part raised a lot of hackles with his peers.
It all starts with the bludgeoning of a store owner over his refusal to sell untaxed smuggled cigarettes leaving him in a coma. The trail leads up the food chain from hit-man Stephen McHattie, importer/exporter Robert Fields, and real estate magnate Bruce Altman who is Cioffi's brother-in-law.
This episode shows just how difficult it is to get a conviction on an organized crime case. These guys come well prepared into court and you can't ever assume that even the muscle in the crowd is stupid.
But this is only part 1 of a 2 part story.
As played by Cioffi, Frank Masucci is a combination of John Gotti and Joey Gallo a couple of mob guys who did like the attention of the public, always dressed quite nattily and was always available to the media. The last part raised a lot of hackles with his peers.
It all starts with the bludgeoning of a store owner over his refusal to sell untaxed smuggled cigarettes leaving him in a coma. The trail leads up the food chain from hit-man Stephen McHattie, importer/exporter Robert Fields, and real estate magnate Bruce Altman who is Cioffi's brother-in-law.
This episode shows just how difficult it is to get a conviction on an organized crime case. These guys come well prepared into court and you can't ever assume that even the muscle in the crowd is stupid.
But this is only part 1 of a 2 part story.