Paul Fortunato is a major character in the novels The Godfather Returns

The Godfather Returns

The Godfather Returns is a novel written by author Mark Winegardner, published in 2004. It is the sequel to Mario Puzo's The Godfather, which was originally published in 1969, and The Sicilian...

and The Godfather's Revenge

The Godfather's Revenge

The Godfather's Revenge, a 2006 novel written by author Mark Winegardner, is the sequel to The Godfather, The Sicilian, and The Godfather Returns. The story takes place from 1963–1964, and picks up the story from where The Godfather Returns left off...

.

Paul Fortunato was a devoted caporegime

Caporegime

A caporegime or capodecina, usually shortened to just a capo, is a term used in the Mafia for a high ranking made member of a crime family who heads a "crew" of soldiers and has major social status and influence in the organization...

to Don Emilio Barzini

Emilio Barzini

Don Emilio Barzini is a fictional character in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather and in its film adaptation, in which he is portrayed by Richard Conte-In the novel:...

 and succeeded him in 1955. He supported the move to heroin and is a friend of Ozzie Altobello. He was considered the closest thing the Corleones had to an enemy after the Five Families War.

He was one of the people that did not support the Corleones creating a separate regime for the drug money, and never liked Michael Corleone

Michael Corleone

Michael Corleone is a fictional character in Mario Puzo's novels, The Godfather and The Sicilian. He is also the main character of the Godfather film trilogy that was directed by Francis Ford Coppola, in which he was portrayed by Al Pacino, who was twice nominated for an Academy Award for his...

 or any of his family members. He also had strong ties to several Dons and crime figures hostile to the Corleone family, such as Vincent Forlenza

Vincent Forlenza

Vincent "The Jew" Forlenza is a fictional character in Mario Puzo's novel The Godfather and Mark Winegardner's sequel The Godfather Returns.-In The Godfather:...

, Louie Russo

Louie Russo

Luigi 'Louie' Russo is a fictional character in Mark Winegardner's The Godfather Returns. Russo serves as the Don of the Chicago Outfit from 1955 to 1961.-Biography:...

 and Hyman Roth

Hyman Roth

Hyman Roth is a fictional character, and the primary antagonist in The Godfather Part II, played by the actor and acting teacher Lee Strasberg, who was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the role...

. He was also a strong supporter of the business deals in Cuba

Cuba

The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...

.

It was not made clear whether he supported the assassination of President James Shea

James Shea

James William Shea is an English footballer playing as a goalkeeper for Dagenham & Redbridge in Football League Two on loan from Arsenal.-Arsenal:Shea joined Arsenal's youth team in August 2007...

but the former is more likely. He is still the closest thing the Corleones have to an enemy on the Commission. He may be one of the Dons killed during the helicopter attack in The Godfather Part III.