History
ThetermMafiaoriginatedfromtheSicilianUprisingonMarch30,1282,thedaybeforeValentine'sDay.WhenaPalermogirlSophiawasrapedbyFrenchsoldiersonthedayofherwedding,Sicilybegantoretaliatewildly.TheyattackedeveryFrenchmantheymetandproposed"MortoAllaFrancia,ItaliaAnela"(Italianword"eliminateFrance"It’sthedesireofItaly”),andMafiaistheacronymforthisslogan.
Meanwhile,Mafiameans"placeofrefuge"inArabic.
TheItaliannameoftheMafiais"Mafia"(transliteratedas"Mafia").TheChinesecallittheMafia.Infact,thewordMafiahasnothingtodowiththemeaningoftheMafia.Accordingtolegend,theformerMafiaelementsusedtoleavesomemarksonthesceneaftercommittingcrimes,suchasablackhandandcrossedskeletons.Therefore,theChineseareusedtocallingittheMafia.ItshouldbesaidthatthisnameismorevividandmoreappropriatethanitsoriginalItalianname.
TheMafia(Mafia)originatedinSicilyinItalytodayandCorsicainFrance.Itreferstolocalcriminalorganizationssecretlyorganized.Nowadays,thesecriminalorganizationsarenotonlyactiveinItaly,buthavebeenscatteredallovertheworldwithItalianimmigrantsformorethanacentury(mainlyintheearly20thcentury),especiallyontheEastCoastoftheUnitedStates.TheirpowerintheUnitedStatesroseduringtheGreatDepressionandreacheditsgreateststrengthinthemid-twentiethcentury,untilaseriesofFBIinvestigationsdisruptedtheirpowerinthe1970sand1980s.Theiractionsincludedassassinations,illegaltrading,andobstructionofjustice.Althoughtheirpowerisnotasgoodasbefore,theystillinfluenceAmericantrendculture.Manymovies,TVseries,andevenadvertisementsarerelatedtotheirimageorlife.
Tothisday,theterm"mafia"doesnotonlyrefertotheseItaliancriminals.Affectedbythisorganization,similarorganizationscalledtheMafiahaveappearedinothercountriesaroundtheworld,suchastheRussianMafia.Theseelementsaresometimescalledthelocalmafia,butthemafiareferredtodailystillreferstothisgroupofSiciliancriminalsintheUnitedStates.Ontheotherhand,itisalsoItalian,butthecriminalorganizationinNaplesisnotcalledtheMafia,buthasanothernamecalled"Camorra".
TheEnglish"Mafia"oftheMafiaisderivedfromArabic,meaning"fleeing".Thetermisborrowedtorefertoaloosegroupofmiddle-agedmenlivinginSicily.Atthattime,SicilywasoccupiedbytheTurksandNormans.Theyorganizedthemselvestoprotecttheirfamiliesfromharassmentbytheseinvaders.Later,thisgroupevolvedintoagroupofpeoplewhoprivatelyenforcedthelawforrevenge,andthenevolvedintoacriminalorganization.Inthelocalarea,itisanhonourtobeamemberoftheMafia,andwillbecalled"mafioso",whichmeans"manofhonour"(junzi).ItisnotlongforthemtobecometheoriginoftheMafia:theyhavenothingtodowithsecretorganizationsintheMiddleAges.Infact,theriseoftheMafiawascloselyrelatedtotheunificationofItalyinthelate19thcentury.TheymainlygatherinthedeepgreencoastofSicilywherethelocalwealthyfamiliesareconcentrated.BetweenthemoderncapitalistexportcompaniesbasedontheidylliccitrusandlemongrovesoutsidePalermo.
Palermoisthecoreofthissomewhatdeterioratingisland(intheeyesoftheItalianrulingclass).Itspowerandcapitalareconcentratedhere,anditisintheseorangegroves.Inthisland,theMafiahasdevelopeditsmethods:paidprotection,murder,territorialrule,andgangcooperation.Therefore,gradually,theMafiabegantodeclareitsstatusasatooloflocalgovernmentgovernance.Cooperativerelationsandpaidprotectionarewidespreadbetweenmafiaandlandowners.Mafianeedslandowners,butinthesameway,landownersalsoneedmafia.Localgovernmentsalsooftencolludeinthisrelationship.TheMafia,likeemployers,dominatesthepeoplewhoworkforthisland.Therefore,theirpower,togetherwiththoseinternationaltradeoriginatingfromcitrusgroves,hasflourished.
Origin
Aninterestingetymologicalstudypointedoutthattheterm"mafia"wasonceanadjective-"mafioso",anditsusecanbetracedbacktotheeighteenthcentury,Theoriginalmeaningis"beautiful,excellent,perfect".Likemanywords,thiswordeventuallyevolvedintoadifferentmeaning.HennerHess,authorof"MafiaandMafiosi"(ISBN0347010083),saidthat"intheendtheword'mafia'wasmainlyusedfororganizedcrimeuntilthesearchThereporters,puzzledjuristsandforeignwritersinnorthernItalyinterpreteditasthenameofanorganization.Therefore,theappearanceofthetermMafiawasconnectedwiththeappearanceofthissecretsociety,whichledtoalotoffantasythinking."
Hessfurtherquotedtheslogan"MorteallaFranciaItaliaanela(ItalyweepsforthedeathoftheFrench)!"asapossibleetymologyforMafia.Otherslightlyfar-fetchedabbreviationsare"Mazziniautorizzafurti,incendi,avvelenamenti(Mazzinipermitstheft,arsonandpoisoning)."and"mothersandfathersItalianassociation."Finally,Hefoundthat"comparingthemostoutstandingancientcustomstomodernsocietysuggeststhatMafiaistheresultofthefalloftheArabicmuafah,wheremumeanssacredness,strength,boldness,andshelter,andafahmeansprotection.MuafahthereforeBecomeanalliancetoprotectthesafetyofitsmembers".
Inthepast,intheUnitedStates,themobleaderJosephBonanno(JosephBonanno)providedasource,whichisconfusinglyrelatedtotheSicilianvespers.In1282,anuprisingorganizedbytheSicilianPatriotsagainstFrancebrokeout.BonrenloclaimedthatFrenchsoldiershaddesecratedaSiciliangirl.HermadmotherflewinthestreetsofPalermo,crying"mafia(mydaughter)",causingtheyouthofPalermotokillthelocalTheFrenchavengedtheirhatred.
Today'sMafiaisaheinousterroristorganization,butMafiabackthenwasnotlikethat.Itwasoriginallyasecretgangorganizedbypoorfarmerstosurvive.Therefore,itsmemberswereallfromruralareasandwereborninpoverty.Themembersoftenhelpedeachotherandwereabletohelpeachotherinthesameboat..Therefore,itissimilartothegreenforestheroinChinaandRobinHoodintheUK.Andupholdjusticeandfairnessfromtimetotime.Yearafteryear,theroleoftheMafiainSicilyhasbecomeincreasinglyprominent,becomingmoreauthoritativethanthegovernment.Atthattime,inthelivesofSicilians,theMafiabecameasimportantasthreemealsaday.Itisnaturallyanoblethingtobeamafia.In1954,themafialeaderDonViziniinhisoldhometown,althoughhewasilliterate,hisfuneralwassograndthateventhekingofItalywouldbejealous.
Sinceitsestablishment,theMafiahasbeenanorganizationthatadvocatesviolence.Hehasthesideofservingthepoorandupholdingjusticeforthepeople.Butifthereisnocorrecttheoryasaguide,thenitisalmostcertainthatitwillgoitsopposite.Withthepassageoftime,thenatureoftheMafiahasalsochanged,andithastransformedintoahatedcriminalgangwithallevils.Theyusedviolencetocontrollivestock,slaughter,orchardsandportsinSicily,andcollectedprotectionfeesfromprivateowners.Throughviolence,theMafiaestablisheditsauthorityinSicilyandextendedthismethodtothewholeofItalyandthentotheworld.
InstitutionalDevelopment
MafiaDiscipline
WhatmaintainstheMafiaisstrictdiscipline,whichistheso-called"SevenCommandments":1.Keepyourmouthshut2.Organizationsarehigherthanindividuals;3.Donotdefyordersfromsuperiors;4.Donotrebelandsurrender;5.Keepfamilymembersconfidential;6.Donotengageinkidnappingactivitieswithoutauthorization;7.Fightingbetweenbrothersisstrictlyprohibited.
LawEnforcementandtheMafia
EspeciallyinItaly,theMafia’sassassinationofpoliceprosecutorsandjudgeshasalonghistory,andthepurposeistodefeatthepolice.Thevigorousenergyoftheagency.IntheUnitedStates,murdersagainstnationalauthorityareveryrare,mainlybecauseoffearofcreatingfierceresistance.
ItissaidthatthethugDutchSchultzwaskilledbyhisaccomplicesbecausethelatterfearedthathewouldcarryouttheassassinationoftheNewYorkCityAttorneyThomasDewey.
IntheUnitedStates,thepoweroftheMafiatookaturnfortheworseinthelate1970sandearly1980s.ThiswasduetothepromulgationoftheAnti-criminalOrganizationsErosionofLegalOrganizationsAct(RICOAct)andsimilarlaws.Organizationsthatperformillegalactivitiesarecriminalized,andthegovernmenthasplannedawitnessprotectionplan.Atthesametime,deaths,marriages,shortagesofItalianimmigrantstotheUnitedStates,andculturalassimilationhaveledtothedemiseoftheItalian-Americanmafiagroups.ThecombinationofalltheabovefactorsledtothedeclineoftheAmericanMafia.
Inthemiddleofthe20thcentury,theMafiaclaimedtohaveinfiltratedmanyunionsintheUnitedStates,includingtheTransportWorkersUnion.Themissingpresidentoftheunion,JimmyHoffa,isbelievedtohavebeenassassinatedbytheMafiaNS.Inthe1980s,theUSfederalgovernmentmadeupitsmindtosuccessfullyremovethepoweroftheMafiafromtheunionorganization.
ThereisevidencethatinItaly,throughthecollapseofsounderlawsandthe"codeofsilence",toughlawenforcementseemstohavefinallygainedanadvantageovertheMafiagroups.InthecourseoftheconfrontationwiththemilitaryforcesoftheMafia,manyso-calledPentitis(membersofthesecededMafiawhoreceivedleniency)madegreatcontributionstothegovernment,suchasTommasoBuscetta(TommasoBuscetta).ItissaidthattheMafiaretainsastrongfinancialinfluence.Therefore,recentsurveysoftenstudytheeconomicactivitiesofsuspiciouselements.
Inthe1970sand1980s,itisspeculatedthatTotoRiina,oneofthemostfamousfiguresassociatedwiththeMafia,orderedthemurderofjudgesGiovanniFalconeandPaoloBorsellino.
Inthe1980s,formerItalianPrimeMinisterGiulioAndreotti,amemberoftheItalianCatholicDemocraticParty,wasaccusedoftiestotheMafia,buthewaseventuallysentencedtonoCrime,becausethetrialinvolvedbehaviorhasexceededthetimelimitforprosecution.
Organizationalstructure
TheAmericanMafia(Italian)initiallygainedpowerintheNewYorkarea,andthengraduallydevelopedfromasmall-scalebusinesstoacity-wideorevenaninternationalorganization.Intheearlydays,thefamilyruledbythenamesoffivedistinguishedmembers(theBuianofamily,theKolobofamily,theGambinofamily,theGenovesefamilyandtheLucesfamily),the"family"establisheda"committee"witheachother,Asthehighestarbitrationunitbetweeneach"family".The"mafia"intheUnitedStatesinthe1980shasdeveloped26families.
TheMafiafamilyhasinheritedthetraditionalminorityelites.Therefore,thelargefamilyhasabout100-200people,andgenerally50-60people,butalmosthavemultiple"partners"..
Family
Officialmembersofthefamily(Italian)
BossorDon
LegalCounsel,StaffOfficer(Consigliere)
SecondBoss(underboss)
ExecutiveOfficer(Capo)
Soldier
Informalmembersofthefamily(non-Italian)
Associate
Eachfamilyisbasicallya"boss"orDon(InSpanish,thehonorificnamefordukeornobleman,or"thelord",iscontrolledbythespecificactionsofthebossandthefamily.Thebosscanappointaconsultant(Consigliere)inthefamily.Therefore,accordingtothelatestAccordingtothestatement,theclosestandmosttrustedfamilymemberofthebossiscalledConsigliere("legalcounsel"inItalian).Infact,Consigliereissimilartothe"HearingOfficer"responsibleformediatingdisputeswithinthefamily,andmayalsoserveasAstheguardofthe"SecondBoss",hismaintaskisto'legitimate'allthespecificactionsofthefamily.Thesecondboss(underboss),usuallyalsoarelativeappointedbytheboss,isconsideredtobeinchargeofallthearmycommanders.Commander-in-chief,heonlyobeystheboss;ifthebossgoestojailorseeksmedicaltreatment,theymustactastheboss’sagent(actingboss).
Legionp>
Therearealsoalargenumberof"Regimes"ineachfamilyoftheMafia.Usuallythereare4-6"Regimes"ineachfamily,andsomemayevenhavemorethan7-9.,Andeach"Regime"iscomposedofabout20-30"Soldiers"toperformspecificoperations.Eachcorpsisledbya"commander(lieutenant)".CommanderAlsoknownas"first-classsoldiers",theyarenominatedbythesecondboss,butthefinalchoiceisinthehandsoftheboss.Therefore,thecommanderisdirectlyresponsibletotheboss.Wheneverthebossmakesadecision,hewillneverdirectlyexecuteit.Thesoldiersrelayedorders,butaseriesofcorps(general)commanderspassedtheinstructionsinstead.Inthisway,whenthelower-levelmembersarecapturedbythejudicialdepartment,thehigher-levelmemberscanescapefromtheirshellsandavoidlegalsanctions.Thisstructureisinthe"Godfather"Theimmortalartisticdescriptionwasobtainedinthebook.
Theinitiationceremonyisinseparableandinheritstheoraltradition.Rumorsincludelightingacardwithaniconandthenthrowingburningshardsateachother.Called"MadeMan"or"MadeMan"or"Perfect",andaccepttheasylumofhisfamily.
Themafiakillershaveaverystricthierarchy,andtheirclassificationisLookatthestarsontheirchests.Thematerialsofthestarsaregold,Thefourmetalsofsilver,copper,andironareloweredinorder.Venusrepresentsthehighestlevel,andtheironstarrepresentsthelowestlevel.OrdinarykillerswillonlywearapieceofclothingmarkedbytheMafia,withoutanystar.ItissaidthatthereisanotherkindofkilleratthehighestleveloftheMafia,themostpowerfulintheorganization.Theirstarsaremadeofnaturalcrystals,andtheyoftengivepeopleablackhandprintwhentheyact.
Theassassinationofthekillermustbeapprovedbythefamilyleader,otherwiseprivateretaliationmaytriggerawar.Inthecaseofwar,thefamilykillerwillgoto"Mattresses",thatis,rentanemptyapartment,andletthesoldierstaketurnstorestonthemattressesontheapartmentfloor,whiletherestofthepeopleondutystaybythewindow.Alwaysbereadytofireonrivalfamilymemberswithinrange.
Committee
In1990,theMafiainItalyhad142families,including42largefamilies.Thefamiliescommunicatethroughacommittee.
InItaly,everyprovincewithaMafiahasacommittee.Thecommitteecankillinanyfamily'ssphereofinfluencewithoutnotifyingitsfamilymembers.Whenthecommitteedecidestokill,itorganizesafiresquad,andthefiringsquadleaderhastherighttoselecttheteammembers.Theiractionsareunknowntonooneexcepttheexecutor.
Thereisalsoan11-personcommitteeonthecommittee,calledthe11-personcommittee,locatedinPalermo.Itisaboveallmafiafamiliesandisalsoablackhand.Thehighestauthorityoftheparty.Thereisapopeorgodfatherinthe11-personcommittee,whichisthehighestpositionintheMafia.
Geographicalclassification
ItalianMafia
Therearealreadyafewmafia-likeorganizationsinItaly.Forcenturies,theyaredifferentindifferentregions.Untilthe1950s,theItalianMafiawasmainlyconcentratedintheruralcountryside,butsincethenitspreadtocities(suchasPalermo)andlaterbecameamoreinternationalorganizationthatconcentratedondrugsandprostitution.TheItalianMafiatakesthefamilyasitsunit,mainlyrepresentedbySicily.Thereareothersimilarorganizationsinotherregions,suchasCamorainNaples.
Similarorganizationsexistinotherregions:NdranghetainCalabria,SacracoronaunitainApulia,CamorrainNaples.
DuringtheItalianfascistdictatorship,Palermo'smayorCesareMori(CesareMori)usedvariousspecialforcestoresisttheactivitiesoftheMafia.ManyMafiapeoplewenttojailunderhissuppression,andmanyhadtocrosstheoceantotravelfaraway.Butinfact,themostimportantpartyleadersintheSicilianMafiaaremembersofthefascistorganizationMVSN.Onlysomelow-levelcriminalsuspectswereimplicatedinMORI'sactions.Mainlyoutofpropagandaneeds.However,thereareotherpeoplewhoclaimthatthisisjustanotherwayofsayingthattheUSpropagandaistoclosetherelationshipandcooperationbetweentheUSgovernmentandtheMafiaduringWorldWarII.AmongthemwasJosephBonano,whoeventuallyledtheAmericanbranchoftheMafia,nicknamedJoeBanana.DuringtheattackonItalyin1943,theAmericanstookadvantageoftheoverallsituationatthetimeandtheconnectionbetweentheAmericanMafiaandSicily.LuckyLuciano,whowasservinghissentenceintheUnitedStatesatthetime,andothermembersoftheMafiasuddenlybecamevaluablepatriotswhoparticipatedintheUnitedStates'fightagainstfascism.AsanewAmericancitizen,Lucianoacceptedthegovernment'sapologyandwasabletoreturntoSicilyin1946tocontinuehisactivities.
ItwasnotuntilItalysurrenderedinWorldWarIIthatthepoweroftheMafiawasabletogrow.However,inaseriesof"gangwars"betweentheMafiapartiesinthe1980sand1990s,manyprominentMafiamembersweremurdered.AmongthenewgenerationofMafiamembers,manytendtofocustheirworkonhigh-IQcrimes,anddismisstraditionalextortion.Inresponsetothisdevelopment,theItalianpressused"LaCosaNuova(NewThings)"torefertoanorganizationthathasundergonereorganizationasdescribedabove.
TheMafiaofSicilyVitoCascioFerroSalvatore\'Toto\'RiinaTommasoBuscettaBernardoProvenzanoLucianoLeggioGiovanniBrusca
TheFiveMafiaFamiliesofNewYork
Bonannofamily
Benjamin"LeftyGuns"Ruggiero
JosephBonnano
CarmineGalante
Alphonse"SonnyRed"Indelicato
SalvatoreMaranzano
Dominick"SonnyBlack"Napolitano
JoePistone,"DonnieBrasco",ahiddenFBIagent
RastyRastlli
JoeMassino,"TheLastDon",wasconvictedoffraudandmurderin2006
p>Colombofamily
JoeColombo
CarminePersico
JoeProfaci
Gambinofamily
AlbertAnastasia
CrazyJoeGallo
RoyDemeo
CarloGambino
PaulCastellano
JohnGotti
Sammy"TheBull"Gravano
AlMineo
Genovesefamily
FrankCostello
Frank"Funzi"Tieri
VitoGenovese
Vincent"TheChin"Gigante
LuckyLuciano
Giuseppe"JoeTheBoss"Masseria
FatTonySalerno
JoeValachi,“omertà"
Lucchesefamily(Lucchesefamily)
TommyGagliano
TommyLucchese
p>TomReina
JoeIonno
JamesJippensOther
MeyerLansky
NicodemoScarfo
JackRuby
BugsySiegel
JimmyHoffa
AlbertAnastasia
Scranton/Pittston/NortheastPennsylvania
William"BigBilly"D\'Elia
RusselBufalino
SantoVolpe
FrankSheeran
Chicago
TonyAccardo
JosephAiuppa
AlCapone
JamesColosimo
VincentDrucci
BugsMoran
JackMcGurn
FrankNitti
DeanO\'Banion
PaulRicca
JohnRoselli
AnthonySpilotro
MichaelSpilotro
JohnnyTorrio
p>HymieWeiss
FrankieYale
Florida
SantoTrafficante,Sr.
SantoTrafficante,Jr.
etc
CountrieswheretheMafiamaybeactive
ThefollowingcountriessuspectorhaverecordedHasitsownmafiaorganization.Usuallythemafiawillmakecontactwiththemafiainothercountriestosurvive.TheseforeignmafiausuallyhavecontactswiththelocalmafiainItaly.
Albania
Australia
Brazil
Bolivia
Canada
China,includingMainlandChina,HongKong,Macau,Taiwan
Colombia
DominicanRepublic
France
Haiti
Ireland
Israel
Jamaica
Japan
Kuwait
Mexico
Peru((SeeAeroperu)
Poland
Russia
SerbiaandMontenegro
Spain
Slovakia
Thailand
UnitedKingdom
UnitedStates(includingPuertoRico)
Vietnam
Describeit
"TheGodfather",aseriesofnovelsbyMarioPuzo,latermadeintoamoviebyFrancisFordCoppola.ThisisperhapsthemostinfluentialdescriptionoftheMafiainpopularculture.Amongthem,theCorleonefamilyistheartisticepitomeofsomemafiafamiliesinreallife.
"TheSicilian",anothermasterpiecebyMarioPuzo,butitisnotwidelyknown.Itcanbesaidthat"TheSicilian"isasequelto"TheGodfather".ThestorybeginswhenMichaelCorleonereturnstoSicilyandtellsthelifeofanewprotagonist-Quigliano.Quigliano’sprototypecharacterisSalvadorGiuriano,aRobinHoodcharacterwhoshookSicilyinthe1940s.AmoviebasedonHenryHill’slife
"AllOvertheWorld",amovieaboutBagseySiegel(theleaderoftheAmericanMafia,hasahotelandacasinoinLasVegas,andwasAssassination),themaleprotagonistisplayedbyWarrenBeatty
"TheTraitor",afilmdescribingthefirstFBIagentswhoinfiltratedtheMafiaorganization
"ABagwithEightHeads"isacomedyaboutamafiakiller(playedbyJoePesci).Thispersonaccidentallyputshimselfinacanvasbagwitheightmobheads,withtheduffelbagofatourist'sfamilyMixed
"Mafia",co-producedbyGatheringandIllusion,depictsagangsterinthefictionalcity"LostParadise(amicrocosmofsomerealcities)"inthe1930sThelasteightyearsofhiscareer.TheplotfollowstheexperienceofthetaxidriverTommyAngelo.Hisfatewaschangedbyacaraccident,whichalsoledhimtojointheSalierifamily.ThestoryofEliotNassandTheUntouchables,alawenforcementteamfightingagainsttheMafiaengagedinillegalalcoholtrafficking.ThegeneralmanageroftheLasVegasCasino,playedbyRobertDeNiro,directedbySikosesTheheadoftheNuofamilyisrelated
"Mafia",satiricalliterature
"RoadtoDestruction",thefamilyofagangkiller(TomHanks)wasmurdered,HanXandhissurvivingsonescapedfromthecityandwaitedforrevenge.
"TheSopranos",aseriesofHBOfilmstations,isthestoryofaMafiamemberandhistwofamilies
>"TheBronxStory",amovingstoryoftheBronxgangleader(ChazPalmintree)enthusiasticallyhelpingthesonofanItalianworker(RobertDeNiro).
"AngryBull",thetruestory,boxingmasterJackLaMottafellintotheheavyinfluenceofthedarkforces,alsoplayedbyRobertDeNiro
"Five-starKillingNight"
"OnceUponaTimeinAmerica",directedbyItaliandirectorSergioLeon
"TheBossComesAway",starringRobertDeNiroComedy,thesequelis"TheBossMovestotheSide2",alsostarringRobertDeNiro
"TheNineYards",anditssequel"TheNineYards",starringBruceWillisThecomedy"ItalianMission",theRussianMafiaappearedinthefilm,inthebeginningandendingscenes
"TheSimpsons",acomedyTVcartoon,itisarepresentativeoftheItalian-AmericanmafiaTheparty’snegativestereotypedfamily
"GhostKiller",directorJimJamush’sworkinthelate1990s,reflectstheAmericanMafiaand"ButtonMan"
>"Five-WayKillingOrder",a2007Hollywoodmovie,reflectstheendoftheAmericanMafiaattheendofthe20thcentury,basedonthestoryofJoePistone,"DonnieBrasco".
"Gamola",thisfilmisbasedonthenovelofthesamenamebythefamousItalianwriterRobertoSaviano.FrankisatoxicwastecleanerandamemberoftheKemoraorganization.Thisfilmtellsthestoryofthissecretorganization.
VitoCassioFerro
Totemofthemoderngang:VitoCáTheoFerro
Location:Sicily,Italy
Dateofpower:1895-1927
Thestatusoftheriversandlakes:intheMafiaInthetextbooks,heisagreat,immortal,daretoact,andtheancestorofmoderngangs
AsthesonofafarmerinPalermo,VitoCassioFerroisundoubtedlyatypical"Phoenixrunningoutofthechickencoop".AlthoughDouDacan'trecognizeafewcharacters,hislongfigure,elegant,well-dressed,modestandstablemannermakehimextraordinary,notangrybutprestigious,andwithalongwhitebeard,VitoisJustlikeaprophet.Thispersonwholookedlikeabigmanorganizedagroupofmalerelativestoformafraternity,knownasthe"GloriousSociety".Soon,thecontinuousmarriagesmadehisbloodnepotismahugemomentum.
Vito’sfirstpotofgoldwasstartedbysublettingthelandoflandlordswhoimmigratedtothecity.Hecouldgetalargeamountofintermediaryfeeswithouthardwork.Soon,hestartedtooperate"protectionfees"again.Business.Whatreallyhelpedhimbuildprestigewashisfamousloyaltyratherthancruelty.Heactedgenerouslyandgenerously,arguingforthebrothers.Throughouttheendofthe19thcentury,Sicilyservedhimlikeagod,andwhereverhewent,therewereemptystreets,respectful.Peoplerespectfullycallhim"Tang".
Inthe20yearsofVitobuI,hehasplannedmorethan200murders,buthehasonlypersonallykilledonepersoninhislife-thepoliceinvestigatorPetrosino.In1900,heledagroupofdisciplesandgrandchildrenacrosstheoceanandlandedinNewOrleans,theUnitedStates,andthenleftthefireoftheMafia("BlackHand"asasymbol)inthisportcity,asifhewasdestinedforalongtime.Thecityleftawayforhim.WhenhefoughtagainstMussoliniandwasdefeated,hisdescendantshavesincerevivedanddevelopedintoaninternationalcriminalorganization.
DonVitohadforgedarelationshipwithMussoliniasearlyasthebeginningoffascism.Helacksthecontingency,gentleness,andkindnessofapoliticianthatVitohasalwaysadmired,buthehasmoreself-expressionhysteria.Inthepivotalelectionin1921thatdecidedfascismtopower,Vito-controlledSicilyrefusedtosendanymembersoftheItalianparliamentwhosupportedfascism.ButtheirpreviouswarwastriggeredbythemayorofaplaintowncalledQiqiu.Thelow-rankingQiqiuistheonlymayorwhoenjoyscourtetiquetteandtheonlypersontoreceivetheKnight'sCross,thehighestmedalinItaly.KingVictorEmmanuiIIIofItalyisthegodfatherofhisson.However,thenewPrimeMinisterMussolinididn'tknowanythingaboutit,andwasplanningtofindtroubleduringtheSicilianinspection.Seeinghowarrogantthisplump-headedclownwassoarrogant,Qiqiusuddenlybecameannoyed.HeprovocativelysaidtoMussolini:"Whatdoyouwantsomanypoliceofficerstodo?It'snothingterribletohavemehere."Qiqiuturnedaroundandsaidtothecitizensaroundhim:"Mr.Mussoliniismyfriend,agreatmanoftheday,andnoneofyouareallowedtotouchhim!"
Suchpretentiouswords,angryDeMussolinitrembled,newhatredandoldhatredrushedintohisheart,andhewasdeterminedtoeliminatetheMafiacompletely.Inthisway,GeneralMorriebecamethegovernorofSicily.Thisnaturaleagledog,asexpected,beganacompletesuppressionwithouthesitation.Anyoneaccusedofbeingamafiawouldbesubjectedtomedievaltortureiftheydidnotconfess.Thousandsofpeoplewereexecutedorexiled,mostoftheminnocentvillagers.ThebackboneoftheMafiafledSicily,butthearrestedDonVitorefusedasuccessfulescapeandvoluntarilystayedinprison.Hewantedtocreateanillusionof"completeeradication"forMussolini,andhedemandedthathepayforthehugelossescausedbyhismisjudgment.Thishasearnedhimevenmoreunprecedentedrespect.Eveninprison,theprisonersarecloselysurroundedbyhim,andhestillremotelycontrolsthemembersoftheorganizationandtheirfamilies.
So,theslyMorriepreparedacompletelyisolatedcellforhimandforcedhisbrothertowritehimaletterofdisapproval.Inlessthan6months,Vitowasunbearablylonely,lonelyandsad.Todie."Extremeskillindeed!"Morrielookedathisremainsandadmired,butwhenhecaughtaglimpseofVito'ssmallinscriptiononthewall,"Prison,diseaseandpovertyseethetruth",hemockedandsaid:"It'sacliché!"
However,thismanyspellingmistakehastakenrootintheheartsofcountlessMafiaists.Tothisday,theMafiawhohappenedtobeinthiscellarestillproudofsharingthissmallspacewithDonVito.
ThedayMussolinidied,hedidn'tknowwhetherhewasdestroyingtheMafiaorcastingthemythofDonVito.ButDonVitocannolongerbeforgotten.Inthemafiatextbooks,heisagreat,immortal,daretobetheancestorofmoderngangs.
AlCapone
ChicagoKing:AlCapone
Timetopower:1925-1931
Statusoftheworld:TheMafiaintheCaponeerahadasubmachinegunhiddenunderthewindbreaker.Whenfighting,heopenedthewaywithgrenade.Thetoughandcruelstylemadeothergangsfearful.Caponepersonallykillednofewerthanahundredpeople,andescapedatleastahundredambushesbychance.ThethreemajorlegacythatCaponelefttotheMafiaare:heavymachinegunsarebetterthansubmachineguns;topaytaxestothefederalgovernmentontime;andtowearcondomswhenmakinglove.
WhenapartoftheMafiacametoChicagotodevelop,thesecondlargestcityintheUnitedStatesquicklyreplacedNewOrleansasthecitywiththehighestcrimerateintheUnitedStates.AlCaponeisasymboloftheMafia’s"thugera".
CaponeisnotaSicilian,hewasborninNaples,Italy.However,whenCaponekilled322opponentsinarowin10months,hewaspromotedtothefirstnon-Sicilianmafiagodfather.
ThemassacrethatwentdowninhistorybeganonFebruary14,1929,adayfullofrosesandloverkisses.At4pm,Caponeappointedhispersonalbodyguard,thenumberonekiller,JackMcGuin,withfourkillersinpoliceuniforms,rushedintoanautorepairshop,subduedsevenMoran’smen,andorderedthemtocarrythem.Linedupagainstthewall,andthenfiredatthemwithtwomachineguns,ashotgunanda.45pistol.Moran'smenfellinapoolofblood,andtheairwasfilledwiththesmellofgunpowderandblood.InadditiontoFrankGosenbergwhowasstillbreathing,theother6peoplediedonthespot.However,therealtarget"Bug"Moranescapedbecauseofbeinglate.
Inthefollowingdays,oneopponentafteranotherdiedunderCapone'sgun.Inadditiontoconventionalweaponssuchaspistolsandsubmachineguns,Caponeevenusedgrenadesandheavymachineguns.
Thesuccessofthecleaningoperationfor10consecutivemonthsdependsentirelyonCapone’snewinvention-the"G2"team.Thisisanoperationaldepartmentresponsibleforcollectingintelligence,conductingespionageandcounter-espionage.AllChicagobarbers,barwaiters,hotelwaiters,hotelgatekeepers,taxidrivers,shoeshiners,andevenbeggarsallknowaspecialphonenumber.Caponewasabletoclearhisopponentsquickly,ruthlesslyandaccurately,withoutfail,andthe"G2"teammadegreatcontributions.
Aftergettingridofhisopponent,Caponeturnedhisattentiontopolitics.Soon,ChicagoJudgeJohnsonwrotehimthisletter:"DearSir,thankyouforyourhelponElectionDay.Youcareabouttheconductofthiselectionwholeheartedly.Withoutyourhelp,IamafraidIwouldnotbeabletogetridofitdecently.Difficulty.Thankyou,oldman!Iwillrememberthisforlife.Ilookforwardtomeetingyouassoonaspossible!"Andinthe1928presidentialelection,ChicagoInterpolCaptainRotesapproachedCaponeandaskedhimnottointerveneinthepresidentialelection.Caponeagreed,andinreturn,thepolicepromisedtotrynottoharassCaponeandhismenfortrivialmatterssuchasmurder.
However,Caponemadeamistake:Hecouldkillandsetfire,butheshouldpaytaxesontime.Payingprotectionfeestothefederalgovernmentistheonlywayforcitizenstogetafreelifeoutsidetheprison,andthefederaltaxdepartmentismoreexperiencedthanthemafiainthisregard.AfederaltaxdetectivestumbleduponacasinocontrolledbyCaponeconcealingincome.于是顺藤摸瓜，把卡彭查了个底儿掉，并于1931年把卡彭和其他69名黑手党徒送上法庭。在理论上，他们面临2.5万年徒刑的惩罚。
卡彭提出用500万美元补偿税款，芝加哥当局同意了，但是被联邦法官否决。卡彭的手下带着枪和成沓的钞票拜访了12名陪审员，但是，正直的法官在开庭前一天任命了新的陪审员。最后，卡彭因隐瞒个人收入罪被判入狱11年。
监狱中卡彭依然保持了国王的尊严，女人成了他排遣郁闷的唯一嗜好。不幸的是，由于安全防护方面的问题，他染上了不愈型梅毒，彻底变成了太监。1939年，因病获释的卡彭带着500万美元来到佛罗里达，在病床上度过人生最后的8年。
查理·卢西安诺
MBA犯罪之父：查理·卢西安诺
掌权时间：1931－1946年
江湖地位：《时代》杂志和美国有线广播网联合评出的"20世纪最有影响的行业奠基人"中，卢西安诺作为"现代有组织犯罪之父"，排在微软总裁比尔·盖茨之前
卢西安诺是阿尔·卡彭的表哥，与他在芝加哥的表弟不同，卢西安诺更善于动脑子。如果说卡彭是一个身先士卒的战地指挥官的话，那卢西安诺就是一位职业犯罪经纪人。他的一个搭档阿尔伯特·安塔西尼亚指挥着“暗杀团”，另一位搭档迈耶·兰斯基负责家族生意，因此警方很难找到直接证据来证明卢西安诺参与了任何犯罪活动。
卢西安诺的成名之战，是在马兰萨诺和马塞利亚这两位教父间左右逢源，最终取而代之，一统江湖。
1927年，马兰萨诺和马塞利亚之间爆发了战争。那时，卢西安诺还未加入黑手党，他和犹太帮合伙成立了“七家公司”，垄断了美国的私酒市场。
战争是需要钱的，因此两位教父争相邀请卢西安诺加入。仔细权衡两派实力后，卢西安诺选择了马塞利亚。但冲突来得更快。马塞利亚是个极其传统的教父，他只相信西西里人。而卢西安诺的智囊迈耶·兰斯基却是个犹太人。马塞利亚不断催促卢西安诺干掉兰斯基，纯洁组织。卢西安诺并不傻，无缘无故地干掉兰斯基，只会令他的弟兄心寒，一个无力保护手下的老大根本无法在黑帮里生存。他只有一个选择：干掉马塞利亚。
卢西安诺设宴招待马塞利亚。席间，卢西安诺“适时”地去了趟洗手间，回来后发现马塞利亚已被人乱枪打死。卢西安诺叫来警察，并解释说，他没看见谁杀了马塞利亚，也不知道为什么有人要杀马塞利亚，谋杀发生时他在厕所撒尿。“我每次撒尿的时间都很长”——卢西安诺的这句话成为次日《纽约时报》的头条。
不久，卢西安诺又用差不多的手法干掉了马兰萨诺。两名元老的毙命使34岁的卢西安诺站在了金字塔之巅，所向披靡，他开始着手优化黑手党。
24个家族召开了黑手党全国代表大会。会议选举了全国委员会，部署了下一步整体行动战略，并制定了新的戒律：一是不许贩毒；二是严禁谋杀执法官员，除非委员会投票一致同意。
两条法律的制定为黑手党此后50年的繁荣奠定了基础。因为贩毒和谋杀警察会激起民愤，导致议会增加警方拨款。而调查犯罪是件很费钱的事，没有新增拨款，警察只能眼睁睁地看着一个又一个的黑手党徒被无罪释放。
第一个犯规的是“荷兰人”舒尔茨。要不是检察官杜威快把他逼疯，舒尔茨也不至于萌生杀机。但卢西安诺却不这样看：自个命苦不能怨社会，点再背也不能把大伙都拖下水。于是，就在舒尔茨计划谋杀杜威的前两天，一个暗杀小组来到舒尔茨常去的饭店。3名杀手冲进饭店，掏出手枪一阵狂射，6发子弹直接击中舒尔茨，他倒在桌子上，脸朝下，鲜血染红了雪白的桌布。
然而，检察官杜威并不领情，他知道自己很难抓到卢西安诺的把柄，就找了一群廉价妓女来指控卢西安诺操纵卖淫。被妓女的哭诉打动的陪审团，判了卢西安诺50年监禁。
卢西安诺没有充当污点证人来换取自由，也拒绝越狱，他不想坏了规矩。卢西安诺安心地在监狱里做了一名图书管理员，练就一手好字，并继续遥控着犯罪家族的生意。
黑手党想出所有的办法来营救狱中的老大。当年的检察官杜威已成为纽约州州长，一个有权特赦卢西安诺的人。杜威下一步计划竞选总统，这给了卢西安诺一个机会。
他托人捎话给杜威：“如果你竞选总统，我就提出上诉。人们会知道你如何唆使证人作伪证，妨碍司法公正。过去我这样干过，但没成功。现在不同了，媒体愿意刊登任何攻击总统候选人的消息。”卢西安诺还语带双关地威胁说：“踩在一个流氓背上爬上州长宝座是一回事，如果你还能踩着我的背当上总统，而不给我一点好处，我就不是人养的！”
杜威同意设法假释卢西安诺，但卢西安诺要求回到西西里。交易达成后，杜威顺便要了9万美元作为自己的总统竞选基金。卢西安诺获得了自由。1962年，他因心脏病发作去世。葬礼上，披挂着金挽具的高头大马，拉着镀金灵柩，缓缓地穿过城市，梵蒂冈的红衣主教亲自赶来为他做安魂弥撒。
一直有传说认为卢西安诺曾协助盟军登陆西西里，并煞有其事地杜撰了飞机和黄头巾的故事。但事实是，黑手党打击墨索里尼根本不需要任何人动员，他们原本就是不共戴天的仇人。美国黑手党确实帮助盟军与西西里黑手党建立情报联系，但那并不是卢西安诺的功劳。事实是，卢西安诺6岁时就来到美国，被放逐西西里之前，他不认识那里的任何人，甚至听不懂西西里方言。
约瑟夫·伯纳诺
来自最古老黑帮家族的挑战：约瑟夫·伯纳诺
掌权时间：1931－1968年
江湖地位：纽约5大家族创始人之一。1968年，与甘必诺争霸天下失败，被迫退出江湖。2002年去世，终年97岁
“伯纳诺”这个姓代表着最古老的西西里黑手党家族，在伯纳诺的老家，80%的成年男人坐过牢。当1931年卢西安诺召开黑手党全国代表大会时，尽管伯纳诺只有26岁，但出于对这个古老家族的敬畏，伯纳诺还是被选举为黑手党历史上最年轻的教父。在这个黑暗社会里，年龄不算什么，辈份决定权力。
到了60年代，卢西安诺等老一辈美国黑手党领袖已经衰老、消逝，伯纳诺世纪终于到来，他蠢蠢欲动，发誓要成为卢西安诺第二。伯纳诺要根除的第一个障碍，就是后起之秀卡罗·甘必诺。
然而，甘必诺惯使极老练的政治手腕。他巧妙地避开了针对自己的暗杀，并没有直接报复伯纳诺，而是唆使伯纳诺的手下迪·格莱戈瑞另立山头，挑起伯纳诺家族的内战。然后，在黑手党全国委员会上，甘必诺说服了其他成员票剥夺了伯纳诺的教父资格，选举格莱戈瑞为伯纳诺家族的新教父。
格莱戈瑞成了伯纳诺的靶子，而甘必诺则置身事外。在全国委员会的支持下，格莱戈瑞没有输掉战争，但也没赢。伯纳诺家族的内战持续了3年，双方都损失惨重。
美国媒体对伯纳诺倾注了极大的热情，《纽约时报》甚至开辟了专版来报道这场黑帮家族内的仇杀。是到甘必诺再次出面的时候了，他提出一个和平方案：伯纳诺和格莱戈瑞都退休，由卡迈因·加兰特——一个伯纳诺和格莱戈瑞都能接受的人，担任新家族的教父，并负责监督停战协议的执行。
伯纳诺没有选择的余地，拒绝甘必诺的和平方案将被视为自私的举动，他只能退出江湖。但伯纳诺并没有销声匿迹，他终于找到了最适合自己的位置。1983年，《一个恐怖的男人：约瑟夫·伯纳诺自传》轰动一时，甚至连美国哥伦比亚广播公司的“60分钟”节目也为他做了一个专题。书中把甘必诺描述成一个见利忘义的小人，一个只会躲在幕后不敢站出来决斗的懦夫。在联邦调查局的电话窃听录音中，甘必诺的继任者保罗愤怒地质问伯纳诺：“真的该死，你是想坐牢呢，还是写你的回忆录，把你的朋友们写得个个都卑鄙龌龊？”
然而，伯纳诺的自传却成为年轻一代黑手党徒了解自己历史的教科书，伯纳诺本人从失败者一跃而成“黑帮偶像”。
卡罗·甘必诺
《教父》正版：卡罗·甘必诺
掌权时间：1957－1976年
江湖地位：卢西安诺之后最著名的黑帮领袖，电影《教父》的原型，被起诉n次，但从未被定罪
说话轻柔、面带微笑的卡罗·甘必诺最终证明了自己才是卢西安诺第二，另一位犯罪策划大师。他相信最有权势的人是说话最少的人。暴力虽使人恐惧，但那不是权力。真正的权力表现在眉毛微微扬起的点头和不容置疑的手势上。甘必诺从未发动过任何战争，他总是躲在幕后操纵其他家族间的明争暗斗，坐收渔人之利。就在其他教父不断登上《纽约时报》头条的同时，甘必诺悄悄地把自己的集团变成了纽约最有势力的家族。
1966年，纽约地方检察官亨特经过半年追踪，在星球饭店将正在开会的甘必诺和其他12位教父逮捕。尽管甘比诺对警方的突袭感到奇怪，但他没有反抗，只是语气平静地要求保释。当获知保释金为每人10万美元后，不到1小时，130万美元的现金就摆在检察官桌上，甘必诺等人则回到星球饭店继续开会。
对检察官的反击从第二天开始。先是纽约公民自由联合会指责警方漠视人权，并暗示正在谋求连任的检察官亨特企图利用审判来扩大自己的影响。舆论变得对检察官很不利，随后法院又宣判甘必诺等人无罪。半年后，检察官亨特竞选连任失败，终其一生，再未担任过任何公职。
这就是卡罗·甘必诺。与他的前辈卢西安诺不同，甘必诺深谙政治和法律，他是唯一使执法机关束手无策的教父。除了无处不在的影响和令人眩目的财富外，谁也不清楚他到底做过些什么。随着电影《教父》的成功，他的残忍无情充满传奇色彩，他的诡谲狡诈富于神话气息，甚至连他的错误都是不朽的。在纽约长岛举行的一次婚礼上，新婚夫妇跪在甘必诺面前吻他的手。当主人举杯祝贺甘必诺身体健康时，全场合唱《教父》的主题歌。
只有极具外交天才的教父才能享受死在床上的奢侈，甘必诺就是这样的天才。1976年，甘必诺因心脏病发作去了另一个世界，全球100多家电视台实况转播了这场国王般的葬礼。黑手党内的所有精英都出席了在圣玛丽教堂举行的安魂弥撒，加长林肯和黑色奔驰组成一望无际的送葬车队。悼词中的甘必诺，是一个爱国者和慈善家，一个具有伟大人格的“优秀公民”。
他是历代黑帮领袖一直力图模仿和超越的榜样。
托马斯·布谢塔
背叛黑手党：托马斯·布谢塔
地点：意大利西西里岛
掌权时间：1957－1983年
江湖地位：迄今为止级别最高的黑手党叛徒，他的证词导致了366名黑手党徒被捕，以及第七任总理安德烈奥蒂的垮台
布谢塔29岁时就成为家族教父，他本可以平步青云地进入全国委员会，但黑手党内有一条不成文的规则：作为教父，你可以夜夜当新郎，但发妻不能抛。布谢塔结了4次婚，先后甩了两个妻子，又因与第三个老婆“爱得太深”而举行了两次婚礼，此外，他还养着100多个不同肤色的情人。
1981年，布谢塔家族和科莱奥内家族之间爆发了战争。布谢塔手下共有361人在仇杀中丧生，他的两个儿子、两个堂兄、一个弟弟和女婿先后做了对方的枪下鬼。布谢塔被迫逃亡海外，但因继续贩毒在巴西被捕。57岁的布谢塔身陷囹圄，眼看势孤力单，复仇无望，他决定一反常规，破釜沉舟地借助政府力量报仇雪恨。
就这样，在罗马郊区一个由重兵把守的秘密地点，布谢塔几乎不吃不睡，眼前总放着两包香烟，一杯咖啡，靠在沙发上闭目养神。他想起什么就说什么，8名法官和6名黑手党问题专家不分昼夜地轮流坐在打字机前，随时记下他的口供。他的证词共有1256页，详细记述了黑手党历次犯罪活动的细节和人名。1985年，3000多名警察在西西里多个城市展开闪电突袭，逮捕了366名黑手党徒，其中绝大多数都是他的仇家。
但是，布谢塔并不傻，他一直拒绝谈论政治。直到冷战结束，他才或多或少暗示了一些事情，其中既包括安德烈奥蒂与黑手党的关系，也包括中央情报局与意大利政府的秘密计划：冷战初期，中央情报局在西西里若干地点埋藏了大量的武器弹药，一旦共产党夺取政权便挖出来使用，黑手党便是执行这一计划的中坚力量。
乔·克隆博
挽救黑手党：乔·克隆博
掌权时间：1962－1971年
江湖地位：纽约五大家族教父之一。第一个利用合法手段与联邦调查局作斗争的黑手党教父
20世纪60年代发生的伯纳诺家族的内战，引起美国公愤，一时间，报纸、电视上充斥着对黑手党的漫骂和侮辱，对黑手党的恶劣印象波及到意大利平民。
为了挽回面子，克隆博控制的派拉蒙制片公司开始了最强有力的危机公关，它于1971年推出以卡罗?甘必诺为原型的电影《教父》。这部经典之作不仅在电影史上青名不朽，也彻底改变了千百万美国民众的认知：虽然黑手党内部仇杀不断，但他们并不滥杀无辜，相反，他们关心普通人，甚至在某种程度上代表着正义。这种美化暴徒的宣传手法被各大黑帮纷纷效尤，美司法部长米歇尔火冒三丈：“克隆博这个杂种应该去竞选美国总统。”事实上，他打心眼里佩服这个“杂种”，如果不是克隆博的这番炒作，黑手党几乎要滚出美国了。
就在1971年，克隆博成立了拥有150万会员的“保卫美籍意大利人公民权利同盟”，并在纽约组织了10万人的游行，迫使司法部长米歇尔下令禁止公开使用“黑手党”一词，因为美籍意大利人认为这是一种种族歧视。
可以公开辱骂黑手党的年代一去不返。从1970年7月开始，人们在提到这个历史上最大的有组织犯罪集团时，最多只能说一个“黑”字。然而，克隆博也付出了代价，一年后他被枪杀。有传言说是不喜欢同僚出风头的甘必诺策划的暗杀，也有传言说是联邦调查局派人干的。总之，一代黑帮公关大师就这么不明不白地死去。
保罗·卡斯特兰诺
真的和伪装的阳蒌：保罗·卡斯特兰诺
掌权时间：1976－1985年
江湖地位：甘必诺家族第二代教父，也是第一个在阴茎上安装人工勃起器的教父，不知这是否标志着黑手党阳痿的开始。保罗自认为是一个精明的美国商人，引导黑手党走上合法事业的光明大道。但是，他的兄弟们却鄙视他过于热衷和平，是个“娘娘腔”。
甘必诺家族的生意包括两部分：合法的与非法的。保罗是家族的三号人物，管理合法生意；而家族二号人物安尼洛·德拉克洛斯则控制着所有的非法生意。尽管安尼洛做了10年的二老板，但甘必诺死前却指定保罗为继承人。因为甘必诺相信渗透合法生意、控制工会和洗钱，是黑手党发展的下一个阶段。安尼洛代表的是黑手党的过去，而保罗则代表黑手党的将来。
安尼洛服从了组织安排，但他的手下并不服气，尤其是约翰·高蒂。这位未来的第三任教父很早就表现出对保罗的不屑一顾，在联邦调查局的录音中，高蒂称保罗为“喝牛奶的人”，保罗的儿子是“胆小的推销员”；，保罗的智囊团是“犹太俱乐部”，并不可饶恕地称保罗和他的副手“互相手淫”。
内部矛盾并未阻碍家族的发展，在保罗的领导下，甘必诺家族变得比过去更有权势，直到联邦调查局在保罗的卧室里安装了窃听器。这次窃听是美国扫黑史上最富成效的措施之一，指挥窃听行动的约瑟夫·奥布赖恩被授予执法官的最高荣誉——功勋奖章。
1985年，美国政府把保罗送上被告席，检察官掌握的材料足以彻底摧毁甘必诺家族。但是高蒂抢先一步，用3颗子弹永远堵了保罗的嘴。由于对死人的窃听记录不能作为法庭证据，超过7000页的起诉书在几分钟内变成了一堆废纸。
关于保罗的一个不解之谜是阴茎移植手术。就在保罗成为无所不能的教父那一年，糖尿病导致他不能勃起。保罗过于迷恋自己的哥伦比亚女仆，于是，他移植了别人的茎管，在皮下安装一个人工勃起器，从而获得一种伪装的性能力。这种人工勃起器和充气式女用自慰器功能类似，都可以随时充气和放气。唯一的区别是前者装在教父的胯下，而后者握在女仆的手中。
暴露狂：约翰·高蒂
掌权时间：1985－2002年
江湖地位：甘必诺家族的第三代教父，一位出色的杀手和弱智的教父
1986年，谋杀保罗而登上教父宝座的高蒂连续3次被美国政府起诉，但3次都被无罪释放了。司法部长痛苦地承认高蒂接二连三的胜诉是执法部门的耻辱。
处在同样的情况下，甘必诺会声称根本不存在黑手党，所以检察官注定败诉；保罗会一言不发地躲进豪宅，从此更加谨慎小心地做事。然而，高蒂选择了一条不归路——继续羞辱执法部门。高蒂登上《时代》杂志的封面，对着《纽约时报》的记者侃侃而谈。他说自己经营制衣厂，每年能挣10万美元。却穿着2000美元一套的高级西装，系着400美元一条的丝绸领带，喝着1000美元一瓶的白兰地。没人相信他的鬼话，但也没人能证明他说谎。高蒂每接受一次采访，执法部门就被羞辱一次。一时间，“高蒂”这个词成为黑手党向政府宣战的代名词，媒体甚至称高蒂为“纽约市的形象代言人”。
当高蒂沉醉于跟政府法律玩游戏中不能自拔时，联邦调查局使用了非常手段。特工们逮捕了高蒂的副手，外号“公牛沙米”的格拉维诺。先放出风声说沙米准备与政府合作，接着散布高蒂要除掉沙米的谣言，最后唆使一名死刑犯在狱中袭击沙米。“公牛”很轻易地拧断了刺客的脖子，但也决心充当政府的污点证人。
“我是甘必诺家族的二老板。“沙米坐在证人席上侃侃而谈，”约翰?高蒂是老大，他咆哮，我就咬人。”致命的证词终于把高蒂送进了监狱，并在那里了此残生。
沙米被控19宗谋杀，但只蹲了5年监狱。出狱后一年，沙米整了容，接着出了本畅销书《黑手党》，还接受美国广播公司的电视专访。更绝的是，他在凤凰城组织了新的贩毒网，仅摇头丸一项业务，每年就能获利数百万美元。2001年，沙米因贩毒再一次被捕，面对可能的15年监禁，他再一次开口揭发甘必诺家族的罪行，希望能继续获得减刑。2001年，该案还在审理之中。
教父型总统：乔治·布什
掌权时间：2001-2008
美国《新闻周刊》称政府正以黑帮作风主宰世界。如此说来，小布什也应在教父世界占据一席之地。"萨达姆那家伙曾经想杀我爸爸"，这成为美国发动战争的原因之一。"好话一筐，不如手枪一把。"芝加哥王阿尔·卡彭的这句名言如今变成国防部长拉姆斯菲尔德的口头禅。而被誉为"布什政府战略师"的副国防部长沃尔福威茨，建议小布什"要证明，你的朋友将得到你的保护，你的敌人将受到惩罚，而那些拒绝支持你的人将后悔他们的所作所为"??这也不是沃尔福威茨的发明：1931年，黑手党犹太智囊迈耶?兰斯基就对"现代有组织犯罪之父"卢西安诺说过同样的话。巧的是，沃尔福威茨也是犹太人。
“我们的事业”十大戒律
成员要宣誓效忠帮会，如果背叛帮会，他的血将会燃烧。
成员必须通过第三人与帮会的朋友见面，不得自行介绍。
必须尊重妻子。不得勾引朋友的妻子。
保证与警察划清界限，不得与警察在一起。
不得去酒吧和俱乐部。
保证任何时候都能为组织效力，即使妻子临产，也不例外。
必须尊重帮会作出的任命。
当帮会的上级成员问问题时，必须说实话。
如果金钱属于他人或者其他家族，那么就不能动那些钱。
那些有近亲当警察的人，在帮会里有亲属的人，行为不当、没有道德观的人不得加入帮会。
收缴资产
2014年3月13日，意大利警方采取行动，分别在罗马与意南部卡拉布里亚大区收缴了黑手党组织“光荣会”大约4.2亿欧元的资产。
这次行动中共查封了涉案的40名黑手党组织“光荣会”成员的资产，其中包括房产、企业、旅游景点资产、豪车和流动资金等。意大利警方对上述涉案人员跟踪10多年，发现其所申报的收入与所拥有资产增长极不对称，立案查证其黑社会获罪事实，最终将他们捉拿归案。
“光荣会”老巢在卡拉布里亚大区，是意大利经济实力最强的黑手党组织。