Joseph "The Animal" Barboza was one of the most feared hitmen in the realms of organized crime.
From Mafia Hitman to Informant: The Turn of Barboza
In 1966, Barboza was arrested on a concealed weapons charge.
While in prison, he felt jilted by the Patriarca family when they failed to post his bail. Simmering with resentment, Barboza became ripe for recruitment as an informant by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Barboza's recruitment marked a significant turn in the fight against organized crime, as he was the first Mafia member of his standing to break the fabled code of silence (omertà) and cooperate with the FBI.
His insider knowledge helped dismantle the New England Mafia, leading to the conviction of several high-ranking members, including Patriarca himself.
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