According to the book "Wiseguy", after William "Billy Batts" Bentvena was released from prison in 1970, a "welcome home" party was thrown for him at Robert's Lounge, which was owned by Burke. Hill stated that Bentvena saw DeSimone and jokingly asked him if he still shined shoes, which DeSimone perceived it as an insult. DeSimone leaned over to Hill and Burke and said, "I'm gonna kill that fuck." Two weeks later, on June 11, 1970, Bentvena was at The Suite near closing time when he was pistol-whipped by DeSimone. Hill said that before DeSimone started to beat Bentvena, DeSimone yelled, "Shine these fucking shoes!"