In order to put his children through college, he dealt heroin on the side. Sometime between 19, Sal was caught by the FBI and decided to inform against the Soprano crew in order to avoid the possibility of life in prison. He was assigned Agent Skip Lipari as his handler. He was revealed as an informant in the episode ' Do Not Resuscitate'. In flashbacks to 1995, it is shown that Sal was instrumental in organizing a sit-down between high ranking capo Junior Soprano and acting boss Jackie Aprile Sr. He traveled to Boca Raton to persuade Junior to return to New Jersey and settle a trucking dispute with Aprile. However, Sal was suspiciously late for the sit-down and blamed health problems of his comare's mother. In 1998, he was arrested at a card game run by Soprano family capo Jimmy Altieri.
He tried to escape but threw his back out and was caught.
