Lee D'Avanzo Net Worth

What is Lee D'Avanzo's net worth?

Lee D'Avanzo is an American former gang leader and convicted criminal who has a net worth of $500 thousand. Lee D'Avanzo is best known for his long-standing ties to organized crime in Staten Island and for his connection to the VH1 reality series "Mob Wives" through his marriage to cast member Drita D'Avanzo. Over the course of several decades, Lee built a reputation as a street-level operator who rose to lead a violent crew known as the New Springville Boys, a group law enforcement described as a feeder organization for the Bonanno and Colombo crime families. His criminal activities ranged from bank burglaries and drug trafficking to loan sharking and racketeering, resulting in multiple federal convictions and lengthy prison sentences. While he never appeared as a primary on-screen figure, Lee's life and legal troubles were a central storyline on "Mob Wives," shaping much of Drita's narrative on the show. His repeated incarcerations defined both his personal life and public image, as he spent significant portions of his adult life behind bars. Despite periods of release, his continued involvement in illegal activity ultimately led to another high-profile arrest in 2019 and a multi-year prison sentence that extended into the early 2020s.

Early Life and Background

Lee D'Avanzo was born on March 7, 1969. He grew up on Staten Island, New York, during a time when organized crime still held a strong cultural presence in many neighborhoods. Unlike some who entered that world out of necessity, Lee is often described as someone who chose the street life despite coming from a relatively stable background. His father reportedly worked as a businessman who commuted to Manhattan, suggesting Lee had exposure to a more conventional path before turning toward crime.

In his early adulthood, Lee established himself as a leader rather than a follower. He formed and led a group known as the New Springville Boys, a Staten Island-based gang that became known for its violence and criminal enterprise. Authorities later characterized the group as a "farm team" for established Mafia families, particularly the Bonanno and Colombo organizations, carrying out lower-level but lucrative operations such as drug distribution, extortion, and loan sharking.

Criminal Career and Convictions

Lee's criminal activities escalated significantly in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In December 2001, he and members of his crew were named in a sweeping federal indictment that outlined a series of coordinated crimes across multiple states. Prosecutors alleged that the group had burglarized more than 30 bank night-deposit boxes, stealing approximately $240,000.

The same indictment also detailed a major drug-related offense in which Lee and his associates hijacked a truck carrying marijuana valued at over $1 million. These crimes, along with additional charges related to racketeering, money laundering, and loansharking, led to his 2003 conviction. He was sentenced to 62 months in federal prison.

Over the following years, Lee accumulated multiple convictions, reinforcing his reputation as a repeat offender. His criminal history would later play a significant role in determining harsher penalties in subsequent cases.

2019 Arrest and Final Prison Sentence

In December 2019, Lee's legal troubles resurfaced in a major way when law enforcement executed a raid on his Staten Island home. Authorities reported finding illegal drugs, including marijuana and prescription pills, as well as two loaded firearms. Because Lee was a convicted felon, possession of firearms constituted a serious federal offense.

While charges against his wife Drita were eventually dropped, Lee pleaded guilty to felony gun possession. In August 2020, a federal judge sentenced him to 64 months in prison, citing his extensive criminal record, which included multiple prior convictions. He served his sentence at FCI McKean, a federal correctional institution in Pennsylvania, and was released on July 14, 2023.

Relationships and Personal Life

Lee's personal life has been closely intertwined with the drama portrayed on "Mob Wives." In the 1990s, he was in a long-term relationship with Karen Gravano, the daughter of notorious mob figure Sammy Gravano. The two dated for nearly a decade and were considered a serious couple within Staten Island's tight-knit social circles.

Their relationship ended in controversial fashion when Lee began dating Drita Selmani, who had been a friend of Karen's. The situation created a lasting rift and became a central storyline during the early seasons of "Mob Wives." Lee and Drita married in 2000 despite strong objections from her family, who were wary of his criminal lifestyle.

The marriage was marked by long periods of separation due to Lee's repeated incarcerations. Although they were married for more than two decades, they spent relatively little time living together. Drita largely raised their two daughters, Aleeya and Gizelle, on her own.

Following Lee's 2019 arrest and subsequent prison sentence, the relationship reached a breaking point. In 2024, Drita publicly confirmed that the couple had quietly separated several years earlier, effectively ending their 24-year marriage.

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