Feds putting mobster's jewelry up for sale

PHOENIX, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- The state Attorney General's Office in Phoenix plans to auction off jewelry belonging to notorious mobster Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano.

A representative for the Attorney General's Office said the items, which include diamond-encrusted pinkie rings, will be auctioned off to help raise funds for a federal racketeering program, the New York Post reported Wednesday.

"A lot of them were assets gained from the criminal enterprise he participated in," representative Andrea Esquer said.

"The money will go into our (federal racketeering program) to fund other criminal investigations," she added.

Gravano gained notoriety by informing on his fellow mobster, "the Dapper Don" John Gotti, and entered the witness protection program, but was arrested in 2000 in Phoenix for dealing ecstasy. He is currently serving a 19-year sentence.

Since Gravano's wife, Debbie, has since pleaded guilty to charges she was involved with the drug-running scheme, her belongings will also be placed up for sale Nov. 3.

The Post said that along with her Phillipe Charriol watch, Debbie Gravano will be losing a bracelet that has her name spelled out in diamonds.