Italian mafia clan. The Sicilian mafia is indestructible

The shady underground world of the Mafia has captured the imagination of people for many years. The luxurious but criminal lifestyle of thieves' groups has become an ideal for many. But why are we so fascinated by these men and women who are, in essence, just bandits living at the expense of those who are unable to defend themselves?

The fact is that the mafia is not just some organized crime group. Gangsters are seen as heroes rather than the villains they truly are. The criminal lifestyle looks like something out of a Hollywood movie. Sometimes it's a Hollywood movie: many of them are based on real events in the life of the mafia. In the cinema, crime is ennobled, and it already seems to the viewer that these bandits are heroes who died in vain. As America gradually forgets about the days of Prohibition, it is also forgotten that bandits were looked upon as saviors who fought against an evil government. They were the Robin Hoods of the working class, pitted against impossible and strict laws. In addition, people tend to admire and idealize powerful, rich, and beautiful people.

However, not everyone is given such charisma, and many major politicians are hated rather than admired by everyone. Gangsters know how to use their charm to appear more attractive to society. It is based on heritage, on family history associated with emigration, poverty and unemployment. The classic rags to riches storyline has captivated attention for centuries. There are at least fifteen such heroes in the history of the mafia.

Frank Costello

Frank Costello was from Italy, like many other famous mafiosi. He headed the feared and famous Luciano family in the criminal world. Frank moved to New York at the age of four and, as soon as he grew up, immediately found his place in the world of crime, leading gangs. When the infamous Charles "Lucky" Luciano went to prison in 1936, Costello quickly rose through the ranks to lead the Luciano clan, later known as the Genovese clan.

He was called the Prime Minister because he ruled the criminal world and really wanted to get into politics, connecting the Mafia and Tammany Hall, political society US Democratic Party in New York. The ubiquitous Costello ran casinos and gaming clubs throughout the country, as well as in Cuba and other islands Caribbean Sea. He was extremely popular and respected among his people. Vito Corleone, the hero of the 1972 film The Godfather, is believed to be based on Costello. Of course, he also had enemies: in 1957, an attempt was made on his life, during which the mafioso was wounded in the head, but miraculously survived. He died only in 1973 from a heart attack.

Jack Diamond

Jack "Legs" Diamond was born in Philadelphia in 1897. He was a significant figure during Prohibition and a leader of organized crime in the United States. Earning the nickname Legs for his ability to quickly evade pursuit and his extravagant style of dancing, Diamond was also known for unprecedented cruelty and murder. His criminal escapades in New York went down in history, as did his liquor smuggling organizations in and around the city.

Realizing that this was very profitable, Diamond moved on to larger prey, organizing truck robberies and opening underground liquor stores. But it was the order to kill the famous gangster Nathan Kaplan that helped him strengthen his status in the world of crime, putting him on a par with such serious guys as Lucky Luciano and Dutch Schultz, who later stood in his way. Although Diamond was feared, he became a target himself on several occasions, earning the nicknames Skeet and the Unkillable Man due to his ability to get away with it every time. But one day his luck ran out and he was shot dead in 1931. Diamond's killer was never found.

John Gotti

Known for leading New York's notorious and virtually invulnerable Gambino mob family during the turn of the 1980s and 1990s, John Joseph Gotti Jr. became one of the most powerful men in the Mafia. He grew up in poverty, one of thirteen children. He quickly joined the criminal atmosphere, becoming the six of the local gangster and his mentor Aniello Dellacroce. In 1980, Gotti's 12-year-old son Frank was crushed to death by neighbor and family friend John Favara. Although the incident was ruled an accident, Favara received numerous threats and was later attacked with a baseball bat. A few months later, Favara disappeared under mysterious circumstances, and his body has still not been found.

With his impeccable good looks and stereotypical gangster style, Gotti quickly became a tabloid darling, earning the nickname The Teflon Don. He was in and out of prison, it was difficult to catch him red-handed, and each time he ended up behind bars for short term. However, in 1990, thanks to wiretaps and inside information, the FBI finally caught Gotti and charged him with murder and extortion. Gotti died in prison in 2002 from laryngeal cancer and at the end of his life he faintly resembled the Teflon Don who never left the pages of the tabloids.

Frank Sinatra

That's right, Sinatra himself was once an alleged associate of gangster Sam Giancana and even the ubiquitous Lucky Luciano. He once stated: “If it weren’t for my interest in music, I probably would have ended up in the criminal world.” Sinatra was exposed as having ties to the mafia when his participation in the so-called Havana Conference, a mafia meeting in 1946, became known. Newspaper headlines then shouted: “Shame on Sinatra!” Sinatra’s double life became known not only to newspaper reporters, but also to the FBI, which had been monitoring the singer since the beginning of his career. His personal file contained 2,403 pages of interactions with the mafia.

What stirred the public the most was his relationship with John F. Kennedy before he became president. Sinatra allegedly used his contacts in the criminal world to help the future leader in the presidential election campaign. The mafia lost faith in Sinatra because of his friendship with Robert Kennedy, who was involved in the fight against organized crime, and Giancana turned his back on the singer. Then the FBI calmed down a little. Despite obvious evidence and information linking Sinatra to such major mafia figures, the singer himself often denied any relationship with gangsters, calling such statements a lie.

Mickey Cohen

Myer "Mickey" Harris Cohen has been a pain in the LAPD's ass for years. He had a stake in every branch of organized crime in Los Angeles and several other states. Cohen was born in New York but moved to Los Angeles with his family when he was six years old. After starting a promising career in boxing, Cohen abandoned the sport to follow the path of crime and ended up in Chicago, where he worked for the famous Al Capone.

After several successful years during the Prohibition era, Cohen was sent to Los Angeles under the patronage of the famous Las Vegas gangster Bugsy Siegel. Siegel's murder struck a nerve with the sensitive Cohen, and the police began to take notice of the violent and hot-tempered bandit. After several assassination attempts, Cohen turned his home into a fortress, installing alarm systems, floodlights and bulletproof gates, and hiring Johnny Stompanato, who was then dating Hollywood actress Lana Turner, as a bodyguard.

In 1961, when Cohen was still powerful, he was convicted of tax evasion and sent to prison. famous prison Alcatraz. He became the only prisoner who was released from this prison on bail. Despite numerous assassination attempts and constant manhunt, Cohen died in his sleep at the age of 62.

Henry Hill

Henry Hill inspired the creators of one of the best films about the mafia - “Goodfellas”. It was he who said the phrase: “For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to become a gangster.” Hill was born in New York in 1943 into an honest, working family with no connections to the mafia. However, in his youth he joined the Lucchese clan due to the large number of bandits in his area. He began to advance quickly, but due to the fact that he was of both Irish and Italian descent, he could not occupy a high position.

Once Hill was arrested for beating a gambler who refused to pay the money he lost and was sentenced to ten years in prison. It was then that he realized that the lifestyle he led in freedom was essentially similar to that behind bars, and he constantly received some kind of preferences. After his release, Hill became seriously involved in selling drugs, which is why he was arrested. He surrendered his entire gang and overthrew several very influential gangsters. He entered the federal witness protection program in 1980, but blew his cover two years later and the program ended. Despite this, he managed to live to the age of 69. Hill died in 2012 from heart problems.

James Bulger

Another Alcatraz veteran is James Bulger, nicknamed Whitey. He received this nickname because of his silky blond hair. Bulger grew up in Boston and from the very beginning caused a lot of problems for his parents, running away from home several times and once even joining a traveling circus. Bulger was first arrested at the age of 14, but this did not stop him, and by the end of the 1970s he found himself in the criminal underground.

Bulger worked for the mafia clan, but at the same time he was an FBI informant and told the police about the affairs of the once famous Patriarca clan. As Bulger expanded his own criminal network, police began to pay more attention to him rather than the information he provided. As a result, Bulger had to escape from Boston, and he ended up on the list of the most wanted criminals for fifteen years.

Bulger was caught in 2011 and charged with several crimes, including 19 murders, money laundering, extortion and drug trafficking. After a trial that lasted two months, the notorious gang leader was found guilty and sentenced to two life sentences and an additional five years, and Boston could finally rest easy.

Bugsy Siegel

Known for his Las Vegas casinos and criminal empire, Benjamin Siegelbaum, known in the criminal world as Bugsy Siegel, is one of the most notorious gangsters in modern history. Starting with a mediocre Brooklyn gang, young Bugsy met another aspiring bandit, Meer Lansky, and created the Murder Inc. group, specializing in contract killings. It included gangsters of Jewish origin.

Becoming increasingly famous in the world of crime, Siegel sought to kill old New York gangsters and even had a hand in eliminating Joe “The Boss” Masseria. After several years of smuggling and shootings on the West Coast, Siegel began to earn large sums and acquired connections in Hollywood. A real star he became thanks to his Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. The $1.5 million project was financed from the bandit common fund, but during construction the estimate was significantly exceeded. Siegel's old friend and partner Lansky decided that Siegel was stealing funds and partially investing in legal businesses. He was brutally murdered in his own home, riddled with bullets, and Lansky quickly took over management of the Flamingo Hotel, denying any involvement in the murder.

Vito Genovese

Vito Genovese, known as Don Vito, was an Italian-American gangster who rose to fame during Prohibition and beyond. He was also called the Boss of Bosses and led the famous Genovese clan. He is famous for making heroin a popular drug.

Genovese was born in Italy and moved to New York in 1913. Quickly joining criminal circles, Genovese soon met Lucky Luciano, and together they destroyed their rival, gangster Salvatore Maranzano. Escaping from the police, Genovese returned to his native Italy, where he remained until the end of World War II, making friends with Benito Mussolini himself. Upon his return, he immediately returned to his old lifestyle, seizing power in the world of crime and once again becoming the man everyone feared. In 1959, he was accused of drug trafficking and sent to prison for 15 years. In 1969, Genovese died of a heart attack at the age of 71.

Lucky Luciano

Charles Luciano, nicknamed Lucky, was seen many times in criminal adventures with other gangsters. Luciano received his nickname due to the fact that he survived a dangerous stab wound. He is called the founder of the modern mafia. Over the years of his mafia career, he managed to organize the murders of two big bosses and create a completely new principle for the functioning of organized crime. He had a hand in creating the famous "Five Families" of New York and the national crime syndicate.

Having lived quite a long time social life, Lucky became a popular character among the population and the police. Maintaining the image and stylish look, Lucky began to attract attention, as a result of which he was charged with organizing prostitution. When he was behind bars, he continued to conduct business both outside and inside. It is believed that he even had his own cook there. After his release he was sent to Italy, but settled in Havana. Under pressure from the US authorities, the Cuban government was forced to get rid of him, and Lucky went to Italy forever. He died of a heart attack in 1962 at the age of 64.

Maria Licciardi

Although the world of the mafia is mainly a world of men, it cannot be said that there were no women among the mafiosi. Maria Licciardi was born in Italy in 1951 and led the Licciardi clan, the famous Camorra of Naples. criminal group. Nicknamed Licciardi Godmother is still very famous in Italy, and most of her family is connected to the Neapolitan mafia. Licciardi specialized in drug trafficking and racketeering. She took over the clan when her two brothers and husband were arrested. Although many were unhappy since she became the first female head of a mafia clan, she managed to quell the unrest and successfully unite several city clans, expanding the drug trade market.

In addition to her activities in the field of drug trafficking, Licciardi is also known for human trafficking. She used underage girls from neighboring countries, such as Albania, forcing them to work as prostitutes, thus violating the long-standing Neapolitan Mafia code of honor that one should not make money from prostitution. After a heroin deal went wrong, Licciardi was placed on the most wanted list and arrested in 2001. Now she is behind bars, but, according to rumors, Maria Licciardi continues to lead the clan, which has no intention of stopping.

Frank Nitti

Known as the face of Al Capone's Chicago crime syndicate, Frank "Bouncer" Nitti became the top man in the Italian-American Mafia once Al Capone was behind bars. Nitti was born in Italy and came to the United States when he was only seven years old. It didn't take long before he started getting into trouble, which attracted the attention of Al Capone. In his criminal empire, Nitti quickly succeeded.

As a reward for his impressive successes during Prohibition, Nitti became one of Al Capone's closest associates and strengthened his position in the Chicago crime syndicate, also called the Chicago Outfit. Although he was nicknamed the Bouncer, Nitti delegated tasks rather than breaking bones himself, and often orchestrated multiple approaches during raids and attacks. In 1931, Nitti and Capone were sent to prison for tax evasion, where Nitti suffered terrible bouts of claustrophobia that plagued him for the rest of his life.

Upon his release, Nitti became the new leader of the Chicago Outfit, having survived assassination attempts by rival mafia groups and even the police. When things got really bad and Nitti realized that arrest could not be avoided, he shot himself in the head so that he would never suffer from claustrophobia again.

Sam Giancana

Another respected gangster in the underworld is Sam "Mooney" Giancana, who was once the most powerful gangster in Chicago. Having started out as a driver in Al Capone's inner circle, Giancana quickly made his way to the top, making acquaintances with several politicians, including the Kennedy clan. Giancana was even called to testify in a case in which the CIA organized an assassination attempt on Cuban leader Fidel Castro. Giancana was believed to have key information.

Not only did Giancana's name appear in the case, but there were also rumors that the mafia had made a huge contribution to election campaign John F. Kennedy, including ballot stuffing in Chicago. The connection between Giancana and Kennedy was increasingly discussed, and many believed that Frank Sinatra was an intermediary to deflect the Feds' suspicions.

Things soon went downhill due to speculation that the Mafia had a hand in the assassination of JFK. After spending the rest of his life wanted by the CIA and rival clans, Giancana was shot in the back of the head while cooking in his basement. There were many versions of the murder, but the perpetrator was never found.

Meer Lansky

Just as influential as Lucky Luciano, if not more, Meer Lansky, whose real name is Meer Sukhomlyansky, was born in the city of Grodno, which then belonged to Russian Empire. Having moved to America at a young age, Lansky learned the taste of the street by fighting for money. Lansky not only could take care of himself, but he was also exceptionally smart. Becoming an integral part of the emerging world of American organized crime, Lansky was at one point one of the most powerful men in the United States, if not the world, with operations in Cuba and several other countries.

Lansky, who was friends with such high-ranking mobsters as Bugsy Siegel and Lucky Luciano, was both a feared and respected man. He was a major player in the alcohol smuggling market during Prohibition, operating very profitable business. When things went better than expected, Lansky became nervous and decided to retire by emigrating to Israel. However, he was deported back to the US two years later, but still managed to avoid prison as he died of lung cancer at the age of 80.

Al Capone

Alfonso Gabriel Capone, nicknamed the Great Al, needs no introduction. Perhaps this is the most famous gangster in history and he is known all over the world. Capone came from a respected and prosperous family. At the age of 14, he was kicked out of school for hitting a teacher, and he decided to take a different path, plunging into the world of organized crime.

Under the influence of gangster Johnny Torrio, Capone began his path to fame. He earned a scar that earned him the nickname Scarface. Doing everything from alcohol smuggling to murder, Capone was immune to the police, free to move around and do as he pleased.

The games ended when Al Capone's name was implicated in a brutal massacre called the Valentine's Day Massacre. Several gangsters from rival gangs died in this massacre. The police could not attribute the crime to Capone himself, but they had other ideas: he was arrested for tax evasion and sentenced to eleven years in prison. Later, when the gangster's health deteriorated greatly due to illness, he was released on bail. He died of a heart attack in 1947, but the world of crime was changed forever.

Many literary works and films have been created about the Italian mafia and gangsters who were part of the famous criminal organization Cosa Nostra, which surrounded them with an aura of invincibility. It is characteristic that the exclamation of one of the heroes of the popular Russian film comedy about the adventures of Italians in Russia “The Mafia is immortal!” is perceived by many as an indisputable fact. Is this so and has justice managed, if not to defeat evil, then at least to inflict tangible blows on it?

Term taken from Sicilian slang

In the middle of the 19th century Italian enriched himself with a new word for himself - “mafia” (mafia). He received this “gift” from the dialect spoken by the inhabitants of Sicily, as well as the smaller Mediterranean islands adjacent to it. There was a tradition there to call arrogant and self-confident hooligans this way, who were distinguished by their fearlessness, enterprise and pride.

Over time, this term has become so ingrained in most world languages ​​that it has attracted the attention of linguists. They established its relationship with a number of slang (jargon) expressions that were of Arabic origin, which denoted all sorts of criminal elements or, more simply, the same gangsters.

Italian mafia - a haven for criminals

A slightly different interpretation of the word “mafia” is given by the famous Italian writer Mario Puzo, whose subject of detailed study was the Italian mafia. The film "The Godfather", based on his novel of the same name, at one time successfully bypassed television screens around the world.

The author of the sensational work claims that in its true meaning this Sicilian term translates as “refuge.” It is likely that he is right, especially if we take into account the specifics of the criminal community he designated, which was a kind of family uniting criminal groups.

What is Omerta?

It was a strictly centralized organization, all of whose members unquestioningly obeyed a single leader (the godfather) and were obliged to be guided by a common code of conduct for all, called “omerta” and somewhat akin to the modern criminal concepts of the Russian criminal world.

Before continuing the conversation about what the Italian mafia was, we should dwell in some detail on the laws that underlay the lives of its members. This will greatly help to understand the motives of certain of their actions.

Laws established within the mafia

So, in addition to the above-mentioned principle of autocracy, omerta established lifelong membership in the organization of everyone who was once accepted into its ranks. The only one good reason leaving the mafia could mean death. For each mafioso (member of this organization), justice is the decision of the head of the organization, and not the state judicial authorities.

Betrayal was punishable by death not only of the one who dared to denounce, but also of all his relatives. And finally, an insult inflicted on one of the mafia members was considered an insult to the entire organization, and therefore entailed the inevitable death of the offender.

The last point created a certain illusion of security among the bandits and made it possible to consider the mafia really a refuge, if not from criminal liability, then, at least, from the revenge of the victims of their tyranny. In reality, omerta was a means of control by the leaders of the organization over all its participants and intimidation of ordinary members.

Structure of the criminal community

In terms of its internal structure, Cosa Nostra was a strictly defined vertical of power, at the top of which was its head, called the Don. This position was elective, and the entire Italian mafia obeyed the Don unquestioningly. The film "The Godfather" perfectly illustrates the power that this man was endowed with.

His closest assistants were two - the junior boss, who served as a deputy, and in the event of the death of the owner, temporarily taking his place, and the consigliere - a personal adviser both on legal issues and in business organization.

Below on the hierarchical ladder were the commanders of combat gangster groups who bore the title of caporegime. Subordinate to them were the direct perpetrators of all criminal cases - soldiers. The list was completed by accomplices - these were persons who had not yet become full members of the mafia, for whom something like a probationary period was established. All lower-ranking members of the mafia were obliged to unquestioningly obey their superiors. Violation of this fundamental principle was punishable by death.

In addition, it is known about the Italian mafia that its constituent communities, called families or clans, extended their influence to certain territories, for example Sicily, Naples, Calabria, etc. Attempts to rule in foreign areas were considered a violation of the same omerta and were punished in the most cruel way. It is important to note the following important detail: only purebred Italians could be members of such mafia clans-families, and in Sicily - only native Sicilians. They were engaged in almost all types of criminal activities: racketeering, drug trafficking, control of prostitution, etc.

Robin Hoods of the underworld

It is generally accepted that the Italian mafia was formed in the middle XIX century and the prerequisite for its appearance was extreme weakness government agencies then under the rule of the Bourbon dynasty of the Kingdom of Sicily. Over the previous two centuries, the territory of the state repeatedly fell under foreign domination, as a result of which the native Sicilians were subjected to exploitation and repression.

Such a situation became fertile ground for the emergence of various kinds of bandit groups engaged in robbing rich foreigners. To be fair, it should be noted that at a certain stage, following the example of the legendary Robin Hood, they generously shared the loot with their poor fellow villagers, which quickly gained universal support and approval. If necessary, the bandits provided their fellow countrymen with cash loans and helped resolve all sorts of conflicts with the authorities.

This is how it was created social base, on which the Italian mafia, so famous today, was subsequently developed. Its further development was facilitated by the influx of funds caused by the expansion of business related to the production and export of citrus crops.

Mafia exported overseas

At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, due to the difficult economic situation in Sicily, many of its residents (including bandits) were forced to emigrate abroad, primarily to the American continent. There, overseas, criminal structures formed back in their homeland, having received new life, and began to develop intensively.

The Italian mafia in the USA, maintaining its previously established traditions, soon became one of the elements of American society and continued to exist in parallel with the Sicilian one, of which it was an integral part.

For example, its role in the life of American trade unions, control over which was one of the important components of the criminal business, is widely known. In the fifties, the well-established tandem “mafia - trade unions” was so strong that the government made a number of significant concessions, which were demanded of it by both representatives of workers and gangsters. At the same time, it is known that almost 30% of drug trafficking in the country was under the control of the latter.

The Italian mafia, which had so rapidly expanded its activities overseas before the war, in the sixties was forced to confront fierce competition from other criminal groups that appeared in the United States and consisted of African Americans, Chinese, Colombians, and Mexicans. This largely undermined its financial base and weakened its former power.

Mussolini against the mafia

At home, the Italian mafia received the strongest rebuff to its actions in 1925, when the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, who seized power in the country, set out to completely destroy criminal structures in order to strengthen control over its southern regions. For this purpose, he appointed his fellow party member Cesare Mori, who later earned the nickname “Iron Prefect,” as prefect of Palermo, the main city of the Sicilian region.

He was given such complete freedom of action that even compliance with elementary laws was not made an obligation. Taking advantage of such emergency powers and not constrained by any moral standards the newly appointed prefect fought against criminals using their own methods. It is known, for example, that, having besieged entire cities, he, forcing members of the mafia to surrender, used women and children as hostages and mercilessly shot in cases of disobedience.

Crime clans respond

Fascist propaganda hastened to announce that as a result of the measures they had taken, they had defeated the Italian mafia, which had previously been considered invulnerable to justice. However, such statements turned out to be a clear exaggeration. Despite the fact that it actually suffered significant damage and many mafiosi joined the number of emigrants, it was not possible to completely defeat it, and after some time this evil was revived in an even greater volume.

It is known that Mussolini’s attempt to eradicate the mafia caused a response on its part, and subsequently this criminal organization, collaborating with Anglo-American troops, played a very positive role, making a tangible contribution to the fight of the Italian people against fascism.

Cooperation between government and criminal structures

One of characteristic features organized criminal groups, called the mafia, is their merging with government agencies. This began in Italy before the Second World War. In 1945, the result of separatist tendencies that had gripped the country in previous decades was the granting of significant autonomy to Sicily, and in the local elections that soon followed there was a sharp confrontation between representatives of the left and right parties.

Since it was known that the mafia was extremely hostile to socialists and communists, their opponents - Christian Democrats - used its services to intimidate voters and force them to vote for the deputies they wanted. This vicious practice became a tradition, as a result of which right-wing parties remained in power throughout the post-war period.

All-out war on crime

A new stage in the fight against this deep-rooted evil began in the sixties and seventies. This was the period when the evolution that took shape in Italy democratic system also affected Sicily. A full-scale war was then declared on crime, with the Italian mafia becoming the main enemy of the justice system.

The film “Octopus”, directed by Domiano Domiani, released in March 1984, presents in every detail a picture of those years filled with arrests of mafia leaders, police raids and, as a result, murders of judges, prosecutors and other servants of the law.

Successes of Italian justice

In subsequent decades, the Italian authorities continued the struggle with the same tenacity. Its apogee is considered to be 2009, when several were arrested at once. key figures, under whose control was almost the entire Italian mafia. The names of these people - the Pasquale brothers, as well as Carmine and Salvatore Russo - terrified their compatriots for many years. As a result of the operational actions of the police, the second most important person of the crime syndicate, Dominico Racciuglia, ended up in the dock with them.

Other criminal structures in Italy

It should be noted that in addition to the main criminal organization, which bears the name “Cosa Nostra” (“Our Cause”) in the Sicilian dialect, there are other Italian mafias, the list of which is quite extensive. It includes such criminal structures as Camorra, Sacra Corona Unita, 'Ndrangheta and a number of others.

The leader of the last of them, Salvatore Coluccio, who, according to Interpol, was one of the ten most dangerous criminals in the world, was also arrested in 2009. Even the special bunker he built in a remote mountainous region of the country, equipped with last word equipment and equipped with an autonomous life support system.

And today among the criminal structures operating in various countries peace, special place occupied by the Italian mafia. Photos of its most famous leaders, replicated in different times means mass media, are also included in this article. This is the famous Al Capone - a legend of the underworld of the thirties and forties, and John Gotti, who spent his entire life in contract killings, but at the same time earned the nickname Elegant John, as well as Carlo Gambino - a born Sicilian, who stood at the head of the most powerful criminal family in America, distributing its influence on many countries of the world. The common destiny of these people was prison, where many members of the organization they created ended their lives.

What couldn't the Italian mafia do?

And there was only one thing where the Italian mafia was powerless - in Russia it failed to take control of anything. Under the communists, such an idea was absurd due to the peculiarities of the political and economic structure of the country, and in the post-Soviet period, when domestic politics reoriented towards a capitalist way, its own “godfathers” appeared. They created crime families that inherited the style Italian mafia and in many ways surpassed it.

The world has long been fighting the state against criminal clans, but the mafia is still alive. Currently, there are many criminal groups, each of which has its own boss and mastermind. Crime bosses They often feel unpunished and create real criminal empires, intimidating civilians and government officials. They live by their own laws, violation of which often leads to death. This article presents 10 famous mafiosi who really left a noticeable mark on the history of the mafia.

1. Al Capone

Al Capone was a legend in the underworld of the 30s and 40s. last century and is still considered the most famous mafioso in history. The authoritative Al Capone struck fear into everyone, including the government. This American gangster of Italian origin developed a gambling business, was involved in bootlegging, racketeering, and drugs. It was he who introduced the concept of racketeering.

When the family moved to the United States in search of better life, he was forced to work hard. He worked in a pharmacy and a bowling alley, and even in a candy store. However, Al Capone was attracted to the nocturnal lifestyle. At the age of 19, while working in a billiards club, he made a cheeky comment about the wife of criminal Frank Galluccio. After the resulting fight and stabbing, he was left with a scar on his left cheek. The daring Al Capone learned to skillfully handle knives and was invited to the Gang of Five Smoking Barrels. Known for his cruelty in dealing with competitors, he organized the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, when, on his orders, seven tough mafiosi from Bugs Moran's group were shot.
His cunning helped him get out and avoid punishment for the crimes he committed. The only thing he was put in prison for was tax evasion. After leaving prison, where he spent 5 years, his health was undermined. He contracted syphilis from one of the prostitutes and died at the age of 48.

2. Lucky Luciano

Charles Luciano, born in Sicily, moved with his family to America in search of a decent life. Over time, he became a symbol of crime and one of the toughest gangsters in history. Since childhood, street punks have become a comfortable environment for him. He actively distributed drugs and went to prison at the age of 18. During the prohibition of alcohol in the United States, he was a member of the Gang of Four and smuggled alcohol. He was a penniless immigrant, like his friends, and ended up making millions of dollars from crime. Lucky organized a group of bootleggers, the so-called “Big Seven,” and defended it from the authorities.

He later became the leader of Cosa Nostra and controlled all areas of activity in the criminal environment. Maranzano's gangsters tried to find out where he was hiding drugs and to do this they tricked him into taking him to the highway, where they tortured, cut and beat him. Luciano kept the secret. The bloody body with no signs of life was thrown onto the side of the road and 8 hours later it was found by a police patrol. The hospital gave him 60 stitches and saved his life. After that they began to call him Lucky. (Lucky).

3. Pablo Escobar

Pablo Escobar - the most famous violent Colombian drug lord. He created a real drug empire and arranged the supply of cocaine around the world on a huge scale. Young Escobar grew up in poor areas of Medellin and began his illegal activities by stealing tombstones and reselling them with erased inscriptions to resellers. In addition, he sought to earn easy money by selling drugs and cigarettes, as well as counterfeiting lottery tickets. Later, theft of expensive cars, racketeering, robberies and kidnappings were added to the scope of criminal activity.

At the age of 22, Escobar had already become a famous authority in poor neighborhoods. The poor supported him as he built them cheap housing. After becoming the head of a drug cartel, he earned billions. In 1989, his fortune was more than 15 billion. During his criminal activities, he was involved in the murders of more than a thousand police officers, journalists, several hundred judges and prosecutors, and various officials.

4. John Gotti

John Gotti was a household name in New York. He was called “Teflon Don”, because all the accusations miraculously flew away from him, leaving him unsullied. He was a very resourceful mafioso who worked his way from the bottom to the very top of the Gambino family. His flamboyant and elegant style also earned him the nickname "The Elegant Don". While managing the family, he was involved in typical criminal matters: racketeering, theft, car theft, murder. Right hand The boss in all crimes was always his friend Salvatore Gravano. As a result, this became a fatal mistake for John Gotti. In 1992, Salvatore began cooperating with the FBI, testified against Gotti, and sent him to prison for life. In 2002, John Gotti died in prison from throat cancer.

5. Carlo Gambino

Gambino is a Sicilian gangster who led one of the most powerful crime families in America and led it until his death. As a teenager, he began stealing and extorting. Later he switched to bootlegging. When he became the boss of the Gambino family, he made it the richest and most powerful by controlling such lucrative facilities as the state port and airport. During its heyday, the Gambino criminal group consisted of more than 40 teams and controlled major American cities (New York, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles and others). Gambino did not welcome drug trafficking by members of his group, as he considered it a dangerous business that attracted a lot of attention.

6. Meir Lansky

Meir Lansky is a Jew born in Belarus. At the age of 9 he moved with his family to New York. Since childhood, he became friends with Charles “Lucky” Luciano, which predetermined his fate. For decades, Meir Lansky was one of America's most important crime bosses. During Prohibition in America, he was involved in the illegal transportation and sale of alcoholic beverages. Later, the National Crime Syndicate was created and a network of underground bars and bookmakers was opened. For many years, Meir Lansky developed a gambling empire in the United States. In the end, tired of constant police surveillance, he leaves for Israel on a visa for 2 years. The FBI demanded his extradition. After his visa expires, he wants to move to another state, but no one accepts him. He returns to the United States, where he awaits trial. The charges were dropped, but the passport was revoked. Recent years lived in Miami and died in a hospital from cancer.

7. Joseph Bonanno

This mafioso occupied a special place in the American criminal world. At the age of 15, the Sicilian boy was left an orphan. He moved to the United States illegally, where he quickly joined criminal circles. He created the influential Bonanno crime family and ruled it for 30 years. Over time, they began to call him “Banana Joe.” Having reached the status of the richest mafioso in history, he voluntarily retired. He wanted to live the rest of his life quietly in his personal luxurious mansion. For a while he was forgotten by everyone. But the release of the autobiography was an unprecedented act for the mafia and once again attracted attention to him. He was even sent to prison for a year. Joseph Bonanno died at the age of 97, surrounded by relatives.

8. Alberto Anastasia

Albert Anastasia was called the head of the Gambino, one of the 5 mafia clans. He was nicknamed the Chief Executioner because his group, Murder, Inc., was responsible for over 600 deaths. He never went to prison for any of them. When a case was opened against him, it was unclear where the main prosecution witnesses disappeared to. Alberto Anastasia liked to get rid of witnesses. He called Lucky Luciano his teacher and was devoted to him. Anastasia carried out assassinations of the leaders of other criminal groups on Lucky's order. However, in 1957, Albert Anastasia himself was killed in a hairdresser, ordered by his competitors.

9. Vincent Gigante

Vincent Gigante - a well-known mafioso authority who controlled crime in New York and other major cities America. He dropped out of school in 9th grade and switched to boxing. He became involved in a criminal gang at the age of 17. Since then, his rise in the criminal world began. He first became a godfather and then a consolere (adviser). Since 1981, he became the leader of the Genovese family. Vincent earned the nickname "Boss Crazy" and "Pajama King" for his erratic behavior and walking around New York City in a bathrobe. It was a simulation of a mental disorder.
For 40 years he avoided prison by posing as a madman. In 1997, he was nevertheless sentenced to 12 years. Even while in prison, he continued to give instructions to members criminal group through his son Vincent Esposito. In 2005, the mafioso died in prison from heart problems.

10. Heriberto Lazcano

For a long time, Heriberto Lazcano was on the list of wanted and most dangerous criminals in Mexico. From the age of 17 he served in the Mexican army and special squad to combat drug cartels. A couple of years later he went over to the side of drug gangsters when he was recruited by the Gulf cartel. After a while, he became the leader of one of the largest and most respected drug cartels - Los Zetas. Because of its boundless cruelty against competitors, bloody murders against officials, public figures, police and civilians (including women and children) received the nickname Executioner. More than 47 thousand people died as a result of the massacres. When Heriberto Lazcano was killed in 2012, all of Mexico breathed a sigh of relief.

A little history of the mafia
Each business has its own development, and each development is determined by the people involved in this business, especially if it is “Our Business”. And the origins Italian mafia go back to the 9th century, when “Robin Hood” troops protected Sicilian peasants from the oppression and extortion of feudal lords, foreign raiders and pirates. The authorities did not help their poor, so they only called for help mafia and they also trusted in her. In return, a considerable bribe was paid, unspoken laws set forth by members of the “security” groups were carried out, but the poor were provided with guaranteed protection.

Why did crime families come to be called "mafia"
There are two versions origin of the word "mafia". According to the first, under the influence of the Arab flair (either military or trade relations Sicily with representatives Arab countries), the root of the word means “shelter”, “protection”. According to the second version, suffering Sicily foreign invaders trampled far and wide and in 1282 an uprising took place, the motto of which became: “Death to France! Breathe, Italy!” (Morte alla Francia Italia Anelia). One way or another, mafia- a native Sicilian phenomenon, and identical criminal groups in other parts of Italy and the world were called differently, for example, “Ndraghetta” in Calabria, “Sacra Corona Unita” in Apulia, “Camorra” in Naples. But, “mafia” these days, like “jacuzzi”, “jeep” and “copier”, has become common nouns, so any criminal organization is called it.

How the mafia got into power
As an organization, the mafia crystallized only in the 19th century, when the peasants, who did not want to submit to the exploitative Bourbon regime that was ruling at that time, “blessed” mafia for political exploits. Thus, in 1861, the mafia officially assumed the status of the ruling force. Having made their way into the Italian parliament, they got a chance to influence the formation of the country's political and economic course, and the mafiosi themselves transformed into the so-called aristocracy.
Beginning in the 20th century, members of criminal organizations began to promote “their senators” to parliament and secretaries to city councils, for which they generously thanked them. The carefree “swimming in money” might have continued further if the fascists had not come to power. Head of Italy Benito Mussolini couldn't stand it mafia in power, and indiscriminately began to imprison thousands. The dictator's harshness naturally bore fruit, Italian mafiosi lay to the bottom.

In the 50-60s, the mafia regained its spirit, and the Italian government had to begin an official fight against crime, creating a special body “Antimafia”.
And the mafiosi dressed in expensive suits of businessmen, building their working on the iceberg principle, where the official sporting goods network could be involved in the underground trade in drugs or weapons, prostitution, and “protection” for other businesses. But nothing has changed these days; this is still happening in some areas of Italy. Over time, some “businessmen” seriously developed their restaurant and hotel business and food production.
In the 80s, a fierce and bloody struggle began between criminal clans, where such a huge number of people were killed that most of the survivors prefer to work only in the field of legal business, maintaining omerta, “mutual responsibility”, and other signs of a valid mafia organization.
But the mafia has not left the scene to this day. In the south of Italy, 80% of companies pay bribes to their “roof”, just as it is impossible to open your own business without enlisting the support of local authorities. Carrying out “cleansing” operations, the Italian government regularly sends city, regional and national officials accused of collaborating with the mafia to prison from key positions.

How Italian mafiosi moved to America
Since 1872, as a result of extreme impoverishment, Sicilians, in search of a better life, emigrated to America in armies. And, lo and behold, the introduced “prohibition” worked to their advantage. They began selling illegal alcoholic beverages, having accumulated capital, they bought up enterprises in other fields of activity. Thus, in a short period of time, the money turnover of Sicilians in America began to exceed the turnover of the largest American corporations. The American mafia, originating from Sicily, is called "Cosa Nostra", which means "Our business". This name is also given to those who returned from America to their homeland. Sicilian crime family.

Structure of the Italian mafia
Boss or Godfather- the head of a family, a criminal clan. Information flows to him about all the affairs of his family and the plans of his enemies, and he is elected by voting.
Henchman or underboss- the first assistant to the boss or godfather. Appointed solely by the boss himself and is responsible for the actions of all caporegime.
Consigliere- the chief adviser of the clan, whom the boss completely trusts.
Caporegime or capo- the head of a “team” that works in a separate area controlled by a family-clan.
Soldier- a junior member of the clan who was recently “introduced” into the mafia. Soldiers are formed into teams of up to 10 people, led by capos.
Partner- a person who has a certain status in mafia circles, but is not yet considered a family member. It can act, for example, as an intermediary in the sale of drugs.

Laws and traditions respected by the mafiosi
In 2007, the famous godfather Salvadore Lo Piccolo was arrested and found in possession of "Ten Commandments of Cosa Nostra", where the traditions and laws of the members of the mafiz clan are described.

Ten Commandments of Cosa Nostra
Each group "works" on certain territory and other families do not bother with their participation.
Beginner initiation ritual: they wound the finger and pour its blood on the icon. He takes the icon in his hand and they set it on fire. The beginner must endure the pain until the icon burns. At the same time, he says: “Let my flesh burn, like this saint, if I break the laws of the mafia.”
The family cannot include: police officers and those who have police officers among their relatives.
Family members respect their wives, do not cheat on them, and never look at the wives of their friends.
Omerta- mutual responsibility of all clan members. Joining the organization is for life, no one can leave the business. At the same time, the organization is responsible for each of its members; if someone has offended him, she and only she will administer justice.
For an insult, the offender must be killed.
Death of a family member- an insult that is washed away with blood. Bloody revenge for a loved one is called “vendetta.”
Kiss of Death- a special signal given by mafia bosses or capos and meaning that this family member has become a traitor and must be killed.
Code of Silence- prohibition on disclosing the secrets of the organization.
Betrayal is punishable by the murder of the traitor and all his relatives.

Thinking about this topic, I come to the following conclusions:
Despite the countless treasures obtained, only poor people from the Italian southern coast dream of such a career development. After all, with a simple calculation, it turns out that it is not so profitable: members of a criminal group have to calculate the costs of protecting themselves and their families, paying bribes, constant confiscation of goods, and this at a constant risk to their lives and all family members. For many decades, the whole secret mafia society system. Is it really worth it?

Svetlana Conobella, from Italy with love.

About konobella

Svetlana Konobella, writer, publicist and sommelier of the Italian Association (Associazione Italiana Sommelier). Cultivist and implementer of various ideas. What inspires: 1. Everything that goes beyond generally accepted ideas, but honoring traditions is not alien to me. 2. A moment of unity with the object of attention, for example, with the roar of a waterfall, a sunrise in the mountains, a glass of unique wine on the shore of a mountain lake, a fire burning in the forest, a starry sky. Who inspires: Those who create their own world, full of bright colors, emotions and impressions. I live in Italy and love its rules, style, traditions, as well as know-how, but the Motherland and compatriots are forever in my heart. Editor of the portal www..

Illustration copyright EPA Image caption The alleged leader of the group, Carmine Spada (center), was detained in Rome in January.

Italian police raided and arrested dozens of people in the Naples area, Rome and Agrigento in Sicily as part of an anti-mafia campaign.

The detainees are accused of smuggling, extortion, contract killings, bribes to politicians, organizing prostitution, and stealing art objects. The list of crimes is extensive.

What is the Italian mafia like today?

"GoatNacute" - Sicilian mafia

Sicilian gangs created a model that was then adopted by mafia groups around the world. They emerged as a formidable force in Sicily in the 1800s, and subsequently grew steadily in power and sophistication.

"Cosa Nostra" is translated from Sicilian as "our business." This was the name of the first mafia, the foundation of which was laid by family clans.

She is known for her code of honor, omerta, which requires absolute loyalty. The informers faced torture and death, and their families faced punishment.

Even today, members of the mafia in Sicily are used to resolve commercial disputes and recover stolen goods, preferring their services to the slow-moving legal machine. However, many people hate the “protection protection” practiced by the mafia, when entrepreneurs are forced to pay for the “protection” of their business.

Cosa Nostra gained fame in the United States by engaging in racketeering and feuding with other gangs in Chicago, New York and other cities. The group was able to significantly strengthen itself thanks to the trade in counterfeit alcohol during the Prohibition period in the 1920s.

The FBI says the American crime syndicate as a whole has no ties to the Italian clans. Cosa Nostra's main source of income is the heroin trade.

If you say the word “mafia” these days, many will immediately remember the film “The Godfather” with Marlon Brando. In Sicilian, the word "mafia" is related to the word "courageous". The term is often used incorrectly and inappropriately in relation to all organized criminal groups.

Some Italian mafia organizations operate in other countries, competing with other equally brutal mafia gangs from Russia, China, Albania and other countries. In some cases, gangs coordinate their actions and then divide the loot.

"Cosa Nostra" made its way into the local and public policy not only in Italy, but also in the USA.

But even in Italy high-profile scandals ties associated with corruption do not always imply the participation of the mafia. A high-profile trial in Rome revealed a massive corruption scheme, but the mafia was not involved.

According to the FBI, there are now 25 thousand members in the ranks of Cosa Nostra and three other major mafia groups - Camorra, 'Ndrangheta and Sacra Corona Unite. In total, 250 thousand people are associated with them in the world.

When Cosa Nostra was led by godfather Salvatore Riina, the group was essentially at war with the Italian state.

Illustration copyright AFP Image caption A memorial has been erected at the site where prosecutor Falcone died at the hands of Cosa Nostra.

In May 1992, Riina's people blew up the car of prosecutor Giovanni Falcone near Palermo. As a result, the prosecutor himself, his wife and three bodyguards died.

• "The Beast" of Corleone Toto Riina dies in prison
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Two months later, the new prosecutor, Paolo Borsellino, was also killed. His car was blown up in Palermo.

Riina died in prison in November 2017 at the age of 87. He was serving a life sentence.

Illustration copyright AFP Image caption This mafia-owned villa near Corleone in Palermo was confiscated and turned into a hotel

Cosa Nostra also reached out to some EU economic projects in Sicily through local contractors. In 2010, a BBC investigation revealed that, among other business projects, the mafia structure received funds from wind farms.

Sicilian society does not intend to give up. The anti-mafia group Libera Terra is engaged in business projects, including the hotel business, using funds seized from the mafia.

Federico Varese, an employee of the University of Oxford who specializes in the study of the mafia, said that Cosa Nostra is now engaged in providing protection for overnight stays for migrants, which are funded by the state.

But some migrant gangs are trying to compete with the mafia in areas such as prostitution, Varese told the BBC. He added that Italian police in Sicily were putting "huge pressure" on the mafia.

"Camorra" - Neapolitan mafia

The Camorra clans in Naples and Caserta consist of approximately 4,500 people.

Their main area of ​​activity is drugs. Gang members are extremely cruel. They also extort money from construction firms, toxic waste disposal companies and clothing manufacturers. These include workshops staffed primarily by Chinese who counterfeit popular clothing brands.

Illustration copyright AFP Image caption These dilapidated houses in the Scampia district of Naples are a famous Camorra hangout.

In 2006, the book Gomorrah was published, in which Italian journalist Roberto Saviano documented the daily life and principles of the group's work.

Shortly after the book was published, Saviano began receiving threats. Today he lives under the protection of the authorities: bodyguards are always next to Saviano, and his place of residence is not disclosed.

In an interview with American CBS radio, Saviano said that the Camorra and the 'Ndrangheta differ from Cosa Nostra in having a less strict hierarchy and younger leaders, and in their activities there is "much more blood." According to Saviano, today these two groups are stronger than Cosa Nostra and less involved in politics than it.

The Camorra's extensive network of drug traffickers operates even in Spain, but the center of the syndicate has always been in poor areas of Naples, such as Scampia and Secondigliano.

Illustration copyright Getty Images Image caption Roberto Saviano with bodyguards at the 2013 film festival

Gang clashes in Ostia, one of the poor suburbs of Rome, are also associated with the Camorra. A few months ago, a scandal erupted in Italy after a member of the Spada mafia clan headbutted a television journalist while the camera was on.

As Professor Varese notes, women traditionally play an important role in the structure of the Camorra clans - they usually work as couriers and “accountants” who issue money to clan members.

Calabrian mafia - "Ndrangheta"

Calabria - the "toe" of the Italian "boot" on the world map - is one of the poorest regions of Italy. The province is located near Sicily, and the 'Ndrangheta began its existence as an offshoot of Cosa Nostra.

The name of this group comes from the Greek "andragathia", which means "valor".

According to the FBI, the 'Ndrangheta today consists of about six thousand people.

Illustration copyright AFP Image caption In 2008, one of the leaders of the 'Ndrangheta, Pasquale Condello, was arrested

The 'Ndrangheta's specialty is cocaine smuggling. Professor Varese says the group is directly linked to Mexican and Colombian gangs. By some estimates, the 'Ndrangheta controls up to 80% of the cocaine trade in Europe.

The 'Ndrangheta also has influence in northern Italy - the group controls part of the criminal business in the vicinity of Turin. In Calabria, the 'Ndrangheta is accused of stealing much of the aid for the poor.

In 2007, in Duisburg, Germany, the 'Ndrangheta showed its cruelty. Six Italians associated with the syndicate were killed in the city. The criminals left their bodies in two cars near an Italian restaurant.

Apulian Mafia - "Sacra Corona Unita"

The smallest of the Italian mafia clans, Sacra Corona Unita (United Sacred Crown), is based in Puglia, in southeastern Italy.

According to FBI estimates, the group has about two thousand members, and its specialization is the smuggling of cigarettes, weapons, drugs and people.

Puglia's geographic location makes the region an ideal port for smuggling from the Balkans. It is believed that the Apulian clans are closely connected with Eastern European organized crime groups.