Star witness at Quebec inquiry, aka 'Donnie Brasco', lives in shadows with price on head

Star witness at Quebec inquiry, aka 'Donnie Brasco', lives in shadows with price on head

MONTREAL - Most people know Joseph Pistone by the name of his alter-ego, "Donnie Brasco." And many of those who do, want to kill him.

A self-described "street guy" who became famous when he struck at the heart of New York's notorious organized crime families, the former FBI undercover agent's story enthralled moviegoers when it was chronicled in the 1997 movie "Donnie Brasco," starring Johnny Depp.

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Usually, Pistone shuns the limelight — and for good reason.

The Mob put a $500,000 bounty on his head after he skilfully infiltrated their ranks, posing as a bar-hopping jewel thief between 1976 and 1981.

Even the FBI, where he's a legend, only has an old, blurry surveillance photo of him on its website where it describes his pioneering undercover work.

Pistone, who says his insinuation into the Bonanno and Colombo crime families led to 200 convictions at 20 different trials, rarely sticks his head up. When he does, it's with his appearance altered and under tight security.

He lives under an assumed name in an undisclosed location and has a licence to pack a gun.