The Gambinos rivaled the Genovese in many ways from the 1960's to the 1990's but never supplanted them as the top family in the country. And even during that time, the Genovese were considered richer, better diversified, and more sophisticated in terms of their influence in labor unions and legitimate industries. It was the Genovese who represented many of the east coast families on the Commission and had the strongest ties with other families around the country.
While Gambino had a lot of influence on the Commission, and could be considered the first among equals at his peak, there hasn't been a "boss of bosses" in the U.S. At least since Maranzano and before anyway.
I disagree. But I'm not here to argue. Who is running things for the bonanno family since all of their top guys are in prison. I suspect Tony Calabrese but I don't know for sure
"The Genovese family has probably been the most powerful La Cosa Nostra family of the last hundred years."
- Ask Andy, Gangland News (1996)
"I have always considered the Genovese Family to be the most powerful LCN family in the United States."
- Al D'Arco, Lucchese LCN family Acting Boss (1994)
"You keep hearing all this crap about Gotti being the boss of the bosses, but the Genovese have always been the country's most powerful family."
- Richard Ross, FBI (1990)
"The Genovese family is the most sophisticated, cautious, secretive, and powerful Cosa Nostra family in the United States."
- Phil Leonetti, Philadelphia LCN Underboss (1989)
