When Carlo Gambino and Tommy Luchese were alive and active, the mafia was a 'shadow' government and a group of 'shadow' corporations. NYC judges could not be 'made' without prior approval of Frank Costello. The 5 fams of NY and Chicago are definately not 'gangs'. Some of the smaller fams left... maybe so.
"Three can keep a secret..if two are dead." Calogero Minacore
