1. Modern Criminal Investigations Presentation: La Cosa Nostra, “RICO”, and the FBI
By: Chris Levy

2. American Organized Crime (1900-1931)
Loosely-tied National Organized Syndicate prior to La Cosa Nostra (1931)
Italians
Irish
Jewish
Main Areas of Operation:
New York City, NY
Philadelphia, PA
Chicago, IL
Atlantic City, NJ
New Orleans, LA
Buffalo, NY
Tampa Bay, FL
Cleveland, OH
Kansas City, MO

3. 1931 and “This Thing of Ours”
Charles “Lucky” Luciano is known as the inventor of “The Commission”.
Originally, Five New York Bosses (All Sicilian) were given seats on “The Commission” (+others).
Charles Luciano (Genovese Family)*
Joe Profaci (Colombo Family)*
Vincent Mangano (Gambino Family)*
Joseph Bonnano (Bonanno Family)
Gaetano Gagliano (Lucchese Family)*
* Four of the Five Families’ names changed after the original Bosses were replaced by successors.
Charles “Lucky” Luciano

4. The Five Families of NY (1931)
Joe Profaci
Vincent Mangano
Charles Luciano
Gaetano Gagliano
Joe Bonnano

5. La Cosa Nostra (1931-1970) “The Commission” or Board of Directors
Five Family Bosses of NY plus:
Meyer Lansky (New York)
Al Capone (Chicago)
Stefano Magaddino (Buffalo)
Jack Dragna (Los Angeles)
In 1957, added were:
Angelo Bruno (Philadelphia)
Joe “Z” Zerilli (Detroit)

7. LCN’s Criminal Activities
Included:
Political Corruption
Illegal Gambling
Extortion
Loan Sharking
Drug Trafficking
Infiltration of Legitimate Business
Hijacking/Armed Robberies
Murder

8. FBI’s Strategy Before RICO
J. Edgar Hoover’s Priorities
Communists
“Red Scare”
Bank Robbers
John Dillinger
“Pretty Boy” Floyd
Baby Face Nelson
Wanted to get statistics; meaning quick arrests and convictions for individual acts.
During the 1920’s, he thought a “national crime syndicate” was a conspiracy.
Thought the “Mafia” was not a priority because they were politically connected (untouchable), as he was, and they did not bring “harm” to the public.

9. Kefauver Committee US Senate Committee led by Estes Kefauver (1951)
Confirmed that an organization called the “Mafia” existed and operated within the United States.
600 reputed gangsters were summoned, but Frank Costello, a mafia boss of Luciano’s Family (Genovese), testified.

10. Apalachin Raid of 1957
Confirmed Kefauver Committee’s conclusion that there is a “Mafia”, connected throughout the US.

11. “RICO” and the FBI
How the Adoption “RICO” Changed Organized Crime in The United States
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute- Also Known As:
Title IX of The Organized Crime Control Act of 1970
Came into Federal Law on October 15,1970
Inspired by Notre Dame Law Professor, G. Robert Blakely and US Senator John McClellan.

12. The Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 (“RICO”)
Purpose:
"the elimination of the infiltration of organized crime and racketeering into legitimate organizations operating in interstate commerce.”
S.Rep. No. 617, 91st Cong., 1st Sess. 76 (1969)
Basically, it combats any illegal activity by an organization that affects interstate or international commerce.

13. FBI’s Role Building Strong Cases
Used surveillance, wiretaps, informants, and undercover work to build cases on the Five Families.
Mission was to dismantle the organizations by convicting the “command element” for leading a criminal enterprise showing a consistent pattern of illegal activity.

14. Photo Surveillance

15. Wiretaps Video Surveillance
Video Surveillance

16. Undercover Work Special Agent Joe Pistone AKA “Donnie Brasco”
6 years undercover with Bonnano Family ( )
Special Agent “Jack” Garcia AKA “Jack Falcone” ( )
Infiltrated Gambino Family

17. The Mafia Commission Trial
US v. Anthony Salerno, et al.
(February 25, 1985-November 19, 1986)
US Attorney Rudolph Giuliani
Main Defendants (and Underbosses)
Anthony Salerno (“Boss” of Genovese Family)
Carmine Persico (Boss of Colombo Family)
Anthony “Ducks” Corallo (Boss of Lucchese Family)
Phillip “Rusty” Rastelli (Boss of Bonnano Family)
*Paul “Big Paul” Castellano (Boss of Gambino)*
* Was killed while under indictment*

18. Results
All Bosses were sentenced to 100 years in Federal Prison, which is the maximum sentence under “RICO”.
First victory against Five Families by Justice Department using “RICO”

19. Bibliography
Raab, S. (2005). Five families: The rise, decline, and resurgence of America's most powerful Mafia empires. New York: Thomas Dunne Books.