John Riggi dead: New Jersey Mafia boss who inspired Tony Soprano dies, aged 90

Riggi spent time in prison for murder, extortion and other crimes

DeCavalcante boss John Riggi, pictured in 1969 (Bettmann/Corbis)

The New Jersey Mob boss thought to have been the inspiration for the fictional Tony Soprano has died at the age of 90.

John Riggi was the leader of the DeCavalcante crime family for more than 20 years, according to police, and spent time in prison for murder, extortion and other crimes.

Even while he was an inmate, he still ran the family’s affairs, according to prosecutors. They claimed he ordered killings and issued orders to his associates while in prison. But officials also said he made donations to charity, supported community groups in New Jersey and was even involved in the Police Athletic League.

Robert Boccino, former deputy chief of the State Organised Crime Bureau, told NJ.com: “He wasn’t Tony Soprano. Absolutely he was no Tony Soprano. The people in Elizabeth loved him. Nobody would co-operate – that was the problem. He was respected.”

John Riggi was an inspiration for the fictional Tony Soprano (centre) (Channel 4)

He remembered arresting Riggi in an early morning raid and acquiescing to a request to allow the Mob boss to shower and put on a suit. “All the others we took in that morning put on the arrest suit – sweats and sneakers. But when we brought him into the holding cell and he walked in, they all stood up. He was an impressive guy,” Mr Boccino said.

Sopranos creator David Chase has said he drew inspiration for the HBO show partly from crime families including the DeCavalcantes.

In September 2003, Riggi admitted his role in the 1989 murder of a Staten Island businessman that prosecutors said was carried out as a favour to John Gotti, head of the Gambino family.