Sclafani, who was a messenger for an inside source the Gambino crime family had at Manhattan Federal Court -- his mother-in-law -- from 1972 to 1986, worked hard to overcome the unflattering reputation.

"He tried hard to do the right thing, but he would always screw up," said one law enforcement source, recalling why Big Gus was killed by Joseph Watts (right) and was the first casualty of John Gotti's reign as the Dapper Don in early 1986.

Watts, whose federal loansharking and money laundering trial begins today, killed Sclafani in a Mulberry Street social club controlled by capo Joseph (Joe Butch) Corrao, according to an FBI report obtained by Gang Land.

"Big Gus was killed because he was spreading a rumor that (Gotti's first

Big Gus had deduced -- incorrectly, sources said -- that DeCicco must have been an informer because he had been a frequent visitor to the bugged home of Gotti pal Angelo Ruggiero in 1981 & 1982 and had escaped indictment. DeCicco also took part in the killing, the report said.

Borghese got involved in the caper when Watts and two others borrowed his truck, removing his fishing gear and leaving it on his front lawn, the report said. The next day, the truck was in front of his house. When he went to put back the fishing gear, the inside of the truck felt wet, and when he looked at his hand, it was "bright red and soaked in blood."

Later, when they discussed the bloody condition of the truck, Watts laughed and said: "At least you could feel close to Big Gus. We killed him in Joe Butch's club. I hit him four or five times, and the gun jammed."

The report concluded: "Big Gus put up his arm for protection and was still on his feet. Borghese added that Watts said that he stabbed Big Gus to finish him off."

If convicted, Watts, who has been in federal or state

At trial, prosecutors Daniel Dorsky and Andrew Genser will not be able to introduce any evidence about the Sclafani murder, or seven others that Watts allegedly committed.

Watts's high-powered defense team of Gerald Shargel, James LaRossa and Andrew Weinstein also prevailed on Brooklyn Federal Judge David Trager to keep the jury from hearing about another violent act by Watts, a vicious assault against an automatic tennis ball feeder.

Watts became very frustrated with his serve one day while playing at his Sarasota, Fla. hideaway, according to prosecutors, and took it out on the tennis machine. First he chopped it up with an ax, then he threw it over the 12-foot wall that surrounds the complex.

"When you break the tennis machine, that really says whose house it is," said Genser, who argued unsuccessfully that the incident should be allowed into evidence because it showed he owned the house, an element in the prosecution's money laundering charge.

Joseph (Tin Ear) Sclafani (right) -- no relation to the late Big Gus -- also pleaded guilty to gambling and extortion charges in the same indictment. The 63-year-old wiseguy, who has no prior arrests, will do no more than eight years in his package deal.

But Sclafani, who has been detained without bail since his arrest 18 months ago, shouldn't suffer any disrespect from his cohorts or from New York mob guys over his plea. And that means a lot to him, according to a Mar. 3, 1999 talk he had with his brother gangsters from the Garden State.

"The (New York wiseguys) make rumors about the Jersey guys," Sclafani complained to capo Anthony Rotondo. " 'They're farmers,' they say....but they don't know. They know now," said Sclafani.

"They know now," agreed Rotondo.

Sclafani's remarks about New York Mafia families quickly evolved into a 

"Hey, what's this fucking thing, 'Sopranos'. What the fuck are they... Is that supposed to be us?" asked Sclafani.

"You are in there, they mentioned your name in there," joked Rotondo, who later ended the conversation about the show with effusive praise. "What characters. Great acting!"

Rotondo, 43, (left) who is charged with taking part in two gangland style slayings, is scheduled for trial in October.

According to sentencing guidelines that give weight to a defendant's criminal history, Sclafani faces between 78 to 97 months. " He is not cooperating with anybody about anything," stressed lawyer Francisco Celedonio.