Vincent J. DiMattina

Oddly enough, the Vincent J. DiMattina memorial we stand before has a strange connection to a man nicknamed “Benny Eggs.” Vincent J. DiMattina himself isn’t the subject of my story today. It’s about a fascinating figure from New York’s underworld, Venero “Benny Eggs” Mangano, and his tangential link to the DiMattina name. Mangano, a Genovese crime family underboss, lived a life straight out of a movie. His story intertwines with Vincent J. DiMattina through a later case involving Frank “Frankie D” DiMattina. Frank was convicted of attempted extortion. He was said to be connected to Mangano through family ties. Frank’s wife was reportedly a relative of Benny Eggs. The investigation into Frank DiMattina, nicknamed “Sausage and Eggs,” brought Mangano’s name back into the headlines, long after his own legal battles. Mangano’s life was filled with bookmaking charges, labor racketeering accusations, and even imprisonment for refusing to testify in court. He served time for his role in a massive window replacement contract rigging scheme that defrauded New York City’s Housing Authority. Incredibly, near the end of his life, Mangano was offered immunity to testify against his own boss, Vincent “the Chin” Gigante. He refused, landing him back in court, but without further penalty. Benny Eggs remained a staunch example of the Mafia’s code of silence. He died in Greenwich Village in 2017, the neighborhood where he spent much of his life. He was ninety-five years old. So, while we remember Vincent J. DiMattina at this memorial, the echo of Benny Eggs’ story serves as a reminder of New York’s complex and sometimes shadowy past. It demonstrates how seemingly unrelated lives can intersect in unexpected ways, revealing layers of history hidden beneath the surface of this vibrant city.