Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, April 15, 1991                   TAG: 9104150119
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK                                LENGTH: Medium

POLICE PROBE MOB SLAYING/ DRIVER FOR REPUTED CRIME LEADER JOHN GOTTI SHOT IN

One expert said Sunday that the killing could have been orchestrated by the rival Genovese crime family or may have been a challenge to Gotti's authority by dissatisfied underlings in the Gambino crime family that Gotti allegedly runs.

Gotti, whom authorities have called the most powerful mobster in America, is being held without bail in federal prison awaiting trial on racketeering charges.

The driver, Bartholomew Borriello, 47, was shot when he out of his car Saturday night in the driveway of his Brooklyn home, said police Sgt. Edward Burns.

Carl Sifakis, author of "The Mafia Encyclopedia," speculated on the possible origin of the killing.

He said, "There might be a move within the Gotti family, a struggle for power. It's a myth that a man can be in prison and maintain control for any length of time, because he's needed for minute-to-minute decisions."

"Going after a chauffeur is a very important hit," Sifakis said. "A chauffeur often plays the role of a personal aide. It's a step up to power. In a way, it's striking the leadership."

Mob chauffeurs have a long history of replacing their bosses - or being gunned down with them, Sifakis said.

When Gotti's predecessor, Paul Castellano, was gunned down in 1985, his chauffeur also was killed. In the racketeering indictment for which Gotti is awaiting trial, he is accused of ordering the murder.

One of Al Capone's early jobs in organized crime was as a driver. Sam Giancana served as chauffeur to two crime bosses before he ascended to the top of the Chicago crime syndicate. And 18 months before Giancana was murdered, his driver was slain.