Freelance Writing Jobs | Today's Articles | Sign In

Articles
Writers
 
Browse Sections
Home

Organized Crime

Fish Rot From the Head
The connections between the Soviet Government and Russian organized crime became so tight that the government found it difficult to function without Mafia support.
Adapting to New Situations
The "Thieves World" was able to survive two major revolutions and evolve into the Russian Mafia of the 21st. century
Birth of the Russian Mafia
The rise of the Russian Mafia Mafia dates back to the "Thieves World" of the period of the Czars.
The End of the Mickey Mouse Mafia
The West Coast Mafia never achieved a high level of organization. But Mickey Cohen held on to his character till the end.
Life With Mickey
Attempts on Cohen's life were constant but he continued to project the image of the colorful crime lord.
The Two Faces of Mickey Cohen
There were two faces of Mickey Cohen, and the public image of the papers did not match with his dark side.
Establishing An Image : Mickey Cohen
Mickey Cohen developed a strange type of image for a crime lord. He appeared to be more Hollywood than Mafia
Mickey Cohen: The West Coast “Dapper Don”
A weak organized crime Family on the West Coast allowed representatives from New York and Chicago to move into LA and provide an opportunity for Mickey Cohen to find a place for himself.
Mickey Cohen and the Mickey Mouse Mafia: the Birth of a Legend
Mickey Cohen has been played in movies and has had major roles in books. His "Mickey Mouse Mafia" had an influence on Hollywood and Los Angles that continues after his death.
Decline of an Empire
Marcello would never recover the power he lost, but would die a free man in America
A FAll From Grace
Marcello falls on hard times and his empire begins to decline as his world became more and more public
More Shots and More Connections
Connections between the assassinations of the 1960's and Marcello are examined and discussed, allowing you to draw your own conclusions
Building Up a Nest Egg
Marcello bulids up his power and connections throughout the country and goes to dinner to celebrate
Cut Off the Head Not the Tail
Discussion of possible connections between Marcello and the Kennedy Assassination
At Odds with Kennedy
Carlos make a major enemy in the person of Robert kennedy
Moving On Up
Carlos Marcello continues his climb to the top of Louisiana organized crime.
Expansion into the Big Time
Carlos Marcello makes it to the big time and finds that the price for power is an open recognition of his role in organized crime
Carlos, Meet Frank. Frank, Meet Carlos. An Alliance is Formed
An alliance between Frank Costello and Carlos Marcello connects the norhtern and southern Mafia organizations.
Mafia Kingfish
Carlos Marcello would begin a climb to the top of New Orleans world of crime.
The Dutchman Bites the Dust
Schultz goes too far and the decision is made to eliminate him before he can bring the heat down on the Commission
Schultz Outlives His Usefulness
The Commission makes a decision to intervene in the conflict between Schultz and Dewey. At a high cost to the Dutchman.
Hiding in Plain Sight – Dewey against the Dutchman
The Dutchman is faced witrh legal problems and has his first faceoff with Dewey
The Dutchman Comes to Harlem
Schultz moves in on the numbers policy game and begins to pull in some real profits.
Dealing With the Competition, the Schultz Way
The Dutchman settles his differences with Diamond and Coll and turns his view toward Harlem
Dutch - Keeping the Old Ways During Changing Times
Dutch Shultz continued to use the old tools to create his empire, fear and the gun. These same tools would to his own end.
The Legacy of Joe Valachi
What was the real impact of the information presented by Valachi in relation to the future of organized crime
The Long Slide Down
Valachi sees his world fall apart and makes a decision that the world he knew no longer existed
Valachi Moves Up in the World
Valachi adjusts to changing times and gains experience in the world of crime
The Birth of Joe Cargo
Joseph Valachi would enter a new world and be reborn as Joe Cargo living the life of the gun and the knife
Just One Kiss
Valachi's fears lead to the decision to provide his version of the rise of organized crime
The Man With the Ribbon to Tie it All Together
Joseph Valachi would provide information that would make it possible to see the face of organized crime.
Only a Shadow of Its Former Self – Tommy’s Gang
The Lucchese Family begins to fall apart due to the lack of effective leadership. The increasing use of violence and reliance on the drug trade takes its toll.
The Decline of the Lucchese Family
A successful conviction of members of the Commission would lead to the downfall of the Lucchese Family.
A Family Get Together
The planting of a bug in the auto of the Boss of the Lucchese Family provided information that would involve the entire Commission.
Good Help Becomes More Difficult to Find
Corallo assumes control off the Lucchese Family, which he made rich through his visions of the possibilities of the future, but is confronted by the problems of the drug trade that his people were turning toward.
The Duck Takes Over the Nest
With the death of Thomas Lucchese the Family began a search for a new Don. The selection fell up on "Ducks", who lead the Family to new heights and finally to an era decline.
Rats Replace the Men of Honor
The killing of gang members associated with the Lucchese Family display the depths to which the Family had fallen from the days of "Men of Honor".
The Lucchese Goodfellows Show
A robbery in which almost 10 million dollars was taken from Kennedy Airport would lead to the fall of many of the "Goodfellows" and Associates of the Lucchese Family.
The Second Coming
The rise of the Princes of the City in relation to the drugs collected through the French Connection Strike put the Lucchese Family on the screen.
A WHITE POWDER DOUBLE HIT
The involvement of the Lucchese Family in the French Connection Drug Bust, would lead to a decline in their influence, and form a new alliance between the NYPD and organized crime.
The Lucchese's Go Hollywood
A major wedding formed an alliance between the Lucchese and Gambino Families and would lead to the creation of two major films about the world of organized crime.
LEPKE
Lucchese's sidekick, Lepke begins to move up in the Organization and becomes head of Murder Inc.
I'm Just Another Chicken Farmer - Like Himmler
Lucchese used a similar pattern to take control of areas of legal business and soon was feeding and dressing America.
Tommy Builds an Empire
Tommy Lucchese uses his business-sense to build up a Family of major power and a position on the Commission
The Rise of the Lucchese Family
One of the original Five Families, the Lucchese, would use the alliance with Luciano to rise to a position of power on the Commission.
A More Business Like Detroit
The excessive violence of the Purple Gang brings about their down fall, with a little bit of help from their friends.
The Purple Gang Meets Hard-Times
At the peak of their power the Purple Gang carry out their own Massacre, but with different results than in Chicago.
New Blood for the Purple Gang
Through the use of excessive violence the Purple Gang was able to rise to a level of power in the Detroit area.
The Rise of the Purple Gang
Before the big boys from New York gained control of the flow of illegal liquor coming in from Canada, the Purple Gang had written the book on meeting the needs during a period of prohibition.
The Krays: All Fall Down
The end finally comes for the Kray Twins and they begin to gain the interest of the public as symbols of London's "swinging sixties".
A Crack in the Kray Dam
The Police begin a program to put the Kray twins away, while Ronnie goes on a spree to impress some American Mafia.
The Connected Krays
The Krays leaped at the opportunity to make close "connections" with the American Mafia Families and started to branch out into Europe.
The Krays Make Connections and Hit the Big Time
The Kray twins enlarge their territory and make connections with Mafia Families from America
Two Twins: Not Identical Anymore
Two different personalities begin to develop for the Kray brothers, one attempting to gain a foothold in the legitimate and the other keeping the power of violence alive.
The Krays: Moving On Up
The Krays begin their journey into high level crime and Ronnie takes the fall.
The Kray Legend
In London, the Kray Twins would begin a life of crime and become crime lords who used violence to obtain and maintain their power.
The Man Who Got Dillinger Confronts a New Enemy
Melvin Purvis became famous for his confrontation with Dillinger with out realizing that his real enemy was waiting for him in Washington.
The End of Dillinger?
The shooting of John Dillinger left a host of unanswered questions. Did Purvis get the right man or did Dillinger pull off one more final escape?
The Lady in Red
A chain of events begins that will lead Purvis and Dillinger to meet face to face, and take part in an event that would change both of their lives.
The Battle of Little Bohemia
The Dillinger myth continued to grow even larger after the FBI was unable to capture him and a number of bystanders were killed.
Dillinger Builds a Legend
Putting Dillinger in jail appeared to do little good because as fast as they put him in he would find a way to get back out. His confrontation at Little Bohemia foretold his future.
The Start of an American Legend: John Dillinger
Individual crime stars swept across America throughout the 1920's and 1930's. A review of those that made it to the level of legends will be reviewed in a series of articles.
Rising Power of the Russian Mafia
The power of the Russian Mafia has been on the rise and reached a point in which the power of the government appears to have fallen prey to Mafia expansion.
The Russian Mafia Sets New Standards for Crime / Nuclear Theft
It appears that the Russian Mafia has moved into a new area of crime through the sale of components for nuclear weapons.
Power and Operations of the Russian Mafia
The corruption in Russia today controled by the Russia Mafia presents a poor picture of a country without crime
Russian Mafia: Return to the Old Way an Organization of Violence
The Russian Mafia uses the threat of violence as learned from the old-line Mafia Families to maintain its power.
The Russian Mafia
The change in the government in Russia due to the fall of communism gave rise to the power of what has been called the Russian Mafia.
14 K Triad and the Drug Trade
The 14 K Triad gains control of the drug trade from Asia and expands its markets into Europe and America.
Triads of Today
A short summary of the situation for the Triads today
The Spreading of the Triads
A review of the spreading of the Triads throughout Asia and into the West.
The Triads
The Triads rise to power followed the same type of pattern as the Mafia. And as the power of the Families appears to be declining, the future threat of the Triads needs to be examined.
Modern Yakuza and Its Organization
The Yakuza followed the same course of action to move into areas of ligetimate businesses.
Godfather Places
People and places in the Godfather Movies / another quiz of your knowledge
Corleone Orange
The curse of the Corleone Oranges and the impact it had on many of the Godfather characters is reviewed.
Organizing the Modern Yakuza
The bringing together of various factions of the Yakuza helped create the first Japanese Godfather.
The Modern Yakuza
With the rise of a modern Japan crime interests moved into new areas and became a political influence expanding their power.
Organized Crime: Yakuza
The Yakuza makes up the major arm of Japanese organized crime and has a history similar to that of the Mafia in America.
The Godfather Millionaire Questions
Ten questions that Regis left at my house the other night.
The Outfit Wins and Bonanno Surrenders
The final outcome of the war for Vegas between Chicago and New York is discussed
Bonanno Bites the Dust
Accardo and the Outfit hit back hard at the Bonanno Family and put a plan into motion to bleed Bonanno dry.
Gunfight in the Las Vegas Corral
Blood flows on the strip in Las Vegas as the Bonanno Family continues with its attempt to move in on the Outfits territories.
Opening Moves In the Vegas War
The opening actions in the war between New York and Chicago over expansion in Las Vegas
Bonanno Makes His Move
The master plan for New York's plan to return to Vegas is laid out for members of the Bonanno Family
The Conflict in Vegas
The rise of the Outfit as the major power in Vegas and the role of Hoffa are reviewed
The 49’ers Bring Their Wagons into Vegas
The background information on the mob's expansion into Vegas in the late 1940's
The Civil War Over Vegas
The Outfit goes to war over Las Vegas against the Bonanno Family
The Outfit
A review of the history of the "Outfit" in Chicago after the fall of Capone from power.
America: Still the Land of Opportunity
The Organization moves into new areas seeking profits from anexpanding economy and the information age
Sammy the Rat
Sammy "the bull" Gravano jumps ship and provides the evidence needed to put the Teflon Don away,
They Finally Get Gotti
Gotti joins forces with Sammy Gravano and a new set of tapes is used to jail the Dapper Don.
The Godfather Body-count
Body-count summary for Godfather Movies I-III, who shot who.
The Dapper Don Becomes the Teflon Don
John Gotti assumes control of the Gambino Family and begins to create a new image known as the Dapper Don and through a series of trails gains the name of the Teflon Don.
Gotti Makes His Move / Out with the Old and In With the New
The murder of Paul Castellano paved the way for John Gotti to achieve the role of head of the Gambino Family
The Tape That Unbinds
The use of federal tapes dealing with mob business begins to unravel the the order within the Gambino Family. John Gotti begins to make his move toward the top
Gotti Moves Up the Ladder
John Gotti began his climb up the organizational ladder with a high level of sucess until he met with an obstacle, in the form of Big Paul Castellano. That obstacle would soon be removed.
Big Paul Castellano
With the death of Carlo Gambino and the selection of Paul Castellano over Neil Dellacroce the rise of John Gotti was set in motion
“But, for you, Michael I Wanted Something Different”
A peek at some of the ideas that could have gone into Godfather III. Who knows you might have been able to do as well.
Family Viewing: Sopranos
Presenting the Sopranos as a Family within a Family that seeks an American Dream that never really existed.
Back to Vegas and the Rise of RICO
An effot made to get New York control back into Vegas and the rise of the use of RICO.
Gambino Reaches the Top with Gotti in the Wings
The New York Families had reached a point in which their leadership was faltering and times were changing not in favor of the Mob. But a Dapper new leader was on the way.
The Bonanno and Gallo Wars
A series of wars broke out between Families in the 60's and 70's with fighting over turf and increased profits. The world of organized crime was becoming too self-centered and wekening their own organization.
Reorganization Mafia Style
Carlo Gambino takes advantage of the confusion and power struggle within the organization. The rise of Joe Colombo and his running feud with Joey Gallo play a major role in the story.
Valachi Sings a Song of the Mob: A Request by Bobby Kennedy
Joe Valachi provided the American public with a look inside the organization and world of organized crime. While this met the request of Bobby Kennedy, it may have come at a heavy price.
Top 20 Selected Gangster Films
Top 20 selected gangster films and why they were chosen
Welcome to Apalachin Where Don Vito Opened the Floodgates
Deals with the events that led to the fall of Genovese from power and the lessen of the Mafia's power.
The Retirements of Costello and Anastasia
Vitro Genovese made his move to gain control of the organization through his moves against Frank Costello and Albert Anastasia. Carlo Gambino begins his climb to the top. And a meeting in New York would shed more light on the Mob.
Reorganization and Early Retirement Programs: Mafia Style
Frank Costello was making plans for a retirement from the Organization and Vito Genovese was making his own plans to become the new head of the Organization. A new player also makes his appearance in the high levels of the organization, Carlo Gambino. All became involved in an effort to reorganize the mob.
Siegel's Lost Gold Mine and the Coonskinned Senator
Bugsy Siegel retires from organized crime and the Organiztion moves into Vegas with the Skim. The mob begins to develop the strip in Vegas and invites the teamsters to join them. The spotlight also falls on the Mob through the Kefauver Hearings and the stage is set for a major organizational shake up.
The Gangland Mid-Term
A mid-term test on some of the information we have covered so far on our trip through organized crime
Lucky Tries A Comeback
Luciano would attempt to regain his power and utilize Cuba as a base of operations to run organized crime in America.
Quiz on Important Facts in the Godfather Movies
A level two quiz on facts from the world of the Godfahter Movies.
Luciano the Patriot
The beginning of the link between the intelligence community and organized crime are discussed.
Another Godfather Quiz
A short quiz dealing with lines said by characters in the Godfather series.
Some Plans to Spring Lucky
Luciano developed a series of plans to bring out his release from prison. The plan that utilized both Lepke and Dewey shows that the theory of Mafia Honor does not always prevail.
Some Excellent Sources on Organized Crime
The materials presented are a summary of some of the texts utilized for research into aspects of organized crime in America.
Lucky Begins Ruling from the Big House
Luciano is put on trial by Dewey for charges of vice violation and is convicted for a long prison term. Arrangrements are made for "Lucky" to run the Commission from jail. And Luciano comes up with a plan that he feels will help gain his freedom. Using Lepke and Dewey as pawns, Charlie to win his freedom and gain back his freedom to rule the Commission.
Luciano Becomes Public Enemy Number One
The elimination of Dutch Shultz did not solve all the problems Luciano had hoped for. Instead he found himself in the sites of Thomas Dewey and labeled public enemy number one.
Cutting Down the Competition And the “Dutch” Shultz Problem
The Commission always kept its eyes open for potential threats of competition. Both Waxey Gordon and Dutch Shultz fell into this group, and the Commission, with the aid of the government, moved against both of them. The story of Shultz, his trials and his hot-headed use of violence is difficult to believe. The Dutchman let everyone on a merry chase until the Commission felt his actions had gone too far.
The Commission and Murder Inc.
A discussion of the rules and policies of the commission for organized crime and a view of its enforcement arm, Murder, Inc.
The End of the Mustache Petes
Review of the plots and counter-plots related to the efforts of Maranzano and Luciano to gain control of the Mafia Families.
They Started To Call Him “Lucky”
Luciano is confronted by two rival Mafia Bosses, both of which try to draw him into a war and gain his support.The lack of honor is made clear in this period of organized crime history.
The Rise of the Lucania Organization
Historical account of the rise of the Lucania Organization and its attempts to create an atmosphere of cooperation for organized crime.
Lucky Learns His Lessons Well
Following the teaching of Torrio and Rothstein, three rising stars in the world of crime began their rise to power.The alliance of Luciano, Lansky, and Costello would create an Americanized form of the Mafia Families.
The Right Place, The Right Time And The Right Combination
Arnold Rothstein provided the finance and the plans for an organized approach to the bootlegging industry. Known as the "Great Fixer" he provided leadrship for the rising young gangs that would form a nation wide organized crime empire
The Decline of the Capone Era
Legal problems finally caught up with Capone and the federal government was able to end his reign as the "Boss of Chicago".
Poor Public Relations: The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre
The violence of the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre and other activities of Capone were drawing attention from both legal and illegal groups. It appeared that many felt the time for a Boss like Big Al was past. This material marks the beginnings of his decline.
The Godfather / Quiz 2
Listing of lines from Godfather I , you need to tell us who gave the line.
The Who’s in What /Godfather Quiz 1
A quiz dealing with the characters from all three of the Godfather Movies.
The Golden Years of the Capone Era
Review of the early years of Capone's reign as the master of the underworld in Chicago. With the events leading to his income tax court case and the St. Valentine Massacre.
Johnny Torrio and the Dream of Real Organized Crime
Johnny Torrio was one of the first Americanized gang leaders that held the vision of making organized crime a cooperative business pursuit. The "Beer Wars" in Chicago brought an end to the vision but Torrio held on to his beliefs and lived to see his vision come to life with the creation of the "Commission".
From the Streets to the Boardrooms: The American Mafia Organizes
A new view of the future of organized crime in America was being formed by the younger members of the Families. Moving from the the money making rackets of Gambling, extortion, and prostitution, the new racket would become bootlegging. Prohibition would provide the cash needed to change the organization of crime in America.
A Lesson Learned in New Orleans
When the mafia first moves into America, the city of New Orleans provides a lesson about keeping a low profile. The incident displays the fear of the "Black Hand" or Mafia and its growing power in the areas of American politics.
Organizing the Families
The beginning of the alliance that would be formed between the Mafia of the Old World to the Mafia of the New world are discussed.a review is presented dealing with the start of efforts to create a modern organization for a new emerging world of modern business.
Why a Sicilian Mafia?
Discussion of the history of Sicily in relation to the cause for the rise of the Mafia and it organizational structure.
Godfather Millionaire Questions
Ten questions related to the Godfather left by Regis the other night at my house
My Top Twenty Gangster Films
Top picks for gangster movies and why I feel the way I do