The American Mafia has famously been dominated by the “Five Families,” five original Italian American Mafia crime families that have controlled organized crime in the United States since 1931. These families are the Lucchese, Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese, and Colombo families.
Lucchese
The Lucchese crime family originated in the 1920s and they currently operate in New York City. Gaetano Reina served as the first boss up until his murder in the 1930s.. After the death of Reina the next boss became Tommy Lucchese who established the family as one of the most powerful crime organizations in the U.S. They teamed up with the Gambino family and remained relatively peaceful, however, in the 1990s, under new leadership, the Lucchese family embarked on one of the bloodiest reigns in America mafia history, virtually murdering anyone who crossed them. The current boss is Steven Crea.
Bonanno
The Bonanno family operates in New York City and was founded by Joseph Bonanno, pictured above. They were the first crime family to be kicked off “The Commission,” a council of mob bosses that maintains the order and power of the mafia, for dealing heroin and inner family fighting for control of leadership. After reestablishing the Bonanno family on the Commission and earning the respect of other crime families, the boss Joseph Massino became a government informant in 2004.
Gambino
The Gambino family mainly operates in NYC neighborhoods, Long Island, and upstate New York. They were founded by Carlo Gambino and were for a time considered the most powerful mafia family in America. Their illegal activities include prostitution, extortion, money laundering, fraud, hijacking, theft, gambling, and loansharking, The family is currently run by Domenico Cefalu.
Genovese
The Genovese family is nicknamed “The Ivy League” and the “Rolls Royce” of organized crime families. They operate in New York City, but also have ties in Philadelphia and Buffalo. They are one of the largest crime families, only rivaled by the Gambino family in that aspect, but are by far one of the most powerful families. One of the reasons they remain so powerful is because of their members’ dedication to the “code of silence.” They have had only 5 members in history turn in evidence against them to the state. Picture above is the boss Vito Genovese, who ruled from 1957-1969.
Colombo
The Colombo family is the youngest of the “Five Families.” They operate in New York City and many say that they are the weakest of the crime families in the United States. This may be due to three major “internal wars” within their family, with several different members fighting for the top boss position. Their current boss is Carmine Persico, who remains the official boss despite currently serving a life sentence in prison.
The American Mafia 