Vito Scaletta returns in Mafia III as one of Lincoln Clay's three recruitable underbosses, connecting the events of Empire Bay to the criminal underworld of 1968 New Bordeaux. After being exiled south by the Commission following the fallout of Mafia II, the former protagonist runs the River Row district while seeking vengeance against Sal Marcano. Working alongside Vito unlocks critical combat perks, business kickbacks, and reveals key narrative details regarding his past.
How Vito Scaletta Arrived in New Bordeaux
Vito Scaletta's arrival in New Bordeaux stems directly from the climax of Mafia II in 1951. After Vito and Joe Barbaro launched an unsanctioned assault against the Empire Bay Triads at the Red Dragon Restaurant and assassinated Don Carlo Falcone, the Commission demanded retribution. Leo Galante negotiated an exile agreement that spared Vito's life on the condition that he leave Empire Bay permanently.
Galante placed Vito under the oversight of Sal Marcano, the head of the Marcano Crime Family in New Bordeaux. Sal assigned Vito the run-down, working-class industrial district of River Row, where Vito established the Italian Gang. Sal never welcomed Vito's presence, viewing him as an unwanted carpetbagger forced upon his territory by the Commission. Because Vito was a made man, Marcano could not kill him without sanctioned approval from the Commission.
By 1968, Vito had spent nearly 17 years managing River Row, operating out of Benny's Ristorante and running local dock unions and smuggling rings. Lincoln Clay first meets Vito at the Retroussé Yacht Club, where Vito sizes up Lincoln's military background in Vietnam. Vito helped finance the Federal Reserve heist by fronting a large portion of his savings and securing the vault combination, expecting a major cut to secure his independence.
Rescuing Vito and Taking Down Michael Grecco
Following the Federal Reserve robbery, Sal Marcano betrayed Lincoln's crew and simultaneously moved against Vito. Marcano withheld Vito's cut from the heist, starving his operations of cash while deliberately sabotaging River Row rackets. Sal's goal was to force Vito to fall behind on his dues, giving the Commission a legitimate pretext to sanction a hit. To push Vito out, Sal sent his nephew by marriage, Michael Grecco.
Grecco's crew ambushed Vito and locked him inside the walk-in freezer at Benny's Ristorante, preparing to execute him. Lincoln Clay arrives just in time to clear the mobsters and free Vito from the freezer. Recognizing a shared enemy, Vito agrees to ally with Lincoln under the condition that Lincoln delivers Grecco directly to him.
Lincoln dismantutes Grecco's dock union extortion and warehouse rackets before capturing him during a chase through the River Row district. Lincoln hands Grecco over to Vito, who interrogates him and discovers Sal Marcano's secret project: using the Federal Reserve money to construct a legal casino across the lake to legitimize the Marcano family. Once Grecco reveals Marcano's motives, Vito executes him by feeding him into a meat grinder, officially cutting ties with Marcano and pledging his Italian Gang to Lincoln's syndicate alongside his smuggling lieutenant, Alma Diaz.
Vito Scaletta's Underboss Perks and Upgrades
Assigning rackets and city districts to Vito increases his total criminal income. As Vito's earnings grow, he provides Lincoln with upgrades to maximum health, stamina recovery, additional adrenaline shots, and high-tier backup squads through his associates Betty Johnson, Gianni Bruno, and Bobby Navarro.
| Income Threshold | Perk Category | Perk Upgrade Description | Unlocking Associate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | Consigliere | Stash Your Cash On The Go | Betty Johnson |
| $30,000 | Hit Squad | Call In Armed Backup | Bobby Navarro |
| $100,000 | Mob Doctor | Add Another Adrenaline Shot | Gianni Bruno |
| $140,000 | Consigliere | Inside Man: Locate Enemies and Collect Kickback | Betty Johnson |
| $180,000 | Mob Doctor | Improved Stamina and Health Recovery | Gianni Bruno |
| $220,000 | Hit Squad | Enforcer Hit Squad: Call In Heavier Backup | Bobby Navarro |
| $270,000 | Mob Doctor | Add Another Health Bar | Gianni Bruno |
| $320,000 | Mob Doctor | Improved Stamina and Health Recovery | Gianni Bruno |
| $370,000 | Hit Squad | High-Impact Hit Squad: Call Four-Man Kill Crew | Bobby Navarro |
| $420,000 | Mob Doctor | Max Health Bars | Gianni Bruno |
Betty Johnson allows Lincoln to deposit personal funds directly into his safe without visiting Sammy's bar. Gianni Bruno provides critical survivability enhancements, and Bobby Navarro dispatches armed Italian reinforcements to assist Lincoln during heavy shootouts.
What Vito Believes Happened to Joe Barbaro
Throughout Mafia III, Vito remains haunted by the fate of his best friend, Joe Barbaro. During the optional side quest line "I Need a Favor," Vito tasks Lincoln with eliminating various targets tied to the Commission and the Chicago mob who were involved in Joe's alleged murder.
Vito explains to Lincoln that four or five years after arriving in New Bordeaux, he received word through his old contacts about what happened after their separation in Empire Bay. According to the rumor Vito heard, Joe managed to fight his captors, knock out one man's teeth, fracture an eye socket, and escape to Chicago. However, mobsters in Chicago reportedly betrayed Joe, beat him severely, cut off his hands, and crushed his face before disposing of the body. Vito believed Joe was dead because Joe had never attempted to contact him in New Bordeaux.
Vito remains unaware that the Commission intentionally circulated false reports of Joe's death to prevent the two men from reuniting and causing further disruptions across mob families.
All Possible Fates for Vito Scaletta in Mafia III
Vito Scaletta's ultimate fate depends entirely on the player's district allocation decisions and Lincoln Clay's final choice at the conclusion of the story.
1. The Rule Together Ending
If Lincoln decides to stay in New Bordeaux and shares control evenly among his surviving lieutenants, Vito continues to manage the Italian Gang. Alongside Cassandra and Thomas Burke, Vito runs his assigned districts and collects millions in racket revenue while Lincoln oversees the broader empire across the southern United States.
2. Vito Takes Over New Bordeaux (Leave Town Ending)
If Lincoln decides to leave New Bordeaux after killing Sal Marcano, and Vito is the lieutenant holding the most territory or remaining as the sole survivor, Vito assumes complete control of the city. Vito finishes building Sal Marcano's Paradiso Hotel and Casino. Two years later, he opens a second casino, sparking an era of heavy urban development that adds arenas, high-end hotels, and a convention center. Vito successfully transforms New Bordeaux into the "Las Vegas of the South" and lives well into old age inside the luxury penthouse atop the Paradiso casino.
3. Vito's Betrayal and Death ("I Deserved Better")
If Lincoln consistently awards rackets and districts to Cassandra or Thomas Burke while neglecting Vito, Vito becomes openly hostile during sit-downs. Eventually, Vito breaks ties with Lincoln and retreats to his River Row headquarters at Benny's Ristorante, triggering the betrayal mission "I Deserved Better."
When Lincoln fights his way into the office, Vito fires his weapon until it clicks empty. Refusing to go down quietly, Vito pulls a switchblade and charges Lincoln, venting his rage over being betrayed by everyone he ever served: Derek Pappalardo, Alberto Clemente, and Leo Galante. Lincoln shoots Vito dead, leaving Alma Diaz to run what remains of River Row while remarking that Vito died a "good little soldier."
Frequently Asked Questions
What year is Mafia III set in, and how old is Vito Scaletta?
Mafia III is set in 1968. Vito Scaletta was born in Sicily in 1925, making him 43 years old during the events of the game in New Bordeaux.
Why is Vito wanted by the FBI in Mafia III?
According to an FBI wanted poster found in the game, Vito is wanted for murder, interstate flight, attempted murder, extortion, and robbery following his criminal history in Empire Bay.
What happens if you give all districts to Vito?
Giving all districts to Vito causes Cassandra and Thomas Burke to become enraged and rebel during sit-downs, forcing Lincoln to hunt down and kill both lieutenants. In return, Vito reaches maximum loyalty, unlocks his complete skill tree, and takes over the entire city if Lincoln departs New Bordeaux.
