THE ICE MAN
Also by Philip Carlo
Philip Carlo
THE ICE MAN
CONFESSIONS OF A MAFIA CONTRACT KILLER
THE ICE MAN. Copyright © 2006 by Philip Carlo. All rights reserved.
PREFACE
This book is based on over 240 hours of one-on-one interviews with Richard Kuklinski at Trenton State Prison. When and where possible all the crimes and murders Richard and I discussed were verified with underground Mafia contacts, police sources, documents, crime-scene reports, and photographs. When Richard and I discussed his life and the crimes he committed over a forty-three-year period, he never bragged or boasted. Indeed, much of what is contained in this book had to be prodded and encouraged out of him. In my estimation, Richard was always honest and truthful, sincere and forthright in the extreme.
The names of certain individuals connected with this story have been changed.
I first wish to thank my editor, Charlie Spicer at St. Martin’s Press, for all his expert advice, his guidance, and his belief in this book from the moment it arrived on his desk. Also his right-hand man, Joe Cleemann, was a huge help, on numerous levels. Many thanks also to John Murphy and Gregg Sulivan for their belief in and support of this book. Gaby Monet at HBO was an invaluable friend and assisted me greatly with understanding the enormous complexities of this story. Many thanks to my loyal friend and confidant, Mike Kostrewa, for all his guidance and expertise about Jersey City and the Polish people and culture. I also wish to thank Trenton State Prison for allowing me access to Richard Kuklinski at the facility. Also, thanks to Anna Bierhouse for her suggestions, and all the good people at Sanford Greenburger, the best literary agency in the world; they still treat writers like sensitive artists, a rare thing these days. I would be remiss if I didn’t thank my parents, Dante and Nina Carlo, for their unwavering support. My gratitude to Crystal Proenza for her patience and good cheer in turning my voluminous handwritten drafts into flawless manuscripts. I also wish to thank Barbara, Merrick, Chris, and Dwayne Kuklinski for their honest feelings and kind input.
Lieutenant Patrick Kane of the New Jersey State Police was an invaluable source of detail, facts, emotion, times, and places. Also, Sergeant Rob Anzalotti and his partner, Detective Mark Bennul, were very helpful in shining light on the dark, violent phenomenon that was Richard Leonard Kuklinski’s life.
MAFIA STRUCTURE
Capo crimini/capo di tutti capi: superboss/boss of bosses
Capo: boss/Don
Consigliere: trusted adviser or family counselor
Sotto Capo/Capo bastone: underboss, second in command
Contabile: financial adviser
Caporegime or capodecina: lieutenant, typically heads a “crew” comprising ten or more soldiers
Sgarrista: a foot soldier who carries out the day-to-day business of the family, a “made” member of the Mafia
Picciotto: lower-ranking soldier, enforcer; also known in the streets as the “button man”
Giovane d’honore: Mafia associate, typically a non-Sicilian or non-Italian member
“My husband is a good man, a kind man—a great father. All my children’s friends are always saying they wish they had a dad like my husband—like Richard.”
“Richard is both fascinating and as frightening as your worst nightmare. He represents the worst of who we are—yet, he is absolutely fascinating to listen to.”
“This is the devil—No question about it. This is the devil!”
“He’s responsible for over two hundred murders—I mean personally responsible.”
“I’d never hurt a woman or a child. It’s just not in me.”
“He killed with guns, poison, bats, knives, strangulation, his fists, ice picks, screwdrivers, hand grenades, and even fire. We’ve never seen anything like him. Truth is, we’ve never even heard of anything like him.”
