A brief look into Michael's background provides insight as to why he is a sought after motivational speaker about many topics related to change, business, fraud, criminal justice, or organized crime. Indeed, he was the son of Sonny Franzese, a kingpin in New York's Colombo crime family.  It was when Sonny was sent to prison that Michael left Hofstra University, where he was a student athlete in pre-Med, to try to help win his dad’s freedom, choosing to follow the path that landed his dad in jail.  He began working to help Joe Colombo protest the treatment of Italian Americans, handing out fliers at a rally in Columbus Square, and was standing nearby when Colombo was shot.  For Michael, this was his beginning in a life that took him from college jock to Mob Capo, and ultimately made him the target of state, local, and federal organized crime task forces.
Becoming a sworn, made member at the age of 24, he avoided the traditional Mafia domains in favor of the enormously lucrative edges of the legitimate business world.  The smart, sophisticated Franzese was long considered an heir apparent to the family's vast power. His ability to make money, which according to the fed’s was more than anyone since Al Capone, won his fame, respect, and rock-star status among mob watchers, but the envy of others in that life.

The Prince of the Mafia

Michael masterminded brilliant scams, from auto dealerships to union kickbacks, from financial services to the worlds of sports and entertainment, to a multi-billion dollar gasoline tax scheme, all with the help of ambitious tycoons and his own remarkable business acumen. His operations in gambling, loan sharking and corporate crime became a target of Manhattan's famed federal prosecutor, Rudy Giuliani, who indicted Michael on racketeering charges only to come up empty handed in court after promising him 100 years behind bars if convicted. More indictments would follow, however, and in a dramatic turn of events for the onetime Mob caporegime, Michael decided to plead guilty to yet another racketeering indictment, accept a 10 year prison sentence, and then vowed to do the unthinkable-quit the mob, not enter the witness protection program, and not testify against his mob brethren. The Prince abdicated his throne. It’s why he left that makes this story even more incredible.

Enter A Beautiful Woman – Cammy Garcia
Michael Franzese earned millions a week at his apex and used his wits and charm to keep the likes of John Gotti from encroaching on his operations. He escaped 5 major indictments and seemed invincible.  That was before he met Cammy.

Among many things he was doing, he made movies – his last – Knights of the City, a break dance movie ala West side Story with Sammy Davis, Jr., Leon Issacs Kennedy, and music by Smokey Robinson, filmed in Florida. The imported 50 dancers from L.A. That was the beginning of the end – and the beginning of the unthinkable.

Michael met Camille Garcia, a beautiful dancer from Anaheim – he saw her getting out of the swimming pool and asked to be introduced.  Cammy knew nothing other than he was the producer. He fell in love with her, doggedly pursued her and eventually they married. How she convinced him to take the rap on a racketeering charge and how he managed to become the only high ranking official of the Mafia to ever quit the mob, refuse government protection and live to tell about it makes Michael Franzese a truly motivational, inspiring, and fascinating speaker.

Man on a Mission
Michael's first book, Quitting The Mob, (Harper/Collins Publishing ) , was released in 1992, providing a glimpse at the life Michael left behind.

His most recent book, Blood Covenant (Whitaker House, Mar. 2003-now in the third printing), looks at that story from 10 years of changed life, providing insight only time allows. It captures Michael's life from beginning through today, offering a powerful look at the why and how he left his past, and how he is still alive today. As Paul Harvey would say, it is "the rest of the story."

Michael candidly describes for audiences how he survived dozens of grand jury appearances, 3 major racketeering indictments, 5 criminal trials, 7 years in prison and a Mafia death sentence. He tells how he engaged bankers, corporate executives, union officials and professional and student athletes in a wide variety of financial scams. His open and honest presentations are fresh and unique. Audiences are captivated by stories of his personal experiences in organized crime and genuinely affected by his powerful anti-crime messages and eye opening revelations.

In the fall of 2008, Michael will release his third book -coming this time from Nelson Publishers.  A business book, this work will be a unique look at business as only Michael can tell it – and he will unveil strategies that can be applied to legitimate business – and life.