Genovese crime family is one of the largest and most powerful of the five families of the New York mafia and one of the most secretive.
The family has been dubbed the “Ivy League of organized crime” because of its ability to find new ways to make money and maintain its size and power over the years. The mafia family has also benefited greatly from its members maintaining the code of Omerta which has led to only six members in its history turning rat unique in today’s mafia. Named after long time boss Vito Genovese the mob family has long been one of the most interesting to many perhaps because so little information on their current operations and structure if known.
Vincent “The Chin” Gigante one of the most well known mafia bosses ran the family for for years using his “oddfather” act before passing away back in 2005. Since his death there has been very little information about who is the real power with in the Genovese family and who is officially sitting at the head of the table. They have been known in the past to use front bosses and ruling panels to run the family for the absence of the official boss or to insulate him. It has been a topic of discussion over recent years as to who the current boss of the family is along with the rest of its possible structured hierarchy.
It is believed that after the passing of Gigante is 2005 Genovese family capo Daniel Leo was running day to day operations as the families acting boss. He was convicted in 2008 and sent to prison but according to a 2009 report had maintained his status as acting boss although it is unclear if he still holds that current rank today. There have been many theories of late as to who is running the family and if the family even has an official boss anymore or has moved to a long term ruling panel type of leadership phase in an attempt to make it harder on law enforcement. Here are some of the names we see mentioned most often by those in mob circles and even law enforcement as to who may be the 2015 Genovese family boss.
“Liborio Bellomo”
Daniel Leo – Promoted to captain under the Gigante regime and the last reported boss/acting boss of the family. He was considered by many to have held that rank during his last prison stretch which ended in 2013 although many others do not agree. With many of its top captains out on the streets while Leo was away there were plenty of candidates for the family to promote in its leadership ranks. Others maintain Leo was most likely a front boss for a more powerful faction with in the family during his time at the top.
Liborio Bellomo – Considered to be a rising star in the mob for years and the likely successor to Chin Gigante before being sent to prison back in 1996. A powerful capo in the family and was believed to have held rank of acting boss in 1990 after Gigante was convicted until his own conviction in 96. He ended up serving 12 years behind bars getting released in 2008 and is currently one of families more powerful players. The 58 year old wiseguy is considered by most to be the most likely choice to be the current boss of the family.
Ernest Muscarella – Another of the Genovese families powerful capos and one time acting street boss back in 2001-2002 before himself being convicted for racketeering. Capo of the families 116th street crew for years many believe he is another likely choice to hold a top leadership position including being the top spot in the family. His name has also been mentioned as part of possible previous and current ruling panels.
Dominick Cirillo – A long time trusted aide to Gigante and a long time captain in the family. Part of the families Manhattan faction and respected across the board he is believed to have held rank of acting boss from 97-98 before stepping down due to health problems. Then in 2003 was believed to have been appointed again to the role of acting boss stepping down in 2006 after a loansharking conviction sent him to prison. He was released in 2008 and some believe he could be the current head of the family as he is still one of their most respected members although at age 86 its unclear as to how active he remains.
Venero Mangano – The last known official under boss of the Genovese family. He is one of the families senior leaders outside of prison after his release back in 2006 after doing a 15 year stretch. Some believe that he is respected enough to be at the head of the family today although he is reported to be in very poor health and at age of 93 many wonder if he is still capable maintaining such a role.
Ruling Panel – Many people in mafia circles and some in law enforcement believe the family is now run by a ruling panel of its top capo’s and members and no longer maintains an official boss or historic mafia leadership structure. The current panel if in place could contains some of the families top members like Leo, Bellomo, Muscarella, among others.
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