Yes, basically a very powerful Italian gangster. He cooperated with Mafia families and Mafiosi when it suited him, in effect like one big businessman doing business with other big businessmen. He also fought Mafiosi, like the Gennas and Frankie Yale (formerly his mentor and ally). During the Castellammarese War he took sides with Joe (the Boss) Masseria, leader of the family that eventually became Genovese. But, His chief rivals in Chicago were the Northsiders, with Irish and Polish leaders.