In 1969, Vastola and mobster Daniel "Danny" Annunziata had demanded a $20,000 extortion payment from the operators of an illegal dice game in Trevose, Pennsylvania.
In March 1972, Vastola was convicted of extorting the dice game operators and was sentenced to 30 months in prison.
By 1980, Vastola had become a captain for the family, leading a crew of mobsters in Union County, New Jersey.
Vastola had a close working relationship with Jimmy Rotondo, head of the New York Wing of the family, based predominantly in Brooklyn (until the latter's death).
When Gotti was released, he pressured current DeCavalcante boss John Riggi to agree to Vastola's murder.