Russotti first rose to prominence when Frank Valenti founded the Rochester crime family and named Russotti as his Underboss, a title he held until Valenti was deposed as boss. Russotti, known as “Red” for his hair color – seized control of Rochester’s organized crime family in 1972. He was known for his sense of humor, once listing his employment as “huckster” in the Rochester Suburban Director. He once said he supported himself by gambling and borrowing from his mother.