Some law enforcement officials believed that Grasso, who was known for his ruthlessness,[1] was actually in charge, but these rumors ended when Grasso was killed on June 13, 1989. With the death of Grasso, Raymond Patriarca, Jr.'s position as boss was weakened. In 1990, Junior was superseded by Nicholas Bianco, the acting underboss after Grasso's death. In 1991, Bianco was one of the defendants tried for the murder of Grasso.