Illinois Police & Sheriff's News

Combined Counties Police Assn.
2615 W Peterson Av., Chicago, Il 60659
773-878-1002

Where is Salvatore "Sammy The Bull" Gravano?

Combined Counties Police Assn

2615 W Peterson Av., Palatine, IL 60067 773-878-1002

http://www.ipsn.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 1997
773-878-1002

$500 Offered on Verified
Sightings of Released Mob Killer

Chicago -- $500 is being offered for each confirmed and verified sighting that identifies the location of Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano, John J. Flood, president of the Combined Counties Police Association, announced Thursday (April 17, 1997)

The Combined Counties Police Association publishes the twice monthly newspaper on organized crime, the Illinois Police and Sheriff's News, which is distributed to more than 15,000 police and criminal justice professionals and which monitors the comings and goings of known mobsters.

Flood said the $500 for "Gravano Sightings" is being publicized in the IPSN Newspaper and on the police union's new World Wide Web site at http://www.ipsn.org.

"What angers me is not that we used Mr. Gravano, a ruthless butcher and confessed serial murderer, to put away an equally ruthless killer like John Gotti," Flood explained.

"What angers me is that the best deal this killer should have received was a lengthy prison term, and that he should not be out on the street today after serving only five years. The federal government and American society have paid too high a price."

Flood said that individuals seeking to claim the $500 must provide proof of the identity, the date and the location where Gravano was seen.

"I expect that a photograph will probably be the best and only form of real confirmation that we might accept, but we are willing to consider other circumstances and information," Flood said.

"When we receive sighting information, it will be posted on our World Wide Web site for the entire world to read. We don't believe that Mr. Gravano should be allowed to walk the streets of America as a free man, having been responsible for the vicious murders of 19 people. When we are done, we hope that Mr. Gravano will come to the US Justice Department and beg to be returned to prison, where he belongs, believing that he will only be safe back in prison where he belongs."

Flood said he is not opposed to the Witness Protection system, or terms of leniency in sentencing in exchange for cooperation from organized crime members.

"I know that this kind of cooperation is important. But, in this case, the government gave away the store in exchange for Mr. Gravano's cooperation. It made me sick to hear Mr. Gravano explain how he cold-bloodedly murdered people," Flood said.

"This entire situation sickens me and it should sicken every peace loving, law abiding citizen in our country. You want to give him a lengthy sentence in exchange for his testimony, instead of the electric chair or a life sentence, I can understand. But five years only? Five years? That's the greater crime and we have to live with this as a society. Who can guarantee us that this lifelong killer will not return to his nature?"

Flood said that Gravano deserved no less than the victims of his own killings.

"He should be thankful that in exchange for his testimony against Gotti, he is still alive and does not have to face the electric chair," Flood said.

Flood also expressed concern that Gravano may profit from the proceeds of a new book on his life.

The CCPA reserves the right to accept or reject any proposed sighting information or photographs, and determine which sightings will be acceptable.

Mr. Flood can be reached at the Combined Counties Police Assn. Offices at 773-878-1002.