A former FBI agent who infiltrated the Gambino Crime Family for nearly three years revealed how he used his weight gain as a crucial tool in his undercover operation. Joaquín 'Jack' García, who joined the FBI at 240 pounds, gained 160 pounds to reach 400 pounds, adopting the persona of 'Jack Falcone,' a third-generation Sicilian from Miami.
García's undercover work was instrumental in the conviction of 32 Gambino family members and associates. He was able to convince Mafia captain Greg DePalma to make him his personal driver and close confidant. The operation, which lasted 28 months, required García to live separately from his family and maintain a constant vigilance against potential discovery.
Infiltration Tactics
García, a Cuban immigrant who became a U.S. citizen to join the FBI, initially became involved in the case at a Bronx strip club targeted by Albanian gangsters. The FBI sought a mature, street-smart individual who could blend in. García entered the operation posing as an investor from Florida, vouched for by the club owners who were paying the Gambino crew for protection. The crime family was extorting money from various businesses at the time.
During his time undercover, García observed that the portrayal of mobsters as flashy businessmen in Hollywood was inaccurate. He described them as capable of extreme violence, often masking their actions with a false code of honor. "These guys, some of them are psychopaths," García told the Daily Mail. "They always preach, 'we're men of honor.' They're the furthest thing from men of honor. There's always treachery involved; there's deceit. You have to watch yourself."
As he gained DePalma's trust, García was pushed to infiltrate unions to establish "no-show jobs," where mobsters received union payrolls and benefits without performing any work, while maintaining control over construction site labor.
Evading Suspicion
García discovered various criminal activities, including bid-rigging for construction contracts, skimming union payrolls, and running gambling and loan-sharking operations. He identified two types of mob members: "earners" who generated revenue and "brokesters" who committed violent crimes.
García avoided being ordered to commit violence by presenting himself as a reliable "earner." He sold counterfeit goods, such as Rolex watches and furs supplied by the FBI, to the mobsters. He also used his significant weight as a potential excuse, suggesting that a weak heart might be affected by the stress of committing murder. This strategy reinforced his value as a revenue generator, making him less expendable.
Despite the mob's reputation for vigilance, García stated he was never searched for listening devices and wore one to every meeting for three years. He explained that a thorough search would have destroyed the trust he had built, while finding a wire would have ended his undercover role regardless.
Operation's End and Legacy
The undercover operation concluded prematurely in 2005, much to the dismay of García and the involved U.S. attorneys. García was reportedly on the verge of being inducted as a "made man" into the Gambino family. He described the FBI's decision to shut down the operation as a "poor management decision."
Despite the early termination, the evidence gathered led to the arrests of 32 Gambino members and associates, many of whom pleaded guilty. Greg DePalma was convicted on racketeering and extortion charges and sentenced to over 12 years in prison. Acting boss Arnold Squitieri and acting underboss Anthony Megale were also convicted on racketeering charges.
Following the revelation of his true identity, García learned of a reported $250,000 contract on his life but expressed no fear, crediting the FBI for his protection. In 2024, García was honored by the FBI with the Distinguished Service Honoree award. Former FBI Director Christopher Wray remarked that García's career was legendary and highlighted his success in fooling the mob to the point of potential induction.