Joseph D. Pistone, alias Donnie Brasco, was an FBI agent who worked undercover for years to infiltrate the Bonanno family, a branch of the Mafia in New York City. He was tutored in the way of the Mafia by Bonanno mobster, Benjamin Ruggiero. Pistone's work led to the conviction of more than 100 mobsters.

Following his extraction from the mafia, Pistone entered the Witness Protection Program and assumed a new identity. An open contract remains for his death. Bonanno boss Joe Massino was convicted in 2004 of ordering capo Sonny Black Napolitano killed for allowing Brasco into the family.

Pistone detailed his underover experience in his 1990 book, Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia. He revisited his experiences as Donnie Brasco in his 2004 book, The Way of the Wiseguy.

Donnie Brasco is also the name of a 1997 film starring Johnny Depp and Al Pacino, based on his book.

He continues to be active as an author and consultant to law enforcement agencies world-wide.

See also

• The Way of the Wiseguy