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

The former Colombo crime family capo Michael Franzese opened up on a popular talk show, explaining how he ran a massive gas‑tax fraud that earned millions every week. He said the plan was simple: collect fuel taxes but never send the money to the government. Franzese claimed this scheme brought in about two million dollars a week for his boss, and he himself pocketed between three and four million.The operation was described as one of the biggest racketeering cases in the country, and it involved lowering pump prices to attract customers. According to Franzese, some of the tax money was returned to buyers in the form of cheaper gas, earning them a “Robin Hood” reputation. He estimated that the total weekly profit from all stations was around seven to eight million dollars. The interview is available on several streaming platforms, giving listeners a rare look into the inner workings of organized crime.