Paulie Gualtieri Signal Corps, where he was eventually drummed out through Section 8 (discharged because of psychiatric reasons). Afterwards, he spent more time in and out of prison on various criminal charges. He eventually was inducted into the DiMeo crime family, becoming a close associate of Johnny Soprano and helping to mentor his son Tony. Paulie got his nickname "Paulie Walnuts" after hijacking a truck in the early 1990s which he believed was filled with television-sets, but only contained walnuts. His surname is taken from real life DeCavalcante crime family mobster Frank Gualtieri, who served under Vincent Palermo. In the episode "From
Pine Barrens (The Sopranos) struggle some distance away. Paulie's makeshift shoe falls off, and he shoots it in a fit of crazed frustration. Tony and Bobby hear the shots and head toward their source, calling for Paulie and Chris. The pairs soon meet up with one another. Paulie and Chris are grateful to have been found, but Tony is irritated as Paulie has caused him problems with Slava and has lost Silvio's money. Paulie gives a false version of what caused the fight with Valery, and Chris backs him up. Paulie decides to give up looking for Valery and head back to North Jersey.