whats up with him? is he boss now ?

Not much news about him since he got out of prison. He's name has been floated by many as a possible successor to become boss but that's never been verified. Seems he is laying low.

Well, he's definitely a candidate. Wouldn't be surprised if he's the final word in that family.

And he's still a relatively young member of the Genovese family. I think he would be a serious candidate.

He's considered to be one of the smarter ones right? With him as boss I think the Genoveses could delay their decline probably with a couple more decennia, if he would be able to stay out of jail ofcourse.

Smartes? I read somewhere in a book about a rule the bosses made. Not to wear traditional mafia clothing like turtleneck shirts and armani jackets. Just dress casual, he took it so serieus that he came dressed in jeans and t-shirt to a wedding. Not the smartest i guess.

His daughter is a lawyer for what it's worth.

Actually, Bellomo has been said by many - including law enforcement - to be very smart. He's supposedly very good at winning sit downs and is rather hard to tail. If Bellomo was a moron, he wouldn't have been made in his 20's, took over Fat Tony's crew later on, or be put by the Chin as acting boss of the family back in the early 1990's. Also, it's not a coincidence that most of the acting bosses in the family over the past 15 years or so have come from Barney's crew.

Him showing up at the wedding in a t-shirt and jeans is not that surprising. Even though they are the richest family, the Genovese are also known as the "worst dressed." They tend to avoid wearing the flashy suits unless they going to court. They'd rather drive Buicks than Cadillacs.

Although most of them are killers, this is something to admire. A real gangster doesn't need to be flashy.

And like Ivy said, if Bellomo isn't smart, he would never have become a higher echelon member of the most respected and most powerful criminal organization in New York. Certainly not at such a young age.

He will be boss one day. That's if he doesn't have final say already.

Back in the early '90s, Barney was de facto boss while still in his 30s, which is unbelievable by Genovese Family standards, considering most of their guys aren't even made yet at that age.

Chin loved him, and he was like a son to Sammy Santora, which makes him the last real connection to Tony Salerno's old East Harlem crew. Which was, for my money, probably the most powerful crew ever run by a single capo.

He's a very bright guy, who stressed that his children be educated. Most of these guys raise their kids to be spoiled and useless. Not Barney. If he wasn't an ICE COLD killer, I could almost admire him for the way he raised his kids.

Oh, for the record: Yes, he's very low-key in the way he dresses, but his house in Pelham Manor is something out of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous." But to be fair, that's probably just for his wife (Who is NOT your typical mob groupie bimbo. She's involved in many charitable causes here in the Bronx area, and a very nice lady).

Im assuming u no Barney pretty well? Why is it that the rumor is every wise guy is a stone cold killer? I believe half of them are just monster earners and not killers.. I happen to like Barney though.. If your the boss of the Genovese.. Your basically the most powerful boss in the united states.. Guy is no joke...

I think it's the other way around. Most mob guys are not known as being "capable" guys, i.e. capable killers. The mob is made up more of bookies, loansharks, thieves, swindlers, etc. than killers. There are still plenty of guys who can do a hit but the mob doesn't need that many killers anyway. In this day and age, big earners are far more valuable.

i remember reading on his Wiki (so who knows if that is true) that his induction ceremony into the Genovese, which took place when he was in his 20s, happened above a famous East Harlem pizzeria. I wonder if they're talking about Patsy's? I know that neighborhood pretty well and there is a building next to Patsy's (which I think Patsy's owns) with the windows blacked out ...hmmm.... /speculation

Pizza Boy is 100% accurate regarding Mr. B. People need to understand these MEN didn't have the chance for an education and wanting the best for thief families they do what they need to do! With Mr B, it's 100% about his children, he doesn't care about what he looks or talks like as long as his wife and children have what they need. However he does make them all accountable! That's what people don't understand about the majority of the Genovese people. They are mainly family men who are a cut above the rest of the "greaseballs". Mr B is the MAN.

how do you know the way the majority of the genovese look like?

When you say a "cut above the rest"do you mean ethically or just that they havent been busted as much.

I think he means they're just smarter and less likely to induct nitwits, like the other four families. But you raise a valid point about "ethics." Just because the Genovese guys seem to be smarter, that doesn't make them any more ethical than their less intelligent counterparts.

I was a bit puzzled as to what them being family men has to do with what they do for a living.

If you look at their original leaders luciano and genevese.If they were alive today theyd both be in prison for sex trafficking and drug dealing.

The guy was born in Sicily, right?

Family men meaning he takes care of his children and provides not spoils like most Mafia brats. Ethic's is a tricky topic from a business stand point, however in the context which I was using it I meant you would never see Barney out with a Bimbo, swearing, pushing people around nor does he have an ego. And as far as his occupation B grew up in the '70's when there weren't student loans or they weren't abused like they are today. Also his parents were both immigrated to the US when they were a little older and B was around 12 so they were a bit behind the curve on education. Which in my opinion is why he is a fanatic about it for his children. Also instead of digging ditches or laying block like most WASPS wanted us to B and others assisted in making sure the blue collar men has access to what they needed from there own not outsiders. Also regarding the Genovese group, most are all diciplined, low key, guys you could vacation with. There not the typical in your face tough guy. Reason being goes along with my "cut above" statement. Most in your face tough guy loud mouths are insecure and weak. And like anything else these are my opinions, not facts. However there also not based on Wikipedia anylasis or online readings.

Do you get invited to the Genoveses annual christmas party, or what is your opinion based upon?

Hairy,

I know that your question wasn't directed at me, and I don't know EastHarlemItal from a hole in the wall, but you have to understand that some of us DID grow up in these neighborhoods and in proximity to these guys. They're not movie stars or celebrities to us, they're just guys from the neighborhood. I understand that, living in Sweden, it's probably hard for you to understand that. But for some of us who grew up in the Italian areas of New York City, it's just second nature and really not a big deal.

By the way, Hairy. I enjoy your posts, they're lucid and very readable. So even though it's a month late, welcome to the boards .

The question was not based on his observations of Barney specifically, but rather on his perception of the Genoveses in general.

And thank you for your welcome.
I enjoy reading all posts here.

Doesn't matter what my opinion is based on, hence it's my opinion and I'm not here trying to state or push facts. Let's just say interaction within a neighborly environment. Notice I've just recently signed up. Took me months and months of reading speculation and misleading information to finally join.

Well, let me be the first (I think I am) to welcome you aboard then.

I would like to say though that in my opinion, (generally speaking) I don´t think the mentality or level of intelligence is different within the Genovese Family compared to the other Families. Most of the Genoveses are old. Even if they still hold positions within the Family they could be considered as inactive.
Among the younger members there are hot heads, strong arms and killers just as there are in the other Families. Also the Genoveses have suffered indictments and convictions for violent crimes the last five years or so.

Well, sure.

It's like that old saying goes:

What good is a man who loves his children, but murders someone else's?

Hairy,

How many of the younger members do you know personally? Within the family there is a huge age gap yes. Chin was content with the ranks for years! But hot heads? The Captains keep their young guys under close watch, they tolerate zero BS. In fact most hold real jobs to keep them hidden. Indictments is the occupational hazard. However, I can't argue with your point that most KNOWN members are up there in years. The positive part of that is their experience helps them advise so the younger guys don't trip up, act like hot heads, avoid mistakes made in the past.

Barney is one of my favorite mobsters. I really enjoy Pizza boy,Ivy,Turnbull and lots of others have very informative posts. Hairy, your posts are very informative too. Very good reading guys

Then you're in luck, Ronnie.

There's going to be a Barney Bobble Head Day in Montgomery, Alabama next month .

LOL, Montgomery is just down the road.

If we're talking in general, than it would seem the average Genovese member is smarter. The Genovese are more selective about who they make. Which has led to that family being the most sophisticated, being more low key in how they run things, as well as fewer guys flipping. I think Genovese members being older, on average, also plays into it. The older guys will often be more likely to play by the old rules than the younger ones. And, as we've seen, a lot of these older Genovese guys remain active almost to the end, despite their advanced age.

Furthermore, while the Genovese family has certainly received their share of indictments, they've been able to weather them better than other families. They haven't had a "domino effect" where they've had multiple guys flip, one after the other. They were among the first to really start going with plea deals in order to minimize the damage and reduce the risk of a guy turning. And with less guys turning, it's harder for the feds to get a good inside read into the family - i.e. who's running things, what unions and businesses they are into, etc. The Genovese haven't had a Gravano, Casso, D'Arco, Vitale, Massino, etc. It's a big reason why they have the most labor union influence left and have been harder to remove out of certain industries.