Since the 1960s, organized crime in New York has been dominated by the "Five Families": Bonanno, Colombo, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese. These families were formalized under a national syndicate called the Commission, established to mediate disputes and organize territory.123
Genovese Family: Known as the most powerful and secretive, with roots in labor racketeering, extortion, and gambling. They have retained strong influence thanks to strict codes and are sometimes called the "Ivy League" of organized crime.4
Gambino Family: Infamous for their role in New York and operations spreading along the East Coast to California. They have been under the control of various notable bosses, including Carlo Gambino and John Gotti.5
Lucchese Family: Recognized for their deep infiltration in construction and trucking industries, and connection to high-profile heists.
Bonanno Family: Once dominant, they fell from favor due to internal strife and FBI infiltration.
Colombo Family: Historically involved in violence and power struggles, but remains relevant in New York’s criminal underworld.567
American Mafia families use a rigid, hierarchical system to maintain secrecy and discipline:8910
| Office | Duties & Description |
|---|---|
| Boss | Final decision-maker, sanctions major crimes, often shielded from low-level activity. |
| Underboss | Second-in-command; manages day-to-day operations, may take over if boss is incapacitated. |
| Consigliere | Trusted advisor and mediator, assists with internal disputes and provides strategic counsel. |
| Caporegime (Capo) | Leads a crew of soldiers and associates; collects payments and oversees various illegal enterprises. |
| Soldier | "Made men" who carry out criminal activity and report to a capo. |
| Associates | Non-Italian affiliates; involved in criminal activities but not full members. |
Each level "kicks up" a share of their earnings to their capo, who in turn sends a portion to the underboss or boss, with the top administration dividing overall profits. Rarely does wealth trickle back down; core profits stay with the leadership.81112
Monetary flow generally follows this structure:81112
Associates and soldiers pay a share of their criminal earnings (from rackets, extortion, gambling, etc.) to their capo.
Capos keep a portion, then pass the bulk upward to the family’s administration (boss, underboss, consigliere).
Boss/Administration divides the family's overall profits. They make strategic investments, pay bribes, and fund family activities.
The split isn’t strictly equal; figures depend on individual earning potential, loyalty, and standing.
New York’s Five Families participate in or direct criminal activities nationally and internationally:11314
Within the U.S.: Influence has reached Chicago, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Florida, Ohio, and California, often controlling or sharing rackets with regional groups.45
International Ties: They maintain alliances with the Sicilian Mafia, and have established links to South American cartels and other transnational organized crime groups to further drug trafficking and money laundering.1314
Leadership frequently collaborates with other families, or exerts control over operations, especially lucrative ones like drug smuggling, even outside NY.
Eligibility: Historically, only men of Italian descent whose loyalty and discretion have been proven can become full “made” members.81516
Process:
Brought in as an “associate,” handling low-level crimes and demonstrating earning ability, loyalty, and silence (“omertà”).
An existing member must sponsor and vouch for the candidate.
Background (especially criminal record, family, and ethnic origin) is scrutinized.
Ritual: Induction involves a formal, secretive ceremony—blood is drawn from the finger, sacred oaths are sworn over a burning holy card, and the initiate swears loyalty for life.15
Those who become "made men" gain status but are permanently bound by the family rules, with dire consequences for betrayal.
Since the 1960s, the Five Families remain pillars of organized crime by adapting to law enforcement pressures and diversifying their criminal enterprises. Hierarchy, ritual, secrecy, and connections—national and international—ensure ongoing power and the perpetuation of their operations, even in the face of repeated law enforcement crackdowns.141314