Nepotism Still Runs Wild In The Mob
The big mobster roundup that collared more than 120 people in the New York region last month, was a great equalizer, with bosses and small-time associates, the made and unmade, brought in together for committing a wide range of crimes, ranging from murder and extortion to gambling.
As an article on AOLNews.com by contributing writer Allan Lengel, indicated, what it does not show is that nepotism is alive and well in the Mafia. "Only one son with a father with alleged ties to a crime family was arrested that day," Lengel wrote.
"Unfortunately, there's still quite a few sons in the business," David Shafer, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's Organized Crime Branch in New York, was quoted saying in the story.
And the reason? In a word, Hollywood, Shafer said, using The Sopranos tv show and Goodfellas film as two examples.
The article also includes input from former FBI agent Joe Pistone, who penetrated the Bonanno crime family as Donnie Brasco in 1976; Pistone recently told the New York Post: "They [the younger generation] don't have the wherewithal to cultivate the politicians and judges. Most of these guys couldn't point out Italy on a map." It is fair to add that younger mobsters of today have to deal with a constant attack from RICO-bolstered law enforcement agencies, which have grown exponentially in reach and power since the days when their fathers were out on the street making a name for themselves bribing local cops when not taking their cash in illegal gambling casinos.
There is a well-known anecdote about how John Gotti, during one of the few Commission meetings held during his reign, proudly informed his colleague (and, unknown to him, would-be assassin) Vincent "The Chin" Gigante that he had just made his son, John Junior, a member of the Gambino family.
"Yeah? I'm sorry to hear that," said the Chin sadly, as if Gotti had just told him his son was dying from cancer.
Anthony "Tony Ducks" Corallo, legendary boss of the Lucchese family, mulled the pros and cons of making his son during a ride with his driver/underboss. Caught on a wiretap, Corallo decided it would be better to induct his son into LCN -- if only to protect him from LCN once he, Tony Ducks, was dead and buried. Ducks left us August 2000 while serving life.
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Gotti was proud to have made his son; The Chin didn't agree. |
"Yeah? I'm sorry to hear that," said the Chin sadly, as if Gotti had just told him his son was dying from cancer.
Anthony "Tony Ducks" Corallo, legendary boss of the Lucchese family, mulled the pros and cons of making his son during a ride with his driver/underboss. Caught on a wiretap, Corallo decided it would be better to induct his son into LCN -- if only to protect him from LCN once he, Tony Ducks, was dead and buried. Ducks left us August 2000 while serving life.