Gambino
The first boss of the Gambino family was Salvatore D'Aquila, and
remained the "Don" until he was murdered in October of 1928, in
Brooklyn. After numerous successes in Brooklyn, Albert Anastasia
formed the group, Murder, Inc., which was responsible for the murders
of an estimated 400 people in less than 6 years time. Carlo Gambino,
who took over in 1957, ruled until 1976, completing one of the longest
reigns in Gambino history. Carlo was known throughout New York as
the family's best boss, as well as the most profitable. However,
in the late 80's, after waiting through three seperate trials, and
being found not guilty in all of them, John Gotti found himself atop
the Gambino family. From 1989 to 1992 Gotti was cultivating the
organization and delegating murders while awaiting his trial. On
trial as a result of his underboss, Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano
testifying against him, Gotti seemed powerless. In 1992, Gotti was
sentenced to life in Prison, and is currently serving his sentence in
Marion, IL. Once regarded as the strongest, most powerful family in
New York, the Gambino family is now fighting to stay afloat, without a
boss, and without their name to hide.
Luchese
Led first by Gaetona Reina, the Luchese family was famous for being
hidden under the garment industry of NYC. After Reina's murder in
1930, Gaetano Gagliano assumed control, as well as being a member of
the original national commision fo La Cosa Nostra. In close proximity
with the Gambino family, the Luchese's newest boss, "Thomas" worked
with Carlo Gambino inside New York's five burroghs. Thomas Luchese
was famous for being the family's most productive ansd powerful leader
during the 1970's. Although a prominent crime family of New York,
they were most famous for having members of the family rat on their
boss. After Thomas Luchese was imprisoned for murder, Tony Corallo,
better known as "Tony Ducks" because of his rat-like way of ducking
prosecution, became the new don. Once Corallo was found guilty of
racketeering, the Luchese family had somewhat faded out of the NYC
spotlight.
Genovese
Giuseppe "Joe the Boss" Masseria was the Genovese family's first boss. Giuseppe
was succeeded by one of the most famous mobsters in NYC history:
Charlie "Lucky" Luciano. After surviving a rival gang's ambush
of machine gun fire, he appropriately recieved his nickname, and
became even more powerful simply due to his reputation. In power for
seven years, Lucky was forced to move to Sicily, ending his reign as
boss. Until he was shot in the head by Vincent "The Chin" Gigante,
Lucky's close friend Frank Costello was able to retain power within
the Genovese family. Gigante was brought up on racketeering charges
and was found guilty, being imprisoned for 25 years. The Genovese
family is remembered most for their experience as a mob family and
many think they will continue their prosperous ways for years to come.
Colombo
Joe Profaci was the first boss of the family, ruling from 1930 to
1962. He was a prominent boss that was frequently in the media.
Joseph Magliocco took over after Profaci's death, but he only lasted
one year before he died. Joe Colombo took over and became well
known in the city of New York. In 1971 he was shot at an Italian-
American Day rally, in which he helped to set up. A single gunman was
responsible for the shooting, but Carlo Gambino was behind it all.
Joseph Yacovelli became the new don and ruled for two years. Thomas
DiBella now took control of the family. In 1978, Carmine Persico
disposed of DiBella and became the head of the family. He was known
as "Junior", but the media gave him the nickname "The Snake" because
of his ability to get out of certain situations. However, he was
unable to snake his way out of all of them, because he finally
recieved a 100 year sentence for racketeering charges. This split
the family into two factions. One that supported the imprisoned
Persico and the other that supported the acting boss, Vic Orena.
Orena was later charged with racketeering charges in 1992, which
started the Colombo war. Members of each faction were killing each
other. Persico won the war and named his nephew, Andrew Russo, as
the boss.
Bonanno
Cola Schiro was the first boss of the Bonanno family, ruling until
1930. He was succeeded by Salvatore Maranzano who was the boss of all
bosses, until other Mobsters grew weary of his power and killed him
in 1931. Joe Bonanno became family boss until 1964, but he was the
first to ever break the omerta, the sacred code of silence. He wrote
a book that described his life as boss. In 1966 a ruling council was
formed between Phillip "Rusty" Rastelli, Joseph Zicarelli, Joseph
DiFillipi, and Natale Evola, remaining in power for three years.
Evola then ruled for one year followed by Rastelli, who ruled from
late 1973to 1974, until being imprisoned for racketeering charges.
He was then released years later and took over the family again.
Two of his top men were Dominick "Sonny Black" Napolitano and
Benjamine "Lefty Guns" Ruggiero. They were the two main mobsters
that FBI agent, Joseph Pistone, worked with in his top secret role as
"Donnie Brasco". Napolitano disappeared and Ruggiero was put in jail.
In 1989, Joey Massino became the new don and has regained some
prominence for the family. He still controls the Bonanno family
today.