by Jon Black
An ethnic phenomenon beginning in 1903, and lasting fifteen years. The extortion of wealthy Italians in New York was attributed to La Mano Nera.
By his mid 20’s, Lupo was one of New York’s most feared gangsters, running large extortion and counterfeiting operations.
Copies of the charts that were used in the nationally televised McClellan hearings in 1963, when Valachi testified before the congressional committee on organized crime.
Mugshots of various well known criminals over the years. Collected from prison records, police records and various other sources.
In 1903, the discovery of a body stuffed in to a barrel in New York brings the police and Secret Service down upon the Morello Mafia gang leadership.
Covering 1900–1910. From the arrival of the Morello family, to the trial of Lupo the Wolf. The Secret Service hound New York’s first Mafia gang.
1908. A look at an organized Mafia conspiracy to commit bankruptcy fraud by concealment of assets, amounting to $500,000.
1910–1918. A long running battle between New York’s gangs to control the city’s lucrative rackets before the dawn of prohibition.
1909. A leading Italian New York policeman, who made it his mission to smash the Black Hand & Mafia gangs, is murdered in the line of duty.
The Neapolitans, based in Brooklyn and Coney Island, fought for control of the New York rackets. Eventually decimated when it’s own members turned against them.
Hailing from Corleone, Sicily, the Morello/Terranova family were the first Italian organised crime family to enter New York.
Scans of various documents, arrest sheets, personal correspondence and court documents gathered whilst researching for the website.
