Seth Ferranti's True Crime Newsletter

Seth Ferranti's True Crime Newsletter

Share this post

Seth Ferranti's True Crime Newsletter
Seth Ferranti's True Crime Newsletter
JOHN GOTTI’S GERMAN ENFORCER

JOHN GOTTI’S GERMAN ENFORCER

Seth Ferranti's avatar
Seth Ferranti
Jun 07, 2025
∙ Paid

Share this post

Seth Ferranti's True Crime Newsletter
Seth Ferranti's True Crime Newsletter
JOHN GOTTI’S GERMAN ENFORCER
1
Share

Suited up and sporting a pompadour, “the German” can be seen lurking menacingly outside John Gotti’s social club, the Ravenite, in FBI surveillance footage and news clips from the 1980s. A feared gangland gunslinger, Joe Watts played a pivotal role in organized crime as a strong-arm enforcer who wasn’t afraid to put in the “work.” While relatively unknown outside of criminal circles, Watts participated in the infamous 1985 mob assassination of Paul “Big Paul” Castellano in front of Sparks Steak House in Manhattan that was paramount in propelling Gotti to power.

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Seth Ferranti's True Crime Newsletter to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Seth Ferranti
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share