DURING the Colombo war, capo Richard Fusco had the key role of keeping relations friendly between mobsters loyal to imprisoned boss Carmine (Junior) Persico and Genovese boss Vincent (Chin) Gigante.

Gigante, who often walks the streets of Greenwich Village in his pajamas and is said by his lawyers to be crazy as a loon, is awaiting trial on racketeering charges that are on hold as the court prepares to reconsider Chin's mental state.

In the line of duty, Fusco reported to consigliere Carmine Sessa that Gigante was furious -- not about the war but that the law had overheard Colombo mobster Joseph (Joe Black) Gorgone say Gigante was merely acting, and "crazy like a fox."

"I'll kill him if that statement ever makes it into the courtroom," warned Gigante, according to FBI documents obtained by Gang Land.

The documents don't indicate the penalty for the statement making a newspaper column.