DiMeo Crime Family

Lore & Background

The family's leadership dynamic features a unique split where Junior holds nominal authority while Tony handles day-to-day affairs. Tensions escalate when older members like Richie Aprile, released after ten years in prison, demand control based on seniority, clashing with Tony's established rule. Internal stability is tested by betrayals such as that of Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero, who turned informant to avoid life imprisonment for heroin dealing. His eventual execution by Tony, Paulie Gualtieri, and Silvio Dante after a prophetic dream of a talking fish underscores the fatal consequences of disloyalty. The family also faces external threats from rival factions, while figures like Janice Soprano contribute to internal chaos, culminating in Richie Aprile's death at her hands during an argument over his son's sexuality.

Reader's Guide

The DiMeo Crime Family operates in North Jersey and New York City under a structure where capos like Paulie Gualtieri manage crews of soldiers such as Christopher Moltisanti. Key locations include Satriale's Pork Store for meetings and the Bada Bing for entertainment. The family engages in illegal enterprises including heroin dealing, gambling, loansharking, and stolen airline ticket scams. Leadership is contested between Junior Soprano, who holds nominal authority from a care facility, and Tony Soprano, the acting boss. Internal conflicts often arise from generational divides, as seen when Richie Aprile demands higher ranking based on seniority, or when soldiers like Bonpensiero resort to betrayal under pressure. External threats include rival families and law enforcement scrutiny, exemplified by Agent Skip Lipari's pursuit of informants.

Did You Know?

• Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero is called "Big" to distinguish him from Gennaro "Little Pussy" Malanga.
• Samson Moeakiola portrays a young Bonpensiero in the 2021 prequel film The Many Saints of Newark.

The Rise and Fall of Big Pussy

Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero started as a cat burglar before becoming a soldier in the Soprano crew, operating an auto body shop with his brother Edward "Duke" Bonpensiero. He backed Johnny Boy Soprano's wish for Tony to become capo after 1986 and was instrumental in organizing a sit-down between Junior Soprano and Jackie Aprile Sr. To fund his children's college education, he dealt heroin on the side, leading to an FBI arrest sometime between 1995 and 1998.

Facing life imprisonment, he became an informant for Agent Skip Lipari. His double life caused paranoia; he killed Jimmy Bones after being spotted with Lipari and refused to undress at a bathhouse, allegedly due to high blood pressure but implying he wore a wire. After resurfacing in 2000 claiming acupuncturist treatment in Puerto Rico, he increasingly cooperated with Lipari, providing details on Tony's stolen airline ticket scam that led to Tony's brief arrest.

The Betrayal and Execution

Tony Soprano accepts suspicions about Bonpensiero after a dream where Sal appears as a talking fish. Searching Sal's home, Tony finds a wire in a cigar box. He organizes a hit on a boat with Silvio Dante and Paulie Gualtieri. During a final toast, Tony asks if the prostitute Sal claimed to see in Puerto Rico exists; Sal admits he has "fucked up." The trio shoots Sal to death, wraps his body in plastic bags with chains and weights, and dumps it into the ocean. Post-death, Sal appears in dreams or flashbacks. Tony and crew tell friends and family that Sal disappeared after entering witness protection.

Richie Aprile's Violent Return

Richard "Richie" Aprile returns from ten years in prison as Jackie Aprile Sr.'s older brother, expecting authority under Tony Soprano whom he knew before Tony became a made man. He rebuffs Tony's offer of respect, demanding more control. Richie confronts Peter "Beansie" Gaeta to extort money from his legitimate business investments, then rams him with his car in a parking lot, crushing him between vehicles and driving over his legs. His dislike for Christopher Moltisanti stems from Christopher's violence toward Richie's niece Adriana La Cerva. When Christopher's associates Matthew Bevilaqua and Sean Gismonte shoot Christopher to impress Richie, Richie refuses to help Bevilaqua, chasing him off with a baseball bat.

Family Dynamics and Internal Conflict

Richie Aprile resumes his high school relationship with Janice Soprano, who encourages him to defy Tony to marry the boss. With Junior's approval, Richie prepares to take over as boss but fails to secure support from acting capo Albert "Ally Boy" Barese. After weighing options, Junior tips Tony off about Richie's plans. Silvio Dante advises Tony that leaving Richie alive yields nothing. During an argument over his son's possible homosexuality, Richie punches Janice in the mouth before settling for dinner. Janice returns with a gun and shoots Richie twice to death. Tony instructs Christopher Moltisanti and Furio Giunta to dispose of the car and dismember the corpse at Satriale's while sending Janice to Olympia, Washington.