Exploring Cosa Nostra: New York City’s Five Mafia Families Explained

The term Cosa Nostra translates to “our thing” in Italian, referring to the influential Italian-American criminal organization that shaped organized crime in the United States for much of the 20th century. Originating from Sicilian traditions, La Cosa Nostra (LCN) developed into a widespread syndicate, intertwining secrecy, violence, and shrewd business practices to dominate various illegal activities.

Origins of the Mafia in New York City

The Mafia’s emergence in NYC gained momentum during Prohibition. The illegal liquor trade provided significant profits for crime syndicates. In 1931, amid fierce turf wars, bootlegger Salvatore Maranzano established a new structure for New York’s criminal organizations, creating five distinct families and proclaiming himself capo di tutti capi, or boss of all bosses. However, his rule was brief, as he was assassinated shortly after. Following his death, rival families agreed to form a Commission, enabling a collaborative leadership approach.

The Structure of the Families

Each Mafia family adheres to a strict hierarchy, comprising the boss, underboss, consigliere, caporegimes, and soldiers. The code of omertà, emphasizing silence, governs their conduct. Members swear loyalty, with severe consequences for betrayal.

The Five Families of New York

New York City’s Mafia is primarily comprised of five families, each with a distinctive history and reputation.

• Gambino Family: Notable figures include Carlo Gambino and John Gotti, the latter gaining infamy for his brazen displays of power until his conviction in 1992.
• Genovese Family: Established by Lucky Luciano, it is often referred to as the “Ivy League” of organized crime known for its discretion and profitability. Vincent “The Chin” Gigante, a long-serving boss, famously pretended to be insane to evade prosecution.
• Lucchese Family: This family has strong connections to labor rackets, famously highlighted in the 1978 Lufthansa Heist depicted in the film Goodfellas.
• Bonanno Family: Founded by Joe Bonanno, this family encountered significant challenges, notably the successful FBI operation known as Donnie Brasco.
• Colombo Family: The youngest family, which faced internal conflict and attacks, particularly against boss Joe Colombo in 1971.

Current State of Cosa Nostra

Intensive law enforcement initiatives, including the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), have weakened the Mafia’s structure by the 1990s. However, the National Institute of Justice reports that La Cosa Nostra still possesses a greater ability to corrupt and intimidate compared to other criminal groups in the United States.

Today, the organization has shifted towards smaller, quieter operations, focusing on white-collar crimes and financial scams. Despite the changes, the foundational structure created by Maranzano over 90 years ago still significantly influences organized crime dynamics in America.