Chronicles of Events and Biographies Related to the American Mafia
Adolfo “Big Al” Bruno was a prominent figure in organized crime, specifically within the Genovese crime family’s Springfield, Massachusetts faction. His rise to power and subsequent fall paint a vivid picture of the deadly intrigue that often defines the Mafia world. Bruno’s life as a crime boss, followed by his brutal assassination in 2003, showcases…
Nicholas Civella stood out as an infamous figure in American history. For many years, he was a crime leader with significant influence in the Midwest region, in charge of Kansas City’s underworld activities. His reach went beyond Missouri’s borders and into Las Vegas and Chicago. Civella’s legacy is woven with themes of ambition and control…
The Winter Hill Gang was a known criminal organization from Somerville in Massachusetts that had a significant presence in Boston’s underworld from the mid-twentieth century to the late 1990s. Although commonly linked to the American mafia scene due to its origins and history in that community, the gang’s membership and activities actually represented a mix…
Jack Dragna isn’t as flashy or well known as some mob bosses of his time, but he held the reins of the Los Angeles crime family firmly from the 1930s until he passed away in 1956. While names like Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, and Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel grabbed all the attention, Dragna operated discreetly yet…
Anthony Spilotro, often nicknamed “Tony the Ant,” was a notorious mobster who played a significant role in the operations of the Chicago Outfit in Las Vegas during the 1970s and early 1980s. His life was marked by violent episodes, criminal enterprise, and an eventual grisly end that cemented his legacy in the annals of organized…
Early Life and Rise to Power Santo Trafficante Jr. (November 15, 1914 – March 17, 1987) was the son of Santo Trafficante, Sr., the long-time boss of the family of the same name. The senior Trafficante was an influential Tampa mob figure who controlled much of the city’s gambling and bolita (gambling) ventures. In this…
Murder at the Drive Thru: Bonanno Family Mobster Shot in the Head While Getting Coffee at McDonald’s Early Life Sylvester Zottola, often known as “Sally Daz,” was born in 1947 in New York City. He grew up in the Bronx, an area with a rich history of organized crime. Details about his early life remain…
Anthony M. Scotto was born on May 10, 1934, in Brooklyn, New York, into a family deeply embedded with labor unions and the mob. His mother, Marion Anastasio Scotto, was the sister of Albert Anastasia, who controlled Murder Incorporated and later became boss to what would be called The Gambino Crime Family. His father, Anthony…
The Kansas City Crime Family, also known as the Civella crime family, rose to power during the Prohibition era in the 1920s.
Joseph Ardizzone was a legendary figure in Los Angeles’s underworld life from early in the previous century. Ardizzone was an Italian native who had come to America in his youth and just as quickly turned to a life of crime. He grew in the ranks of the L.A. underworld, reveling mostly in gambling and prostitution…
Frank Gusenberg, a name synonymous with Chicago’s roaring 20s and its underworld of crime, emerged as one of the era’s most infamous figures. His life, steeped in violence and the illegal liquor trade, culminated in his tragic death during the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, a bloody event that marked a turning point in America’s criminal…
Tommy Reina, also known as “Tommy Three-Fingers,” was the first boss of the infamous Lucchese crime family. Born in 1889 in Corleone, Sicily, Reina immigrated to the United States with his family at a young age. He quickly became involved in organized crime, starting off as a low-level enforcer for the Morello crime family in…
Joe Lombardo was a prominent figure in the Chicago Mob, also known as the Outfit, during the 20th century. Understanding the history of organized crime in America is crucial to comprehending the impact of individuals like Lombardo on society. Organized crime has shaped American culture and institutions in various ways, and Lombardo’s story provides insight…
The Rise and Fall of Frank Cullotta: A Tale of Crime and Redemption Frank Cullotta is a name that is synonymous with organized crime and the dark underbelly of society. Born on December 14, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois, Cullotta would go on to become one of the most notorious figures in the history of the…
Tony Accardo, also known as Joe Batters, was the de facto boss of the Chicago Outfit who never spent a day in jail, despite a lengthy career in the mafia.
He died a successful businessman and to many, a never tried or convicted mass murderer.