Hey Thoughty2 here. As far back as I can remember,  
Hey Thoughty2 here. As far back as I can remember,  

I always wanted to tell you about gangsters.
I always wanted to tell you about gangsters.

Like it or not, mafia mythology is murderously  melded with the history of modern America. To  
Like it or not, mafia mythology is murderously  melded with the history of modern America. To  

some, the Mob represents an aspirational way  of life full of girls, guns, and glamour.  
some, the Mob represents an aspirational way  of life full of girls, guns, and glamour.  

But there is of course a much darker side. This  
But there is of course a much darker side. This  

is after all an organisation that relies  on fear to get what it wants and is more  
is after all an organisation that relies  on fear to get what it wants and is more  

likely to resolve disputes with a bullet  behind the ear than a quiet word in it.
likely to resolve disputes with a bullet  behind the ear than a quiet word in it.

Whatever your take on la Cosa Nostra, they’ve  played an undeniable role in shaping our  
Whatever your take on la Cosa Nostra, they’ve  played an undeniable role in shaping our  

culture. After all, which of us doesn’t have  a favourite Mob movie and who can’t mis-quote  
culture. After all, which of us doesn’t have  a favourite Mob movie and who can’t mis-quote  

a piece of iconic dialogue on command (see  the opening of this video for an example.)
a piece of iconic dialogue on command (see  the opening of this video for an example.)

But where did it all begin,  this obsession of ours? Well,  
But where did it all begin,  this obsession of ours? Well,  

when it comes to the extraordinary  rise, and fall, of the Mafia in America,  
when it comes to the extraordinary  rise, and fall, of the Mafia in America,  

it can all be traced back to  the so-called Five Families.  
it can all be traced back to  the so-called Five Families.  

These powerful clans ran New York City for  decades making money from legitimate businesses  
These powerful clans ran New York City for  decades making money from legitimate businesses  

while also profiting from illegal gambling,  protection rackets and contract murder.  
while also profiting from illegal gambling,  protection rackets and contract murder.  

In doing so they established the blueprint  which would see organised crime spread  
In doing so they established the blueprint  which would see organised crime spread  

across America and perhaps even have  a hand in the death of a President.  
across America and perhaps even have  a hand in the death of a President.  

Trust me, if you think your family is bad,  wait until you get a load of this lot.  
Trust me, if you think your family is bad,  wait until you get a load of this lot.  

The origins of the Mafia can be traced back to  the 18th century and the Italian island of Sicily,  
The origins of the Mafia can be traced back to  the 18th century and the Italian island of Sicily,  

if Italy is a boot, Sicily is it’s amputated toe. Over the years Sicily has been ruled by many  
if Italy is a boot, Sicily is it’s amputated toe. Over the years Sicily has been ruled by many  

different foreign invaders - everyone from  the Romans to the French - but eventually,  
different foreign invaders - everyone from  the Romans to the French - but eventually,  

boot or no boot, the people grew sick and tired of  being kicked about and so they banded together.  
boot or no boot, the people grew sick and tired of  being kicked about and so they banded together.  

The groups they formed slowly evolved into  private armies, who in time grew so powerful  
The groups they formed slowly evolved into  private armies, who in time grew so powerful  

they could extort money from the very landowners  who were supposed to be controlling them.  
they could extort money from the very landowners  who were supposed to be controlling them.  

These armies became known as families,  each of which had its own secret codes  
These armies became known as families,  each of which had its own secret codes  

and ways of meting out rough justice. In the late 19th and early 20th century,  
and ways of meting out rough justice. In the late 19th and early 20th century,  

a great many Italians emigrated to the United  States in search of a better life. This included a  
a great many Italians emigrated to the United  States in search of a better life. This included a  

large number from Sicily, where poor economic and  social conditions made the treacherous trip across  
large number from Sicily, where poor economic and  social conditions made the treacherous trip across  

the Atlantic seem like an attractive option. Many of these new arrivals settled in New York,  
the Atlantic seem like an attractive option. Many of these new arrivals settled in New York,  

particularly in a spot on the Lower East side  of Manhattan that came to be known as Little  
particularly in a spot on the Lower East side  of Manhattan that came to be known as Little  

Italy (for obvious reasons). Of course, it  wasn’t long before criminals from the old  
Italy (for obvious reasons). Of course, it  wasn’t long before criminals from the old  

country began to exploit this burgeoning  immigrant population across the pond.  
country began to exploit this burgeoning  immigrant population across the pond.  

The notorious Five Points Gang, founded  by former boxer Paolo Vaccarelli,  
The notorious Five Points Gang, founded  by former boxer Paolo Vaccarelli,  

emerged in 1890 and terrorized New York for thirty  years. Meanwhile spawning gangsters who would go  
emerged in 1890 and terrorized New York for thirty  years. Meanwhile spawning gangsters who would go  

on to be some of the most feared crime bosses  ever, including Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel and  
on to be some of the most feared crime bosses  ever, including Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel and  

even old Scarface himself, Al Capone. In 1920 Prohibition hit America. And,  
even old Scarface himself, Al Capone. In 1920 Prohibition hit America. And,  

surprisingly, telling people they could no longer  drink alcohol went down about as well as turning  
surprisingly, telling people they could no longer  drink alcohol went down about as well as turning  

up to a high school fancy dress party as Jimmy  Saville. The U.S. government might have believed  
up to a high school fancy dress party as Jimmy  Saville. The U.S. government might have believed  

it was a brilliant idea, but the general public  most certainly did not, and it was boom time  
it was a brilliant idea, but the general public  most certainly did not, and it was boom time  

for anyone who could supply bootleg booze. This was the iconic era of trench coats and  
for anyone who could supply bootleg booze. This was the iconic era of trench coats and  

Tommy guns, as upstanding crime fighters  like Elliot Ness battled the Mob on the  
Tommy guns, as upstanding crime fighters  like Elliot Ness battled the Mob on the  

mean streets of New York and Chicago. Prohibition in the U.S. coincided with  
mean streets of New York and Chicago. Prohibition in the U.S. coincided with  

the rise of fascism in Italy as Benito Mussolini  came to power. A tolerant attitude towards crime,  
the rise of fascism in Italy as Benito Mussolini  came to power. A tolerant attitude towards crime,  

or indeed anything really, is  not in the brief of a dictator,  
or indeed anything really, is  not in the brief of a dictator,  

and Mussolini came down hard on the Mafia, causing  a large number of its members to head to America.  
and Mussolini came down hard on the Mafia, causing  a large number of its members to head to America.  

This perfect storm of a major business  opportunity and lots of new recruits saw  
This perfect storm of a major business  opportunity and lots of new recruits saw  

the American Mafia grow in size and strength  throughout the 1920s. For the most part,  
the American Mafia grow in size and strength  throughout the 1920s. For the most part,  

a man by the name of Joe ‘The Boss’  Masseria was running things in those days,  
a man by the name of Joe ‘The Boss’  Masseria was running things in those days,  

but a powerful Sicilian Mafia Don wanted to take  over, so he sent his protégé, Salvatore Maranzano,  
but a powerful Sicilian Mafia Don wanted to take  over, so he sent his protégé, Salvatore Maranzano,  

to make a big bid for power in the Big Apple. Maranzano gradually built up his own criminal  
to make a big bid for power in the Big Apple. Maranzano gradually built up his own criminal  

empire before declaring all-out  war on Masseria in 1930.  
empire before declaring all-out  war on Masseria in 1930.  

For over a year the two New York  Mafia clans openly fought one another,  
For over a year the two New York  Mafia clans openly fought one another,  

with gang members on both sides gunned down  in the streets on a number of occasions.  
with gang members on both sides gunned down  in the streets on a number of occasions.  

Eventually, on April 15th, 1931, Masseria himself  was killed in a restaurant by four gunmen. The  
Eventually, on April 15th, 1931, Masseria himself  was killed in a restaurant by four gunmen. The  

person who’d arranged this mealtime murder was  his own right-hand-man, Charles ‘Lucky’ Luciano.  
person who’d arranged this mealtime murder was  his own right-hand-man, Charles ‘Lucky’ Luciano.  

Lucky was a gangster to his very core; as a  teenager he cut his teeth in the Five Points Gang,  
Lucky was a gangster to his very core; as a  teenager he cut his teeth in the Five Points Gang,  

before making his fortune in bootlegging,  and got his nickname after surviving a knife  
before making his fortune in bootlegging,  and got his nickname after surviving a knife  

attack that left him with a drooping eye  and distinctive scars across his face.  
attack that left him with a drooping eye  and distinctive scars across his face.  

When Luciano realised the war was going badly  he switched sides, betraying his boss on the  
When Luciano realised the war was going badly  he switched sides, betraying his boss on the  

condition that, if Maranzano emerged victorious,  Luciano himself would be made second-in-command.
condition that, if Maranzano emerged victorious,  Luciano himself would be made second-in-command.

Upon winning, Marazano promptly re-organised the  Mafia gangs of New York into the so-called Five  
Upon winning, Marazano promptly re-organised the  Mafia gangs of New York into the so-called Five  

Families. In a bid to consolidate his new-found  power, he then named himself ‘Capo dei capi,’  
Families. In a bid to consolidate his new-found  power, he then named himself ‘Capo dei capi,’  

‘the boss of all the bosses.’ But the snazzy  title didn’t go down all that well with the  
‘the boss of all the bosses.’ But the snazzy  title didn’t go down all that well with the  

heads of the Five Families. They already disliked  Maranzano, who they saw as greedy, arrogant and  
heads of the Five Families. They already disliked  Maranzano, who they saw as greedy, arrogant and  

old fashioned, and the attempted power-grab proved  to be the literal last nail in his coffin.  
old fashioned, and the attempted power-grab proved  to be the literal last nail in his coffin.  

Four hitmen posing as government agents went  to Maranzano’s office, disarmed his bodyguards,  
Four hitmen posing as government agents went  to Maranzano’s office, disarmed his bodyguards,  

then made sure that he too would be sleeping  with the fishes. Once again it was ‘Lucky’  
then made sure that he too would be sleeping  with the fishes. Once again it was ‘Lucky’  

Luciano who set up the hit; you know  I’m beginning to think that he can’t  
Luciano who set up the hit; you know  I’m beginning to think that he can’t  

be trusted at all. What’s the world coming to  when a Mafia boss can’t be taken at his word?  
be trusted at all. What’s the world coming to  when a Mafia boss can’t be taken at his word?  

Anyway, with both of the old-school bosses  now out of the way, it was time for the Mafia  
Anyway, with both of the old-school bosses  now out of the way, it was time for the Mafia  

modernisers to have their turn. Given that he’d  so ably got rid of the two previous big dogs,  
modernisers to have their turn. Given that he’d  so ably got rid of the two previous big dogs,  

it would have been reasonable to assume ‘Lucky’  Luciano would take the throne and declare himself  
it would have been reasonable to assume ‘Lucky’  Luciano would take the throne and declare himself  

the new Boss of Bosses. But he didn’t.  
the new Boss of Bosses. But he didn’t.  

In fairness, having personally ordered the  murders of the previous two incumbents he  
In fairness, having personally ordered the  murders of the previous two incumbents he  

knew all too well how dangerous it was to  be the Mafia’s head honcho. So instead,  
knew all too well how dangerous it was to  be the Mafia’s head honcho. So instead,  

he established something called The Commission,  which was made up of seven Mafia leaders,  
he established something called The Commission,  which was made up of seven Mafia leaders,  

including the heads of all of the Five Families,  and would be responsible for overseeing the  
including the heads of all of the Five Families,  and would be responsible for overseeing the  

activities of the Mob and mediating disputes  between rival gangs. They met every five years  
activities of the Mob and mediating disputes  between rival gangs. They met every five years  

to iron out major problems and just generally  put the organisation into organised crime.  
to iron out major problems and just generally  put the organisation into organised crime.  

Now, if there’s one you don’t expect from the  Mafia it’s high-level admin. Putting horse’s heads  
Now, if there’s one you don’t expect from the  Mafia it’s high-level admin. Putting horse’s heads  

in people’s beds, sure, we’re all onboard with  that, but a HR department, that’s just weird..  
in people’s beds, sure, we’re all onboard with  that, but a HR department, that’s just weird..  

With a solid structure in place and war  behind them for now, the Five Families  
With a solid structure in place and war  behind them for now, the Five Families  

started to move to a whole ‘nother level. But  as alcohol was decriminalised once again, they  
started to move to a whole ‘nother level. But  as alcohol was decriminalised once again, they  

needed to look for new avenues to make money. The traditional money spinners like robbery,  
needed to look for new avenues to make money. The traditional money spinners like robbery,  

extortion, loan sharking, and money  laundering all continued as normal,  
extortion, loan sharking, and money  laundering all continued as normal,  

but it was time to diversify the family business. So, they infiltrated the labour unions, which  
but it was time to diversify the family business. So, they infiltrated the labour unions, which  

allowed them to establish themselves in industries  like construction, trucking and, the career of  
allowed them to establish themselves in industries  like construction, trucking and, the career of  

choice of Tony Soprano, waste management. In the 1940s, the city of Las Vegas was starting  
choice of Tony Soprano, waste management. In the 1940s, the city of Las Vegas was starting  

its meteoric rise to become the greatest centre  of vice on God’s green earth. Despite being on the  
its meteoric rise to become the greatest centre  of vice on God’s green earth. Despite being on the  

opposite coast to the Five Families’ traditional  stomping grounds, the promise of profits proved  
opposite coast to the Five Families’ traditional  stomping grounds, the promise of profits proved  

too pretty to pass up. They bankrolled a  number of casinos as Sin City swelled and  
too pretty to pass up. They bankrolled a  number of casinos as Sin City swelled and  

would skim money from the huge sums of cash taken  on the floors every night, a scam thought to have  
would skim money from the huge sums of cash taken  on the floors every night, a scam thought to have  

netted them hundreds of millions of dollars. For decades it seemed as if the Mafia was  
netted them hundreds of millions of dollars. For decades it seemed as if the Mafia was  

untouchable. Their code of silence,  known as omerta, meant that members  
untouchable. Their code of silence,  known as omerta, meant that members  

were sworn to secrecy and forbidden to  cooperate with police under fear of death.  
were sworn to secrecy and forbidden to  cooperate with police under fear of death.  

Infiltrating the Families was practically  impossible, because allegiances often went back  
Infiltrating the Families was practically  impossible, because allegiances often went back  

generations to the same small towns in Italy. The US government seemed woefully behind  
generations to the same small towns in Italy. The US government seemed woefully behind  

the curve as the Mob continued to grow in  both power and numbers. But then, slowly,  
the curve as the Mob continued to grow in  both power and numbers. But then, slowly,  

law enforcement started to fight back. In 1950 a special committee was set up to  
law enforcement started to fight back. In 1950 a special committee was set up to  

investigate the existence of organised crime  and it held hearings in fourteen cities across  
investigate the existence of organised crime  and it held hearings in fourteen cities across  

the country, including testimonies  from over six hundred witnesses.  
the country, including testimonies  from over six hundred witnesses.  

The hearings were televised at a time when  TV was just starting to become massive,  
The hearings were televised at a time when  TV was just starting to become massive,  

and it was the first time most Americans  had even heard anything about this shadowy  
and it was the first time most Americans  had even heard anything about this shadowy  

organisation which seemed to exert influence  over huge swathes of their country.  
organisation which seemed to exert influence  over huge swathes of their country.  

All of this attention was  obviously bad news for the Mob,  
All of this attention was  obviously bad news for the Mob,  

but if the ‘50s started poorly for the Mafia,  it was nothing compared to how they ended.  
but if the ‘50s started poorly for the Mafia,  it was nothing compared to how they ended.  

In 1957, a meeting was arranged in the  small town of Apalachin in upstate New  
In 1957, a meeting was arranged in the  small town of Apalachin in upstate New  

York. It took place at the house  of a man known as Joe The Barber.
York. It took place at the house  of a man known as Joe The Barber.

This coming together of the clans was a national  Mafia meeting with more than one hundred important  
This coming together of the clans was a national  Mafia meeting with more than one hundred important  

crime bosses and assorted henchmen in attendance  to discuss all kinds of nefarious activities and,  
crime bosses and assorted henchmen in attendance  to discuss all kinds of nefarious activities and,  

one can only assume, have a bloody  good catch-up while they were at it.
one can only assume, have a bloody  good catch-up while they were at it.

The problem was that Apalachin was little  more than a hamlet, the sort of place where  
The problem was that Apalachin was little  more than a hamlet, the sort of place where  

big news would usually be the mom and pop  store on Main Street running out of milk. 
big news would usually be the mom and pop  store on Main Street running out of milk. 

When numerous flash cars arrived and deposited  a large number of extremely well-dressed,  
When numerous flash cars arrived and deposited  a large number of extremely well-dressed,  

severe looking gentlemen in the middle of town,  
severe looking gentlemen in the middle of town,  

the local police force couldn’t help but  wonder just what the hell was going on.
the local police force couldn’t help but  wonder just what the hell was going on.

They raided the property, causing the highly  unusual, and not a little humiliating scene of  
They raided the property, causing the highly  unusual, and not a little humiliating scene of  

dozens of gangsters running away to  hide in the nearby woods. Amazingly  
dozens of gangsters running away to  hide in the nearby woods. Amazingly  

this shrub-based counterintelligence tactic  didn’t work and sixty of them were arrested.
this shrub-based counterintelligence tactic  didn’t work and sixty of them were arrested.

Not only was this a very embarrassing incident  for the Mafia, but it once again shed light  
Not only was this a very embarrassing incident  for the Mafia, but it once again shed light  

on what was supposed to be a top-secret  organisation. Although any sense of secrecy  
on what was supposed to be a top-secret  organisation. Although any sense of secrecy  

would completely disappear just two years later. In 1959 a mobster called Joe Valachi was convicted  
would completely disappear just two years later. In 1959 a mobster called Joe Valachi was convicted  

of drug trafficking and sentenced to fifteen  years in prison. While inside he murdered a fellow  
of drug trafficking and sentenced to fifteen  years in prison. While inside he murdered a fellow  

inmate, a move that saw his sentence extended to  life behind bars with no chance of parole. Clearly  
inmate, a move that saw his sentence extended to  life behind bars with no chance of parole. Clearly  

the prospect of eating slop from a tray and trying  really bloody hard not to drop his soap in the  
the prospect of eating slop from a tray and trying  really bloody hard not to drop his soap in the  

shower didn’t thrill Valachi, because in 1963  he agreed to testify about his time in the Mob.
shower didn’t thrill Valachi, because in 1963  he agreed to testify about his time in the Mob.

This was the first time a Made Man had ever taken  the stand and publicly admitted the Mafia existed,  
This was the first time a Made Man had ever taken  the stand and publicly admitted the Mafia existed,  

let alone gone into details about its structure  and activities. Valachi even went so far as to  
let alone gone into details about its structure  and activities. Valachi even went so far as to  

name many current and former gangsters,  including bosses of the major families.
name many current and former gangsters,  including bosses of the major families.

Valachi’s hearing was part of a crusade  by Attorney General Robert Kennedy,  
Valachi’s hearing was part of a crusade  by Attorney General Robert Kennedy,  

who’d made it his personal mission to target  organised crime. He did a brilliant job of it,  
who’d made it his personal mission to target  organised crime. He did a brilliant job of it,  

too, with mobster convictions rising eight  hundred percent during his time in office.
too, with mobster convictions rising eight  hundred percent during his time in office.

That’s one of the reasons some  people believe the Mafia played a  
That’s one of the reasons some  people believe the Mafia played a  

major role in the assassination of his brother,  President John F. Kennedy, in November 1963.  
major role in the assassination of his brother,  President John F. Kennedy, in November 1963.  

Seismic though the killing of President  Kennedy was, it couldn’t stop the events  
Seismic though the killing of President  Kennedy was, it couldn’t stop the events  

that Valachi’s confession had set in motion. Several laws were subsequently passed by Congress  
that Valachi’s confession had set in motion. Several laws were subsequently passed by Congress  

to give the FBI greater powers to tackle the  Mafia head-on, the most ground-breaking being  
to give the FBI greater powers to tackle the  Mafia head-on, the most ground-breaking being  

the so-called RICO Act of 1970. The Act essentially made it illegal  
the so-called RICO Act of 1970. The Act essentially made it illegal  

to be a part of a quote ‘ongoing criminal  enterprise,’ regardless of whether or not you were  
to be a part of a quote ‘ongoing criminal  enterprise,’ regardless of whether or not you were  

actually caught committing any crimes. That made  it significantly easier to convict known mobsters,  
actually caught committing any crimes. That made  it significantly easier to convict known mobsters,  

but more importantly it suddenly made it possible  to go after mob bosses who were unlikely to ever  
but more importantly it suddenly made it possible  to go after mob bosses who were unlikely to ever  

get directly involved in the dirty work their  organisations were built on. The thinking was  
get directly involved in the dirty work their  organisations were built on. The thinking was  

that this would mean more convictions and  longer sentences, and boy did it work.  
that this would mean more convictions and  longer sentences, and boy did it work.  

The man at the spearhead of this  revolution was US Attorney Rudy Giuliani,  
The man at the spearhead of this  revolution was US Attorney Rudy Giuliani,  

and he wasted no time wreaking RICO havoc. In  1985 he brought the heads of three of the Five  
and he wasted no time wreaking RICO havoc. In  1985 he brought the heads of three of the Five  

Families to trial using the RICO statute  in what was dubbed the ‘case of cases.’  
Families to trial using the RICO statute  in what was dubbed the ‘case of cases.’  

And it turned out to be a case  of Giuliani 1 – Five Families 0,  
And it turned out to be a case  of Giuliani 1 – Five Families 0,  

as all three mob bosses were sentenced  to one hundred years in prison.
as all three mob bosses were sentenced  to one hundred years in prison.

It set a precedent for the next thirty years, with  Mafia bosses frequently given major jail time when  
It set a precedent for the next thirty years, with  Mafia bosses frequently given major jail time when  

brought to court as part of a RICO investigation.  And as surveillance became more sophisticated,  
brought to court as part of a RICO investigation.  And as surveillance became more sophisticated,  

the FBI also increasingly used  wiretaps to ensnare mobsters.  
the FBI also increasingly used  wiretaps to ensnare mobsters.  

Faced with huge sentences and often  having incriminated themselves on tape,  
Faced with huge sentences and often  having incriminated themselves on tape,  

more and more gangsters conveniently  forgot about their oath of silence and  
more and more gangsters conveniently  forgot about their oath of silence and  

happily sang like canaries in order  to spend less time behind bars.  
happily sang like canaries in order  to spend less time behind bars.  

Even those in the Mafia who seemed  untouchable were eventually, well, touched.  
Even those in the Mafia who seemed  untouchable were eventually, well, touched.  

John Gotti was nicknamed the Teflon Don because  nothing ever seemed to stick to him; a flashy  
John Gotti was nicknamed the Teflon Don because  nothing ever seemed to stick to him; a flashy  

dresser who actively courted publicity, when he  took over as head of the Gambino family in the  
dresser who actively courted publicity, when he  took over as head of the Gambino family in the  

mid-80s it was the richest of the Five Families,  with an annual income of half a billion dollars.  
mid-80s it was the richest of the Five Families,  with an annual income of half a billion dollars.  

But after years as the most flamboyant  and famous gangster in New York,  
But after years as the most flamboyant  and famous gangster in New York,  

his best friend and underboss Sammy ‘The  Bull’ Gravano testified against him and in  
his best friend and underboss Sammy ‘The  Bull’ Gravano testified against him and in  

1992 Gotti was sent to prison for life with no  possibility of parole. He died in jail in 2002.  
1992 Gotti was sent to prison for life with no  possibility of parole. He died in jail in 2002.  

With the balance of power having now tipped  firmly in favour of the federal government,  
With the balance of power having now tipped  firmly in favour of the federal government,  

the influence of the Mafia continued to dwindle,  and the decline was only compounded by increased  
the influence of the Mafia continued to dwindle,  and the decline was only compounded by increased  

competition from other gangs, including the  Russian Mafia. Same name, furrier hats.  
competition from other gangs, including the  Russian Mafia. Same name, furrier hats.  

But that doesn’t mean that America is now Cosa  Nostra free. In fact, far from it. The attacks  
But that doesn’t mean that America is now Cosa  Nostra free. In fact, far from it. The attacks  

on 9/11 saw a huge switch in the FBI’s  focus from organized crime to terrorism,  
on 9/11 saw a huge switch in the FBI’s  focus from organized crime to terrorism,  

with some Mafia task forces dropping from  around four hundred agents to as few as twenty.  
with some Mafia task forces dropping from  around four hundred agents to as few as twenty.  

As recently as 2019 the FBI estimated there  were still as many as three thousand active  
As recently as 2019 the FBI estimated there  were still as many as three thousand active  

members of the Mafia in the US, and the legendary  Five Families continue to operate to this day. So  
members of the Mafia in the US, and the legendary  Five Families continue to operate to this day. So  

while it’s fair to say that the glory days  of the American Mafia are far behind them,  
while it’s fair to say that the glory days  of the American Mafia are far behind them,  

when it comes to the Mob only a fool would  say that you should ‘fugget-about-it.’  
when it comes to the Mob only a fool would  say that you should ‘fugget-about-it.’  

Thanks for watching.
Thanks for watching.