Discover the Secrets of Cosa Nostra and the Notorious Five Families of New York City Mafia

The term Cosa Nostra, meaning “our thing” in Italian, represents a formidable Italian-American criminal network that significantly influenced organized crime in the United States throughout the 20th century. Originating from Sicilian traditions and brought to America through immigration, La Cosa Nostra (LCN) evolved into a nationwide organization synonymous with the Mafia. This group employed secrecy, violence, and business savvy to dominate various illegal activities, such as gambling, loan sharking, labor unions, and construction contracts.

Formation of the Mafia in New York City

The Mafia’s ascendancy was notably boosted during Prohibition, which fueled a lucrative illegal liquor trade for criminal groups. In 1931, Brooklyn bootlegger Salvatore Maranzano restructured the New York mob into five distinct families, proclaiming himself as the ‘boss of all bosses.’ However, his reign was brief; shortly after declaring this title, he was assassinated. Following his death, rival factions established a governing body known as the Commission, which provided equal representation for the city’s five most potent families.

The Five Families of New York City

• Gambino Family: Known for its notoriety, this family was led by prominent figures like Carlo Gambino and John Gotti, the latter becoming infamous for his ostentatious display of power until his conviction in 1992.
• Genovese Family: Founded by Lucky Luciano, this family gained a reputation as the ‘Ivy League’ of organized crime due to its disciplined operations and high profitability. Long-time boss Vincent “The Chin” Gigante notably feigned insanity to evade law enforcement.
• Lucchese Family: This family was deeply involved in New York’s labor rackets and played a significant role in the infamous 1978 Lufthansa Heist, which inspired elements of the film Goodfellas.
• Bonanno Family: Originally led by Joe Bonanno, this family became the focus of Operation Donnie Brasco, one of the FBI’s most effective infiltration missions.
• Colombo Family: The youngest of the five, it faced persistent internal turmoil, including assassination attempts against boss Joe Colombo in 1971.

The Current State of Cosa Nostra

In the 1990s, persistent law enforcement efforts, particularly through the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), weakened much of the Mafia’s leadership structure. Despite these setbacks, the National Institute of Justice notes that La Cosa Nostra still possesses significant ability to corrupt, control, and coerce compared to other criminal organizations in the U.S.

Today, while the Mafia’s operations may be smaller and quieter, they have diversified, focusing more on white-collar crimes and financial scams. Nonetheless, the foundational structure established by Maranzano continues to shape organized crime in America.