Mafia in New York City Essay

The Five Families have dominated organized crime in New York City since the 1930s. In 1931, the Five Families, in addition to the Chicago Outfit, established The Commission, a governing body that helped to eliminate feuds, disputes, and wars among the various crime families who were constantly vying for control over illegal activities, among other things ("Organized Crime-American Mafia").

Most mafia activities were restricted until 1920. Prior to the Prohibition, criminal activities among the mafia were centered around thievery and gambling. The Prohibition gave way to a rise in criminal activities. Alcohol was acquired through a variety of ways including importing liquor from Canada and setting up illegal stills ("Organized Crime-American Mafia"). After the repeal of the 18th Amendment in 1933, mafia activities shifted back to gambling and included new ventures such as loan sharking, prostitution and drug distribution. Eventually, criminal activities were extended into labor racketeering ("Organized Crime-American Mafia").

The current leaders of New York City's Five Families were revealed in 1959 by mafia informant Joe Valachi. Four of the families were named after their respective bosses who were, at the time, Gaetano Lucchese, Vito Genovese, Carlo Gambino, and Joe Bonanno. The fifth family was named after its succeeding boss, Joseph Colombo ("Organized Crime-American Mafia").

Though the Five Families originated in New York City and still maintain a large presence in the city, they have expanded their base of operations into other New York counties including Westchester, Rockland and Albany. Furthermore, they have expanded their criminal activities to other regions of the United States such as New Jersey, where they established their presence during the Prohibition, and into South Florida, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and into Las Vegas, Nevada.

Works Cited

"Organized Crime-American Mafia." Net Industries. Web. Accessed 21 May 2011.…