CC 205

Numbers Racket

Illegal lotteries have played a major role in the mob Sometimes referred to as a policy bank - illegal lottery run by mob

George "Bugs" Moran

Leader of North Side after Weiss was killed. He was involved in the attempt to kill Torio, hated Capone especially because of his involvement in prostitution. Later died in prison, convicted of bank robbery.

Organized Crime Groups

Major ones include: Italian (sicilian, camorra, ndrangheta, sacra corona unita are 4 main), Yakuza (japan), Triads (hong kong, singapore, macau), Colombian cartels, Mexican cartels, Outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMG), African OC (nigerians), Russian, Albanian, Eastern European

Mean Streets (1973)

Martin Scorsese critically acclaimed film stars Harvey Keitel and Robert De Niro

John Gotti

Media darling

Mexican Cartels - Cocaine wars

Mexican Cartels are engaged in a protracted and deadly turf war

Henry Hill

Mobster characterized in the film goodfellas. He surpassed his 15 minutes of fame and used the film to help promote himself with books (even cookbooks), tv appearances, radio appearances. His children, who have taken names Gregg and Gina, have written a book about their years in witness protection, said he was romanticized in the movie. Testified against the mob and had to go into witness protection and was a terrible father, became an alcoholic, hated his life, kept giving up their location. "On the run: A mafia childhood"

Bill Bonnano

Son of Joe Bonanno. Called the idiot son and shunned from the mob- became a media expert on the mob. Talked a lot about family and honor but his wifes' book "mafia marriage" talked about his affairs and him beating his mistress

Donnie Brasco

Starred Johnny Depp as Joseph Pistone, an FBI agent who went undercover in the Bonanno Crime Family - based on true story. Al Pacino brilliantly plays "Lefty Guns" Ruggiero. The murder of the three captains - actually happens

Al Capone

Started criminal career in New York.By instinct was a heartless murderer. Quit school and learned street smarts from Torrio who later hired him as a bounder in their saloon-brothel. Eventually relocated to Chicago after getting in trouble. Helped in arranging Big Jim Colosimo's murder and taking over a lot of gangs - just struggled against North siders and Sicilians. Equal opprtunity employer: worked with other ethnics (did not have to be full italian to join like you would have to be in New York). Had a running battle with Moran. Was well respected in Chicago, he limited activities to booze, gambling and prostitution (the things people wanted), he even set up soup kitchens. Public opinion changed after Valentines massacre. Eventually convicted in tax evasion and sentenced to 11 years in Alcatraz. He was released but was suffering from untreated syphilis and was unable to command his empire - died in 47

Two Types of Trafficking

1. Forced or false pretenses: virtual slavery 2. Economic migrants: fleeing political repression, social and economic chaos, and poverty

Main Organizations in North America

1. Italian mafia or traditional OC. 2. Eastern European OC (Russian, Albanian, Serbian). 3. Asian OC (Vietnamese, Chinese Triads, yakuza). 4. Outlaw motorcycle gangs (hells angels, bandidos). 5. Aboriginal OC (Canada). 6. Mexican drug cartels: biggest issue in US right now, very violent, centered on drug market, especially cocaine

Parasitic vs. Reciprocal relationship

1. Parasitic: members of criminal organization extort money from illegal entrepreneurs or legitimate entrepreneurs under a threat of violence. Some terms (lingo): street tax (by a group that runs a specific area), licensing, taking over. Example video clip is Sopranos: collecting money from businesses in town, new coffee business that doesn't want to pay (in actuality, usually between illegal businesses). 2. Reciprocal: members of a criminal organization require illegal entrepreneurs to pay a fixed amount but in return provide services such as debt collection or restricting market entry. Boundary between being reciprocal and being parasitic is not always clear

Problems with Definitions

1. SPECIFIC VS BROAD DEFINITIONS. 2. LEGAL (law enforcement based) VERSUS SOCIOLOGICAL/CRIMINOLOGICAL DEFINITIONS: law might have their own reasons and motivations for either capturing certain groups or leaving certain groups alone, have to be skeptical. 3. OC IS MALLEABLE, ADAPTABLE, AND TRANSNATIONAL: OC always looking for ways to make money; so much has changed, now use internet. 4. HIDDEN AGENDS: similar to 2. 5. SEMANTICS: not definition that is important, what is important is that they are causing damage to the real world.

Why are we so fascinated with gangsters?

1. The American dream - money and wealth. 2. Escapist entertainment (fantasy outlet). 3. Violent imagery sells

Issues with Popular culture and gangsters

1. The Myth of the Godfather (Don Vito Corleone). 2. Glamorization of the life of a gangster (The Gotti-ization of modern gangster).

Different Versions of Gangster Movies

1. The gangster as protagonist: Carlito's way, scarface, godfather, goodfellas. 2. Law enforcement as protagonist: Donnie Brasco, the untouchables

Dion O'Banion

Was the leader of the North Side Gang, and controlled all bootlegging and gambling in Chicago's North Side. He was a prosperous florist and also ran liquor trade

Joey D'Amato

"The Gay" Don. Having threesome with guy and his gf, liked guy more so gf told everyone. Mob did not like that and did not out up with it. An example of the glamorization of the life of a gangster

Pablo Escobar

"The King of Coke" Former co founder of the infamous medellin cartel in Colombia. At one point, the cartel controlled 80% of the worlds cocaine trade. Murdered hundreds of people, including politicians, judges, police and even orchestrated the bombing of avianca flight 203, which killed over 100 people - only trying to kill one political figure who wasn't even on the plane. Had his own prison, a deal with the government

Transnational Characteristics of Organized Crime

$1 trillion dollar business

Snakeheads

(Asia) specialists in people smuggling

Stone cold

(Biker) Brian Bosworth as an undercover agent - Lance Henrikson as Chains Cooper

Beyond the Law

(Biker) Charlie Sheen, undercover agent based on the true story of dan white - "Charlie is not winning in this movie"

Area Bosses

(In Chicago mob) akin to a CEO, has an informal board of directors, older and influential members. Boss controls three areas: 1. Each area boss responsibility for part of chicago, oversee activities of street bosses 2. Each street boss, assisted by two or more lieutenants, is responsible for overseeing activities of his crew 3. Each crew is associated with particular geographic areas and acts independently of the other crews

Coyotes

(Mexico) Specialists in illegal border crossing

Difficulty in Studying/Researching Organized Crime

1. Criminal organizations are secret. (difficult to access, dangerous for researcher, ethical issues for researcher - Saviano got death threats after his book). 2. Whose truth? (numerous books/autobiographies, diverging accounts, self serving accounts - Example of Jimmy Hoffa)

The Laundry Wars

1920's Chicago. Story: Humphreys wanted to take over laundry industry (lots of money there), associate of Capone. Also wanted to show a source of income on taxes of legitimate income. A business owner decided he wanted to control the market so attacked another owner. The attacked one feels threatened, asks Capone and Humphreys for protection. Humphreys ends up taking over everything - collecting large amounts of money. Example of how protection can go wrong.

Cocaine Wars in Miami

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Hays-Breen Office

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McMafia

A Book: McMafia: A Journey through the Criminal Underworld

Roberto Saviano's Gomorra

A book based on the powerful mafia group Cammora out of Naples Italy - has received numerous death threats because of it and now has to have a bodyguard all the time

"Big" Jim Colosimo

A foreman of street sweepers, organized them into a social and athletic club, which later became a labor union. Married a brothel keeper in 1902: Managed her business (White slavers - brought girls from American and European cities, as young as 14), Girls were drugged, raped, and humiliated for days "broken in," Sold as chattel to brothel keepers, who would restrict contacts with outside world. Cafe named after him but he shouldn't be romanticized - involved in terrible things Opened several brothels, gambling houses and nationally famous restaurant. Black handers (extortionists) threatened him. He brought his relative Johnny Torrio to Chicago for protection who eventually set him upto be killed by Frankie Yale

Teamsters

A labor union taken over by Jimmy Hoffa. Their fund was used as the mobs own persona piggy bank. Essentially a pension fund to finance organized crime

Human Trafficking

A lucrative enterprise for organized criminals. It is estimated at 30 billion a year industry. Described trafficking in persons as a form of modern day slavery. Prey on individuals that are poor, often women who are lured with false promises of good jobs and better lives. Many countries grant "artistic" or 'entertainer" visas that facilitate the movement and exploitation of trafficking victims. Trafficking is the worldwide feminization of poverty and labor migration.In the US, US gov estimates that 50,000 women and children are trafficked. Denied access to the legitimate and regulated labor market... they are increasingly pushed into unprotected or criminalized labor markets, such as sexual or exploitative domestic work.

Phishing

A technique to gain personal information for the purpose of identity theft, usually by means of fraudulent e-mail

The Godfather (1972)

Al Pacino as Michael Corleone, Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone... Godfather clip: Don't ever take sides against the family

The Vig

Also called the Juice. A six-for-five loan: for every $5.00 borrowed on Monday $6.00 is due the following Monday. The $1.00 interest is called vigorish or the juice. If total repayment of the vig loan, princial plus interest, is not forthcoming on the date it is due, the borrower must pay the interest, and the interest is compounded for the following week. For example, a loan of $100 will increase to $120 after one week; to $144.00 after two weeks, to $172.80 after three weeks

White Slave Act

Also called the mann act, prohibited interstate transportation of women for the purpose of prostitution

Prostitution

Although not the exclusive domain of OC, OC figures have profited greatly from the business of sex. Waned during prohibition

Skinny Joey Merlino

American mobster believed to be the boss of the Philly crime family

Goodfellas (1990)

Based on Nicholas Pileggi's "true" (he wrote about himself, he could have lied) crime novel 'Wiseguy,' the Scorsese directed film was both a commercial and critical success. It starred Ray Liotti, Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci. Scene was Billy Batts - true story, took out a crime boss over an argument essentially

The Departed

Based on Whitey Bulger - Irish American gangster and FBI informant (loosely). (DiCaprio, Nicholson, Damon, Wahlberg)

Terrorism and OC

Based on the profit motive, generally experts differentiate OC from terrorism. OC criminals are driven by financial gain, whilst terrorists are motivated by political, and sometimes religious goals. It is murky as terrorist organizations clearly support themselves through organized criminal activity

Loansharking

Between 1880 and 1915, a practice known as "salary lending" thrived in the US The two central features are the assessment of exorbitant interest rates in extending credit and use of threats and violence in collecting debts. OC's dominance results from its ready access to huge sums of cash. OC removed from direct involvement by using nonmember associates to conduct the actual transactions with borrowers. Many loan sharks provide loans to other criminals to fund other criminal pursuits Individual gamblers may also. borrow from a loan shark who stays around card and dice games or accepts "referrals" from a bookmaker. Two types of loans: the knockdown and the vig

Pump and Dump

Bull market (prices in an upward trend) of the late 1990s led to another innovation, the "pump and dump."Also used in the corporate world. Basically, a way of stock market manipulation: Have a stock that is worth nothing, pressure the financial companies or groups to influence their clients to buy that stock (tell their clients it's gonna go up), more people start buying, price goes up (from 10 cents to 10 dollars, for example). But the reality is that the stock is actually useless, eventually plummets back to ten cents. The OC people involved, sell it at its high point (DUMP IT) before it plummets. Example: the Sopranos Webistics (fictional company, blackmailing managers and beating up people who disagreed)

Bribery

Buy politicians or law enforcement agents

"Scarface" nickname

Capone - slashed in the face for insulting a young woman - said she had a nice ass. Brother of the woman attacked him. He would later claim it was from fighting in WW1 which he never did

Robert "DB" DiBernardo

Captain of Gambino crime family, at one point one of the biggest pornographers in the US

The Charbonneau Commission

Corruption in collusion in Quebec's construction industry. Organized crime deeply embedded. Essentially a public inquiry into potential corruption in the management of public construction contracts. The Charbonneau commission mandate requires it to explore how organized crime - both biker gangs and the mafia - may have infiltrated Quebec's construction industry between 1996 and 2011

Extortion

Demanding money from an individual or business, which, if not paid, will result in victim being physically or financially harmed

The Mafia Cops

Former NY detective Louie Eppolito wrote it about being an honest cop breaking down the mob - actually with the mob. Numerous exaggerations and lies - like visiting Paul Castellano at the white house (very exclusive and also the FBI bugged it and knew he didn't). Law enforcement used this book to help prosecute the so called mafia cops - pictures in the book linked people together. Eppolito and Det. Caracappa murdered for the Lucchese crime family.

Ron "the Fat Rat" Previte

Former gangster/FBI informant. Featured in the book: the last gangster. Bravado and boasting in the book. Exaggerated numerous stories. Example: fight with a biker gang (similar to that in a Bronx Tale - clip shown in class) never happened. DOC: originally a cop, gets in some trouble, starts bookkeeping at casinos and has to give a cut to mob, then becomes an informant for law enforcement as long as they keep funding his business. He was a personal driver and bodyguard for Stanfa. Wore a wire in the mob and took down a lot of people - even testified. He refuses a new identity

Sons of Anarchy

First ever television show that deals with fictional biker gang sons of anarchy based in Charming, California

Ralph Natale

Former philly boss turned FBI informant

Sammy "The Bull" Gravano

Former under boss and consigliere of John Gotti: biography "Underboss" and miniseries "witness to the mob." Testified against John Gotti. He confessed to killing 19 people or having them killed. His accounts are different than those of Gotti himself. John Favara is example - blame each other for his death in their biographies. Mafia wife Lynda Militio (who was killed by Gravano) also had a different version. There are three sources in total - the reader has to be skeptical, the answer is usually somewhere in between.

Gambling - The Outfit

Gambling is crucial to the outfit, it provides considerable income and it gives members something to do

Globalization and OC

Globalization and increased tech has increased impact of OC. Shift in organizations to adapt to this: doing business has changed. Smuggling is easier now. People can fall victim to organized crime groups in different borders (identity theft, email scams, phishing).

The Sopranos (1999-2007)

Highly acclaimed and very popular. Although violent, narcissistic and criminally oriented, the lead character was an every man that audiences could relate to . Unfortunately, series "faded to black." Actor James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano

Apalachin Meeting in 1957

Historic summit of the American mafia, meeting of the mob families to discuss crime matters. Was raided by police and a lot of people were caught.

Yakuza - Sex Trade

In particular have been involved in the sex trade. Females, often children are bought and sold throughout less developed nations. Helped popularize southeast Asian sex tours (kisaeng parties) favored by Japanese businessman. These women and children also serve in the yakuza dominated sex entertainment centers of Tokyo

Whitey Bulger

Irish American gangster and FBI informant. Portrayed in the Departed, The Black Mass (Johnny Depp), and Whitey United States of American v James J. Bulger (Documentary, better than Depp one)

Protection

Is money paid on a regular basis to an organized crime group to protect the individual or business from other criminals

Labour Racketeering

Is the domination, manipulation, and control of a labor movement in order to affect related business and industries. Garment industry beginnings. OC originally involved as strikebreakers - break up strikes. Eventually unions started paying them as union thugs, anyone trying to cross a picket line etc. Became in control of unions. Can lead to denial of workers rights, economic loss for them or consumers. HOW IT WORKS: Pilfering Union Dues (organization may bribe and coerce union officials for control of workers benefit plan funds - labor costs go up and consumers and workers pay). Theft and Smuggling (controlling the union, especially on the docks/trucking industry, the mob has insider knowledge and access to a variety of goods that arrive as well as the ability to smuggle past customs)

Casino

Most accurate, by Scorsese, starring De Niro and Joe Pesci. Pesci plays a character based on Tony Spilotro. De Niro based on Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal. Scene: Cheaters justice: breaking the hand of cheating dealer (or dealer that wasn't cheating ?)

First State to Legalize Gambling

Nevada, 1931

Geographic Street Crews

New york has five separate families, but the chicago outfit is organized as separate street crews associated with particular geographic areas

Johnny Torrio

Nick named "the Brain." He taught Capone everything he knew. He was a sub chief in Kelly's five point gang and head of his own gang, the James Streeters. His uncle was Big Jim. Big Jim was unwilling to move into bootlegging. As a result, Torrio had Frankie Yale whack colosimo. Wanted to bring all the gangs under a single confederation. Beer wars in Chicago: some joined, but the Irish North Siders, under Dion O'Banon said they would join but didn't. Italians joined but never stopped double dealing. As a result, war broke out

Profit Motive and Definition of OC

No single accepted definition of OC. In law enforcement usually means any structured group that come together to further its unlawful activities. The motivation is purely profit. In Canada has to be the three main things: At least three people, involved in criminal activity, motivated by profit

Brothel

OC looking for new areas of income. Organized independent brothels in many cities, and forced the madams to pay OC middlemen for protection from the police and from violence

Shadow Government

OC operates as a shadow government - providing policing and judicial services: arbitration, collection services, sit downs. Soprano example of dispute settlement: through a sit down with a boss.

Bust Out

OC will take over a business or steal identity. Use legitimate credit to buy goods and sell them discounted. With no intention of paying Example: goodfellas (1990) (Restaurant bust out) Wanted protection from one gangster, ended up getting his company taken by another gangster, probably the plan all along. Example: the Sopranos (Ramsey's Sporting Goods bust out) Ramsey couldn't pay his debt so he gave his business to the sopranos

Knockdown

Requires a specified schedule of repayment, including both principal and interest. For example, $1,000 might be repaid in 14 weekly installments of $100

The Iceman

Richard Kuklinski. Claimed to have murdered over 200 men, including famous hits like Jimmy Hoffa, Paul Castellano, John Favara, Carmine Galante, and Roy de meo. Historical accounts say otherwise. He was made famous by HBO documentaries. The reality is that he did not take part in many of the murders he claimed to have committed

The Godfather II

Robert De Niro as young Don Corleone, Godfather scene: "Vendetta" Dons family had been murdered, he immigrated to the US and killed the guy that killed his family

Police Department for Wiseguys

Scene from goodfellas - Henry Hill claims that the mob stands as a police department for wiseguys - essentially protection for the kind of guys that can't go to the cops

Joe Bonanno - Man of Honor

Self serving autobiography written by Bonanno. Contributes to the myth of the Godfather - seems like an honorable person but in actuality they rat on each other, they kill people

Joe Bonanno

Self serving autobiography. He was the head of the family Bonanno gang. Book: Man of honor. Claimed he was never at Apalachin in 1957 (big gangster meeting - but he was on his way just heard that police were there so didn't go). Claimed that his family never sold drugs

Honey Trap

Set up businessman with a prostitute and threaten them with it until they pay

Bid Rigging

Simply, bid rigging is when organized crime groups (or legitimate companies) increase the cost of a contract, when in fact there really is no competition. An example is the dairy industry - competition for school contracts, 7 dairy companies conspired for bid rigging so that they could all make money

Pizza Connection

The Sicilian mob replaced the french connection, as the major supplier of heroin. This was joint cooperation between american mafia and the Sicilians. They used pizza parlors as fronts in the distribution of heroin and cocaine. Would import it and distribute it acting like it was pizza ingredients. The city of Montreal was a key hub in the distribution. Tommaso Buscetta, a key informant in the maxi trial in which Sicilian mob was brought down for pizza front. Also brought down partially a members son in law who kept forgetting code names - feds heard father in law trying to explain over phone

The Lawn Wars

The Sopranos. Character out of prison, wants to get involved in organized crime. Helps take over industry in neighborhood. Beats up a guy who is mowing lawns says its not his territory, its someone else's. A friend of his beats up guys working on the telephone lines and tells them to leave him alone.

Bookmaking

The act of collecting the bets of others or making odds on future gambling events. The booking of bets on two types of events - horse (and sometimes dog) races, and sporting events Bookmakers net profit can be as high as 10 to 15 percent - kind of small but it is safe People very rarely caught, law not that strict

Illicit Trade

The buying and selling of goods illegally, outside of the traditional market. Makes up 10% of the economy.

Garbage Industry and the Mafia

The mob in the 20th century in New York turned to the garbage industry when cities stopped collecting commercial waste. They would eliminate competition and keep their price for hauling high. In the company they would hide dirty money or just make profits. New York was able to eliminate in the garbage industry but corporations took over and ended up making prices even higher

Hymie Weiss

The only man Capone feared! Leader of North Side gang after O'Banon. He attempted to avenge the murder of O'Banon , while strengthening the gangs empire. Allegedly killed Torrio and led a motorcade past Capone's headquarters and opened fire.

Money Laundering

The process of concealing the source of large amounts of money that have been gained through illegitimate means. Money gained through crime is "dirty" money, and money that has been "laundered" to appear as if it came from a legitimate source is "clean" money. Money can be laundered by many methods, which vary in complexity and sophistication. Only attracted interest in the 1980s, essentially within a drug trafficking context. Example: tries to give him nail salon to use for money laundering

Kill the Irishman

The story of Cleveland mobster, Danny Greene. Italian mob keeps trying to kill him and keeps failing

Jimmy Hoffa

There are countless books, in which former mafia members or associates claim to know what happened to the former head of the teamsters union. Example of a difficulty in studying/researching organized crime

Street Gangs and OC

There is debate about whether street gangs are defined as organized crime. Again it is contingent on who creates or interprets the definitions. Generally, street gangs have different purposes and scope of operations

Blackmail

Threaten to expose guilty secret unless money or favors are granted

"Coup de Grace"

Torrio was shot 4 times, he hovered near death for a week. It was alleged that either Weiss or "Bugs" Moran gun misfired in an attempt to shoot Torrio in the head. At the age of 43 he decided to retire and gave his interests to Capone. He had a heart attack while sitting in a barber chair and (ironically, siting Chicago style) later died in his bed

Organ Trafficking

Trafficking or selling of human organs. Exploitation of illness. Illegal in most countries. Japan and Gulf constant demand for organs. Shortage of voluntary donors. Kidneys are the most popular organ

Sex Tourism

Travelling to a place where it isn't illegal to have sex with children

Beer Wars

Video: O'Banon worried that capone and the Irish were conspiring against him, so they turned against them. Essentially set up Torrio with police officers - sold him his brewery and then the police raided it after they had taken over operations. O'Banion shot in his florist shop. Weiss swore vengeance, beer wars started. Torrio got shot five times, decided to go home to New York - Capone gets all power. The city actually was crazy after that, at the heart of the beer wars, shots were going off all the time in Chicago, regular people were getting hurt - the streets were not safe for anyone. Failed attempts to kill capone. 76 mobsters were shot/stabbed by 26, 50 more by 27. "Chicago amnesia" - forgetting that you know something about the italian gang or capone when you went to court (witnesses had this). Eventually capone calls for a truce in beer wars. Capone eventually became famous in the city.

Fence

a buyer and seller of stolen merchandise. When the criminal activity involves expensive merchandise, the criminal disposes of that merchandise through the service of a fence. A person gets rid of it for you for a price - it's too dangerous to just go on kijiji.

Kefauver Hearings

a special committee of the United States Senate and which investigated organized crime and made a lot of people aware of organized crime

Money Laundering

the concealment of the origins of illegally obtained money, typically by means of transfers involving foreign banks or legitimate businesses. makes up 2 to 5 percent of world GDP

Counterfeiting and Forgery

the making or distributing of fake money or illegal copies (CDs, jewelry, designer clothes) highly profitable and less dangerous