The official Mafia term for "associate" means somebody is "on record" with a wiseguy, like Donnie Brasco with Lefty, also the media definitely uses it more loosely. I personally believe that when the FBI uses the term associate, they are referring to guys that are "on record," meaning they work for the mob and are under the mob's protection. I don't think this really applies to bikie gangsters or members of other organized crime units, and I've never seen a bikie referred to as a Mafia associate.
Also, in today's day and age, local politicians and businessmen would make up a very small percentage of the Mafia associates referred to in FBI figures, simply due to the fact that the Mafia's grip on legitimate industries has really loosened over time. I would say the 750 associates in the Gambino Family are "on record" guys. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say a soldier could have six guys under him. Some Italian, some not. Some might be proposed for membership, most not. When we see big, bread-and-butter, street-level busts, the number of associates far outranks the number of made guys.
The media doesn't just use the term loosely. Mob guys themselves use the term loosely. To them, an associate is anyone who is "with" the family but without a button. Meaning it could be a politician, a corrupt cop, a local businessman or a street guy who is on the record. You are wrong in believing that the guys who are on the record represent the majority of those associates. In fact, they only represent about 15 to 20% of the total number of associates. Most are indeed businessmen and criminals who are not on the record. It's much harder for them to find a real street guy than it is for them to get somebody who manages a nightclub to come under their umbrella. If you were familiar with the dynamics of NY then this wouldn't even be a question in your mind. By the way, you are on point with everything else you said. I hope me and you can bury the hatchet someday
.
