A former FBI agent recounted how he gained 160 pounds and adopted the persona of a food-loving mobster to infiltrate the Gambino Crime Family for nearly three years. Joaquín "Jack" García, now in his early 70s, spoke exclusively to the Daily Mail about his undercover operation, which he described as a strategy of embracing the mob's cultural obsessions to avoid suspicion.
Infiltration and Deception
García, who began his 26-year FBI career at 240 pounds, embarked on his most significant assignment in 2002. Posing as "Jack Falcone," a third-generation Sicilian from Miami, he worked his way into the Gambino family. He found that by indulging in the Mafia's penchant for food and associating with their lifestyle, he was perceived not as law enforcement, but as one of them. "The more I ate, the bad guys really liked me, because they didn't suspect me as being anything but a bad guy," García told the Daily Mail. This tactic allowed him to wear a wire to every meeting without being searched, as discovery would have destroyed the trust he meticulously built.
Building Trust and Gathering Evidence
García's undercover work was instrumental in dismantling a significant portion of the Gambino family's operations. He convinced Mafia captain Greg DePalma to make him his personal driver and confidant. Through this proximity, García uncovered criminal activities including extortion schemes targeting strip clubs and construction companies, the operation of gambling and loan-sharking businesses, and the rigging of bids for construction contracts. He also exposed a scheme involving "no-show jobs" in unions, which provided mobsters with illicit income and benefits.
To avoid being tasked with violent crimes, García presented himself as a valuable "earner" for the family, selling counterfeit goods supplied by the FBI as legitimate scores. He also used his weight as a potential excuse, suggesting to mob superiors that his health was too fragile for such activities.
Personal Sacrifice and Operation's End
The undercover mission required significant personal sacrifice. García lived separately from his family for 28 months, adopting a new identity and lifestyle. The operation concluded prematurely in 2005 when FBI management decided to shut it down, despite García being on the verge of being inducted as a "made man" – an official member of the Gambino family. García and involved U.S. attorneys expressed frustration with this decision.
Despite the early termination, García's gathered evidence led to the arrests and convictions of 32 Gambino members and associates. Greg DePalma was sentenced to over 12 years in prison for racketeering and extortion. Acting boss Arnold "Zeke" Squitieri and acting underboss Anthony "The Genius" Megale were also convicted.
After his identity was revealed, García learned of a reported $250,000 contract on his life, but he expressed no fear for his safety, crediting the Bureau with providing necessary protection. In 2024, García was honored by the FBI for his distinguished service, with former FBI Director Christopher Wray acknowledging his legendary, albeit true, career accomplishments.
