'Fear City: New York vs The Mafia': Who headed an American mafia family and how did the hierarchy work?
The mafia has been around for almost two centuries and has controlled almost all aspects of society, from the street to the highest levels of government. This style of organized-crime syndicate first began in Sicily. In time, the vertically organized business moved towards the west and established a strong network in the US. New York became the home of the Italian-American Five Families that ruled over all crime families across the country. They gained control over the city during the Prohibition era by engaging in the illegal trade of liquor. Netflix's new true-crime documentary 'Fear City: New York vs The Mafia' delves into the Five Families. It presents real-life accounts from mobsters and former FBI agents who recount how federal law enforcement took down the American mafia in the mid-1980s.
The mafia's core is centered on successful business transactions and money. However, it has secret rituals, complicated rules, codes of conduct, and an intricate web that is family loyalty. In all, the mafia is a very secretive society. It operates on a strict hierarchical structure, with higher-ranking members assuming the position of the boss and the decision-maker.
The American mafia adopted some of its modern organizational structure from Sicilian heritage, but it was mostly revamped by Salvatore Maranzano in 1931. He created the Five Families, each of which would have a boss, underboss, capo, soldiers, and associates. The only criterion to be a part of the mafia was that the person had be an Italian-American.
The American mafia was governed by an authority called 'The Commission' which regulated disputes among families or oversees mafia activities. The inducted members of the mafia were called 'made' men, which signified their bond with the family and that they were untouchable in the organized crime network. Any harm inflicted on them was met with retaliation. The three highest positions constituted the administration, which was further divided into factions headed by a caporegime or captain. Orders from the boss were carried down through a chain of commands. So that, in effect, higher levels of the organization were immune to the law in case of a sudden police probe.
Boss
The boss, don or 'Godfather' was the leader of the family, who made the major decisions. Money made by the family flowed to him. With his authority, he aimed to resolve disputes and maintain the order.
Underboss
Usually appointed by the boss, the underboss was the second in command of the family, yet the amount of power he had varied. He was the boss' right-hand man and ran the day-to-day responsibilities of the family or the more lucrative rackets. His income was generally a percentage of the family revenue from the boss' cut. The Underboss was first-in-line for the position of the acting boss should something happen to the actual boss. He was also considered the most logical choice to be the boss' successor.
Caporegime or Capo
The caporegime was the captain in charge of a crew or a group of soldiers who regularly reported to him directly. Each crew had about 10-20 soldiers and others were associates. A capo was also appointed by the boss and either reported directly to him or the underboss. A captain haf to contribute a part of his and his underlings' income to the boss. He also took responsibility and completed tasks assigned to him, including murders.
Soldier
A soldier was an inducted member of the family, who did the family's "dirty work". The lowest rank among the "made" men in the family, they held little power and made relatively less money. They committed crimes such as assault, murder, extortion and intimidation on the Boss' command. As a result, they had full access to the family's power and connections.
Consigliere
The position of consigliere is sort of legendary and he was seen as an advisor to the family. He usually assumed the role of a mediator in disputes, pitching in with unbiased and fair opinions, and acted as a representative or aide for the family in meetings with rival organizations, important business associates, or other families. While they were not supposed to be a part of the family hierarchy, they were traditionally considered as the 'third-ranking member' of the administration. This position was meant to be elected by the members of the family and was usually given to a confidante of the boss.
Associates
Associates were not actual members of the mafia either. They worked with the soldiers and capos in various criminal enterprises. They were only someone who worked with the mob, perhaps a lawyer, investment banker, police officer, politician, or even a drug dealer.
‘Fear City: New York vs The Mafia’ is now streaming on Netflix.