Prosectors were never afraid of the mob coming after them before that. Plenty of them made their careers going after anyone they cold tie to the Mafia. Eugene Gold in the 1970's was ahead of Giuliani in using mob prosecutions as a means to get the nomination for mayor. Gold got arrested him self for raping a 10-year old girl, if he had not been caught that were going to have him run for that office. Thomas Dewey went after Luciano and even framed him, then ran for govenour and won. He then ran for president and lost. Every prosecutor or FBI agent knows that tying anyone to the mob or prosecuting them is an easy was to fame and promotions. Rudy Giuliani and Diane Giacolone were late to the game, and they were not really that successful. Giuliani made more of a name for himself by buddying up with the media, he even married a news anchor. No prosecutors feared the mafia.