Iconic Genovese Soldier – Philip (Philly Katz) Albanese
Philly Katz Albanese was an iconic Genovese Family soldier once described by authorities as being a waterfront "kingpin."
New York's Five Families
The Five Families of New York City organized crime include the Genovese Crime Family, the Gambino Crime Family, the Bonnano Crime Family, the Colombo Family, and the Lucchese Crime Family.
The bosses of these five families as well as other mob bosses throughout the country were part of what is known as The Commission. The Commission” as we know it - a blended underworld of all Italian factions from mainland Italy as well as Sicily — came into existence in 1931.
Changing the rules to absorb other purebred Italians of Calabrian, Neapolitan, and other mainland Italians into their ranks, the Families were now one cohesive monolithic brotherhood, renamed — “Cosa Nostra” or “Our Thing”.
Here you'll find in-depth biographies and stories about well-known and little-known members and associates of all Five Families of New York City.
The Genovese Family
Vito Genovese – The Boss of All Bosses
Vito Genovese was the boss of the Genovese Crime Family and was considered the boss of all bosses during his reign.
Frank Costello
Frank Costello was one of the classiest, reserved, richest, and most influential, mafioso in history. He wasn't called "The Prime Minister" for nothing!
Vincent (Chin) Gigante
He started out as just another seemingly dime-a-dozen young Greenwich Village street thug, but The Chin was so much more than what he looked like.
Gerardo (Jerry) Catena
Genovese Family Acting Boss Jerry Catena set the record for serving the most time in prison for contempt of court convictions.
Frank (Funzi) Tieri
One of the quietest, yet most capable and successful mafiosi to have operated in NYC back during the mob’s “golden era” was Funzi Tieri.
The Gambino Family
Mafia Godfather: Carlo Gambino
Carlo Gambino was arguably the most powerful boss of the Five New York Crime Families. Quiet and unassuming, he was a force to be reckoned with.
Joseph N. Gallo – Gambino Family Consigliere
The life story of iconic Gambino Family consigliere Joseph N. Gallo. Plus a bonus mini bio on his son Joseph C. Gallo Jr.
Neil Dellacroce – Underboss of the Gambino Crime Family
Neil Dellacroce may have been given the name of a "lamb", but he would grow up to be one of the deadliest mafioso to ever live in America.
Paolo (Paul) Gambino – “Don Paolino”
Paulo (Paul) Gambino was the boss's brother in involved in many key rackets and businesses.
Ettore Zappi – “De Facto Consigliere”
Ettore Zappi was a close associate of Carlo Gambino and held interests in many restaurants in New York and Florida.
Ippolito (Paul the Zip) Agresta – Narcotics and Ziganette in Bridgeport
Paul Agresta was a Connecticut-based Gambino soldier who had been a formally inducted member of the "Honored Society" before coming to the U.S.
The Bonanno Family
Alfred (Al Walker) Embarrato – Bonnano Soldier
Alfred (Al Walker) Embarrato was a Bonanno Family soldier who was suspected of ordering the hit on his nephew, the notorious Tony Mirra.
Joe Bonanno – Boss of the Bonanno Crime Family
Joe Bonanno was one of the original mafia bosses in the U.S. and one of the most infamous, wealthiest, and most controversial to ever operate.
Paul Sciacca – The Reluctant Representante
Paul Sciacca was a low-profile Bonanno mafioso who was catapulted to acting boss during the Family's volatile Banana War years.
Carmine Galante
Carmine Galante was one of the most powerful and feared of the Mafia bosses until he met his fate during a Bonanno power struggle.
Philip (Rusty) Rastelli – Bonanno Boss
Philip (Rusty) Rastelli was a one-time boss of the Bonanno Family who eventually stepped down allowing Carmine Galante to once again rule.
Michael (Mike Adams) Adamo – Set Up for the Slaughter
Michael (Mike Adams) Adamo was once acting underboss of the Bonnano Family until he wasn't anymore because of an internal Family conflict.
The Colombo Family
Colombo Family Associate Robert (Red Robby) Wisch
Robert (Red Robby) Wisch was a Colombo Family associate with a long criminal history who was closely affiliated with future boss Vic Orena.
The Life and Times of Colombo Underboss John (Sonny) Franzese
Sonny Franzese became an almost mythical figure in organized crime history with his meteoric rise to underboss of the Colombo Family.
Andrew (Andy) Lombardino – Colombo Soldier
Andrew Lombardino was a Colombo Family soldier and later capodecina based in New Jersey who was arrested at 1928 mafia meeting in Cleveland.
Joe Profaci – The Olive Oil King
Boss Joe Profaci was one of the most business savvy and powerful Mafia members ever in the entire United States.
Giuseppe (Joe Malyoke) Magliocco – Betrayed by Colombo
Giuseppe (Joe Malyoke) Magliocco had a very well-known name but little was really ever known about his personal life or mafia career.
Joseph Colombo, Sr. – “The Civil Rights Mafioso”
Joe Colombo was the boss of the Colombo Family until a bullet struck him down. Was it the work of Gallo or a secret organization?
The Lucchese Family
Lucchese Soldier Salvatore (Sally the Blond) LoProto
Salvatore (Sally the Blond) LoProto was a soldier in the Lucchese Family serving in the regime of Big John Ormento and led a rather interesting criminal life.
Tommy (Tommy Brown) Lucchese – Family Boss
Tommy Lucchese was beloved by the rank and file of the Lucchese Family but had a reputation as a master corrupter and political “fixer.”
Carmine (Mr. Gribbs) Tramunti
Carmine (Mr. Gribbs) Tramunti was an interim boss who ruled the Lucchese Crime Family until it all came crashing down in the 1970s.
Anthony (Tony Ducks) Corallo
Anthony Corallo was the head of the Lucchese Family who was a powerful labor racketeer in league with Johnny Dio and Tommy Lucchese.
Stefano (Steve) LaSalle – Lucchese Family Underboss
Stefano La Salle was one of the bosses in the Lucchese Family who shared in the monopolistic lathing and construction rackets.
Vincenzo J. Rao – “Real Estate Mogul”
Vincenzo Rao was a Lucchese Family consigliere who could have been the Family boss at one time but chose to fade into the background.
The DeCavalcante Family
Nicolas (Nicky Dell) Delmore – An Early DeCavalcante Family Boss
Nicholas (Nicky Dell) Delmore was one of the original powers in Northern New Jersey’s underworld - a very well-respected mafioso who eventually became boss.
Simone Rizzo DeCavalcante – The Count Of New Jersey
Sam DeCavalcante was the boss of the DeCavalcante Family who became notorious for undercover FBI recordings at his plumbing office.
John (John the Eagle) Riggi – DeCalvacante Family Acting Boss
John Riggi helmed the DeCavalcante ship with a steely resolve for nearly 35 years even while Gambino boss John Gotti sought to sink it.
Francesco (Big Frank) Majuri – “The Underboss”
Francesco Majuri was a well-respected member of the underworld who started out as an alcohol bootlegger in the 1920s and 1930s.
Joseph (Joe Buff) La Selva – “Nutmeg Mafioso”
Joseph La Selva was “underboss” of the DeCavalcante Family along with Frank Majuri, which was a rarity in a Cosa Nostra Family.
Virgilio Alessi – “The Dedicated Dealer”
Virgil Alessi was a very active DeCavalcante mobster who started his mob career as a “phone-man” for Jiggs Forlano.
YOUTUBE Videos - The Five Families
After New Jersey boss Sam the Plumber DeCavalcante was convicted on federal gambling charges, he tapped John Riggi to act in his stead. Riggi helmed the DeCavalcante Family ship for nearly 35 years even while Gambino boss John Gotti sought to sink it.
Rusty Rastelli was the one-time mafia boss of the Bonanno Crime Family. Originally hailing from the gritty Greenpoint section of North Brooklyn, Rastelli would rise up from a common street hoodlum and gunman to eventually reach the very pinnacle of organized crime in New York City.
Ettore Zappi was a longtime capo and close friend and associate of Gambino Family boss Carlo Gambino. Zappi was involved in many mob rackets including labor unions, rib joints, drive-in movie theaters, and more.
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From city to city and state to state, Button Guys of The New York Mafia breaks down the history of organized crime in America. Through deep-dive biographies and snapshots of mobsters to in-depth stories about mafia regimes and crews, you’ll uncover an underworld you might never have known existed – maybe even in your own hometown!
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