In the 1950s a new generation began to challenge the old guard. American Godfathers: The Five Families s1e2: Rise of the New Dons
Joe Valachi’s decision to testify marked a time of change for the five families. A change in the way they were chased were investigators, a change in the way they were viewed by outsiders, and a change in the way they operated. ibid.
John Colombo: He was a guest on a late-night talk show. ibid.
By 1963, 4 of the 5 original bosses were dead. ibid.
Carlo Gambino was an old-school don, a valuable mentor and a vital ally for Joe Colombo. ibid.
In 1971 things were tense in the Colombo family … Joey Gallo was released from prison. ibid.
Underworld Figures Questioned In Shooting of Colombo at Rally. ibid. newspaper headline
Carlos Gambino, the most revered godfather of the time, died in 1976 of natural causes. ibid.
Bonanno Family: With little local support in New York City, after a decade behind bars, Galante needed reinforcements … A problem that sooner or later would have to be dealt with ibid.
In public Mafia figures fiercely denied any involvement in the drug trade. ibid.
Through the 1970s the Mafia made a fortune moving massive amounts of heroin into New York City. At the top of the list of earners was Carmine Galante. ibid.
The murder of Carmine Galante temporarily restored order to the Bonanno. ibid.
A new generation of mobsters rose to power by breaking the rules. American Godfathers: The Five Families s1e3: The Last Don
With blood in the streets and its leadership in disarray, the families struggled to survive. ibid.
It was true all right. Pistone [Donny Brasco] would go on to tell all testifying publicly in court for the first time in August 1982. ibid.
RICO: Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organisations: ‘You could face a life in prison.’ ibid. Raab
The RICO statute was signed into law in 1970. ibid.
The Pizza connection case resulted in the convicted of 18 Mafia players.
‘The Commission case in 1985 involved federal prosecutors bringing Rico charges against the five heads of New York’s crime families.’ ibid. journalist
A new generation of mobsters rose to power by breaking the rules. American Godfathers: The Five Families s1e3: The Last Don
With blood in the streets and its leadership in disarray, the families struggled to survive. ibid.
It was true all right. Pistone [Donny Brasco] would go on to tell all testifying publicly in court for the first time in August 1982. ibid.
RICO: Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organisations: ‘You could face a life in prison.’ ibid. Raab
The RICO statute was signed into law in 1970. ibid.
The Pizza connection case resulted in the convicted of 18 Mafia players.
‘The Commission case in 1985 involved federal prosecutors bringing Rico charges against the five heads of New York’s crime families.’ ibid. journalist
‘All these cooperators gave the Feds an enormous amount of evidence.’ ibid.
‘Massino is on trial for seven counts of murder and racketeering.’ ibid. TV news
The Massino recordings shocked the underworld. ibid.
In 1992 he testified against his former boss, John Gotti. Spilt secrets of his life in organised crime. Very Scary People s4e5: Sammy The Bull Gravano I, CI 2024
Nothing but a cold-blooded murderer. This is Sammy ‘The Bull’. ibid.
He felt empowered. He didn’t feel remorse. ibid. comment
I know one thing. That night I became a professional killer. ibid. Sammy
In the early 1970s Sammy Gravano made a move from the Colombo family to the Gambino family. ibid. caption
He betrayed everybody. ibid. Raab
In 1985 Sammy ‘The Bull’ Gravano helped plan and carry out one of the most stunning Mafia murders in history, the slaying of Gambino crime boss, Paul Castellano. Very Scary People s4e5: Sammy The Bull Gravano II
In time he would take centre stage. ibid.
He was obviously a cold homicidal killer. ibid. Raab
He admitted to complicity to as many as 19 homicides. ibid.
He was one of the biggest celebrities of the 1980s. His expensive suits and swagger earned him the nickname the Dapper Don. But in reality John Gotti was a man to be feared. Very Scary People s4e11: John Gotti: It Was Kill Or Be Killed I, CI 2022
He would actually go out on hijackings. ibid. comment
He was one of the most notorious Mafia Dons in American history. Born in the Bronx, raised in Brooklyn, John Gotti clawed his way to the top of the organisation by an means necessary. Very Scary People s4e12: John Gotti: There Were Fatal Consequences
If you crossed John Gotti, you would probably be dead within twenty-four hours. ibid. comment
Shortly before Christmas, the FBI and the Justice Department indicted him on a whole bevy of charges that could lead to a life sentence. ibid. Raab
He’s betraying me behind my back. ibid. Gravano
Gangs rule their territories through ruthless enterprises, fear and a strict code. Deviate from this code or challenge their power and retribution soon follows, epecially for the violent and powerful Gambino crime family. Gangland Chronicles s1e1: The Gambino Family: The Gotti Years, History 2024
The new boss’s celebrity status shines a light on the Gambino family’s operations. ibid.
The Gambino crime family is the largest, wealthiest and most brutal among them. ibid.
Castellano wants a bigger and bigger take. ibid.
Breaking Omerta: Sammy the Bull Gravano takes the stand during John Gotti’s trial.
Teflon’s Gone. ibid. Daily News headline 1992