People often debate who was the most powerful, the toughest, and deadliest mafioso. But what about the other side of the coin? What about the fellas who didn’t necessarily conduct themselves like street mobsters? The fellas who lived and operated beneath law enforcement’s radar who were considered the least “gangster” of all the gangsters.
Who were these mobsters the FBI may have documented through the years as fully “initiated” mafiosi but who rarely conducted themselves as such? You know, the guys who mostly ran legitimate businesses instead of engaging in criminal rackets, per se.
The guys who didn’t talk like “dese and dose guys” and were better educated and gave off the persona of legit businessmen, as opposed to that of a thug. Because, in truth, maybe that’s exactly what they were. Basically legit guys, but who were, in fact, “made” members or top “associates” of the Mafia.
Most of them didn’t even have arrest records because they had never been picked by the police in their entire lives. The fellas who didn’t operate criminal rackets because it just wasn’t their thing? Think about all the “goodfellas” who may have indeed been goodfellas, yet, maintained an air of respectability about them.
Who were some of the mafiosi who fell into this category?
Below, Button Guys has compiled a list and mini-profiles of some key examples of devout mafiosi and top racketeers who perfectly fit the profile of “mobsters who weren’t mobsters.”
Often Imitated. Never Duplicated. Button Guys of The New York Mafia...There's Only One!
