Sicilian Mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro
He became one of the most influential leaders in Sicily in 2006, after the arrest of the main leader of Cosa Nostra, Bernardo Provenzano.
Matteo Messina Denaro was born on April 26, 1962 in Sicily, in the commune of Castelvetrano (province of Trapani) in the family of the Sicilian mafioso Francesco Messina. Already at the age of 14, Matteo’s father taught him to shoot a weapon. And he committed his first murder immediately after coming of age, at the age of 18.
In July 1992, Matteo killed his father's rival, mafia boss Vincenzo Milazzo from Alcamo, and strangled his beloved Antonella Bonomo, who was three months pregnant. With this murder he greatly increased his authority. In total, Matteo killed more than 50 people with his own hands. He even once spoke out about this: “The people I killed could fill a whole cemetery.” For this he was nicknamed the Devil.
There is a known case when Denaro personally killed the owner of a Sicilian hotel because he accused him of cohabiting with underage girls. However, it is still unclear whether these accusations were truly groundless or not, since the future boss of the Sicilian mafia led and leads a wild life.
He likes beautiful women, in his garage there are several Porsche sports cars. The wardrobe of the main mafioso of Sicily is represented by expensive haute couture items.
Matteo Messina Denaro in his youth
In the early 90s, the state began persecuting the mafia. Denaro and other Sicilian Mafia bosses staged a series of bombings in Milan, Rome and Florence to make the state fear the Mafia and abandon plans to arrest major mafiosi. By this they showed their power.
The explosions killed 10 innocent people and seriously injured more than 90. In 1993, Denaro was put on the wanted list. law enforcement agencies. But having failed to find the mafia, he was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment for these crimes in 2002. But he remained free and held leadership positions in the mafia.
After the death of his father in November 1998, Matteo became CAPO in his home area, including Castelvetrano and surrounding towns, while Vincenzo Virga governed the city of Trapani and its surroundings.
After Virga's arrest in 2001, Matteo Denaro led the mafia in the province of Trapani. Under his leadership there were approximately 900 fighters. Moreover, he reorganized the 20 mafia families in Trapani into a single "mandamento" (district, region), separated from the rest of Cosa Nostra.
The Trapani Mafia is a major supporter of Cosa Nostra and is considered the most powerful, with the exception of the families in Palermo. Matteo Denaro invested his money in extensive racketeering and extortion, forcing businessmen to come under his protection and profiting from public construction contracts (the family owns significant sand quarries). Denaro is also involved in the international drug trade, joining forces with the Cuntrera-Caruana clan, which has attracted the attention of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.
According to the Anti-Mafia District Directorate in Palermo, he maintains contacts with relatives in New York and with Vito Roberto Palazzolo, a fugitive Mafia Boss in South Africa.
He also has interests in Venezuela and is in contact with the Colombian drug cartels as well as the. His illegal network spread to Belgium and Germany.
Matteo Messina Denaro has close ties to the mafia families in Palermo, especially in Branaccio, the territory of the Graviano family.
In 2006, police arrested Cosa Nostra boss Bernardo Provenzano. The Sicilian mafia could not be without its main leader for long, and at the vote Matteo Denaro became the new boss, especially since Provenzano himself supported Denaro’s candidacy. His closest opponents in the vote could be other influential mafiosi - Salvatore Lo Piccolo and Domenico Racuglia. But in 2007, Salvatore Lo Piccolo was arrested, and two years later Domenico Racuglia was also arrested. So Matteo Messina Denaro became “ godfather"Sicilian mafia.
In 2009, Sicilian police arrested one of Matteo's mafia units involved in fraud in the field of agriculture. The structures controlled by Danero gave huge bribes to officials so that they would ensure the mafia wins in government tenders related to all sectors of agriculture. The mafia laundered huge amounts of money.
During the police operation, many businessmen, officials, etc. were arrested. Denaro's brother Salvatore was also arrested. But it was never possible to arrest the main ideologist and organizer of this business, Matteo Denaro.
The boss of bosses received his next serious blow in 2013, when his sister and two cousins and nephew. They were charged with participation in an organized criminal group and racketeering.
Relatives of the mafia leader were detained as part of a large-scale operation to combat organized crime, which was carried out in the vicinity of the city of Trapani in western Sicily. In total, approximately thirty people were taken into custody. At the same time, money amounting to about five million euros was confiscated, which allegedly belonged to Denaro and his family.
Until now, Denaro has been wanted for 22 years and is one of the most wanted criminals. Now 53 years old, he continues to lead the Sicilian mafia.
We present to your attention 20 outstanding “Godfathers”, whose names are inscribed in gold in the history of organized crime in America. These people are Cosa Nostra: they created it, led it and allowed it to survive in harsh times. From a variety of leaders, 20 of the most legendary, authoritative and powerful in the 20th century were selected.
In my opinion, the ranking of people is very, very controversial, I would arrange the names a little differently, but...
I leave it to you, gentlemen, to judge for yourself!
№1 LUCKY LUCIANO
Society:
They said about him: “Luciano? Oh, he’s a real gentleman. He can give a girl $100 just because she smiled at him.”
Finance:
According to a federal investigation in 1929, Luciano's annual income was $200 thousand. For comparison: then the most expensive mansions in Beverly Hills were valued at no more than $20 thousand.
Opinions:
“Everything is fine with Luciano,” said Masseria. “But he’s just a sissy, a son of a bitch.”
Thomas Dewey captured the very essence of Luciano's work. In his diatribe he said: “When Luciano took charge of the industry of vice, it became highly organized and began to be managed according to the latest word in newfangled commercial management.”
Achievements:
1. Division of powers between families
2. Creation of Murder Incorporated - a paramilitary unit of professional killers
3. Creation of a permanent collegial council of Mafia Dons
4. Constant desire to legalize business to expand spheres of influence
5. Subordination of trade unions.
Result:
This is the man who "invented" organized crime
№2 CARLO GAMBINO
Opinions:
Joe Bonanno called him “a squirrel, an obsequious, sycophantic man. Anastasia used him as an errand boy. I once saw Albert so angry with Carlo for failing a simple task that Albert raised his hand and hit him hard... No other man would have endured such a public insult. Carlo responded with a servile grin."
Albert Seedman, chief of detectives for the New York Police Department, said: "Gambino was like a rattlesnake that curls up and pretends to be dead until the danger is gone."
Contacts:
Gambino was the most ambitious young associate of Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky
Credo:
He strengthened his position by entering into an alliance with the right people, and he killed the unnecessary ones, so no one even tried to challenge him.
Achievements:
1. being in an initially losing position, he was able to seize the empire of Anastasia, and then Genovese, becoming a real “Godfather”.
2. In the 60s and 70s (almost 20 years) there was the most authoritative Don of the Mafia.
3. Made the Gambino Clan the most powerful in the country.
Result:
The most “cunning and streamlined” Don, who embodied the principle: “the smart one will not go uphill...”
#3 MAYER LANSKY
Personality in history
If ever there was a "Golden Age" of the Mafia in the United States, it certainly began the day 11-year-old Meyer Suchovlyansky first bet 5 cents in a craps game on the poor street in Brooklyn where he lived and ended with his death in the winter of 1983. of the year.
People about him
After Big Al recognized Luciano-Lansky's superiority, he once said to "Lucky" about his colleague: "It took me a long time to realize that this Meyer understands the Italians better than I do myself. I already told him, perhaps he was born by a Jewish woman, but he was definitely raised by a Sicilian.”
He's talking about himself
“We are bigger than the U.S. Steel. We are higher than the law"
Non Italiano
A Jew from Grodno... When the whole world was talking about a partnership that included only Italians, Meyer was not touched. No one ever excluded him from anywhere and no one wanted to do so.
During the Kefauver trial, Lansky was considered such an “important” person that he was not even summoned to court. Moreover, the Committee never mentioned him, only at the end of the investigation adjustments were made to the wording: “Evidence in the Costello-Adonis-Lansky case...” Nevertheless, it was “Kid” who had both the first and the last word in world of organized crime. King without a crown. This was his favorite position: to hold all the threads in his hands, to control everything around him - but at the same time not to claim power. He acted this way throughout his life. And maybe that’s why life lasted so long...
Position
There were constantly some changes in the criminal world, but Lansky’s position always remained unchanged. This man was too valuable to lose. He easily came to the agreement with Vito Genovese that Albert Anastasia should die, and then with the same ease and with the same sophistication he disposed of Vito. Lansky was not afraid of revenge. Lansky wasn't afraid of anything.
Finance:
Despite numerous complicating factors, Lansky maintained his position until the very end. In 1970, his fortune was approximately three hundred million dollars, and by 1980 it had grown to four hundred million. Some have tried to explain Lansky's continued earning money by saying that he has an inner need to rule. They may have overlooked a simpler explanation: Lansky believed that there was no such thing as too much money. He always wanted more. Although he still continued to live in a modest house on the outskirts of Brooklyn, and neither his wife nor children knew what the head of the family was really doing.
Businessman Lansky created the Syndicate, streamlined the hierarchy, but he was never interested in a dynasty. His relatives were very far from the criminal world. And he also had no successor. In this regard, he was a typical Jewish-American businessman: the business either disappeared with the death of a person, or that person sold it and retired.
Bottom line
Meyer Lansky outlived everyone. Both friends and enemies. But even after his death, the Syndicate could take care of itself, fill vacancies and remain a money-making machine. Forever...
4. ANTHONY ACCARDO
Pedigree
Proving himself to be a dedicated fighter, Accardo became Capone's permanent bodyguard. His duties also included guarding Capone's room at the Lexington Hotel. He became one of the Syndicate's best and most experienced assassins.
Opinion
One of the veterans of the Chicago Syndicate, in a conversation with journalist George Murry, said: “He thought more before breakfast than Capone did all day.”
Achievements
Throughout the history of the Chicago Syndicate, Accardo became one of its the best leaders. During his reign, the organization's income constantly increased. He wisely and prudently took a restrained position, without starting bloody wars.
Society
Who can tell me another city in which the Mafia has such influence that even the city charter is changing to please the gangsters...? (The Chicago Mafia managed to achieve the transfer of control over the police from the mayor to the city council, which required changing the charter of the Chicago suburb of Cicero. But it was necessary....)
Bottom line
The entire 20th century is behind us. From Capone's bodyguard to the leader of the Chicago syndicate. The puppets change, the real Boss remains.... choosing new puppets.
5. JOHNNY TORRIO
Character
A true mafioso believes in three things: honor, revenge and solidarity. The embodiment of these qualities in Cosa Nostra was Johnny Torrio.
Opinions
Herbert Osbury, the most recognized expert on the Chicago underworld, described him this way: “No one could surpass Johnny Torrio as an organizer and administrator of the criminal world in the annals of American crime. He would be one of those who came closer to the status of the secret leader of the nation, its manipulator, her eminence grise than anyone else."
Credo
First of all, Torrio was a uomo di panza ("man of the belly"), that is, a man who knows how to keep things to himself, uomo di segreto ("man of secrets"), who knows how to leave his affairs to his private affairs, uomo di pazienza( "man of patience")
Path
At age seven, he tended his father's blind pig in Brooklyn; half a century later, without any fanfare, he was one of the most influential and wealthy people in the national criminal environment, the system that his ideas and energy created - the Mafia in the USA.
Finance
At 43, before retiring, he owned $30 million.
Achievements
- In tandem with Arnold Rothstein and Meyer, Lansky developed the basic strategy of organized crime in America. Lucky Luciano eventually carried out the plan.
- Even after retirement, the most important decisions approved only after the advice of the Fox.
- He raised the most famous US gangster Alfonso Capone in his own hands.
Bottom line
Torrio's influence on organized crime can hardly be overstated.
Having created the Mafia in principle, lasting 5 years at the top of the gangster world, surviving 2 serious attempts on his life, until the end fulfilling the duties of de facto Consigliere on the most important cases of the entire Syndicate, without serving a day in prison, he died of a heart attack in a hairdresser's chair on 76 year of life.
6 ARNOLD ROTHSTEIN
Distinctive features.
Having received a good education, had an amazing acumen in all matters relating to various types of scams and fraud. Professional gambler and sharpie.
Credo.
I couldn't live a day without playing. When asked why he does this, he replied, “Why do you eat every day? ... The game is part of who I am. I just can't stop. I don’t know what motivates me, but I will play the day I die.”
Achievements.
- He was credited with falsifying the results of the 1919 US baseball championship, organizing the production of slot machines, organizing the smuggling of alcohol and organizing the international drug trade.
- Showed the way in the criminal world to such people as Meyer Lansky and Charlie Luciano.
Income.
Money literally flowed like a river. Rothstein bought a kilogram of heroin in Europe for $2,000 and could sell it in the United States for $300,000.
Bottom line.
Performed many large scams and fraudulent operations. The man who stood at the origins of the gambling business and truly became the king of gambling.
7 AL CAPONE
Character.
One of the most hot-tempered and cruel mafia bosses, he kept his empire based on fear and unquestioning obedience. The famous "Valentine's Day Massacre" still shocks us with its bloodiness and cruelty.
Bugs Moran later said of this: "Only Al Capone kills this way." These words fully reveal the essence of Capone.
He accepted only the most expensive cigars and drove an armored limousine; even heads of state did not have such cars.
Opinions.
John Torrio, who became a second father to Capone, was so confident in him that when he decided to leave hospitable America, he transferred all affairs to Capone. “It’s all yours, Al,” he said goodbye.
Achievements.
- He was distinguished by his extraordinary criminal talent. He perfected his use of a knife and a revolver.
- Using any, even the most sophisticated methods, he got rid of his main competitors - the O’Banion gang and the Jenna brothers. Thus, he completely subjugated Chicago to himself.
- Having started his career from the very bottom as a bouncer, by the age of thirty he was already running his own criminal empire.
- Everything he achieved, he achieved with his own hands - in the literal sense of the word.
Income.
Capone's fortune was estimated by police experts at $100,000,000. Most of it was recorded in the names of front men and several fictitious corporations.
Capone in the cinema.
Many films and documentaries have been made about Capone. In the eyes of the directors, he is more of a collective image and the embodiment of a gangster. Among the most famous: “Al Capone” (1959), “The Untouchables” (1987), “Al Capone’s Boys” (2002).
The film Scarface (1932) indirectly referred to Capone. But the writers strongly rejected any similarity. Al himself liked the film so much. that he ordered a copy for his personal collection.
By the way, the famous St. Valentine's Day massacre can be seen in the film Some Like It Hot (1959)
Bottom line.
Al Capone is a legend.
8. VITO GENOVESE
Special Features
Resourcefulness and stubbornness, in the good sense of the word. Thanks to these qualities, he achieved great heights, both in Italy and in the USA. And also tremendous patience. Don Vito could wait for months for the right moment, and did not stop at any difficulties.
Income
By the early 30s, Genovese already owned the American Lottery network, which brought in up to half a million dollars in income annually, as well as many nightclubs and hotels with a suspicious reputation.
Achievements.
- In the USA he occupied a prominent position in the mafia, but in 1937 he fled to Italy.
- Collaborated with Mussolini and controlled the supply of heroin to the top leadership of Italy. During the World War, he was especially close to power and served as an adviser.
- After being expelled from Italy, he returned to the USA, where a few years later he again became the head of the mafia.
- Eliminates Albert Anastasia and puts his man in his place - Carlo Gambino and is actually the boss of two families.
Credo.
If you want revenge, kill your enemy's brother. By doing so you will cause him more suffering.
Don Vito was always guided by this principle.
Bottom line
One of the most forward-thinking bosses. Each move was the result of careful calculations. Thus he achieved success on both sides of the Atlantic.
9. JOHN GOTTI
Character.
Gotti's character has always been aggressive and hot-tempered. He was very proud with strong leadership qualities and great ambitions. He loved to dress beautifully, be in public, and give interviews, for which he received the nickname Frant Don.
The FBI dubbed him the Teflon Don because he easily evaded any charges.
Income.
An empire built on gambling, prostitution, drugs and murder generated an annual income of $16 million.
Credo.
The most uncompromising Don of the mafia. He always demanded unquestioning obedience, and reprisals against the guilty were cruel. This is a man who always paid his bills and did not forget the people who saved him.
Achievements.
- He did not put up with the role of a pawn given to him by Paul Castellano, and organized an assassination attempt on the boss, thereby seizing power in the Gambino family.
- Made a mafia public organization, through her appearances on the covers of Time and the New York Times Magazine, as well as other print and television appearances.
Gotti on the silver screen.
The most reliable biography of John Gotti is shown in the film “Gotti” (1996). Among the most famous works is also “Catching Gotti” (1994), which tells about trial. There have also been many documentaries made about both Gotti himself and the Gambino family.
Bottom line.
A man who did not trust fate, but built his own life.
10 VINCENT GIGANTE
Traditionality
One of those who spoke out against John Gotti, after his ascension to the throne “through the blood” of the previous Boss. And he even made an assassination attempt on Gotti in revenge for the murder of Costellano.
Justice
Mafioso for a long time remained out of reach of justice, which was greatly facilitated by his eccentric behavior. "Crazy Dad" Italian mafia, as journalists called him, diligently feigned mental illness: muttering something under his breath, he walked along the streets of New York in only a bathrobe and slippers. After he was arrested in 1990, lawyers spent another seven years presenting evidence of his insanity
Boss
Vincent "Fish" Cafaro, one of the ordinary members of the Ginovese clan, said that in fact "Fat Tony" was just a cover, while in reality the mafia clan was led by Vincent Gigante.
Death
Vincent "Chin" Gigante's heart stopped beating at age 77. Together with him, the cruel and romantic era of gangsters who called themselves “mafioso”, which in the Palermo dialect means: beautiful, charismatic, self-confident, brave, goes into the past.
11 GAETANO LUCHESE
Distinctive features.
Despite his turbulent youth, he possessed the traits of a real businessman. He calculated his every step and could kill two birds with one stone at the same time.
Credo.
During his tenure as family boss, he maintained neutrality and pursued a peaceful policy.
Achievements.
- Had extensive connections with many major gangsters, as well as businessmen, prosecutors, judges and members of Congress. He earned the respect of even the most powerful boss in New York - Carlo Gambino.
- In tandem with “Tommy,” Galliano organized an assassination attempt on the current boss Pinzolo, thereby taking over the ruling elite of the Reina family.
- Thanks to his connections, he successfully avoided prison for 44 years.
Bottom line.
Lucchese is among the most calculating and far-sighted mafiosi. Until the end of his days, he enjoyed authority and respect among people from various walks of life.
12.JOE BONANNO
Achievements
He ruled the Family for 30 years and voluntarily retired to quietly end his life in his luxurious mansion. He was considered the wealthiest head of the "family" in his time. He put drug trafficking in the Mafia on stream. According to one version, it was he who became the prototype of Vito Corleone, the main character of the novel and film “The Godfather”.
Society
Not once (!) were the authorities able to convict Bonanno of illegal activities, despite the fact that his position in the mafia hierarchy was well known
Finance
The BBC described him succinctly and correctly: “venture capitalist”
Himself about the Mafia
“The concept of ‘mafia’ serves to designate a process, a special type of relationship between men,” he wrote. “I do not use this concept, because it confuses more than it is worth.”
Bottom line
Intrigues, tricks, deceptions, multi-move combinations, traps, setups.... Learn, gentlemen. Maestro gives a lesson
13 PHILIP LOMBARDO
Distinctive features.
He had a unique talent to always remain in the shadows. He constantly led a secretive and inconspicuous life. His role in the family became known only after his death.
Achievements.
- Came a long way from the very bottom to the top of the mafia.
- Hid behind the backs of fake bosses for more than 20 years. That did not stop him from becoming one of the richest and most influential bosses in the history of Cosa Nostra.
- Remained the true leader of the Genovese family until his death in 1987.
Bottom line.
Being an eminence grise, he achieved great heights in the criminal world, becoming the most successful gangster.
14 SALVATORE MARANZANO
Distinctive features.
He had a representative and respectable appearance, and was distinguished by the charisma and manners of a true gentleman. He was fond of history, in particular the history of Rome, for which he received the nickname “Little Caesar”.
Credo.
He associated himself with the Roman emperor, and his group with the Roman Empire.
Achievements.
- Soon after moving to America, he took a prominent place in the criminal structure of New York.
- Won victory in the protracted Castellamarese war against Joe Masseria's group and proclaimed himself capo di tutti capi, boss of all bosses.
- Became the last mafioso to officially bear the title of “boss of all bosses.”
- Established a strict hierarchical structure of the mafia, which continues to this day.
Business.
The heyday of the mafia, the times of Prohibition. Alcohol smuggling in those years brought fabulous profits.
Cinema.
The film "The Story of the Godfather" (1999) shows the Castellamarese War, as well as the scene of the assassination attempt on Maranzano.
Bottom line.
Salvatore Maranzano was one of the most powerful figures in the mafia. A representative of the “old school” of the mafia, guided by the principle of “All or nothing” and seeking power for the sake of power itself.
15 FRANK COSTELLO
Distinctive features.
The future king of gambling and a great businessman. He loved to eat and was known as a true lover of fine cuisine.
Achievements.
- He entered the elite of the mafia, becoming famous thanks to the gambling business, as well as his ability to organize large frauds and scams.
- For 20 years he led the Genovese clan from year to year, increasing the family’s wealth, and at the same time his authority.
- Costello retained his influence in the mafia even after his “retirement” and regularly met with Carlo Gambino and Thomas Lucchese.
Court hearings.
When asked, "Mr. Costello, what have you done for this country?" Frank replied: “Paid taxes!” This was doubly remarkable given that he was soon accused of tax evasion.
Business.
In the early 30s, he literally flooded the United States with “one-armed bandits.” There were about 5,000 of them throughout the country, each of which brought in $50,000 in profit per week.
Frank about himself.
“I’m an ordinary man, an old businessman, tired of this damned life.”
Bottom line.
Like many emigrants of the early 20th century, he did not wait for mercy from the government and began to decide his own destiny, but unlike many, he managed to rise to the highest level in the mafia hierarchy. He became higher than the government
16 RAYMOND PATRIARCA
Business
Having become an authoritative mafioso, he spreads the influence of his empire to other cities. For example, in Boston, his people completely supplanted the Irish in almost all types of crime, although the Italians were reluctant to go to Patriarca in this city.
Traditionality
In 1967, he received a prison sentence due to the betrayal of his man. He served almost 10 years and didn’t say a word to the authorities about the Mafia. After the deadline, he finds the defector and kills him.
In general, he preferred to deal with witnesses immediately. The FBI even began to be afraid to reveal the names of the “singers”, since for Patriarca it was a matter of honor.
The boss was the leader of the family for 30 years despite his prison sentence. The most fair and authoritative Boss in Pennsylvania, Providence and Rhode Island and Boston in the 20th century.
Heritage.
His son was also approved by the Commission to become the Boss of the family after his father's death, but problems within the family prevented him from leading the clan.
17 SANTO TRAFFICANTE - Jr.
Credo
He never attempted to claim power in a broader sense than the limits of his own territory. The only goal of his activities was money, which did not prevent him from unquestioningly following the long-standing traditions of people of honor.
Achievements
- Despite the fact that he actually received power and an already quite powerful empire by inheritance, he did not go down in history as the son of his father.
- Significantly expanded the scope of his organization’s activities, increased its income, strengthened its position, and bright color highlighted Tampa on the US crime map.
Business
I have never neglected extra sources of income. His organization was involved in all possible types of racketeering. Gambling, usury, drug trafficking. Florida was made the main entry point for drugs into the United States.
Distinctive features
He was not afraid of God, nor of the devil, nor of the CIA, whom he powdered the brains of as he wanted, assuring that he would poison Fidel Castro with a special powder, and then safely throwing this powder into the toilet. Nevertheless, he regularly received his well-deserved pay and assistance from the special services.
Bottom line
A man with virtually no ambition with an iron fist ruled his organization. Hated by the state he had fooled after his unparalleled machinations, suspected and accused of many things, but convicted of little, he died quietly of heart disease, having held the reins of a powerful criminal family for 33 years.
18 ALBERT ANASTASIA
Distinctive features.
He was distinguished by unbridled cruelty, thanks to which he achieved authority. He was constantly possessed by a thirst for violence. The chief executioner of Murder Corporation was ready to kill for any slightest reason. At the same time, he was distinguished by his loyalty to his bosses. His devotion to Charlie Luciano was boundless - he was ready to kill anyone for the boss. “Charlie,” he exclaimed. “I have been waiting for this day for eight years. You will achieve your goal even if I have to kill everyone."
Credo.
His credo was simple to the point of banality, but, nevertheless, reflected his entire essence: “No man, no problem.”
Achievements.
- Anastasia was among the organizers of the murder of “the boss of all bosses” Salvatore Maranzano.
- He was one of the initiators of the plan to release Charlie Luciano from prison.
- After the elimination of Vincent Mangano, the bosses of other New York families were literally faced with the fact that Anastasia would take his place.
Business.
Anastasia was very straightforward and was incapable of playing tricky multi-move combinations. The family's business under his leadership was not profitable.
Bottom line.
He achieved leadership and authority in the family only through his cruelty. The chief executioner of the mafia, of course, could not effectively manage the family. His eyes were clouded with a thirst for violence and reprisals against unwanted competitors.
19 ANGELO BRUNO
Distinctive features
Compared to other mafiosi, he looked like a pacifist (it was not for nothing that he was nicknamed “The Soft Don”), but at the same time he controlled one of the largest “families” in the United States for 20 years.
Credo
Blood interferes with business. If you had to resort to violence, then hide the loose ends using cunning schemes.
Achievements
Under Bruno, the Philadelphia "family" became the strongest after New York and Chicago. He is the only “provincial” boss who sat on the Commission.
Business.
He categorically forbade his subordinates to sell drugs, but took tribute from independent drug dealers. By a happy coincidence, Atlantic City, under his control, became the “Las Vegas of the East Coast”
Bottom line
He was killed by short-sighted subordinates who thirsted for power and quick money. As a result of the ensuing civil strife, Bruno's empire almost completely disappeared from the US criminal map.
20 CARMINE PERSICO.
Character traits.
He gained fame in criminal circles as an uncompromising executor of “power” orders. He received the nickname “Snake” for his resourcefulness and cunning. He was distinguished by a brilliant mind, and even defended himself in court.
Achievements.
- He has successfully led the Colombo clan for more than 35 years.
- In 1985, he topped the list of 10 most wanted criminals published by the FBI.
- Established good connections with the 'Ndrangheta, bringing in good income.
- Received the nickname "Immortal" - he was shot more than 20 times, but to this day he remains the boss of the Colombo family.
Carmine about the mafia.
Once at the trial he said the following phrase: “If it weren’t for the mafia, this case would not be considered now.” Perhaps he's right.
Bottom line.
Even despite more than 100 years of imprisonment, he always remains the true leader of his family and continues to maintain influence in the criminal world.
(Materials provided by Italymob.)
The world has long been fighting the state against criminal clans, but the mafia is still alive. Currently, there are many criminal groups, each of which has its own boss and mastermind. Crime bosses often feel unpunished and create real criminal empires, intimidating civilians and government officials. They live by their own laws, violation of which often leads to death. This article presents 10 famous mafiosi who really left a noticeable mark on the history of the mafia. 1. Al Capone
Al Capone was a legend in the underworld of the 30s and 40s. last century and is still considered the most famous mafioso in history. The authoritative Al Capone struck fear into everyone, including the government. This American gangster of Italian origin developed a gambling business, was involved in bootlegging, racketeering, and drugs. It was he who introduced the concept of racketeering.
When the family moved to the United States in search of better life, he was forced to work hard. He worked in a pharmacy and a bowling alley, and even in a candy store. However, Al Capone was attracted to the nocturnal lifestyle. At the age of 19, while working in a billiards club, he made a cheeky comment about the wife of criminal Frank Galluccio. After the resulting fight and stabbing, he was left with a scar on his left cheek. The daring Al Capone learned to skillfully handle knives and was invited to the Gang of Five Smoking Barrels. Known for his cruelty in dealing with competitors, he organized the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, when, on his orders, seven tough mafiosi from Bugs Moran's group were shot.
His cunning helped him get out and avoid punishment for the crimes he committed. The only thing he was put in prison for was tax evasion. After leaving prison, where he spent 5 years, his health was undermined. He contracted syphilis from one of the prostitutes and died at the age of 48.
2. Lucky Luciano
Charles Luciano, born in Sicily, moved with his family to America in search of a decent life. Over time, he became a symbol of crime and one of the toughest gangsters in history. Since childhood, street punks have become a comfortable environment for him. He actively distributed drugs and went to prison at the age of 18. During the prohibition of alcohol in the United States, he was a member of the Gang of Four and smuggled alcohol. He was a penniless immigrant, like his friends, and ended up making millions of dollars from crime. Lucky organized a group of bootleggers, the so-called “Big Seven,” and defended it from the authorities.He later became the leader of Cosa Nostra and controlled all areas of activity in the criminal environment. Maranzano's gangsters tried to find out where he was hiding drugs and to do this they tricked him into taking him to the highway, where they tortured, cut and beat him. Luciano kept the secret. The bloody body without signs of life was thrown onto the side of the road and 8 hours later it was found by a police patrol. The hospital gave him 60 stitches and saved his life. After that they began to call him Lucky. (Lucky). 3. Pablo Escobar
Pablo Escobar is the most famous brutal Colombian drug lord. He created a real drug empire and arranged the supply of cocaine around the world on a huge scale. Young Escobar grew up in poor areas of Medellin and began his illegal activities by stealing tombstones and reselling them with erased inscriptions to resellers. In addition, he sought to earn easy money by selling drugs and cigarettes, as well as counterfeiting lottery tickets. Later, theft of expensive cars, racketeering, robberies and kidnappings were added to the scope of criminal activity.
At the age of 22, Escobar had already become a famous authority in poor neighborhoods. The poor supported him as he built them cheap housing. After becoming the head of a drug cartel, he earned billions. In 1989, his fortune was more than 15 billion. During his criminal activities, he was involved in the murders of more than a thousand police officers, journalists, several hundred judges and prosecutors, and various officials. 4. John Gotti
John Gotti was a household name in New York. He was called the “Teflon Don,” because all the accusations miraculously flew away from him, leaving him unsullied. He was a very resourceful mafioso who worked his way from the bottom to the very top of the Gambino family. His flamboyant and elegant style also earned him the nickname "The Elegant Don". While managing the family, he was involved in typical criminal matters: racketeering, theft, car theft, murder. Right hand The boss in all crimes was always his friend Salvatore Gravano. As a result, this became a fatal mistake for John Gotti. In 1992, Salvatore began cooperating with the FBI, testified against Gotti, and sent him to prison for life. In 2002, John Gotti died in prison from throat cancer.
5. Carlo Gambino
Gambino is a Sicilian gangster who led one of the most powerful crime families in America and led it until his death. As a teenager, he began stealing and extorting. Later he switched to bootlegging. When he became the boss of the Gambino family, he made it the richest and most powerful by controlling such lucrative facilities as the state port and airport. During its heyday, the Gambino criminal group consisted of more than 40 teams and controlled major American cities (New York, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles and others). Gambino did not welcome drug trafficking by members of his group, as he considered it a dangerous business that attracted a lot of attention.6. Meir Lansky
Meir Lansky is a Jew born in Belarus. At the age of 9 he moved with his family to New York. Since childhood, he became friends with Charles “Lucky” Luciano, which predetermined his fate. For decades, Meir Lansky was one of America's most important crime bosses. During Prohibition in America, he was involved in the illegal transportation and sale of alcoholic drinks. Later, the National Crime Syndicate was created and a network of underground bars and bookmakers was opened. For many years, Meir Lansky developed a gambling empire in the United States. In the end, tired of constant police surveillance, he leaves for Israel on a visa for 2 years. The FBI demanded his extradition. After his visa expires, he wants to move to another state, but no one accepts him. He returns to the United States, where he awaits trial. The charges were dropped, but the passport was revoked. Last years lived in Miami and died in a hospital from cancer. 7. Joseph Bonanno
This mafioso occupied a special place in the American criminal world. At the age of 15, the Sicilian boy was left an orphan. He moved to the United States illegally, where he quickly joined criminal circles. He created the influential Bonanno crime family and ruled it for 30 years. Over time, they began to call him “Banana Joe.” Having achieved the status of the richest mafioso in history, he voluntarily retired. He wanted to live the rest of his life quietly in his personal luxurious mansion. For a while he was forgotten by everyone. But the release of the autobiography was an unprecedented act for the mafia and once again attracted attention to him. He was even sent to prison for a year. Joseph Bonanno died at the age of 97, surrounded by relatives. 8. Alberto Anastasia
Albert Anastasia was called the head of the Gambino, one of the 5 mafia clans. He was nicknamed the Chief Executioner because his group, Murder, Inc., was responsible for over 600 deaths. He never went to prison for any of them. When a case was opened against him, it was unclear where the main prosecution witnesses disappeared to. Alberto Anastasia liked to get rid of witnesses. He called Lucky Luciano his teacher and was devoted to him. Anastasia carried out assassinations of the leaders of other criminal groups on Lucky's order. However, in 1957, Albert Anastasia himself was killed in a hairdresser at the order of his competitors. 9. Vincent Gigante
Vincent Gigante is a well-known mafioso authority who controlled crime in New York and other major American cities. He dropped out of school in 9th grade and switched to boxing. He became involved in a criminal gang at the age of 17. Since then, his rise in the criminal world began. He first became a godfather and then a consolere (adviser). Since 1981, he became the leader of the Genovese family. Vincent earned the nickname "Crazy Boss" and "King of the Pajamas" for his erratic behavior and walking around New York City in a bathrobe. It was a simulation of a mental disorder. For 40 years he avoided prison by posing as a madman. In 1997, he was nevertheless sentenced to 12 years. Even while in prison, he continued to give instructions to gang members through his son Vincent Esposito. In 2005, the mafioso died in prison from heart problems.
10. Heriberto Lazcano
For a long time, Heriberto Lazcano was on the list of wanted and most dangerous criminals in Mexico. From the age of 17 he served in the Mexican army and in a special unit to combat drug cartels. A couple of years later he went over to the side of drug gangsters when he was recruited by the Gulf cartel. After a while, he became the leader of one of the largest and most respected drug cartels - Los Zetas. Due to his boundless cruelty against competitors, bloody murders against officials, public figures, police and civilians (including women and children), he received the nickname Executioner. More than 47 thousand people died as a result of the massacres. When Heriberto Lazcano was killed in 2012, all of Mexico breathed a sigh of relief.
Capo di Capi, don, boss, sometimes “godfather” - head of the “family”. Receives information about every case carried out by any member of the “family”. The boss is elected by capo vote; In the event of a tie, the deputy boss must also vote. Until the 1950s, all family members participated in voting, but then this practice was stopped because it attracted too much attention.
Henchman or deputy boss - appointed by the boss himself and is the second person in the family. The henchman is responsible for all capos in the family. In the event of the arrest or death of the boss, the henchman himself usually becomes the acting boss.
Between the "assistant" and the "leader" there is an "adviser" (Consigliere). Consigliere - family advisor. He is invited as a mediator to resolve controversial issues or as a family representative in meetings with other families. They usually engage in more or less legal activities ( gambling or extortion). Often consigliere are lawyers or stockbrokers whom the boss can trust and even have a close friendship with. They usually do not have their own team, but they have significant influence within the family. Consiglieres often act as diplomats.
A caporegime or capo, sometimes a captain, is the head of a team of enforcer soldiers who reports to an underboss or the boss himself and is responsible for certain areas of territory or types of criminal activity. There are usually 6-9 such teams in a family, each of which consists of up to 10 soldiers. Thus, the capo leads his small family, but is completely subject to all restrictions and laws set by the boss big family, and pays him a share of his income. The introduction to the capo is made by the boss's assistant, but usually the boss appoints the capo personally.
The soldier is a member of a family of exclusively Italian origin. At the beginning of his journey, the soldier is an accomplice and must prove his necessity for the family. When a position becomes available, one or more capos may recommend that a proven accomplice be promoted to soldier. In the case where there are several such offers, but only one person can be accepted into the family, the last word remains with the boss. Once selected, a soldier usually ends up on the team whose capo recommended him.
An accomplice is not yet a family member, but he is no longer an “errand boy.” He usually acts as an intermediary in drug deals, acts as a bribed union representative or businessman, etc. Non-Italians are almost never accepted into the family and remain such accomplices (although there were exceptions - for example, Joe Watts, a close associate of John Gotti).
The current structure of the Mafia and the way they operate are largely determined by Salvatore Maranzano, the “boss of bosses” of the Mafia in the USA (who, however, was killed by Lucky Luciano six months after his election). The latest trend in family organizing is the emergence of two new positions - street boss and family messenger - created by former Genovese family boss Vincent Gigante.
Scheme
First level
Boss - don
Second level
Consigliere - advisor
Underboss - Don's assistant (assistant)
Third level
Caporegime - captain of a squad of soldiers
A separate group within the mafia structure
Soldiers and associates - the boss's personal soldiers.
Koska
Koska is the highest managerial level in the mafia management organization, which is
a union of several mafia families. The word "koska" is translated as "celery, artichoke or lettuce." With the help of a braid, mafiosos expand their sphere of influence. According to the requirements of the criminal environment, a mafioso must have his own property - “land”; uniting families of one locality into a braid gives the mafiosi the opportunity to play their personal possessions as a trump card, primarily in relation to the private property of non-mafia members, that is, the vast majority of society.
Koska is organized at a higher level and like a patriarchal family, so within it the independence of the individual mafioso is minimal. In the outside world, the koska exercises supreme power. Mafiosi of other koskos must ask permission if interests force them to act in the territory of a koska of which they are not members. Relations between different Koskos are, as a rule, friendly, businesslike, and sometimes of the nature of mutual assistance. However, when war breaks out between them,
especially if controversial issues arise when determining the boundaries of the respective territories, the Koskis lead it until the complete destruction of rivals. Thus began the mafia wars.
If you ask the first person you meet which country is the birthplace of the mafia, even the least knowledgeable person will give the correct answer without much thought: Italy. This country can actually be called a “flower garden” of the mafia, which has become one of the favorite topics in history and cinema textbooks.
This is not to say that the mafiosi did anything positive or outstanding, but many still admire the unsurpassed talent of the most famous criminals, most of whom, of course, have Italian roots.
Al Capone, of course, this name is well known not only in the sunniest country located on the Apennine Peninsula, but throughout the world. The notorious gangster's name is probably the most recognizable. And it’s not surprising: several films were made about Capone, the most popular of which was the 1987 film “The Untouchables” with Robert De Niro in the title role.
The story of the notorious Mafia figure, who was born in Brooklyn in 1889 after his family migrated to the United States, begins in 1919, when he entered the service of Johnny Torii. In 1925, he headed the Torii family and since then his “criminal” career has grown rapidly. Soon Capone was no longer afraid of anyone or anything: his people were engaged in gambling, selling drugs and prostitution. He earned a reputation as an honest, intelligent, but endlessly cruel person.
One need only remember the famous St. Valentine's Day massacre, when a group led by a gangster killed many mafia leaders.
When the police were lucky enough to apprehend the great criminal, they simply could not charge him with anything other than tax evasion. However, in the end, Al Capone still ended up behind bars: he was in the famous Alcatraz prison, from where he was released seven years later with fatal disease and soon died.
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Bernardo Provenzano
Bernardo Provenzano, a native of a small village located on, was simply destined to become one of the members of the group of the same name. Already in his youth he fell into the Corleone clan, and after a couple of years he had already killed several people and carried out a lot of illegal transactions. For 10 years, the name Provenzano hung in police stations on the “Wanted” stand, but the local carabinieri did not even try to find this dangerous criminal. Meanwhile, he continued to move up the career ladder and gain authority. It was rumored that Provenzano for some time controlled all the illegal business in Palermo, from drug sales to prostitution. He was known for his intransigence and stubbornness, for which he received the nickname Bulldozer.
Many years later, the police managed to detain the criminal: they saw a thin old man in ordinary jeans and a T-shirt. Provenzano will spend the rest of his days in prison.
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Albert Anastasia
Like many of his colleagues, Albert Anastasia was born in sunny Italy (the city of Tropea), but soon after his birth he migrated with his parents to America. The first time he went to prison was in his youth, when he killed a longshoreman in Brooklyn. He was sentenced to several years, but after some time the main witness in the Anastasia case died under mysterious circumstances, and the criminal himself was released.
Albert Anastasia gained fame as one of America's most ruthless killers.
He was a member of the Masseria gang, but over time he went over to the side of his boss’s competitors, and a couple of years later he was even present at the murder of his former boss. After this, Anastasia became the head of the gang of highly professional killers “Murder Inc.”, the Gambino clan. Police say the group has been involved in at least 400 deaths. The killer himself was killed on the order of one of the American mafiosi.
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