Gambino Crime Family

Any organized crime is often referred to as “mafia” but technically the mafia is a specific organized hierarchy. Originally Sicilian, the mafia has spread to America, specifically New York and other large cities.

There are five major mafia families in New York. Although they are not truly organized on the basis of biological family relationship, often several members of one family will be involved in one mafia family. Mafia families serve to keep a sense of order in the mafia. Contrary to popular conception, the mafia is not an uncontrolled gang rank with random violence. Although there is plenty of violence, mafioso are bound by a code of conduct and a “mafia 10 commandments”. Furthermore, each family is organized into highly efficient chains of command. Each family has a designated area where they do business

The Gambino crime family is one of the most financially successful families in the US. One of its early leaders was Charles “Lucky” Luciano. Luciano was instrumental in the forming of the mafia commission during the 1930s. The commission formed the five families in New York and reduced the amount of inter-mafia fighting, enabling them to become more focused. The mafia, although involving violence, is at its core about making money, and the ability to organize more efficiently meant more money could be made.

Other important leaders of the Gambino crime family include Vincenzo “Vincent” Mangano and Albert Anastasia. These two men did not always agree on issues although they worked together. It is often difficult to prove mafia murders, since bodies often simply disappear, but it is generally assumed that Anastasia was murdered by Mangano.

The last great mob leader of the Gambino crime family was John Gotti. Even after his imprisonment in 1992, Gotti continued to remain in the top boss position, although his underbosses took care of details.

It is difficult to know the current state of leadership of a large mafia family, because their operations are necessarily carried out in secret. Current known leaders of the Gambino family include Nick Corozzo, John D’Amico, Arnold Squitieri, and Jo Jo Corozzo. All four are currently serving time in various prisons.