As we make our way through 2017 we take a look at the ever-changing landscape of the Five Families of the New York Mafia.
By many accounts, the NY Mafia has had somewhat of a resurgence in the last few years as the feds have turned the majority of their attention and resources over to the fight against terrorism. The Five Families were severely crippled by years of RICO indictments and were clearly on the ropes when the 9/11 attacks changed the playing field. The mafia families in New York may never again reach the heights of power of its heyday but they have proven over the years to have an uncanny ability to adapt and survive. Many of New York’s Cosa Nostra families now have new and stable leadership in place although some families have benefited from this new era more than others.
“Gambino Family Leader: Frank Cali“
For years the Genovese crime family often referred to as the “Ivy League” of organized crime has been the most powerful of the Five Families. But as this latest mafia resurgence takes root and stability sets in could we see a new family name sitting atop the power structure in New York? The Genovese family is the oldest and still considered to be the largest of the NY families with influence over vast criminal activities both in NY and elsewhere across the country. According to multiple sources, veteran mobster Liborio “Barney” Bellomo has taken the reigns as the families new boss or acting boss. Bellomo is well respected and considered by many to be one of the more powerful mafioso on the streets of New York today. But even with a strong leader once again atop the mountain and the families continued devotion to the code of Omerta it may not be enjoying the same success currently as one of its rivals.
The Gambino crime family has historically been one of the more powerful of the New York mafia families in both sizes rivaling the mighty Genovese family and influence. The Gambino family is once again on the rise and maybe the family that has benefited most from this ongoing mafia revival. An esteemed author and mafia expert Selwyn Raab believe one aspect of this new mafia resurgence is the increase in influence and power by “Zips” (a nickname given to Sicilian newcomers) and Zip factions within the American mafia families in New York. The new Gambino family leadership which includes Francesco “Frank” Cali, Domenico “Italian Dom” Cefalù, and John Gambino among others have strong Sicilian ties and the family currently, maintains one of strongest zip factions in NY. Many believe these old school ties and a newly renewed old school approach have made the Gambino’s the most powerful family in NY overtaking the Genovese’s.
It is clear that the Gambino family currently has its most powerful and influential leadership groups in decades at the helm. Frank Cali has long been a rising star in New York mafia circles benefiting from his upbringing by mob elders including Cefalù and his uncle John Gambino along with his strong family ties to the old country. The strong Sicilian ties have undoubtedly given the Gambino family a solid foundation in the lucrative drug trade at least for now which is a major source of income for the NY families. According to recent reports, the Gambino family continues to operate outside of New York including having a heavy influence over what remains of the New Jersey mafia family. The other mob families in New York which include the Bonanno family, Lucchese family and Colombo family also seem to be rebounding just at a slower pace than these two mob powerhouses.
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This is a very good question. There is no doubt about it the Gambino family has been getting stronger of late and could very well be the family most on the rise as of today. Not sure that rise as of now has been enough to take the top spot from the Genovese family just yet though. Barney is a force and is in control of some heavy hitters and capable guys for the Genovese family so they are still clearly a force. Not sure Cali or the Gambino’s are quite there yet but things could be changing.
Hmmm, seems to be similar arguments I made about zips being a big factor. Funny I said the same things about Cali and Sicilian connections. That being said, I think Genovese still reign supreme. Only because they are great at hiding leadership, less rats, and size.
They have done a remarkable job for most part at dodging rats which has really helped them over the years. I think the Sicilian faction has really upped the Gambino family but the Genovese are a well run machine still today under Barney and prob still on top.
the gap has closed in recent years but the westside still the strongest. However the whole question Its not as a simple as that on the streets its all about your rep there is guys in the Colombo family who are more feared and respected than some guys in the westside its not all about which family your a member of or who is a member of there is idiots and fakes in all familys more in the colombos don’t get me wrong than the westside but people forget how large the Genovese family is. People also forget half these familys crews hate each other there is some crews which are very close with other familys. All these familys mix aswell always have but today even more than in the past that’s partly to do with attrition but also changing attitudes In the streets lucheses and Genovese always been close to be fair
I always figure that the Genovese family had the right mentality through and through, where it was make money, not headlines. So if we are talking stronger as in numbers and force, I’d probably say Gambino, but if we’re talking stronger via business operations, I’d say Genovese.
I think the gap in last 15 yrs or so is definitely smaller but over all there still seems to be one and the Gambino’s even though they are now in solid shape are still a bit behind. Could a long uninterrupted run of Cali as boss change that , perhaps.
Numbers is still genovese. Virtually all experts have them 250-300 made men, gambinos about 50-100 less
does the 50-100 include the zips in gambinos, Genovese have took 1 or 2 hits recently with one of them being demeo and the online gambling enterprise. I cant remember but was there gambinos involved in the joey merlino mix up ? I remember there was a couple captains involved. 300 made men in the Genovese family ??
I’m getting numbers from FBI estimates. Could they be wrong? Sure, but almost everyone agrees the Genovese have 50-100 more made members than gambinos. I would assume zips included. If not 300, 250 easy. Gambinos had more during 70’s and 80’s, but Gotti ruined that.
As for Merlino bust, I don’t remember Gambinos being involved, but it’s possible.
Westside have 250 Gambinos around 200 according to what the feds said in 2013 probably slightly wrong I mean according to jack falcone feds thought there was 24 crews when there was 26 in 03
There is 200 guys FBI estimates in the Gambino family as of 2013 that’s including zips and there is less than you think
Where are you getting those numbers for the gambinos?
FBI stats
Oh I misread, thought you pegged them at 50-100 total membership. Was confused there.
who knows how much the gambinos will benefit or suffer from a strong sicilian faction? not that a little more sicilian mentality would be a bad thing for lcn per se, but look at how the bonannos struggled with this division into zips and americans for many years. who knows how this sits with everybody? however, i suspect most of the family must be relieved that the gotti reign is over.
Good point it could be seen as a possible problem down the road. But it seems like Cali etc may have the family buying into this new approach and new dynamic more so then the Bonanno family back then.
The new approach is white collar crime; hacking etc. It is what it is.
I actually disagree. In the end full blooded genuine Italian mobsters from the old country will be the only thing keeping the American Mafia alive, in my opinion.
With things thinning out on the American side of things it seems these ties and use of these zips could and prob will continue to be on the rise.
Yep, it started with immigrants and is now reverting back.
If the Italians-sicilians want to compete…They have to have a trans-national connection!
I.e. russians, Albanians, Chinese.
As mentioned..The ability to filter criminals across borders and work accordingly.
This has to be the future for future Italian American organized crime.
They ve always worked with criminal organazations and individuals of other race and ethnic background. They just don’t officially induct them. The future for them and any criminal organization is adjusting and adapting to advancements in technology. Be it for profit or adapting so technology doesn’t bring them down.
Thing the bigger issue is most things criminals have profited from have been legalized to an extent. Numbers racket become nearly obsolete due to lotto, casinos opening in many different markets cut into gambling profits, even drugs has competition with prescription opiates.
I agree..Yet when I think of trans national organized crime from an Italian POV… I tend to look at the Canadian-Italians/Sicilians as more interwoven… they seem to communicate better with the brothers across the Atlantic.
Not sure if you remember the episode of the sopranos where Tony’s crew went to Naples to conduct business.. did you see how lost in culture they were? Yes they shook hands on deals..But they were missing that European element. And a majority of these guys from the 5 families can’t even speak fluent Italian!
Not sure if I’m making sense..Just my opinion
Well The Sopranos was fiction. Not sure about the New York guys. In Detroit the majority all trace roots to Terrasini, Sicily. Most have family still there embrace the culture and by all means speak Italian.
As far as them working together, just look at The Pizza connection. Major trans continental drugs trafficking. With how much $ they ve made in past working together internationally I would be shocked if all the families didn’t have strong ties and frequent communication with Italian clans and families.
Obviously fiction on the sopranos..
And yes the Detroit crew is small and tight
Let’s see what the future holds for lcn..
Some say they
Will revert to a street gang.. Others say relying more on zips too bring the glory days..
Anyhow I still feel the Genovese are the elite .. more brains in the crews.
I was not talking about their size. Was talking about how they like most Italian families in Metro Detroit strongly embrace our Italian culture, speak Italian, and most still have relatives in the old country.
As far as reverting to a street gang. That’s about the furthest thing they’d revert to. Street gangs are petty hoods. Vast majority in Detroit have and traditionally have ran successful legitimate business and most went to college.
For the most part very quiet family. Not the exciting headline grabbing activities people immediately think of when hearing “Mafia”
A lot of people claim that LCN will revert back to a street gang, but remember they started out as a street gang. So that means that even if they did revert back to a street gang they could once again become powerful organisations.
I threw the “size” in there. I mentioned awhile ago that their size (made men) are small and profits high within the crews.
Regarding hood…Well long before it was organized crime when store owners didn’t pay up..Rocks were thrown at their windows… 🙂
Detroit family is actually one of the more impressive. A lot of college educated guys. Same token in modern day Detroit they do not have the muscle to compete against any number of other gangs, not to mention the city is bankrupt.
i disagree too. how many zips do you think must be winding up in the ny families to overcome the influence of the american mobsters? and honestly, which ‘full blooded genuine italian mobsters’ want to come over nowadays? it’s a mess.
I’m saying that the American Mafia is dying out and the only thing that will still keep the Mafia in America going will be mobsters from the old country. That’s really what makes the Mafia, the Mafia. How many generations removed from Italy does the Mafia have to become before we finally admit that the Mafia just isn’t the Mafia anymore? And that last question is ridiculous. There are plenty of mobsters from Italy over here, and they are still coming. The more Americanized and watered down the American Mafia becomes the more we will see these Italian mobsters make their presence known.
i agree, lcn has moved away from its counterpart in sicily. but thats been happening since the 80s or even earlier.
however, i don’t know of any recent influx of sicilians into lcn specifically, but there may be other information.
It makes more sense to a Michael milkin, Bernie madoff, then a gangster. Generally speaking they don’t get caught, and if they do, prison is typically light. Exceptions like madoff of course. If gangsters commit white color crimes they get hit with Rico as well as standard charges. Thus, why bother with mafia? How many cases have we seen recently with guys getting stiff sentences for a couple thousand in loan sharking. So to Clinton’s point, actual Italians who want American dream will have to be axis of strength. Like the Inzerillos and Cali/gambino/Cefula connections. Cali is made in both families and has dual citizenship.
No he is no Cali is not made in Sicily that’s false he grew up in Brooklyn born in New York he is not a real zip not even close just has the right family connections who he married neither is Celfeau when he came over he was not made . Gambino is the only one made in both
Frank was taken under Jackie the nose in the 90s junior gotti ordered the kids of these guys (like frank Cali) to be taken into the family they were wild and causing trouble so gotti wanted them controlled. Frank from then learnt from Jackie when Junior fell out with Jackie in the 90s Cali also nearly got whacked
What about Gregorio Gigliotti from the Ndrangheta who was convicted of cocaine trafficking in New York? What about Roberto Settineri from the Cosa Nostra who was busted for money laundering down in Florida a few years back? Or the Camorra gangster Giovanni DeMaio, busted in New Jersey for counterfeiting? These guys came out of nowhere. How do we know there isn’t many more just like them operating in America?
Oh there are surely more and good point about the Ndrangheta who are definitely moving into the states slowly but surely and as i mentioned above already have joint ventures with some of the five families. They have a strong hold now in Canada and Australia and we can be sure its only a matter of time before they start to have more of a presence in the states.
ndrangheta is all over europe. netherlands, switzerland, and esp. germany.
thanks, i do see your point. still, these people work for groups based in italy, maybe joining force with local US families, which makes it hard to tell where their loyalty is. who knows if they are the ‘cure’ for lcn?
No made guys though surthey are operating but its not like they are members. Like this Giglilotti some newspapers tried to claim there was a westside connection rubbish the pizza shop was next to the club they had no idea this guy was operating
It won’t make a difference how strong LCN is zips will not save them attrition will be the eventual reason for there downfall not enough guys wanting to come over and the guys who are a lot don’t want to be involved in LCN
You insist on solely focusing on LCN the point is that the Italian Mafia is not dead in America these Italian mobsters don’t have to get involved in LCN they have their own thing going. If LCN dies the real Mafia will just replace them. The Mafia will always be here.
Yes but it won’t really be the mafia not what I grew up seeing sure there will be mafia members but no hierarchy nothing like that really just a few drugs dealers. They won’t be replacing anything you think some sigg is going to be running a book? Please its not happening when LCN dies its over sure there will be mafia members here but it will be dead
Not only the Sicilians but the Calabrians (Ndrangheta) are also starting to pop up in the states esp in NY and they are seemingly doing business with some of the five families. I think over all we will continue to see more and more mobsters from the other side in the states at least for spurts of time and more join operations esp drug related.
Anyone know what these two families main sources of income is? If the Gambino’s are mainly Sicilian based now then I would figure they are heavily into drug trafficking, however, my knowledge on the subject is limited. Any thoughts guys?
All of the families are now into the drug trade and it would seem like the Gambino’s are heavily involved and it has become a major racket for them. I am sure they are also still involved in the typical mob rackets as well bookmaking, loansharking, extortion, unions (prob more moderate these days) and cyber crimes etc.
genovese.. Bellomo is all Sicilian.. Their upper echelon is sound. The foundation is there.. I believe they even have their own zips running around jersey. Very cunning.. What they did to Bruno in Philly forever changed the landscape there.
Bellomo is not a real zip anyone who knows where he came up with he is nothing like those guys he left very young his father before he died asked tony to give him his button to protect him he feared for his son then he was placed with Sammy black. No zips or drug dealing its all nonsense.
That family does not even have a zip faction only guy I know of is Sal Devita who I have my doubts is even active anymore he is not even a major player in Jeresy anymore not even comparable to Gambinos or Bonannos
I said Bellomo is Sicilian.. Not a zip…BUT he was groomed with big-time ol school guys. The guy is no moron!
The bonanos and the zip connection is a thing of the past..
Cali is probably looking at the future with his Sicilian connections.
The zip connection doesn’t necessarily make the Gambino’s a force … Yet..
Last I recall the Calabrians are running smack all through Europe and other continents.
I’m not zip expert, but I believe the “mafia” said bonanno’s have heavy zip presence
They have had in the past and still do to some extent although it seems unclear as to how much influence they actually have at the moment.
Like John said there is still a Zip presence in that family not like it was but apart from the Gambinos it is the largest zip faction in any other family
If they do then good for them considering how dysfunctional they are. Their Canadian-sicilian connection is in great peril with the Calabrians slowly taken over.
There is still a zip connection in the Bonannos not like it used to be
Bellomo is certainly no moron my point is he really an American not really Sicilian and so are the people he came up with.
As for Frank who knows he is not able to go moving around Italy like he used be when he was a capo probably his cousin now. Frank is not really a full zip himself to be honest not like Celfeau or John Gambino he grew up here but does have the connection like you said because of who he married and his
blood relations
That’s what I heard as well
its a misconception that the Gambino family only makes money from drug trafficking they make some of there income from drugs the majority are not full time drug dealers some might deal drugs aswell as other scams most are not zip drug dealers people have to remember there is probably less than 15 zips in that family out of 200.
All these familys are involved in the same sort of scams and most guys work together on the streets like john said all of them deal drugs
Well none of the families only make money from drugs but there is no doubt it has become one of the major rackets for them now. There is more cash (usually) made from one major drug deal then is made from months of bookmaking and loansharking so the families have no choice but to be involved. I think most know the Gambino’s like the rest of the families are still diverse and are involved in plenty of rackets including the old staples and even some new ones like cyber crime. It also seems like their connections give them a solid in route to making more cash then some of the other families perhaps when it comes to current drug trade.
half the mob has probably dealt drugs at some point most guys are not just drug dealers wiseguys are always involved in loads of scams there is not many guys whos only income is drug trafficking those guys like you said are more likely to be found in the Gambino family because of there connections
Would be interesting to see some hard numbers even ball park wise as to how much cash each family is currently generating from drug trafficking along with the other typical rackets. Just to have an idea of how profitable the families are today.
Its hard to know because these guys a lot of them deal drugs on the side they are not kicking up and a lot of the guys who are not giving the full amount they just put some of the profits into there weekly kickup and even that is only going to the capo or soldier in a family. Bosses are not really making much from drug dealing in LCN
Oh it is impossible to put any kind of accurate figure on it no doubt about it. But it would make for interesting conversation.
The Zips have always been the ones who have been smuggling all the cocaine and drugs trough the borders and they still do because they are the only ones out there who have the connection with the Sicilian mafia families abroad and don’t forget Italian seaports have the biggest cocaine imports of whole Europe.
It would have been better if the Ny families made a partnership deal with the Los Zetas cartel that’s how the Ndrangheta managed to become the most powerful mafia organization in Italy and across Europe and Australia etc.
There isn’t just “one” thing they’re involved in, but I’m going to speculate various types of consumer fraud is the Gambino’s biggest money maker these days:
The 5 families are known to be getting wealthy through Medicare fraud schemes, kickbacks, real estate and mortgage fraud, price fixing, unlawful joint ventures, mixing counterfeit goods with the legitimate trade, etc.
Mixing counterfeit goods with the legitimate trade is true. Along with arson, murder, real estate and mortgage fraud. Pulling the plug with the wrong person will only catch up with you.
bread and butter Gambling and Loan Sharking
The books are right about the genovese crew… The captains kick up LITTLE… These guys eat.
I know I said that there is absolutely no excuse for ratting, and I still strongly believe that, however if crime families would take better care of their members and quit with the treachery and backstabbing they could solve a lot of their rat problems. Not all, but a lot.
It is definitely part of that life’s dark side
Capos should really take care of there soldiers like soldiers should take care of there associates. But your forgetting these guys are greedy guys who would screw anyone over they dont believe in loyalty or anything like that so many guys lose everything when in prison scars was the worst they took everything gotti and Corezzo took his title everything he had on the streets.
After the damage the Gottis done to the gambinos it is good to see them back on their feet and prospering and the new jersey family are flying the Gambino flag. Genovese have always been 5 steps ahead with gigante and fat tony salerno is an example. I would love to know exactly how big and wealthy the other 3 families are.
This is what they fake news
In Connecticut where I live it is a weird sharing of territories between Gambino and Genovese. I think a lot of areas in greater metro NYC are like that too. Supposedly the New England family has territory in the eastern part of our state, but never hear anything going on there which means they are doing something right and/or there isn’t any action out there.
Would imagine these days crews from various families are working side by side more so then ever before as territories continue to shrink.
Nobody really knows who is running the Gambino Family.. It’s no one you mentioned.
Perhaps although it seems quite likely it is either Dom or Frank but we can never be 100% completely sure. This is definitely not an exact science.
Agreed until feds indict we won’t know even capeci seems confused over the leadership frank is probably the leader
Lol. Ok, it’s Frank Cali. Maybe Cefula might advise
I personally think frank is the leader but not enough evidence to support it. Even if not boss he is a real power no doubt living good frank I heard he lives in this mansion in Staten Island visible aswell does not hide away like some
Its widely reported that Cefula and Cali are running the show
Colombo’s?
I hear you!!
I would have to say bambino’s Gambino’s. With Frank “Boy” Cali. About 120 Made Men. Genovese 250. As for the rest; Lucchese, Bonanno, and Colombo. Bonanno and Colombo have more zips. Lucchese is more old school. Anyways I would have to a coin toss on both the Gambino’s and Genovese. Main point no drugs less it’s coke.
Jkly. I would say the Colombo’s need a new boss rather than Persico who is in prison. Just like Baldassare “Baldo” Amato of the Bonanno’s. Mainly Loan sharking, racketeering, gambling, fraud. Remember zips run this thing of ours.
FBI estimated in 2013 Genovse 250 Gambino 200 Bonanno and Luchese around 100 Colombo family around 70 that’s including guys in prison
With no one knowing who really isn’t Gambino Boss wouldn’t that be a good thing? Especially since they,Gambino Family, had a run on “Rats”. That might not make them the most powerful but shows they’ve clised ranks,if only to restrict everything to “need to know” basis
LCN should reform its old exposed rules and structure, the current bosses should take an example of Lucky Luciano’s legacy it will work for them against law enforcement and inside rats etc.
The Trump Mafia Family
the new gambino top man has strong sicilan ties and uses old school tactics.in stead of show boating like gotti
There is no new Gambino top man. The New York Cities 5 are Marasco, Bonanno, Colombo, Amato, and Lucchese since 2011. F.B.I. usually apply the original Gambino or Genovese. They are no more. Agree on Gotti though. How many busted ever met a Gambino or Genovese? I am Andrew Marasco’s underboss. There are also new tactics. White collar crime such as hacking, etc, etc. And no I am not the “To Catch A Predator” pedophile. LMFAO. Times have changed; get use to it. 12/4/2017.
I always felt sorry for Fredo. He was so weak!
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