Vincent “Chin” Gigante first used his mental illness claim to escape trial in a 1970 police bribery case by checking into psychiatric clinics whenever the FBI turned up the heat. His admission form read, “I may give the director written notice at any time of my desire to leave the hospital.”
Gigante, on close to thirty occasions, admitted himself to a suburban mental hospital for treatment of his self-diagnosed mental illness. Among his Mafia pals, the visits were known as “tune-ups.” Each one added to his aura of invincibility that spared him from prosecution while insuring his continued reign atop the world of organized crime.
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