Providing critical information concerning fraud, corruption, plagiarism and an assortment of other allegations by a person or persons and/or an organization titled:.

Tom Papania, God's Saving Grace Ministries
P.O. Box 756 Powder Springs, Georgia 30127
(770) 590-8775 Fax (770) 590-0130

Prime host to these allegations include Rev. Kelly of the Landmark Christian Church at Peachtree Corners.The same pastor that Tom states was critical to his being Born again two years before Tom's arrest and trial, testified at Tom's Trial, heard Tom's Testimony on the witness stand and then backs up encourages and staunchly defends said Christian Testimony even though it is totally OPPOSITE from Tom's trial testimony ... yes, even though both are complete opposites! And, Focus On The Family and Dr. James Dobson

Thomas Papanier, alias "Tommy Papania" of Staten Island: What is the truth?

Atlanta Journal Constitution:

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Federal officials say the following people played roles in what they describe as Carl Coppola's racketeering enterprise:

Carl Louis Coppola, 44, owner of Jilly's Inc. Came to Atlanta in 1977 from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he had been labor union official and alleged smuggler. Indicted for racketeering. In federal custody.

Joseph Anthony Cam, shot to death May 9, 1983, at age 43 in Fort Lauderdale area. Longtime associate of Carl Coppola and alleged partner in Jilly's.

[This is the man Tom was accused of conspiring to kill, and the one he swore on a bible that he had NOTHING to do with and the SAME one he now claims he ordered an example made of]

Joseph Edward Kilrain, alias "Joe Duffy," shot to death May 21, 1979, in Hollywood, Fla. Alleged business associate of Carl Coppola. Fugitive from 1976 federal drug conviction.

Daniel Edward Forgione Jr., shot to death March 25, 1984, at age 35 in Margate, Fla. Fort Lauderdale laborers union business manager. Federal indictment alleges Carl Coppola conspired in his death.

Thomas Papanier, 41, alias "Tommy Papania," former bodyguard for Coppola and charged in federal racketeering indictment. In federal custody.

William Wotocek, 42, official of Jilly's Inc. and co-owner of two franchises. Charged in federal racketeering indictment. Released on bond.

Sharon Conte, 39, secretary treasurer of Jilly's Inc. and co-owner of two franchises. Charged in federal racketeering indictment. Released on bond.

Alexander Biscuiti, alleged longtime associate of Coppola in drug smuggling who has testified before the grand jury concerning the alleged plot to kill Forgione. Unindicted co-conspirator identified by federal authorities as a cooperating witness.

AJC:

For more than 13 years, law enforcement authorities followed the carreer of Carl Louis Coppola. But when he was kidnapped in 1982 by A LONG TIME FRIEND and when the friends body turned up six months later dumped on a Florida playground, the investigation began in earnest. Accused racketeer Carl Coppola, having been kidnapped and released by a business associate. Biscuiti said tension between Coppola and Joseph Cam, Coppola's main business partner, heightened after Cam kidnapped Coppola in 1982 in a dispute over money and control of Jilly's rib restaurants and threatened to blackmail Coppola with a series of incriminating tape- recorded conversations, according to testimony. When Coppola reneged on a promise to pay Cam $500,000, Cam repeatedly pressured Coppola for the money and threatened to kidnap Coppola's ex-wife and stepdaughter. Coppola said Cam was seeking repayment of money he   [Cam]  invested in Jilly's.

Coppola described in graphic detail his 1982 kidnapping by Cam, Frank Pilara and Randall Sanford. He said they wired him nude to a chair in an Atlanta warehouse for the first three days of his three- week captivity, pistol-whipped him several times and threatened to drown him in a 55-gallon drum of water. Coppola testified that after his rescue by Fulton County police, and while Pilara was still at large, he turned for help to Forgione, who was connected to a Detroit organized crime family. Coppola said he met with syndicate representatives from Chicago, Detroit, Miami and Buffalo, who "pretty much told me I had to come up with some money to settle the thing. Coppola said he agreed to pay $600,000 to the families or their representatives and $250,000 to Cam in exchange for Cam's stock in Jilly's.

[notice, Toms testimony states that "he was kidnapped by some drug dealers" and " I knew the whole story. There was one man in the Mafia in Detroit, Michigan. Another one in Miami, Florida, organized and arranged this whole thing, and they hired three drug dealers to kidnap him." when in FACT, EVERYONE knew it was Coppola's friend and associate that kidnapped him and it was over MONEY. AND he was released because he agreed to pay Cam $500.000. Tom had NOTHING to do with his being set free nor the eventual murder of Cam, even though he explicitly takes credit today. ]

"And I got a phone call from the man in Florida, who originally called me. And he said, "Have you heard about Carl?" And I just received some money a few weeks ago, and I didn't hear anything. And I said, "No". He said he was kidnapped by some drug dealers. And they want a million dollars or they're going to kill him. He said, "Do you think you can help him?" "

I got home. Within two days, I was told two of the kidnappers were found dead in the street with bullets in the back of their heads. The third man had evidently seen his two friends were killed, and he just ran away and went into hiding. The man that owned the restaurant called me up and said, "Tom, I understand it was you that got me set free. I don't know how I can ever thank you." I said, "I do. We're going to increase my percentage in your business." Increased it. It went up a lot more each month.

[ imagine this after you read the truth? Of the three men who kidnapped Coppola, one died of NATURAL causes and only  Cam was shot.]

AJC:

While Coppola's hearing was going on, defense attorney Alan Begner was in the next-door courtroom urging U.S. Magistrated John R. Strother to free Papanier on bond. Papnanier is charged with conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

[notice, only TWO charges]

TOM:

And as I started reading the indictment, I saw I was charged with two murders, distributing
a hundred kilos of cocaine a week from Atlanta to New York, charged with racketeering, and
so many other things. And I looked at the indictment, and I said, "God," I said, "this is all a
mistake.

AJC:

Forgione, president of a Broward County, Fla., labor union, had arranged organized crime protection for Coppola after he was kidnapped in November 1982, according to Biscuiti. Coppola hatched the plot to kill Forgione after Forgione threatened to take over some of Coppola's Jilly's restaurants in lieu of payment for the protection debt, said Biscuiti, a cooperating witness.

and

To pay protection money to the Chicago organized crime syndicate, Biscuiti testified, Coppola flew to the Bahamas in January 1983 and withdrew $300,000 in cash from a bank account in the name of his former wife, Rachel Coppola.

[now, it was " Forgione " and NOT Papania who arranged protection after Coppola was kidnapped and it was " Forgione " AND the Chicago "Outfit" , with NO affiliation to Gambino that was collecting the CASH and NOT Papania. recall "I now had more interest [owned more] than [coppola] him"]

TOM:

The man that owned the restaurant called me up and said, "Tom, I understand it was you that
got me set free. I don't know how I can ever thank you." I said, "I do. We're going to increase
my percentage in your business." Increased it. It went up a lot more each month

Coppola testified that he met with underworld figures to seek protection after his 1982 kidnapping.

[tom testifys that he met coppola BEFORE he was kidnapped]

TOM:

A few months had gone by, and he called me up again. This time, you could tell by his voice, he was very, very nervous. Something's really bothering him. And he said, "Tom". He said, "I need your help again." And I said, "I've already saved your life. What more can I do for you?" And he said, "Well, I found out two of the kidnappers were killed. And the third man has been calling me up and he's saying he knows he's next. But, before they kill him, he's going come and kill me, and my mother and father, and my whole family. And Tom, I believe this man, because every day I was there kidnapped, this man put a gun in my mouth and said he was going to enjoy killing me. And even if we came up with the million, he was going to kill me anyway." And he said, "I know he'll kill me. I'm afraid. Please send somebody down to protect me, and I'll pay them whatever you tell me to pay them." I had thought I was looking to get out of New York for a while, and this was the perfect opportunity.

***************************

AJC:

Regarding the murders, Papanier denied plotting with Coppola to kill associates Daniel Forgione and Joseph Cam. Instead, as Coppola had done, Papanier pointed the finger at a key prosecution witness who implicated both accused racketeers in the South Florida murders.

[Tom NOW says he ORDERED an example made of Joseph Cam --the kidnapper of coppola , but the truth is, HE NEVER had ANYthing to do with this murder that he testifies to today]

TOM:

I knew the whole story. There was one man in the Mafia in Detroit, Michigan. Another one in Miami, Florida, organized and arranged this whole thing, and they hired three drug dealers to kidnap him. I called these two men, and I asked them to meet with me. They met with me. And we sat down and I asked them about this kidnapping. And they were really proud about it. They were telling me how easy it went, and they had this man. And they were sure that they were going to get the million dollars. And they were probably going to kill him anyway, because he was a nobody. And that's when I surprised them. I said, "He's not a nobody, he's with me. And I own a percentage of the restaurant." I said, "Now, I want him set free immediately. And I want an example set of those three men [Joseph Cam was murdered] that kidnapped him. And if an example is not set, I'm coming back here and setting an example with the two of you."

************************

AJC

The government is not alleging Papanier is a member of the Mafia

[notice, the Government KNEW Tom was NOT a member of the MOB!]

 TOM

"You know, Tom, I've been in jails and I've seen many people." And he said, "But, you're different than other people." And I looked at him and laughed. I said, "Of course, I'm different. I'm the third highest in the Gambino family....

I'm much different than the people here." And he said, "No, I'm not talking about that." He said, "What are you planning on doing when you get out in the next few months?" And I looked at him, and I said, "I've got a few hundred people working for me, and I've got about forty businesses I'm controlling. I've got millions of dollars. What do you think I'm doing when I get out? It's business as usual."

 AND

Subject: Re: Information Please
Date: Tues, 23 Mar 99 23:02:08 -0700
From: Jerry Capeci <capeci@ganglandnews.com>
To: Michael <EDITED> <EDITED>

its tom papania and he's a small time hood from statan island ny who's
making a career for himself by telling tall tales and selling tapes as a
man of god. he was never a member of the gambino family.

jerry

<. . . if he is claiming to have been third in line to Paul Castellano he is misquoting himself . . . JC>

jerry
capeci@ganglandnews.com <mailto:capeci@ganglandnews.com>
<http://www.ganglandnews.com/>

 ***************************

AJC:

[ NOTICE Friendships]

********************

AJC:

But Papanier denied being a member of the Gambino syndicate

....and said he moved to Atlanta to work for Coppola's Jilly's rib restaurants in 1983 to sever his informal ties with organized crime and "start my life over."

AND

Subject: Re: Tom Papania - From Mafia to Ministry

Hi Johan -- I know a little about Tom Papania and think he's a fraud. He has made a career of "telling his story." To get attention, his story has to be unique or it gets lost amongst all the others who are seeking an audience. Combining La Cosa Nostra, one of America's favorite boogeymen and religion has proved to be a successful gig for Papania.

He was never the No. 3 man in the Gambino crime family under Paul Castellano. He is not, nor was he ever a "made" member of the Gambino family. No one in law enforcement and no former gangsters say he was. That certainly would seem to rule out his claims, and when you analyze them, they seem quite far fetched.

We have NOT read his "testimony" about his former criminal life. We do know that he has spent time in Staten Island, but he is NOT on the various government lists of members of the Gambino Family going back to the early 1960's. We do NOT know if he is a relative of Joe Masseria, as he often claims. He may be, but he ain't what he claims to be.

Jerry Capeci

Gang Land News
New York, NY
<http://www.ganglandnews.com/>
email: capeci@ganglandnews.com <mailto:capeci@ganglandnews.com>

AND:

[remember he now TESTIFIES that he came to Atlanta to TAKE over Jillys Ribs and CONTINUE his criminal enterprises, NOTICE 1983.... in fact, he now claims that he began his enterprise with Coppola BEFORE Coppola was kidnapped]

TOM:

And a man from Florida called me up. And he said, "Tom, I have a friend in Atlanta, Georgia that has a couple of restaurants. And he's interested in opening one in Atlantic City. And he's a good friend of mine. Can you give him a break? He's a real good friend." I said, "Well, tell him to come up and we'll talk and I'll see what I can do." And the man came from Atlanta, Georgia up to Atlantic City, New Jersey. We met, and we started talking. We had a lot in common. We were both single. We were both wearing Rolexes with diamonds all over them. We were both driving Mercedes. He had lake houses and penthouses. I had penthouses in New York. We had a lot in common. We liked fast women, fast cars, fast boats. So, we hit it off real good. And he was telling me about his restaurants. And I wanted to go down to Atlanta and see the restaurants, because I had never been to the South. And the only thing that I knew of the South is what I saw on the television program, "Hee-Haw". And that's what I thought the South was like, and I couldn't imagine these restaurants he was describing. And we went to Atlanta, I was very, very impressed. In fact, when I saw the skyline of Atlanta, I thought we made a wrong turn some place, and we were back in New York City. And my first look at Atlanta. And I said, "This is what New York would be like, if someone would clean out all the filth and all the garbage and all the crime. It's nice here." And he showed the restaurants. And they were very, very well run, and they were very prosperous restaurants. And I was going to do something with this man, because I wanted these restaurants for myself. He had four of them, and I wanted to open six more and then go public with it and then just sell it public. And I wasn't going to give him any of the money. And we went back to Atlantic City. And I said, "I tell you what I'll do. You don't have to give me any money. Just give me a percentage in your business, in the restaurants. But, I want to really expand the business." And he said, "Ok, fine." And we didn't draw any contract. There were no attorneys. It was a handshake. And I told him, every month, I want him to put somebody on a plane and just fly them up to New York and bring me my percentage. And every month somebody would come up and it would be between forty and fifty thousand dollars each month they would come and bring me. And almost a year had gone by, and every month faithfully, the man came up with the money.

*****************

AJC:
Papanier also disputed testimony that he plotted with Coppola to kill two associates and conspired to distribute large quantities of cocaine in Atlanta. His argumentative responses to the prosecutor's questions on cross-examination prompted repeated warnings from U.S. District Judge Robert Vining.

[ One of these killings was of the kidnapper of Coppola [Cam] and the same Tom takes CREDIT for today ]

And I got a phone call from the man in Florida, who originally called me. And he said, "Have you heard about Carl?" And I just received some money a few weeks ago, and I didn't hear anything. And I said, "No". He said he was kidnapped by some drug dealers. And they want a million dollars or they're going to kill him. He said, "Do you think you can help him?"

And I had to stop and think, because I remember when I was seventeen years old. I remember Carlo Gambino telling me, "Don't ever get involved in drugs with this family. The other families are involved in drugs. But, we're not. We're making billions of dollars a year without the drugs. And if you ever get involved in drugs once, there'll be no second chance. " And I knew they were very serious about this, because three of my friends had been killed just for doing one-time drug deals. So, I knew how serious they were about drugs. But, the greed in me was so great, I started thinking if this man gets killed, I won't see the forty or fifty thousand dollars each month. I was making millions, and I was worried about forty or fifty thousand dollars. And then I reasoned with myself, "Well, he's not a drug dealer. Drug dealers kidnapped him." So, I said I would help. The position that I had, and the networking, the contacts that I had, within 72 hours I found out who was behind the kidnapping, who kidnapped him.

I knew the whole story. There was one man in the Mafia in Detroit, Michigan. Another one in Miami, Florida, organized and arranged this whole thing, and they hired three drug dealers to kidnap him. I called these two men, and I asked them to meet with me. They met with me. And we sat down and I asked them about this kidnapping. And they were really proud about it. They were telling me how easy it went, and they had this man. And they were sure that they were going to get the million dollars. And they were probably going to kill him anyway, because he was a nobody. And that's when I surprised them. I said, "He's not a nobody, he's with me. And I own a percentage of the restaurant." I said, "Now, I want him set free immediately. And I want an example set of those three men [Joseph Cam was murdered] that kidnapped him. And if an example is not set, I'm coming back here and setting an example with the two of you."

**************************

AJC:

[recall his testimony.. rich, custom home, et al]

TOM

And I could go down there myself, oversee all these restaurants and expedite everything. And I said, "I'll do better than send somebody down, I'll come down myself. And as far as paying me, don't worry about it. We'll just increase my percentage a little more." By now, I had more percentage in his business than he had. Went down there. And the first thing I asked him, "What is the most exclusive area to live? Where are the more expensive houses?" He told me. I went and got a house there. .

AND:

I was thirty-nine years old, making millions and millions of dollars a year. Done everything I ever wanted to do. If I didn't have anything, it's because I didn't want it. I started thinking, "What do I have left to live for, just to get old? I'm already powerful. I'm already rich. All I have left is to get old. "

Tom's stepdaughter:

When I read Tommy's testimony I couldn't believe what he was saying about having money and cars and an expensive house. My mother (she was on the cover of the AJC with Tommy when he was acquitted and even I got to testify at the trial) and I have discussed this, and while we know it is wrong to pray for the downfall of another human being, we both wish you luck in reclaiming what is yours- your personal history. If there is any way I can help, please let me know.

AJC:

In his native New York, Papanier worked for a poultry firm owned by Paul Castellano, then reputed to be the chief of the Gambino family. Tommy Bilotti, Castellano's reputed right-hand man, was Papanier's close friend and best man for two different marriages, Papanier said. Bilotti and Castellano were slain outside a New York restaurant in 1985.

[PS, tom MARRIED again in Georgia (His THIRD) and this woman told an opposite story to Toms also. Tom was a close friend of Bilotti, this WAS his ONLY connection to the gambino family.]

Mrs. Tom Papania [maggie harper of atlanta]
(she changed her name after the divorce) up to a year AFTER the trial called. Said Tom abused her and her Daughter! Said she brought it before Fred Kelley at Landmark Church but was rebuffed. She then separated from Tom do to his lies and abuse. Said Tom is lying! She said, and I quote: "Call Tom, tell him you spoke to me, HE WILL TALK TO YOU! " -- "I cannot just sit here idly as Tom ruins your life and continues to con people..." ---" Tom is a PATHOLOGICAL liar..."

*************************

AJC:

By March, Coppola decided he had no need for Papanier and said he "was going to take Tommy out too - kill him," Biscuiti testified. Coppola told Biscuiti that at his instructions, Lee and the Brown brothers had tried to kill Papanier with a bomb but were foiled by an alarm system Papanier had at his home, Biscuiti said.

According to the indictment, the Brown brothers accepted Coppola's solicitation to kill Papanier for $25,000 in cash, and Coppola gave them a hand-drawn floor plan of Papanier's home.

(recall this?:)

TOM:

I won't work for you." But, he came out of the cell that day and walked right up to me. Looked me in the face and said, "I'm not afraid of you anymore." He said, "Your eyes have changed." He said, "Your face has changed. Even your voice has changed." He said, "What have they done to you in here?" I looked, and I said, "It's not what they done to me in here (prison). It's what Jesus has done in here (heart)". And he said, "I heard what you were telling the two other men." He said, "Tom, you know I'm a killer." He said, "But, do you think if I gave God my word that I would never kill again, that He would love me and save me that way that He loves and saves you?" And I said, "Yes." And I reminded him of the thief on the cross. And he too got on his knees with a broken heart, cried. And I led him in the Sinner's Prayer. It's not jailhouse religion, 'cause all three men are still in jail. All three men have one of the largest Bible studies in the prison system. The one man who was a killer is also the chaplain's clerk. And I thought that was the end of it. I went back to my cell. I said, "OK, God, I've done want You wanted me to do. Now, get me out of here." But, God had more for me to do. He had me pray for all the officers. Some of the officials came. And they said to me, "We see the picture on television. We see the picture in the newspaper, what they're saying about you. But, every time we come to your cell, you're reading your Bible, you're praying. You can't be the same person they're talking about." I prayed for a lot of them. Led a lot of them to Christ. Some of them came and said, "My wife is sick, my children are sick. Here's a picture of them. Will you pray for them? " Some of them came back with reports of healing. It was just amazing what God was doing.

[Now, for the final time, the above "story" states how Tom met with the three men whom had tried to kill him in a contract killing. In goes into extreme detail, YET! Below, you will discover these men were NOT in the cell with him, In fact, one was not even apprehended until 1988. The other was aquitted and the third ? The one that is the KILLER extreme who became the Chaplain's Assistant ?? Well, that is COPPOLA himself?? Go Figure Tom's falsity! or read BELOW! Also, NOTICE THE DATE is one YEAR after Tom was aquited!!]

 BYLINE: By Gail Epstein Staff Writer
DATE: 01-20-1988
PUBLICATION: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution
EDITION:
SECTION: Newspapers_&_Newswires
PAGE: C/05

Charles Oliver Brown, who according to court testimony was employed as a hit man by convicted racketeer Carl Coppola, was denied bond Tuesday after prosecutors introduced evidence that Brown had changed his appearance and was living under an assumed name. Brown, 44, was arrested Jan. 3, 1988 in Holly Hill, Fla., by U.S. marshals. He had been a fugitive since the unsealing of an 11-count indictment on May 9, 1986, which charged Brown, Coppola and 10 others with federal racketeering and drug violations.

It is believed that Darrell Brown sent the indictment to his brother, Deichert said. Brown also was being sought for violating probation on a prior, federal gun-possession charge. He has prior convictions for armed robbery and marijuana possession, Deichert said.

***********

Papanier a tall, raw-boned man, wept in court Monday when his pastor, the Rev. Jack Kelly of the Landmark Christian Church at Peachtree Corners, testified as a character witness. When prosecutor Kesler asked the minister if he felt that Papanier, who faces up to 55 years in prison if convicted on all counts, would come back to court if released on bond, Kelly replied, "I love him. I trust him. I believe he'll do what he says."

[it was Kelly whom launched Tom's "career" ]

Atlanta Journal Constitution

BYLINE: By Gail Epstein Staff Writer
DATE: 02-03-1987
PUBLICATION: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution
EDITION:
SECTION: Newspapers_&_Newswires
PAGE: B/01

I

---Original Message-----
From: Birdie Laframboise <rlaframboise@bgea.org>
To: johan@jvz.co.za <johan@jvz.co.za>
Date: 05 November 1999 22:54
Subject: Tom Papania - Information
Mr. Van Zyl, thanks for your inquiry about Tom Papania.  There is a possibility that Mr. Papania might have participated within a Billy Graham Evangelistic Association crusade setting, such as pre-crusade activities, but we don't spot a record of such.  I would, however, clearly say that we have "not been promoting" Mr. Papania or his ministries.

We appreciate your concern and having taken a moment to share it.
Cordially,
Stan Jackson
Director of Administration
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

-----Original Message-----
(edit)
To: fraud@youthofamerica.com <fraud@youthofamerica.com>
Date: Sunday, May 09, 1999 1:07 AM
Subject: Tom Papania

Rock--

This story about Tom is very interesting.  I am a member of an Christian organization that contracted with Tom in 1997 to speak at the National Day of  Prayer.

All of our board heard Tom's testimony, some had questions and wanted clarification.  We contacted Tom to clarify some of his comments.  Tom got very angry and defensive, he ended up canceling and hanging up on me and the president of the organization..
I have more stories, if you are interested let me know.

Best Wishes,
Chuck

You May Reprint and/or Distribute The Entire Content Of This Page

.and all the while Rev. Jack Kelly of the Landmark Christian Church at Peachtree Corners, Atlanta, Georgia. and fellow believers/supporters watched on and under oath -- then comes his CHRISTIAN testimony approved by those very same Pastors and "associates" :

And, when acquitted of all crimes at his federal trial, Tom, by his own testimony, pointed at his accusers and blamed them and then said this:

(1) " But God let every lie come forward, so He could expose it with the truth. He saved the truth 'til the end to expose all the lies, " (testimony why he was freed!)

 ATLANTA JOURNAL
(2)Coppola bodyguard testifies he severed Mafia ties in 1983-AJC 1987
(3)  Feds followed Coppola's trail for 13 years-Atlanta Journal Constitution 1987.
(4) Coppola's firms laundered cash, witness testifies: Restaurateur smuggled marijuana, says alleged former crime partner-Atlanta Journal Constitution 1987.
(5) Prosecutors say Coppola linked to New York mob- Atlanta Journal Constitution 1987.MOB http://www.ganglandnews.com/