“The Life We Chose, William ‘Big Billy’ D’Elia and The Last Secrets of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Family” is a captivating biography that delves into the untold story of a formidable organized crime leader, Billy D’Elia, based in Pennsylvania. This book uncovers the behind-the-scenes life of D’Elia and his interactions with renowned figures such as former President Trump.
D’Elia, also known as “Big Billy,” was the mastermind behind the Buffalino Crime Family, a prominent entity in Pennsylvania, for several decades. He acquired his skills and expertise under the tutelage of the family’s namesake, Russell Buffalino, who was described by Robert F. Kennedy as one of the most ruthless and influential Mafia leaders in the United States. Following Buffalino’s death in 1994, D’Elia assumed leadership of the family. Such was his reputation and trustworthiness among mob families nationwide that he was invited to take over the Philadelphia crime family in the 1990s, with the purpose of quelling the violent conflicts that stained the streets of the city known as the “City of Brotherly Love.” However, D’Elia declined the offer.
According to D’Elia, he engaged in business transactions with Donald Trump during the latter’s ownership of extravagant New Jersey shore casinos like the “Trump Taj Mahal,” “The Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino,” and “The Trump Marina Hotel and Casino.” D’Elia’s revelations portray Trump as arrogant and untrustworthy, claiming that he did not uphold his promises. In one instance, Trump allegedly shaved off $1 million from a real estate deal by flipping a coin. These astonishing revelations are shared in the captivating biography “The Life We Chose, William ‘Big Billy’ D’Elia and the Last Secrets of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Family,” written by esteemed journalist Matt Birkbeck. Birkbeck, who has covered D’Elia and the Bufalino Crime Family extensively in northeast Pennsylvania, is also the author of the biography “The Quiet Don,” which centers around the family’s namesake, Russell Buffalino.
Birkbeck claims that Trump personally handled his own business deals, preferring not to rely on lawyers or intermediaries, and even conducting business transactions with gangsters like D’Elia. One intriguing negotiation involved the selling of timeshares in Trump-owned properties, wherein Trump allegedly pressured D’Elia to purchase thousands of copies of his book, “The Art of the Deal,” to boost its ranking on the best-seller charts. D’Elia would have had to invest $100,000 in this endeavor. In another deal involving Trump’s “Trump Plaza” casino, D’Elia asserts that Trump reneged on an agreement and settled the dispute with a coin toss, resulting in a $1 million deduction from the original price.
It is worth noting that these claims made by D’Elia are substantiated by Barry Shapiro, one of the Philadelphia-based real estate brothers who had engaged in business dealings with Trump. Shapiro confirms the coin toss incident, stating that they sold the Atlantic City property to Trump for $1 million less than the initially agreed-upon price. Despite these sensational anecdotes, it is important to mention that Trump has never faced criminal charges related to his casino ventures. He successfully fulfilled all legal obligations to own and operate Atlantic City casinos, which are closely regulated by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission and its Division of Gaming Enforcement.
While a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, Steven Cheung, refutes D’Elia’s allegations and dismisses the book as fictional, it is noteworthy that this is not the first time Trump has been associated with using a coin toss in business negotiations. In a separate incident, investment banker Ken Moelis recounted a similar encounter with Trump, emphasizing Trump’s penchant for employing unconventional methods to reach agreements.
In addition to shedding light on D’Elia’s interactions with Trump, the book also delves into his representation of the legendary Michael Jackson, along with manager Frank DiLeo, known as ‘Tookie.’ Jackson famously declined Trump’s offer to perform at one of his Atlantic City casinos, and D’Elia reveals that Trump had offered $1 million for the singer’s performance.
Today, D’Elia has left behind his life of organized crime and enjoys a peaceful retirement. Although he served five years in prison after being convicted of money laundering, conspiracy, and witness tampering in 2009, he has never acted as a mob informant or testified against any suspected members of organized crime. D’Elia recently sat down for an exclusive interview for Fox Nation’s series on Jimmy Hoffa, titled “Riddle: The Search for James R. Hoffa.” He appears in the latest episode, “The Last Suspect,” which explores the remaining FBI suspect in Hoffa’s disappearance, Gabe Briguglio.
In conclusion, “The Life We Chose, William ‘Big Billy’ D’Elia and The Last Secrets of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Family” is a compelling and enlightening biography that unearths the hidden realities of a remarkable figure in organized crime. D’Elia’s encounters with Donald Trump provide fascinating insights into the former president’s business methods, including a coin toss as a means of settling disputes and making deals. This meticulously researched book by Matt Birkbeck is a must-read for those intrigued by the intricate dynamics of the Mafia and its connections to influential personalities.
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