José Caruzzo Escafura, popularly known as Piruinha, was the oldest member of the game’s former summit in Rio de Janeiro. Died this Wednesday (22), at the age of 94, the bookie was one of the pillars of illegal gambling in the city, exerting influence in several regions of the capital of Rio.
Born in Campos dos Goytacazes, Piruinha was a stock driver in the 1950s, but it was from the 1970s onwards, when Rio was divided into territories between the main bankers of Rio, that Piruinha consolidated his dominance in the regions of Madureira, Cascadura, Abolição, Piedade, Inhaúma and Maria da Graça.
Unlike other big names in the game, Piruinha preferred to keep a more discreet profile. While other bankers vied for leadership of samba schools and flaunted their luxuries, the criminal focused on managing his empire efficiently. His influence, however, was undeniable, and his name was synonymous with power in the communities where he worked.
Despite this distance, the bicheiro family has a strong connection with Rio Carnival, especially with Portela. Piruinha was the father of Luís Carlos Escafura, former president of the association, and grandfather of Junior Escafura, current vice-president.
In 1993, Piruinha was one of 14 bankers convicted of conspiracy. The initial sentence of six years in prison was reduced by the Federal Supreme Court.
Recently, Pirunha gained some prominence when he appeared in the documentary series “Vale o Escrito: A Guerra do Jogo do Bicho”, on Globoplay, where he talked about his stories with Jogo do Bicho and Carnival.
Piruinha was the father of 27 children.
This content was originally published in Quem era Piruinha, the oldest booker at the game’s summit in RJ on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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