But let's not forget they benefited from their time in ways their successors couldn't, i.e. less scrutiny from law enforcement
You put a Carlo Gambino or Tommy Lucchese as head of a NY family today, or any time in the last few decades, and without those benefits, and they probably don't look as good.
Yep, RICO is the biggest difference. Just sharing in the profits with another family can get you a life sentence, evidenced by the Concrete Club.
If Gambino or Lucchese were alive today, I think they would operate in the background, behind a front boss. Otherwise, they'd probably be in jail. That's the main reason why Chin escaped prosecution for so long, plus he had to wear pajamas in the street.
