Chris Walker

Lucchese couldn't answer many of the investigators' questions. The Bavaros ran a tight ship. Even though Lucchese saw the vast heaps of money coming through the company accounts, he says he didn't know the shipments of grapes had been mislabeled. He did, however, tell the feds about some of the payments to Michael, not all of what you'd call traditional.

Lucchese couldn't answer many of the investigators' questions. The Bavaros ran a tight ship. Even though Lucchese saw the vast heaps of money coming through the company accounts, he says he didn't know the shipments of grapes had been mislabeled. He did, however, tell the feds about some of the payments to Michael, not all of what you'd call traditional.

Jack needed to convince his clients that he could still be trusted. His first call? Delicato Vineyards, his main customer, whose name was now plastered all over the news next to the words grape fraud. Jack wanted to reassure his longtime friend and winery owner, Tony and Delicato, that he'd get to the bottom of what happened. But according to Scotto, Tony wouldn't even take his phone call.

Jack needed to convince his clients that he could still be trusted. His first call? Delicato Vineyards, his main customer, whose name was now plastered all over the news next to the words grape fraud. Jack wanted to reassure his longtime friend and winery owner, Tony and Delicato, that he'd get to the bottom of what happened. But according to Scotto, Tony wouldn't even take his phone call.

And to add injury to insult, the winery ceased all business with Jack and his brokerage and refused to pay Jack the $1.5 million that Delicato still owed on previous grape deliveries. Jack couldn't believe it. Almost overnight, his business, which he'd spent over three decades building, had turned toxic. He'd lost his biggest customer.

And to add injury to insult, the winery ceased all business with Jack and his brokerage and refused to pay Jack the $1.5 million that Delicato still owed on previous grape deliveries. Jack couldn't believe it. Almost overnight, his business, which he'd spent over three decades building, had turned toxic. He'd lost his biggest customer.

He faced a seven-figure cash flow problem so long as Delicato wouldn't pay him. He felt betrayed by Nick Bavaro, who he'd mentored. And worst of all, he had a sneaking suspicion that his son had been more involved in the scheme than he'd let on. But how far did this rabbit hole go? How exposed was his business? His family? he needed to gauge just how serious things were.

He faced a seven-figure cash flow problem so long as Delicato wouldn't pay him. He felt betrayed by Nick Bavaro, who he'd mentored. And worst of all, he had a sneaking suspicion that his son had been more involved in the scheme than he'd let on. But how far did this rabbit hole go? How exposed was his business? His family? he needed to gauge just how serious things were.

And since Michael wouldn't be straight with him, and Scotto wouldn't investigate on his behalf, Jack was forced to turn to someone else for the truth. Someone unexpected.

And since Michael wouldn't be straight with him, and Scotto wouldn't investigate on his behalf, Jack was forced to turn to someone else for the truth. Someone unexpected.

The godfather of grapes would talk to the feds. Steve Lapham remembers feeling surprised when Jack contacted him in August of 1989. With the indictments against the Bavaros already out and creating a stir, it seemed unusual that another target of his investigation would reach out voluntarily.

The godfather of grapes would talk to the feds. Steve Lapham remembers feeling surprised when Jack contacted him in August of 1989. With the indictments against the Bavaros already out and creating a stir, it seemed unusual that another target of his investigation would reach out voluntarily.

Lapham had no idea what the old man would say, but he and ATF agent Greg Barnett weren't about to turn down an interview with the Godfather of Grapes.

Lapham had no idea what the old man would say, but he and ATF agent Greg Barnett weren't about to turn down an interview with the Godfather of Grapes.

How so?

How so?

The creepiness echoed what Scotto experienced on his first visit. And then there was Jack himself.

The creepiness echoed what Scotto experienced on his first visit. And then there was Jack himself.

And he sat on a throne that Lapham doesn't remember as particularly dignified.

And he sat on a throne that Lapham doesn't remember as particularly dignified.