Breakshot

Breakshot is a memoir by Kenny "Kenji" Gallo, detailing his experiences as a member of the Colombo Crime Family and Milano Brothers crime organizations. The book follows Gallo's path through organized crime in both New York and California during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The narrative covers Gallo's criminal activities, including his involvement in drug trafficking, extortion, and other mafia operations. A key focus is his investigation into the 1987 murder of Orange County restaurateur and cocaine dealer Joe Avila. Gallo describes his eventual decision to become an FBI informant, wearing a wire to gather evidence against members of multiple crime families. His cooperation with law enforcement led to his entry into the federal witness protection program. The memoir provides insight into the internal workings of modern American organized crime and explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption within the context of criminal enterprises.

Readers describe Breakshot as a fast-paced, raw account of Kenny Gallo's criminal life and eventual work as an FBI informant. Readers appreciated: - Gritty, unvarnished details of mob life - Inside perspective on LA crime families - The psychological transformation of Gallo - Direct writing style without sensationalism Common criticisms: - Some events seem exaggerated - Lack of fact-checking on certain claims - Timeline jumps can be confusing - Editing could be tighter One reader noted: "You can tell this wasn't ghostwritten - it's authentic but rough around the edges." Ratings: Amazon: 4.3/5 (83 reviews) Goodreads: 3.7/5 (47 reviews) Several readers compared it unfavorably to other mob memoirs like Pistone's Donnie Brasco, citing less polished writing. Others valued its unique perspective on West Coast organized crime, with one calling it "a rare look into LA's mob scene that history often overlooks."

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🎯 Prior to becoming an FBI informant, Gallo was involved in various criminal enterprises including pornography distribution, drug trafficking, and securities fraud. 🔍 The book's title "Breakshot" refers to the first shot in a game of pool that breaks the rack - symbolizing Gallo's decision to break away from organized crime. ⚖️ During his time as an informant, Gallo helped the FBI build cases against members of multiple crime families, including high-ranking figures in the Colombo and Lucchese families. 🎬 Gallo's criminal career was partially influenced by mob movies - he actually studied films like "The Godfather" to learn how to act and dress like a mobster. 🔄 Co-author Matthew Randazzo V is known for specializing in true crime literature and has written several other books about organized crime and law enforcement.