Italian Mob Families are a chilling yet fascinating aspect of American history, particularly for families interested in true crime. This article from hudsonfamily.net explores the notorious Italian mob families in the United States, their rise to power, and their impact on American culture. Dive into the dark world of organized crime, family dynamics, and the enduring legacy of these infamous groups, while focusing on the complexities within these family structures and how they mirror, yet drastically differ from, typical American families. This article provides insights into crime syndicates, infamous gangsters, and criminal organizations.
1. The Genesis of the Five Families: A Historical Overview
The Five Families are the five major Italian American Mafia families in New York City, including the Bonanno, Colombo, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese families. Their story is a blend of power, betrayal, and cultural impact that began in the early 20th century.
1.1. Roots in the Castellammarese War
The Castellammarese War was a bloody conflict between Joe Masseria and Salvatore Maranzano in 1930-31, which set the stage for the modern Mafia structure. According to true crime history, the end of this war led to the creation of the Five Families.
1.2. The Luciano Era: Structuring the Mafia
After the war, Lucky Luciano reorganized the Mafia, establishing the Five Families with a boss, underboss, lieutenants, and soldiers. Luciano’s vision created a more structured and organized criminal network.
1.3. The Commission: A Governing Body
Luciano formed the Commission, consisting of the heads of the Five Families, the Buffalo Mafia, and the Chicago Outfit, to resolve disputes and govern Mafia affairs. This council aimed to prevent future wars and maintain order.
2. The Bonanno Crime Family: From Joe Bananas to Donnie Brasco
The Bonanno family, named after Joseph “Joe Bananas” Bonanno, is known for its resilience and turbulent history, marked by internal conflicts and infiltration by law enforcement.
2.1. Rise and Prominence
Under Joseph Bonanno, the family became involved in loan-sharking, gambling, narcotics, and prostitution, rising to prominence in the New York underworld. The Bonanno family’s activities were widespread and lucrative.
2.2. The Donnie Brasco Infiltration
FBI agent Joseph Pistone, known as “Donnie Brasco,” infiltrated the Bonanno family, providing invaluable intelligence and leading to numerous arrests. According to FBI archives, this infiltration significantly weakened the family’s power.
2.3. Recent Developments
Despite past setbacks, the Bonanno family has shown resilience, with members like Vincent Asaro facing trials and demonstrating the family’s continued presence. The family’s ability to adapt and survive is a testament to its deep roots.
Vincent Asaro
Vincent Asaro, an alleged former captain of the Bonanno crime family, leaving a Brooklyn courthouse on November 12, 2015, in New York City after being found not guilty of one count of racketeering conspiracy and two extortion-related counts. (Getty Images). Vincent Asaro, a Bonanno crime family member, leaves court in Brooklyn after being acquitted of racketeering charges.
3. The Colombo Crime Family: Internal Strife and Civil Rights
The Colombo family is known for its internal power struggles and unexpected forays into civil rights activism, creating a unique and often turbulent history.
3.1. Early Leadership
Joseph Profaci led the family until his death in 1962, followed by Joseph Magliocco, whose plot to assassinate rivals led to significant upheaval. Profaci’s leadership laid the groundwork for the family’s future conflicts.
3.2. Joseph Colombo and the Italian American Civil Rights League
Joseph Colombo’s leadership was marked by his public accusation of the FBI for racial profiling and his founding of the Italian American Civil Rights League. According to historical records, this was a unique and controversial move for a Mafia boss.
3.3. Decline and Disarray
A series of arrests in 2011 decimated the Colombo family, leaving them without a clear leader and highlighting the impact of law enforcement on organized crime. The Colombo family’s decline is a stark reminder of the risks involved in Mafia life.
Joseph Profaci, 1959. Joseph Profaci, the first boss of the Colombo crime family, in a 1959 photograph.
4. The Gambino Crime Family: From Anastasia to Gotti
The Gambino family, one of the most powerful Mafia families in the United States, has a history marked by violence, power struggles, and high-profile leaders like John Gotti.
4.1. Rise to Power
The family’s origins trace back to Salvatore D’Aquila in the early 1900s, with key figures like Vincent Mangano and Albert Anastasia shaping its violent reputation. The Gambino family’s early years were characterized by ruthless ambition and brutality.
4.2. The Carlo Gambino Era
Carlo Gambino’s leadership from 1957 to 1976 saw the family reach its peak, with Gambino reputedly becoming the “boss of bosses”. Under Gambino, the family expanded its influence and wealth.
4.3. John Gotti: The Teflon Don
John Gotti’s flamboyant style and high-profile trials made him a media sensation, even as he continued the family’s involvement in narcotics and racketeering. Gotti’s reign brought both notoriety and increased scrutiny to the Gambino family.
Carlo Gambino, c. 1935. A young Carlo Gambino, who rose to become the powerful boss of the Gambino crime family, circa 1935.
5. The Genovese Crime Family: Secrecy and Caution
The Genovese family is known for its secrecy and caution, which helped them maintain power and avoid law enforcement attention, making them one of the most elusive Mafia families.
5.1. From Luciano to Costello
Originally headed by Lucky Luciano, the family saw Frank Costello take over after Luciano’s deportation, leading to conflict with Vito Genovese. The transition from Luciano to Costello marked a shift in the family’s dynamics.
5.2. Vito Genovese and “The Oddfather”
Vito Genovese’s rise and Vincent “Chin” Gigante’s eccentric behavior, including feigning insanity, added to the family’s mystique and notoriety. The Genovese family’s leaders were known for their cunning and unpredictability.
5.3. Current Status
Despite convictions and internal changes, the Genovese family has remained a significant force in organized crime, known for their control over key industries and unions. The Genovese family’s resilience is a testament to their deep-rooted criminal network.
Frank Costello testifying before the U.S. Senate investigating committee headed by Estes Kefauver, 1951. Frank Costello, the boss of the Genovese crime family, testifying before a Senate committee in 1951.
6. The Lucchese Crime Family: Garments, Trucking, and Heists
The Lucchese family, originally the Gagliano family, is known for its control over the trucking and garment industries, as well as its involvement in high-profile heists like the Lufthansa heist.
6.1. Early Years and Tommy Lucchese
Named after Thomas “Tommy” Lucchese, the family rose to prominence through its control over key industries and labor unions. The Lucchese family’s early success was built on strategic control of essential sectors.
6.2. The Lufthansa Heist
The Lucchese family is believed to have masterminded the Lufthansa heist in 1978, the largest cash theft in American history, highlighting their audacious criminal activities. According to crime historians, the Lufthansa heist remains one of the most infamous events in Mafia history.
6.3. Internal Strife and Imprisonment
Vittorio “Little Vic” Amuso’s leadership in the 1980s led to bloody infighting, and his subsequent imprisonment did little to quell the family’s internal conflicts. The Lucchese family’s later years were marked by violence and instability.
Anthony (“Tony Ducks”) Corallo entering a U.S. federal courthouse in Manhattan, 1986. Anthony “Tony Ducks” Corallo, a boss of the Lucchese crime family, entering a courthouse in 1986.
7. The RICO Act and Its Impact on the Mafia
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act of 1970 had a profound impact on the Mafia, leading to numerous convictions and weakening the power of the Five Families.
7.1. Combating Organized Crime
The RICO Act provided law enforcement with powerful tools to target organized crime, leading to the prosecution of numerous Mafia members. According to legal experts, the RICO Act was a game-changer in the fight against organized crime.
7.2. Decline of the Five Families
The prospect of lengthy prison sentences led many Mafia members to become informants, further weakening the Five Families and contributing to their decline. The Five Families never recovered from the impact of the RICO Act.
7.3. Enduring Legacy
Despite their decline, the Five Families remain a significant part of American culture, appearing in films, television shows, and books that continue to captivate audiences. The Five Families’ story continues to fascinate and intrigue the public.
8. The Five Families in American Culture: From The Godfather to The Sopranos
The Five Families have had a significant impact on American culture, inspiring numerous films, television shows, and books that explore their world of organized crime and family dynamics.
8.1. Film and Television Portrayals
Films like The Godfather and Goodfellas, and television shows like The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire, have romanticized and dramatized the lives of Mafia members, shaping public perception. These portrayals have cemented the Five Families’ place in popular culture.
8.2. Cultural Impact
The Mafia’s influence extends beyond entertainment, shaping language, fashion, and attitudes towards power and loyalty in American society. The Mafia’s cultural impact is undeniable and far-reaching.
8.3. Ongoing Fascination
The enduring fascination with the Five Families reflects a broader interest in true crime, power, and the dark side of the American dream. The Five Families continue to capture the imagination of audiences worldwide.
The Godfather
Salvatore Corsitto (left) and Marlon Brando in The Godfather (1972), directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Marlon Brando and Salvatore Corsitto in a scene from the iconic film “The Godfather.”
9. How the Italian Mob Families Operated
The Italian mob families operated with a strict hierarchy and code of conduct, engaging in various illegal activities to maintain power and wealth.
9.1. Structure and Hierarchy
Each family had a clear structure: a boss at the top, followed by an underboss, lieutenants (capos), and soldiers (foot soldiers). This hierarchical structure ensured order and control within the family.
9.2. Core Activities
The primary sources of income for the Italian mob families included illegal gambling, loan sharking, extortion, narcotics trafficking, and labor racketeering. These activities provided the financial foundation for their power and influence.
9.3. Code of Silence (Omertà)
A strict code of silence, known as “Omertà,” was enforced to prevent members from cooperating with law enforcement. Breaking Omertà could result in severe consequences, including death.
10. The Role of Family in the Italian Mob
Family was central to the Italian mob, providing a sense of loyalty, trust, and continuity that was essential to their operations and survival.
10.1. Blood Ties and Loyalty
Blood ties played a significant role in maintaining loyalty and trust within the organization. Family members were often given preferential treatment and positions of power.
10.2. Tradition and Values
The Italian mob families upheld traditions and values passed down through generations, reinforcing their cultural identity and sense of belonging.
10.3. Protection and Support
Family members provided protection and support to one another, especially during times of legal trouble or internal conflict. This support system was crucial for survival in the dangerous world of organized crime.
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FAQ: Italian Mob Families
1. What are the Five Families?
The Five Families are the five major Italian American Mafia families in New York City: Bonanno, Colombo, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese. These families dominated organized crime in the city for decades.
2. How did the Five Families originate?
The Five Families originated after the Castellammarese War in 1931 when Lucky Luciano reorganized the Mafia structure in New York City. This reorganization aimed to create a more stable and organized criminal network.
3. What was the role of the Commission?
The Commission was a governing body formed by Lucky Luciano, consisting of the heads of the Five Families, the Buffalo Mafia, and the Chicago Outfit. It was created to resolve disputes and govern Mafia affairs, preventing future wars.
4. What is the RICO Act, and how did it impact the Mafia?
The RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act of 1970 provided law enforcement with powerful tools to target organized crime. It led to numerous convictions, weakened the power of the Five Families, and incentivized Mafia members to become informants.
5. How did the Bonanno family gain notoriety?
The Bonanno family gained notoriety through its involvement in various criminal activities, including loan-sharking, gambling, narcotics, and prostitution. The infiltration of FBI agent Joseph Pistone (Donnie Brasco) also brought significant attention to the family.
6. What was Joseph Colombo’s role in the Colombo family?
Joseph Colombo led the Colombo family and founded the Italian American Civil Rights League. He publicly accused the FBI of racial profiling, which was a unique and controversial move for a Mafia boss.
7. Who was John Gotti, and how did he impact the Gambino family?
John Gotti was the boss of the Gambino family who gained media attention for his flamboyant style and high-profile trials. His leadership continued the family’s involvement in narcotics and racketeering, but also brought increased scrutiny.
8. What made the Genovese family unique compared to the other families?
The Genovese family was known for its secrecy and caution, which helped them maintain power and avoid law enforcement attention. This discretion made them one of the most elusive Mafia families.
9. What was the Lufthansa Heist, and how was the Lucchese family involved?
The Lufthansa Heist was a 1978 robbery in which $5.8 million in cash and jewels were stolen from John F. Kennedy International Airport. The Lucchese family is believed to have masterminded the heist, highlighting their audacious criminal activities.
10. How are the Five Families portrayed in American culture?
The Five Families have been portrayed in numerous films, television shows, and books, such as The Godfather, Goodfellas, The Sopranos, and Boardwalk Empire. These portrayals have romanticized and dramatized the lives of Mafia members, shaping public perception and cementing their place in popular culture.
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