As the new year begins we take our annual look at who currently leads the mafia families that remain active across the country.
The last year produced some very interesting mafia news and developments including what seems to be a restabilization for some of the American mafia families also known as Cosa Nostra. These organized crime groups continue to generate millions of dollars in revenue through various rackets as they fight to maintain a certain level of power and influence. Even though we constantly see stories of its demise the mob remains active and continues to show an uncanny knack for being able to adapt and survive.
While its growth and prosperity as a whole can be debated the establishment of new and stable hierarchies has definitely benefited multiple families. Various factors including the changing focus of law enforcement toward the war on terror have seemingly opened the door for the five families of the New York mafia and others around the country to rebound at least to an extent. Multiple families have been able to install and maintain these new hierarchies over the past couple of years leaving fewer of them in disarray. This latest mafia resurgence even prompted mob expert Selwyn Raab to update his Five Families book this year. While this is far from an exact science About the Mafia using multiple sources has put together this list of current mafia leaders including mafia bosses and administrations heading into 2017. For a more in-depth look at some of the families as a whole, you can check out our recently updated mafia family charts section.
GAMBINO CRIME FAMILY (NEW YORK)
Boss: Domenico “Italian Dom” Cefalu/Francesco “Franky Boy” Cali
Underboss: Francesco “Franky Boy” Cali
Consigliere: Bartolomeo “Bobby/Pepe” Vernace
LUCCHESE CRIME FAMILY (NEW YORK)
Boss: Steven “Stevie Wonder/Herbie” Crea
Underboss: Matthew Madonna
Consigliere: Joseph “Joe C.” Caridi
GENOVESE CRIME FAMILY (NEW YORK)
Boss: Liborio “Barney” Bellomo
Underboss/Street Boss: Peter “Petey Red” DiChiara
Consigliere: “Unknown”
New Jersey Crew Boss: “Unknown”
COLOMBO CRIME FAMILY (NEW YORK)
Boss: Carmine “Junior/The Snake” Persico
Street Boss: Andrew “Andy Mush” Russo
Underboss: Benjamin “The Little Guy” Castellazo
Acting Underboss: Dominick “Donnie Shacks” Montemarano
Consigliere: “Unknown”
Acting Consigliere: Thomas “Tom Mix/Mr. T” Farese
BONANNO CRIME FAMILY (NEW YORK)
Boss: Michael “The Nose” Mancuso
Acting Boss: Joseph Cammarano Jr.
Consigliere: Anthony “Fat Tony” Rabito
PHILADELPHIA MAFIA FAMILY
Boss: Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino
Acting Boss/Street Boss: Steve Mazzone/Joseph “Uncle Joe” Ligambi
Underboss: John “Johnny Chang” Ciancaglini
Consigliere: Joseph “Uncle Joe” Ligambi/Joseph “Chickie” Ciangcaglini
DETROIT MAFIA FAMILY
Boss: Jack “Jackie the Kid” Giacalone
Underboss: Anthony (Chicago Tony) La Piana
Consigliere: Anthony (Tony Pal) Palazzolo
Street Boss: Peter (Specs) Tocco
NEW JERSEY MAFIA FAMILY (DeCAVALCANTE FAMILY)
Boss: Charles Majuri (?)
UnderBoss: “Unknown”
Consiglieri: Frank Nigro
NEW ENGLAND MAFIA FAMILY (PATRIARCA FAMILY)
Boss: Peter (The Crazy Horse) Limone (?)
Acting Boss: Carmen (The Cheeseman) DiNunzio
UnderBoss: Matthew Guglielmetti (?)
Consiglieri: Anthony “Ponytail Tony” Parillo
CHICAGO MAFIA FAMILY (CHICAGO OUTFIT)
Acting Boss/Boss: Salvatore “Solly D” DeLaurentis
Underboss: Salvatore “Sammy Cards” Cataudella
Street Boss: Albert Vena
Consigliere: Marco D’Amico
KANSAS CITY MAFIA FAMILY
Boss: John “Johnny Joe” Sciortino
UnderBoss: Peter “Las Vegas Pete” Simone
Consigliere: “Unknown”
CLEVELAND MAFIA FAMILY
Boss: Joseph “Joe Loose” Lacobacci (possibly retired)
Acting Boss: Russell “RJ” Papalardo
Underboss: “Unknown”
Consigliere: “Unknown”
BUFFALO MAFIA FAMILY
Boss: Robert “Bobby” Panaro/Anthony “Lupiania” Todaro (?)
Underboss: Robert “Bobby” Panaro (?)
Consigliere: Victor Sansanese
Always enjoy this update at the beginning of the year. I think one of biggest differences heading into this year is not only the stabilization of some of those family hierarchies but the amount of capable leaders in the mix that seem to signal a uptick in the mob as a whole esp in NY. Sure they won’t ever get back to the glory years but they now seem to be more well organized then they have in say last 7-10 years and they def seem a lot further from and end then they did earlier.
I think it’s hilarious we still don’t know half the Genovese leadership. Kudos to their methods. Surprised to see Cefula as boss, I’m almost certain it’s Cali.
They have done and continue to do a great job at staying under the radar no doubt about it. If the other families could follow that model they would def be in much better shape as well. A lot of rumors of late of Cefalu being semi retired and if that is the case then I think Cali may be at least partially running things. Although that one seems up in the air and until we see something concrete I agree that Cefalu is prob still sitting on top of the mountain.
the Genovese family chart is completely wrong manago is 95 and blind 24 hour care don’t know where people get this from.
Petey red DiChiara is the number 2 according to capeci he is a real gangster in his mid 70s he and barney share social club his is on market street
As for cali we don’t know really capeci keeps changing his mind what we know is that the feds still consider peter gotti official boss but with no power at all just holds the title. The acting boss some still consider Celfeau others cali
Well this is based on many sources and not just Capeci who lets be honest has been slipping of late as to info and his articles, not sure he really has that same fire for it he did in past years. Still a viable source but def not like he once was he seems to be putting out mostly stuff from law enforcement info.
I still think Capeci is doing a great job with his columns and I would still rank his site and info as top shelf esp over some of those other so called “insiders” out there just throwing stuff around for attention.
Agreed definitely still a great source of info and I still think he ranks among the best out there but he has slowed some at the same time I think.
he is in his late 70s now but his site is still the best source of info. His law enforcement sources probably told him peter gotti is still official boss he even wrote in the article he holds zero power just a title he kept out of respect for doing life without parole. I respect capeci more than any others out there even geogre A geogre repeats himself sometimes and lost respect after that book with alite
Peter gotti? Lol, im sure it’s name only. That dudes been in jail for 13 years.
Yes the definition of “in name only” lol and probably not even that.
after what the gottis did to the gambino family there is no way cali, cefalu and the rest are paying tribute to peter.. they have wiped there hands with them.. people talk about rico bringing down the families but in my opinion the gottis and gaspipe nearly brought down 2 families themselfs! lol
Agreed the Gambino family hierarchy has def moved way past the Gotti’s. And John Gotti in tne end def did more harm then good for the Gambino family and NY mafia in general.
I would be shocked if they were paying tribute it is proberly just a title the feds give him they like to have a gotti on there charts and they even say he has no power.
Gotti gaspipe Colombo war they hurt themselves badly. The amount of high ranking rats really damaged them gravano, sessa, Al D`arco. Bonnanos got lucky during that time feds took down that squad investigating them but they broke up like those other familys did in early 2000s.
Benny eggs mangano..Wow!
Now that’s back in time old school name. Yes he’s up there in age..
Was he from Italian Harlem or downtown?
Have to do my research.
Genovese chart is wrong your missing petey red DiChiara who is the number 2 these days street boss some consider him consglieire he is a real power capeci wrote a big article on it recently big ties to the newspaper industry he has had a social club at 73 Market Street since the 90s barney is said to spend a lot of time there these days. It was one of petey reds guys who gave joey D’Amico a beating in little Italy during
manago is also not involved these days he is 95 and blind with 24/7 care no chance he is underboss if he is its on in name no power
Yes petey red from last i read is now the street boss so I am sure that was an oversight to be corrected,
Good catch The Mafia … that was supposed to be updated from last years chart, thanks for heads up.
good to see you sharp good chart as always keep up the goodwork
Your insight, specifics are second to none I’ve seen except maybe Dom. May I ask how you have such detailed knowledge? I don’t see Dom post much, I guess because we can’t really teach him anything. He’s an expert as well
just reading a lot of stuff about the mob for a long time been reading gl news for years and bit of research over the years. Dom knows his stuff very good researcher a lot of respect for him we disagree on some things but he knows his stuff.
You each astound me. Love the confidence.. Nice to see respect exists still
Thank you for put up Anthony todaro name up there even I know his corruption is way to deep.
i enjoy looking at sites with up to date family charts, obviously with this being a secret society it is impossible to get every post/member correct. i have been reading selwyn raab five families and i am not surprised the genovese family is a guessing game. they have been a step ahead of the rest for 20-30 yrs now lol
Raab made a great point about the one thing he feared… That organize crime will corrupt the suburbs… politically speaking!
If/when the Italians can get there guys in Politics… They can literally corrupt the system! What a retro / scary scenario…
Great book and that was an excellent point he made which seems to have been developing for some time now. The mob if nothing else always finds a way to survive.
Indeed they do.
raab recently had to make article about his book what he feared came true the LCN recovered and strengthen how 9/11 helped them. Great book
this is the article interesting
http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/is-the-american-mafia-on-the-rise-w451888
But isn’t that what big business does on a daily basis? Only it’s called lobbying.
Correct… But these guys were street kids..no formal education..i.e. Gambino.. Genovese.. Costello.. Luciano.. And yet created a billionaire dollar empire.. Hey who needs Harvard when you have Brooklyn.. Italian Harlem, etc.
John Gotti jr as a soldier? Also, when did Madonna become underboss? Dude has spent better part of 30 years in prison. He’s been facing same indictment for like 8 years. Not literally of course.
Madonna was the underboss before he went to prison I know that feds said it when they busted him capeci aswell he was under indictment for a long time but don’t forget he was on bail the whole time it was like joey and johnny perna were both active while on the streets the whole time they were under indicment. He is 80 now and will be inside for a few years he might have stepped down or been taken down but who knows some guy carry on for a long time.
Feds are trying hard to get him for meldish murder but unless they can flip Londino I don’t see it happening
Thanks for info. I remember reading he was just associate during 90’s, did a long herion stretch, got made and bumped to captain as soon as he was paroled. Didn’t realize he was promoted again.
Any word on Zappola, lubrano or other recent parolees?
Who heard any thing about George Conte ? I know he is home is it true ? Very good guy. Barny you look exactly like you did in ’97 last time I seen you with Jimmy Ida .
he is out last released a couple of years ago not heard much to be honest someone said he was in Florida no idea if that’s true
lubrano I will be surprised if he does not have stripes still I mean he is a Bronx guy Steve wants to keep his people close to him I will tell you if I hear anything. Zappola heard very little about a lot of people tell me he has been shelved because he tried to kill steve back in the 90s.
Madonna moved up fast he was on that ruling panel in the late 2000s highly respected on the streets feds had the evidence to indict londiono and cadwell for the medlish murder in days but they waited for 2 years trying to tie Madonna to the murder. I think they will eventually indict Madonna for the murder in a rico case. The underboss now will be interesting joey DiNapoli and hooks Capra are close to steve but they are both in that late 70s now.
I think it will be either Anthony blue eyes or joey giampa who become the next underboss probably Santorelli
Michael Leonardo said it best.. when Gotti SR went to prison it opened the door for the Sicilians from 18th ave in Brooklyn to take over.. and I don’t see that changing.
true when they took over all the other factions had been taken down Nicky Corezzo was in prison so was Jo Jo Corezzo, Danny Marino was under indictment,Squitieri was in prison, Truccherio was in prison, Junior was shelved Jackie nose in prison Celfeau was the right guy for the job he had been Jackie noses underboss only did 6 months after that 2008 bust. Cali was the right choice for number 2 aswell. Funny thing about Cali he never killed anyone from what I hear him and pete not really violent guys don’t get me wrong if they were given the order they would do it he would have never got away with it 20 years ago times have changed
Bufalino Family in Northeast Pennsylvania?
I am not sure who fact checked this article but clearly he or she has no idea what he or she is doing. First of all the Cleveland Family has a total of three made members left. RJ Papalardo is now a real estate agent, Ron Carabbia moved to Florida, and Loose is around but to call them an active family is dumb. The FBI has not recognized a family there since the 1990s maybe before. The Buffalo Family chart is an example of why you cannot use wikipedia as a source. The FBI has not recognized a family there since 2006. If you read wikipedia it says Anthony Todaro also runs the Sicilian mafia and is the secret owner of the Buffalo Bills. Anyone who believes that clearly took the short bus to school.
This is rather humorous that someone would even suggest that there’s any hierarchy in Cleveland. I grew up in the midst of these guys and there’s nothing left but 3 old men
I am guessing Buffalo is still a viable family. Fino in his book The Triangle Exit suggests LIUNA Local 210 was never rid of the mob in any real way. The guys (Peter and Sam Capitano) who fought the Federal Trusteeship are President and Vice President today. They were Joe Todaro Jr.’s right hand men and are likely Anthony’s today. Additionnally, Panepinto (related by marriage to the Todaro’s) who’s Dad Donald “The Turtle” was a soldier and 210 leader was a lawyer for the National helping fight to keep the Coaia brothers (LIUNA) national leaders out of too much trouble. When Coaia retired he was replaced with a Mac with mob ties. Just a few months ago Louis Ciminelli a Buffalo Developer and former Trustee of 210’s pension fund with Falzone, Pieri, Sansanese, Caci, Gerace (mob soldiers and associates) that was indicted in a RICO suit for misuse of funds with these guys in 91, was just indicted in September 2016 for Bribery and Bid Rigging in the Buffalo Billion scandal. Here is the court case naming him as a defendant in 91: http://www.leagle.com/decision…
Here is an article about his indictment in 2016: https://www.google.com/amp/s/w…
Too much of a coincidence to think the Familyvidead and not involved in this huge scandal which 210 and it laborers and “agents” are benefiting from.
So because an associate was arrested that means the family is active? Why were there no organized crime affiliations mentioned in the indictment? The last verified associate in the Buffalo family to be arrested was Leonard Mordino in 2006 for drugs. One question back in 2015 New Orleans mafia member Joseph Gagliano was arrested for weapons possession. Does this mean the mafia in New Orleans is active because he was arrested? Based on your rationale about Buffalo, I assume you think New Orleans is active too despite there being no evidence the family is active and the FBI does not recognize the family (just like Buffalo)?
No, I don’t think New Orleans is active. I believe you make an assumption that isn’t necessarily true. In my opinion there isn’t a 100% consensus with the Feds. about Buffalo.
The reason for my opinion?
Former FBI & CIA operative Ron Fino, in his book the Triangle Exit (2013) intimates the family is still actively influencing LIUNA 210. See his chapter “The Case Against the Laborer’ Union and Local 210” for more info on the subject.
Additionally, in a 2012 interview with The Buffalo News Fino states the same. Under the section titled “Not Clean Enough” the reporter, Dan Herbeck writes:
“When the feds took control of Local 210 in the 1990s, Fino helped the government establish trusteeships that ran the local and the Laborers International Union of North America, removing most of its leadership. Wearing a hood to conceal his face, he testified before Congress in 1996, accusing laborers union leaders of taking orders from mobsters.
Today, Fino maintains that the government’s cleanup of the Laborers international – and of Local 210 – didn’t go far enough.
….Fino said he is skeptical of the Justice Department’s claims that mob influences were totally removed from Local 210 and the Laborers international.
Fino pointed out that, in the 1990s, Sam Capitano, the current business manager of Local 210, was an outspoken critic of efforts to remove mob influences from the Buffalo local.
In March 1995, then serving as a Local 210 steward, Capitano repeatedly told The News the federal government was greatly exaggerating the influence of mobsters on the local. He was a vocal leader of a group that filed a lawsuit, claiming there was absolutely no mob influence on Local 210 and no need for a cleanup.
Yet speaking to The News on Sept. 14 this year, Capitano said he is now convinced that the government takeover was needed and was successful in removing mob influences from the Laborers’ leadership.”
According to Fino, Sam and Peter Capitano were cherry picked by Joe Todaro Jr. in order to enable him to continue to influence/control the union after he stepped down, because the Feds. were putting the heat on his involvement in 210.
The Capitano brothers were removed from leadership for fighting Federal Oversight & Trusteeship of the union–for a short time. They are now, however, leading the union as President and Vice President along with John Massaro (secretary treasurer/business agent) relative of mobster Angelo Massaro who took the files of Govt. surveillance and photos of Local 210 to his lawyer, that Fino was caught with.
Rochester Truth–if LIUNA 210 is still influenced by the mob through the Capitano brothers as Fino suggests, and if the developer and former 210 Pension Fund Trustee L.P. Ciminelli is connected like the ’91 RICO case suggests–one can’t help but wonder if the bribery, extortion, and bid rigging of The Buffalo Billion Scandal, for which Ciminelli was indicted, has it’s roots in Buffalo OC family.
Of course this is circumstantial evidence and proves nothing, but I hope you see my rational is a bit different from what you portrayed in your comment to me. Thanks, though, for the comment. A good discussion is always appreciated.
Anyone know if the Russell Bufalino Mafia Family in Northeast Pennsylvania (Scranton, PA and surrounding areas) is still alive? Boss today? Power today? I lived in the area all my life until about 5 years ago and it was a powerful group at one time. Not sure present day. I see it is not included in the list of Families with bosses listed in your “2017 Mafia Family Leaders”. Thanks for any information! I’m curious
Russell passed in 1994.
He was arguably the most powerful boss at his time but many people never even heard of him because he was smart and never drew attention.
Any new updates on The Detroit Mafia? Uncle Dom passes and the Sicilian D”Anna Brothers are tied up. Whats Jackie the Kid up to now with so much turnover on the street?
Anyone ever hear an orgnaization in california named the Maiolo crime family?
Thanks for the intell on the bosses. I’m interested in Russian mafia as well but more books with old intell than anything else
Damn no family out here in California. Wish they could organize something here. Maybe they can put a scare into the gang bangers. Cops sure ain’t doin nothin bout it. Gotta change the post name. Real username Vitto Potbelly Cinzano.
as a child and sometimes now,ive always wanted the Mafia kidn
ap me because I know people in other mafias ,but I don’t like them so I’d give some secrets,I’m surprised they let me go but I need the Italian Mafia to Gmail me so I can help them if you have any way to contact them send the information to this Gmail
brittanystewart119@gmail.com
~THANKS
moron
Montreal Family??
Rizutto
My grandma always said she had friends that were part of the mob in Detroit and all she had to do was make a call and they would protect her if she had a problem her name was June Zimmerman
I guess the Todaro Crime Family is still alive and kicking… According to this article members of the Buffalo LCN were recently arrested in Canada. The Buffalo News must have been wrong when they said the family was dead earlier this year.
http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/congratulations-undercover-agent-inducted-into-mafia-in-secret-ceremony-in-canada-captured-on-video-by-police
From the article: The four-year investigation also shows the traditional cross-border rectangle of Mafia organizations from 60 years ago remains intact: Hamilton-Buffalo-Montreal-New York.
Among those arrested in Canada are members of the Todaro organized crime family, based in Buffalo, according to U.S. authorities. The Todaro crime group was built by the now-deceased Joseph (Lead Pipe Joe) Todaro, Sr., who took over the Buffalo Mafia once led by the influential boss Stefano (The Undertaker) Magaddino.
From The Hamilton Spectator: Two of the accused are grandsons of the late Giacomo Luppino of Hamilton, who was considered by police to be a founding member of the Crimine, a governing body for criminals in the ‘Ndrangheta crime group and a long-standing associate of the Buffalo mob.
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/7912493-rcmp-fbi-announce-fentanyl-trafficking-arrests-involving-organized-crime-groups/
Grazia per il chart!