Becoming the Boss (Full Episode) | Inside the American Mob Compilation

The American Mafia in the 1970s & Beyond: A Detailed Summary

Key Concepts:

• Cosa Nostra: The Italian-American Mafia, a hierarchical criminal organization.
• Commission: The governing body of the five New York families, responsible for resolving disputes and authorizing hits.
• Made Man: A fully initiated member of the Mafia.
• Capo: A captain or leader of a crew within a Mafia family.
• Boss: The head of a Mafia family.
• Flipping/Cooperating Witness: When a Mafia member provides information to law enforcement in exchange for leniency.
• Teflon Don: A nickname for John Gotti, referencing his ability to avoid conviction for years.
• Ravenite Social Club: John Gotti’s headquarters and a key location for FBI surveillance.

I. Introduction: A Glimpse into the Mob’s Brutality

The narrative begins with Polisi’s firsthand account of a 1970s mob hit in Miami, illustrating the casual violence and ruthless nature of the organization. He was tasked with a violent act – slicing a man’s testicles with a Sheffield knife – demonstrating the brutality inherent in the Mafia’s operations. This sets the stage for a broader exploration of the Mafia’s power and influence during this period. The opening also foreshadows the difficulty in prosecuting these crimes, as evidenced by Polisi’s nonchalant recounting of the event and lack of immediate consequences.

II. The Rise of the Mafia in the 1970s: A Shadow Government

The 1970s witnessed the Mafia’s “golden age,” characterized by extensive control over various industries including trucking, ports, garbage disposal, meat, produce, fish markets, construction (carpenters and electrical unions), and even infiltration of law enforcement and the judiciary. Experts like Chertoff describe it as a “shadow government” controlling vast economic activity without accountability. Raab emphasizes its enduring power as the “most enduring, powerful and venal organized criminal organization” in American history. The Mafia’s structure, established by Lucky Luciano, was based on a nationwide network modeled after Roman legions, fostering a brotherhood among men focused on maximizing profit. Calabrese Jr. highlights their manipulative tactics, aiming to exploit and control others’ assets. Walden likens the Mafia to a “pack of rats” consuming everything in its path, even turning on each other.

III. The Five Families of New York

The narrative focuses on the five families of New York – Genovese, Lucchese, Gambino, Bonanno, and Colombo – as the central hubs of Mafia activity. Joe Colombo, boss of the Colombo family, is presented as a unique figure – a second-generation Italian-American comfortable in the public eye. He founded the Italian American Civil Rights League, attempting to portray the Mafia as victims of discrimination, successfully pressuring the Justice Department to temporarily ban the use of the term “Mafia.” However, his public profile ultimately contributed to his downfall. Devecchio details Colombo’s involvement in at least 18 murders and his control over a network of “psychopathic killers,” including Crazy Joe Gallo.

IV. The Colombo-Gallo Conflict and its Aftermath

The rivalry between Joe Colombo and Crazy Joe Gallo culminated in Colombo’s shooting in 1971 and Gallo’s subsequent murder in 1972. Gallo, a violent and ambitious captain, challenged Colombo’s authority and sought to become boss. The narrative emphasizes the need for Commission approval before eliminating a boss, highlighting the internal rules and power dynamics within the Mafia. The shooting of Colombo and the retaliatory killing of Gallo marked a turning point, attracting increased law enforcement attention and setting the stage for a new era of conflict.

V. The FBI’s Struggle and the Rise of Informants

By 1970, law enforcement faced a significant challenge in dismantling the deeply rooted and secretive Mafia. Kállstrom acknowledges the FBI’s lack of effective tools to combat such a large-scale criminal enterprise. The narrative then shifts to the challenges faced by the FBI, including noisy surveillance and the difficulty of obtaining reliable evidence. The emergence of cooperating witnesses, like Phil Leonetti, became crucial in breaking down the Mafia’s code of silence. Leonetti’s decision to “flip” paved the way for others, including Sammy “The Bull” Gravano, to cooperate with the government.

VI. The Rise of John Gotti and the Gambino Family

John Gotti’s ascent within the Gambino family is detailed, portraying him as a charismatic and flamboyant figure who openly defied Mafia traditions. He challenged the established order, broke the code of silence, and cultivated a public persona, earning the nickname “Dapper Don.” Gotti’s brazenness and disregard for secrecy, while initially successful in evading prosecution, ultimately led to his downfall. His control over the Gambino family, the largest and most powerful, further solidified the Mafia’s grip on New York City. The narrative highlights Gotti’s disregard for the rule against narcotics trafficking, which ultimately triggered his conflict with Paul Castellano.

VII. The Downfall of Gotti and the Gambino Family

The assassination of Paul Castellano in 1985 allowed Gotti to seize control of the Gambino family. However, the FBI’s surveillance, particularly the bugging of the Ravenite Social Club, provided crucial evidence against him. The key to Gotti’s conviction was the testimony of Sammy “The Bull” Gravano, who revealed details of Gotti’s criminal activities and implicated him in numerous murders. Gravano’s cooperation, spurred by Gotti’s disparaging remarks captured on tape, proved decisive. Gotti’s conviction in 1992 marked a significant blow to the Mafia, leading to the dismantling of the Gambino family and the prosecution of other high-ranking members.

VIII. The Boston Mafia and the Connolly-Bulger Scandal

The narrative also explores the parallel story of Whitey Bulger and the Boston Mafia. Bulger’s rise to power was facilitated by a corrupt relationship with FBI agent John Connolly, who provided him with intelligence and protection in exchange for information on rival gangs. This symbiotic relationship allowed Bulger to operate with impunity for years, engaging in murder, extortion, and drug trafficking. The exposure of this corruption led to investigations and congressional hearings, ultimately resulting in Bulger’s capture in 2011 and his subsequent death in prison.

IX. Conclusion: The Decline of the Mafia

The narrative concludes by emphasizing the decline of the Mafia in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The combined efforts of law enforcement, the emergence of cooperating witnesses, and internal conflicts significantly weakened the organization. While the Mafia didn’t disappear entirely, its power and influence were drastically reduced, marking the end of its “golden age.” The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of organized crime and the importance of upholding the rule of law.