Celebrity ‘Mob Boss’ Michael Franzese Spotted Meeting Fans in Idaho

Born into one of New York's most 'violent and feared' crime families, Michael Franzese has long been a well known name tied to 'the mob', in New York.

Why was Franzese spotted in Idaho? Apparently he, like Justin Bieber, Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner and Tristan Thompson have some love for the Gem State.

Random? Yes. Cool? We'd say so.

Unlike Bieber and the Kardashians who were recently in Idaho to relax and unwind, Franzese was here in the Gem State to do some work!  Particularly, last Sunday at Albertsons' Marketplace on Eagle and Fairview.

He's a man with an interesting story.

Born into the 'mob' or as he calls it in his writings and videos, the 'family business', Franzese wasn't a violent guy but says he was more of the brains of the operation. In 1986, he was named one of the biggest money earners the mob had seen since the famed Al Capone, according to Vanity Fair.

Fortune Magazine listed Michael as #18 on the '50 Most Wealthy and Powerful Mafia Bosses' list that they published at one time.

Franzese says at one time, he was generating anywhere from 5 million to 8 million per week in his legal and illegal businesses.

Now? Franzese has left all of that behind and most often speaks about how 'faith' saved him.

He also has a line of wine that he calls his 'legacy', and the wine, which is sold at Treasure Valley Albertsons locations, is pretty popular. So much so, that Franzese came by to sign bottles for fans on a Sunday afternoon.

We spoke with a young man named Hamed who had the chance to spend some time with Michael Franzese. He said

I wasn't afraid of being around a former mob boss at all because of how kind he was. I enjoyed shaking his hand and embracing him! I hope that he will come back soon!

Take a look at Michael's time in Boise, here:

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