When Oswald was arrested for Disturbing the Peace in New Orleans, he was sprung from jail by a man with close connections to the Marcello organisation. Professor Michael Kurtz, South-Eastern Louisiana University
Lee Harvey Oswald had life-long family ties to Carlos Marcello’s organisation. He had an uncle who had become a bookmaker in the Marcello organisation. David Kaiser, author The Road to Dallas
The bank robber [Jack van Laningham] would become an informant for the FBI and soon he heard the Godfather [Marcello] make an astonishing confession. A confession that if true might finally solve America’s most infamous and enduring murder mystery. Did the Mob Kill JFK? 2010
Marcello gets his close associate and pilot David Ferry to smuggle him back into the US. ibid.
While America reels in shock, in the Tampa Hotel where the President has spoken, just four years earlier Godfather Santo Trafficante reportedly toasts JFK’s death. Lamar Waldron believes Santo Trafficante along with Johnny Roselli and Carlos Marcello have pulled off the Mob’s most daring hit ever. ibid.
In 1986 FBI informant Jack Laningham said goodbye to his cell-mate Carlos Marcello. Van Laningham maintains it took three more years for the FBI to administer a polygraph in which he verified hearing Marcello confess to JFK’s murder. ibid.
Nicky Scarfo was probably the most violent American Mafia boss in the past half-century. George Anastasia, Philadelphia Inquirer
Not so long ago in America a hidden empire of crime, violence and money ruled large parts of this country. Inside the American Mob s1e1: Stayin’ Alive in the ’70s, National Geographic 2013
‘It is the most enduring, powerful and venal organised criminal organisation to exist and to continue in America.’ ibid. Selwyn Rabb
In the 1970s they controlled trucking, the ports, the garbage business and a lot of meat, produce and fish markets. ibid.
Five families: Genovese, Lucchese, Gambino, Bonanno and Colombo. ibid.
Joe Colombo was a mixture of old world and new ... A master of murder and corruption. ibid.
Colombo loves the attention and doesn’t seem to know when to stop. ibid.
Mob boss Joe Colombo was shot at his own rally in 1971. ibid.
With Pistone’s alias established, Operation Donny Brasco slowly begins. ibid.
It’s 1978 and the United States government is at war with a hidden empire. A network of gangstas who live by a code of crime, violence and power. Inside the American Mob s1e2: Operation Donnie Brasco
Right in their midst, hiding in plain sight, is an undercover agent named Joe Pistone. He has been living among the Colombo family for the last year under the alias Donnie Brasco. ibid.
Pistone now gets close to Sonny Black whose fortunes in the Bonanno family are rising thanks in part to the Florida club. ibid.
The son [Michael Franzese] who once followed his gangsta father blindly into the life now walks away from the Mob for ever unscathed. How Michael Franzese got out of the American Mob with his life remains a mystery to this day. ibid.
The information Pistone provides law enforcement leads to over 200 indictments and more than 100 convictions of major Mob figures. ibid.
It’s 1980 and the United States government is locked in a battle to the death with New York’s five major crime families. Inside the American Mob s1e3: New York-Philly War
One of the most prominent figures in the Philly Mob decides to cooperate with the United States government: Crazy Phil. ibid.
Bruno was known in Philadelphia as the docile Don. ibid.
Phil Testa becomes the new boss of Philadelphia ... Who killed Phil Testa? ibid.
The body count keeps rising. ibid.
Scarfo and his gang were raking in millions. ibid.
It is 1986 and the fortunes of the five families of the American Mob are changing rapidly. Inside the American Mob s1e5: Rise and Fall of Gotti
The hit on Castellano was not sanctioned by the Commission. ibid.
[Anthony] Spero is one of the last major mob members still on the streets. Inside the American Mob s1e6: End Game
By 2003 the sun’s finally setting on the American Mob. ibid.
Joe Massino – when he becomes the first boss of a Family to cooperate with the federal government. ibid.
I was born and raised in Brooklyn where I was introduced to the American Mob through an uncle of mine. Inside the American Mob s2e1: Becoming Boss, Salvatori Polisi
Many cities across America were built on a hidden empire of crime. And in the 1970s crime bosses ruled the streets with violence and money. ibid.
In New York that enterprise is divided into five families. ibid.
Colombo oversaw an army of psychopathic killers … Colombo loved the attention and didn’t know when to stop. ibid.
‘The 1970s: we were all wannabes, we did the grunt work for the mob bosses or the upper echelon mob guys. And those mobsters had power in those days.’ Inside the American Mob s2e2: Going Undercover, Salvador ‘Crazy’ Polisi
It’s 1978 and the United States government is at war with a hidden empire. The network of gangstas who live by a code of crime, violence and power. ibid.
With [Joe] Pistone’s alias established, Operation Donnie Brasco slowly begins. ibid.
Not everyone in Jimmy’s crew liked or trusted newcomer Donnie Brasco and his attempt to become an associate within the Colombo family hit a roadblock. ibid.
For the first time an American agent has been fully accepted into the world of the Mob. ibid.
Three captains wanted to take control of the [Bonanno] Family: Sonny Red Indellicato, Phil Monkey Giaccone & Dominick Trinchera. ibid.
Joe Pistone has pulled off one of the greatest deceptions in law enforcement history. Sonny Black invites him to join the [Bonanno] Club. ibid.
Philadelphia: When you join La Cosa Nostra, you’re in it for life. You have that honour and respect. Inside the American Mob s2e3: Escaping the Mob, Philip Leonetti, Philadelphia underboss
It’s 1980 and the United States’ government is locked in a battle to the death with the Mafia. But the secret society known as Cosa Nostra still remains immensely powerful throughout the country. ibid.
In the American Mob success can be as dangerous as failure, especially if the Mob thinks you’re skimming the take. ibid.
In New York Michael Franzese, captain and top earner in the Colombo Family, is also becoming disillusioned with his way of life … Law enforcement is closing in. ibid.
Scarpo was a well respected and feared member of the Colombo Family … Inside the American Mob s2e4: Fighting the Mob
It’s the early 1980s. The secret society known as La Cosa Nostra remains the most powerful organised crime force in the country. Untouched by the Law. Mob bosses brazenly gun down their own members, including other bosses, on the streets of New York City. ibid.
We all grow up looking for someone to believe in … My father killed people for a living. 10th & Wolf 2006 starring James Marsden & Giovanni Ribisi & Brad Renfro & Piper Perabo & Tommy Lee & Dennis Hopper & Brian Dennehy & Val Kilmer & Lesley Ann Warren & Dash Mihok & Francesco Salvi et al, director Bobby Moresco, opening scene
We can’t take on the fucking Mafia. ibid. Vincent
This hit might be a good thing. ibid. rozzer/controller
You bet your arse we’re the good guys. ibid.
The race-wire broadcast the results to bookmaking runs throughout Los Angeles. So that people could lay bets up to the last moment. It was split-second timing. And Mickey [Cohen] was the king. James Ellroy, author L A Confidential
Mickey Cohen didn’t spend time at school; he spent time on the street as a newsboy scuffling for pennies and for coins. Bruce Henstell, author Sunshine and Wealth