The Sopranos to "going straight" (to Tony's dismay), but also has an intense violent streak. Those in Tony's closest circle within the DiMeo crime family include Silvio Dante (Steven Van Zandt). Silvio is Tony's consigliere and best friend. He runs the family's strip club headquarters, and other businesses. Paulie "Walnuts" Gualtieri (Tony Sirico), a tough, short-tempered, aging soldier who is fiercely loyal to Tony and Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero (Vincent Pastore), a veteran gangster who runs an automotive body shop. Paulie "Walnuts" and "Big Pussy" (often called just, "Pussy") have worked with Tony and his father. Also in Tony's criminal organization are:
Paulie Gualtieri for profit. In 2006, it proves a burden—the replacement priest, Father José, tries to renegotiate the payment the church would receive. Paulie refuses to pay, and Father José retaliates by refusing to allow St. Elzear's gold hat to be used in the festival. The hat's absence is noticed and complained about by elder residents. Ride maintenance is another area where Paulie decides to save money, which results in a malfunction while Bobby Baccalieri's family was on a ride. Janice receives minor neck injuries. Subsequently, this results in temporary bad blood between Paulie and Bobby which Tony orders to be resolved.