A former mobster who was dubbed the Mafia Prince is to hold a speaking event in West Belfast this summer.
Michael Franzese, who was once a high ranking member of the Columbo Crime Family is to hold an event in The Devenish Complex on July 22, where he will take audiences on a journey through his life in the New York underworld.
The son of another notorious mobster, who joined the mafia at a young age, he ended up involved in a multi-million dollar gasoline bootlegging scheme and was thought to be one of the biggest moneymakers since Al Capone.
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He has since gone on to feature in a number of high profile documentaries on the Mafia and become a best selling author and motivational speaker.
Speaking about his show in Belfast he said: "“I’m really excited to be landing in Belfast and to share a unique experience with everyone as we unearth some of the untold truths of the Mafia.
“There are not many people who can say they’ve sat on both sides of the divide between the Mafia and the law and lived to tell the tale. It was like a rite of passage for me to become part of the criminal underworld, or as we called it, ‘the family business’. The truth is, I was good at it.
“But I’ve seen the destruction caused by ‘the life’. The pain, suffering, loss it leaves in its wake. I’ve seen families devastated, and wars on the streets. I’ve been marched into a room, expecting never to walk back out. But now, I’m ready to share my story with people and give an insight into what that life really means – and why I simply had to get out.”
On the night, Michael will discuss his life growing up as the son of one of the era’s most famous Mob Underbosses to some of the deepest and darkest never-before-told secrets of a former ‘Caporegime’.
He will also bare all on criminal operations, high profile celebrity and political associations, run-ins with law enforcement, his imprisonment, finding faith in God, and the threats he faced on his life once he broke his oath of silence and walked away from the Colombo family to live a reformed life.
The event will include a VIP reception and soiree, three-course gala dinner, a series of VIP experiences ranging from meet and greets with Michael Franzese to being seated on his VIP table, an exclusive after-show party and an on-stage ‘in conversation with’ style interaction with Michael Franzese hosted by a notable public figure.
Visit the website to view the differing ticket categories.
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