In Italy [Tommy] Buscetta’s revelations led to mass arrests which in turn led to the mass trial – the Maxiprocesso – which was held in 1986 in a specially built bomb-proof courthouse known as the Bunker. ibid.
But the Mafia would show remarkable resilience in the United States by replacing those leaders who had been imprisoned. And in Italy the Sicilian Mafia would wreak a terrible revenge on those who they blamed for their misfortunes in a bloody vendetta that would amount to a war against the state. ibid.
Under Gambino the Mafia extended their control of legitimate business, controlling trucking in the garment centre of New York and construction contracts throughout Manhattan. Mafia Empire: Vow of Silence
It was during the Gambino era that the Mafia enjoyed closer and stronger connections in business and politics. It was widely reported the Mafia was even able to influence the presidential election. ibid.
It was 1960 through the ’70s under the leadership of the legendary godfather Carlo Gambino that the Mafia enjoyed the fruits of widespread political corruption. ibid.
Castellano was an imposing figure of a man, a contrast to the diminutive Gambino, and a Godfather who carefully cultivated the image of a business man. ibid.
In the United States the principle target of the FBI was John Gotti – a new style of Mafia, whose court victories made him seem invincible. Mafia Empire – Vendetta
The murder of Castellano and his chauffeur on the streets of New York was the most sensational Mafia execution since the 1950s, and the brazen murder heralded the reign of a new Mafia boss – John Gotti. ibid.
The last godfather from the old generation was the wiley Vincent Gigante, head of the Genovese family ... It wasn’t until 1997 that the government was able to get enough evidence to bring the head of the Genovese family to court. ibid.
The Mafia wrought havoc in New York City. But the government vowed to bring them down. Undercover agents put their lives on the line. The evidence mounted. And they discovered the secret inner circle of Mafia bosses who controlled nearly all underworld activity. Mob on Trial
New York City 1980 ... Five powerful crime families rule the city, and the bosses of these families call the shots ... Each boss sits at the top of a highly organised hierarchy of under-bosses, captains, and low-level soldiers and associates. ibid.
This isn’t the first time the authorities have heard this term: they still wonder – what is The Commission? ibid.
Now the investigators know the Mob operates as one organisation run by a commission of bosses, they can do something they never thought possible: use RICO to prosecute all the families together. ibid.
Q) Why is Bonanno’s book [A Man of Honour: An Autobiography] important for investigators? A) Because Bonanno includes an entire chapter explaining The Commission. ibid.
Agents now have bugs planted in every major crime family in New York. But they are still looking for proof the Commission members gather to discuss the rackets. May 15th 1984: FBI agents act on a hot tip that could be the key to their case: a meeting of The Commission at a house on Staten Island. ibid.
In the Final Report the Commission case sets a precedent for law enforcement to use RICO across the country. ibid.
On September 11th 2001 the World Trade Centre attack turns into a Mafia money-pit; mobsters are linked to companies that rake in $63,000,000 for debris clean-up. ibid.
The Gambinos: In the shadowy world of organised crime the Gambino family stood out. One of five crime families in New York in the 1930s it ranked at the top with the Genovese family in size and wealth. The Gambinos, 1997
Like Capone, John Gotti was a gangster straight from central casting right down to the way he talked ... It was brutality that got John Gotti to the top of the Gambino crime syndicate in 1985. ibid.
Carlo Gambino put the family on the map during his reign from 1957 to 1976. ibid.
As soon as Castellano stepped from his Limousine Gotti’s men gunned him down. ibid.
Gambino family’ finances were already on the decline as a result of the crackdown on Mob activities in the mid-80s. Gotti’s lack of business sense only made matters worse. Whatever success the Family had was largely due to Gotti’s senior adviser Salvatore Sammy the Bull Gravano. ibid.
When Gotti and Gravano heard the tapes they knew they were in trouble. Gravano realised he could be implicated in nineteen mob hits. That’s when he did the unthinkable: he ratted on his boss. ibid.
Gambino was not a swashbuckling gangsta-type leader like Albert Anastasia ... He was more of the businessman racket-type leader of the organisation. Thomas Reppetto, author Bringing Down the Mob
The Gambino family was very strong on the docks. They were strong in the construction industry, the trucking industry. They had interests in just about everything. Ronald Goldstock, New York State Organised Crime Task Force
John Gotti began to believe he was the Teflon Don. He thought he was untouchable. Jerry Capeci, mob specialist
It was a game in the beginning. Then it went to become a nightmare. And you become a monster. Mad Dog Sullivan
I felt like I was becoming the Grim Reaper. Mad Dog Sullivan
Leroy Nicky Barnes: June 5th 1977 one of Harlem’s most famous citizens appeared on the cover of The New York Times magazine. American Gangster s1e3: Nicky Barnes, BET 2006
He was the leader of a seven-man Council that pumped thousands of kilos of heroin into Harlem. ibid.
He did come out with a connection – the Mafia. ibid.
250,000 addicts in New York City. ibid.
Nicky and the Council reputedly moved 25-50 kilos of smack a month. ibid.
‘I had every reason to testify against them, and no reason at all to feel guilty.’ ibid. Barnes
He actively set up his wife, the remaining Council members, and kept on going. ibid.
‘He had enforcers, he had hand to hand dealers, he had lieutenants’ … ‘He had money, the cars, women …’ American Gangster s1e6: Lorenzo Fat Cat Nichols
‘Fat Cat was basically the biggest drug dealer in Queens during the 1980s. ibid. Ethan Brown
Fat Cat stood apart, revered by friends for his loyalty and business skills, and feared by his enemies for notorious acts of vengeance. ibid.
The party came to an abrupt end in the summer of 1985; police were quietly building a case against him. ibid.
1968: the Vietnam war … thousands of US soldiers dead, hundreds of thousands wounded, and untold numbers hooked on south-east Asia’s killer product – heroin … One man sees a golden opportunity and vows to make the most of it: Frank Lucas is the man who went around the Mafia by smuggling smack from south-east Asia straight to the streets of Harlem. American Gangster s2e5: Frank Lucas & the Coffin Connection
Lucas says he was grossing up to a million dollars a day. ibid.
‘I’m Mr Frank Lucas – I work for Bumpy Johnson.’ ibid. Frank
Lucas decided to create his own connection in the poppy-growing fields of south-east Asia’s golden triangle. ibid.
‘We came up with this idea about putting it in the coffins.’ ibid. Frank
Soon, Lucas was selling heroin to the Mafia. ibid.
His most famous rival was Leroy Nicky Barnes. ibid.
He is one of the most prolific bank robbers in American history. American Gangster s2e8: Chaz Williams
In 1971 his crew got caught. ibid.
In September of 1975 he was found guilty of armed bank robbery. ibid.
Money laundering, narcotics trafficking and two counts of murder. American Gangster s2e10: Kenneth Supreme McGriff
A criminal career that began two decades earlier on the streets of Queens when McGriff was the leader of a notorious drug crew known as the Supreme Team. ibid.
Crack was coming to town. ibid.
On May 24th 2000 50 Cent was shot 9 times ... He survived. ibid.