The Gambino Crime Family

With the five crime families in New York City, it might be hard to figure out who may be behind all the chaos. A good place to start would be the Gambino Crime Family, which as a crime family, officially established itself in 1957. The man who founded this family of organized crime was named Carlos Gambino, also known as "Don Carlo."

Carlos Gambino seized control of commission for La Cosa Nostra in 1957. He was always noted for being very secretive and being very low key. He did however, spend 22 months in prison, and also lived to be 74 years of age. Gambino died in his bed from a heart attack when he was 74 years old, he was survived by his brother Jasper, who never had anything to do with the Mob.

In 1976, Paul Castellano, or "Big Pauly" as most people referred to him, succeeded Gambino as the head of the Gambino Crime Family. When Castellano took over for Gambino they were possibly the biggest crime family out there, and were even involved in the Mafia Commission Trial, in which all five heads of New York City's crime families attended. He was involved in the trial because prior to the Mafia Commission Trial, he was arrested on several charges of racketeering. Castellano and one of his associates were shot to death outside a steak house in Manhattan on the orders of John Gotti, ironically their next leader. Gotti was known across the country for his in your face style and outspoken style.

Ultimately that was the downfall of John Gotti, for in 1992 he was sentenced to life in jail, where he would meet his maker ten years later.