The Resume

(September 22, 1903-April 3, 1971)
Born in New York City, New York
'Soldier' in the Genovese crime family
First mobster to publicly testify about the Mafia (1963)
With journalist Peter Maas, wrote 'The Valachi Papers' (1968)

Why he might be annoying:

He was nicknamed Joe Cago; 'cago' means 'shit.'
He chain smoked.
While serving time for dealing heroin, he beat another prisoner to death with an iron pipe.
He began talking to the feds to escape the death penalty.
He unsuccessfully tried to hang himself in his cell.
Despite its notoriety, his testimony did not result -- at least directly -- in any mafiosi being arrested.

Why he might not be annoying:

He identified over 300 mobsters.
Attorney General Robert Kennedy called his testimony 'a significant addition to the broad picture' of organized crime.
Vito Genovese put a $100,000 price on his head.
In his will, he left the royalties from 'The Valachi Papers' to a woman he had never met who became his pen pal while he was incarcerated.

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 22]
• Criminals
• I Attempted Suicide and Screwed it Up
• I Died in 1971 (Ranked: 67)
• I Died in Jail
• My Mug Shot is on The Smoking Gun
• Profiles 26251-26500 (Ranked: 26384)
• We Died on the Same Day (Ranked: 19710403)
• Wise Guys

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 7 Votes: 28.57% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 22 Votes: 86.36% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 7 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 53 Votes: 54.72% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 7 Votes: 28.57% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 9 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 18 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 30 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 27 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 21 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 19 Votes: 78.95% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 63 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 64 Votes: 73.44% Annoying