Secrets of La Cosa Nostra: Inside New York’s Five Families

La Cosa Nostra is the Italian American Mafia network that dominated organized crime in the United States for decades. Its most powerful branch, the New York Mafia, became famous through its Five Families — Gambino, Genovese, Lucchese, Bonanno, and Colombo. This structure still influences American organized crime nearly a century after its creation.

The term “La Cosa Nostra,” meaning “our thing” in Italian, reflects loyalty, secrecy, and control. Rooted in Sicilian traditions, the group thrived on illegal businesses ranging from bootlegging and gambling to extortion and labor racketeering. Despite law enforcement crackdowns, its hierarchy remains a blueprint for organized crime worldwide.

The Birth of the Five Families

The modern Mafia structure was born in 1931 when violent turf wars in New York pushed mobster Salvatore Maranzano to reorganize the underworld. He divided the city into five separate “families” to prevent conflict. Maranzano briefly named himself “boss of all bosses,” but he was soon assassinated, leading to the formation of the Commission — a ruling body that distributed power equally among the families.

Each family had a defined hierarchy: a boss at the top, followed by an underboss, consigliere, caporegimes (captains), and soldiers. Associates worked under members but were not officially “made.” The oath of omertà, or silence, bound members to secrecy — a broken oath meant death.

The Five Families Explained

Gambino Family: Once led by Carlo Gambino and later John Gotti, this family gained infamy for its control over New York’s unions, ports, and gambling. Gotti’s flamboyant style drew media attention and law enforcement scrutiny, leading to his conviction in 1992.

Genovese Family: Often called the “Ivy League” of organized crime, it was founded by Lucky Luciano and later named after Vito Genovese. Known for discipline and secrecy, its former boss Vincent “Chin” Gigante famously feigned mental illness to avoid prosecution.

Lucchese Family: Focused on labor and transport rackets, this group was tied to the infamous Lufthansa heist of 1978, later depicted in the film Goodfellas. Despite heavy law enforcement pressure, it remains influential in various construction and trucking operations.

Bonanno Family: Led by Joe Bonanno, it became infamous after undercover agent Joseph Pistone infiltrated it as “Donnie Brasco.” The infiltration destroyed trust within the Mafia and marked a major turning point for the FBI’s war on organized crime.

Colombo Family: The youngest of the Five, it endured multiple violent power struggles. Boss Joe Colombo’s 1971 shooting at a public rally marked the beginning of decades of internal chaos.

The Modern Mafia: Quiet but Not Gone

By the 1990s, the Mafia’s dominance began to crumble. Federal racketeering laws (RICO), undercover operations, and informant testimony dismantled much of its power. Yet, the Mafia was never fully eliminated — it adapted.

Today’s La Cosa Nostra operates in smaller, quieter ways. It focuses on white-collar crimes like insurance fraud, money laundering, and cyber scams. The goal is no longer to rule the streets but to profit discreetly. Federal authorities continue to monitor organized crime, but the Five Families’ influence still lingers in construction, shipping, and illegal gambling.

Even in 2025, the structure built in 1931 remains a template for criminal organizations worldwide — proving that the legacy of La Cosa Nostra is far from over.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What does “La Cosa Nostra” mean?

It means “our thing” in Italian, symbolizing loyalty and secrecy among Mafia members.

Q2: Who created the Five Families?

Salvatore Maranzano established the Five Families in 1931 to prevent future mob wars in New York.

Q3: What crimes are the Five Families known for?

They’ve been linked to gambling, racketeering, loan sharking, drug trafficking, and labor corruption.

Q4: Is La Cosa Nostra still active today?

Yes, but it’s smaller and more discreet. It operates in financial frauds and white-collar crimes rather than street violence.

Q5: What law weakened the Mafia the most?

The RICO Act, introduced in 1970, allowed entire criminal organizations to be prosecuted for their collective actions.

References

Reuters. (2011). U.S. arrests 119 in biggest Mafia bust. January 21, 2011.

Associated Press. (2019). Mob boss Francesco Cali shot dead outside Staten Island home. March 14, 2019.

BBC News. (2020). How the Mafia adapted to the modern world. August 12, 2020.