THE MOBSTER JOE WOODS DIDN'T KNOW TAXPAYERS GET THE TAB FOR THE WOODS FAMILY'S ILL-FATED HOTEL PROJECT

Besides filing the lawsuit, Joe Woods said in his deposition that he contacted the FBI and flew to Washington, D.C., in December 1988 to meet with RTC and FBI officials to discuss his role in the project and express concerns about having done business with Renda.

He said he told the FBI he was "scared to death that we're involved with the mob. . . . And I was advised how to open my door. I was advised how to start my car, and don't be surprised what might happen."

Joe Woods said Tim Taylor, a high-ranking RTC official, told him he was wise to come to Washington.

He said Taylor told him, "It's a good thing you came to us . . . because if you didn't, in a few years, somebody would come to your front door and put handcuffs on you and take you away.