How do some guys stay under the radar?

I guess it is more difficult now because if RICO, but what does a mobster do to stay under the radar. There are a few here and there who have kept themselves less visible.

One of the best ways for a mobster to stay under the radar is not to get formally "made." As soon as he is made, his new "brothers" will rat him out to the nearest law enforcement guys in order to curry favor. He'll get more law enforcement coverage than a visiting head of state.

Of course the Catch-22 is that the guy does have to get made in order to make real money and move up. The smart thing is to become a bigshot corporate executive--then you're merely a "white collar" criminal.

Here we go again. What is up with you people in thinking that the Mafia are a bunch of lowlife pieces of s**t when there are much worse people out there? The Mafia was and honored and loyal society for hundreds of years until the RICO acts kicked in, but you people are all thinking it was always bad because everyone was disloyal and became rats which is NOT true, disloyalty did not appear much within the Mafia until the 1970's when RICO kicked in.

Don Tommasino, the absolute best way for a Mafioso to stay under the radar is to keep a very low profile and NEVER a high profile. Many younger generations of Mafiosi tend to get tired of having to keep a low profile because they want to get noticed, so they kept a high profile, one of the reasons why the Mafia got weaker.

The five main reasons the Mafia got weaker: Drugs, Greed, High Profiling, RICO acts which led to many Mafiosi becoming rats, and technological advances with surveillance and other security purposes. The first three reasons basically led to the last two reasons.

Their track records speak for themselves.

You're obviously still a young guy and more than a little naive when it comes to these guys. And don't be offended, either. I'm 50 years old and until I was into my 30s, I was more than a little impressed by them, too. So take that as an "olive branch" from me. You're clearly in the minority on these boards.

Some day you'll understand.

That's an overly simplified, romantic view of the Mob. The bottom line is they feed off those who cannot fight them and they're thieves (and not like Robin Hood thieves).

Are they exciting to talk/read about? Absolutely! But they're a bunch of bad people. Don't romanticize them in your mind.

Pizzaboy, I highly doubt you are 50 years old if you're on a message board and so what if I'm in the minority on this forum, at least I know the truth. You people will never understand, you will never know unless you see it for yourselves like I have.

I'll be 50 in October. The Moderators on this board are in their 40s, 50s and even 60s, and most of the senior board members here are 40 and older. And I've fucking had it with your disrespect. I tried to explain to you that there was a time when I felt differently but my eyes were opened over the years. But you just want to argue and remain blissfully ignorant in your romantacized notions about mob life.

And by the way, you've seen nothing. You're a fucking child. I'm quite certain that your tough guy family members are nothing but a long line of gas station attendants and nail technicians.

Now fuck off.

Oh! I don't think 50 year olds talk like that. If I were a child, do you really think I'd be on a Mafia-based forum? I know first hand the truth about the Mafia so you can either listen to someone who has experienced it first hand or you could be fooled for the rest of your life thinking lies are the truth, it's up to you. I'm not going to play these immature little games with you, if you were truly 50, you wouldn't be using that kind of talk. You're just someone who is an Italian/Mafioso wannabe, where I live there's a word for someone like that, it's called a poser. If you don't want to know the truth from someone who has experienced it first hand than that's up to you, but I'm not going to argue with a stoonad. Someone lock this topic before things get out of hand.

There you go again. Generalizing and disrepectfully challenging those who you don't agree with. Replying in a condescending manner.

I told you over in the other topic, cut out the tough guy know it all attitude and show some respect. Debate all you want and disagree all you want. But do it in a respectful way!

Then maybe you'll be given some respect in return!!!!

Thank you!

He's rightt ITB, I used to be just as naive as you when I first signed up here. I thought of the Italian mob as a once honored society who's members used to be half-way decent guys, sure they were crooks but I was positive that not all of them were horrid scumbags but the more I read here from the experts on the subject, the more I started to modify and lose these views. Sure I'm still having some trouble letting go of the opinions that I held for so long but I'm starting to realize that I probably watched goodfellas too many times and maybe the mafia isn't what I envisioned it to be.

This is all coming from a teen with a stubborn as fuck attitude. Just read what the people here have to say and you'll start to come away with the same views. I was the eexact same way as you, I used to think that Turnbull'a writings in this topic were lame and bullshir but when you really pay attention to the guys here, you start agreeing with them because they tend to be correct in a lot of what they post.

So stop being a toughguy asshole and accept the fact that you don't know as much as you think.

Ok everyone, he's been sent on a week long vacation.

I think it best that we all drop it now.

Good deal, DC.

Back on topic: The best way to stay under the radar is to avoid being promoted. As TB said, the minute you get "made" you become a target, because someone is going to notify law enforcement about 5 minutes after you get your finger pricked.

Then if you get bumped up to skipper or boss, fuggetaboutit. You become as wanted as any terrorist on the FBI's most wanted list.

[...sound of "Hallelujah Chorus" crescendoing in the background]

Do you honestly think that these people who claim to be experts are actually experts? In an online forum people can claim to be whoever they want to be. To be honest I don't think you have any right to say that I don't know as much as I think and to say that I'm naive, you don't know me, and no one else on here knows me. Unlike many people on here, I don't rely on other people to tell me what's the truth and what's not the truth, I research everything myself. Sure, I've watched and read fictional stories about the Mafia, but I've also actually watched just about every truthful documentary about the Mafia and have read just about every truthful non-fiction book about the Mafia. A really good book is Cosa Nostra by John Dickie. I have read things on the Internet about the Mafia which I know is not always reliable but it's still informative. I've also researched the Mafia by looking into detailed accounts of people's experience with them. I've even talked to people who have come in contact with the Mafia. Everything I've researched and experienced first hand states that the Mafia started hundreds of years ago in Sicily, it was meant for the protection of the Italian people to protect them from the invaders trying to take over Italy and Sicily, and when the Italian immigrants came over to the US the Mafia was there to protect the poor Italian people (let's not forget the Italians had it way worse than any other ethnic group) and some Mafia bosses even gave the poor Italians money, and the Mafia was an honored society. So you're telling me that everything I've researched and experienced first hand isn't true? Books, documentaries, and actual people can back up what I'm stating. Like I said I don't rely on other people to tell me what's the truth and what's not the truth, I research things myself. I think myself and everyone here got off on the wrong foot, in no way were my posts meant to be disrespectful, I apologize if I offended anyone, but seriously stop acting like you know me and stop acting like you guys think you know everything, I feel like I'm talking to people who think they are the Aryan race.

Also let's not forget that many Mafia movies actually happened like Goodfellas for example, sure Hollywood does glamorize those types of movies, but Henry Hill himself stated that Goodfellas was 90% if not 99% accurate, the only thing that wasn't accurate is the appearance and name of Joe Pesci's character.

You tend to forget that Henry Hill is a pompous scumbag who's testimony is just as questionable as Richard Kuklinski. I'm sure that some Mafiosos aren't the monsters that they are seen as by the rest of the world and maybe the Mafia used to have what we would call honor but the fact remains that 95% of the guys are scum and would ruin our lives and probably kill us if it ment some money. The massive majority of mobsters aren't good people and I would never wanna be in business with them.

And as for the poor thing and protecting Italians, what would you call the Black Hand. I'm positive that stealing from peasent shopkeepers isn't the definition of protective.

Yes Henry Hill is a scumbag but there's still people alive today who were associated with the story behind Goodfellas who also said it's very accurate. Maybe the Mafiosi today are scum, but back then they were not, they were good people back then but the newer generations of Mafiosi don't uphold the same rules and honor as the older generations did. As for the Black Hand, yes they did collect money from shopkeepers, but most shopkeepers probably were not Italian depending on the location. In Sicily the Mafia would protect for no cost, but in the US the Mafia did put a price on protection, if people wanted protection they would pay the Mafia money, if they didn't pay the Mafia money for that protection yes they would get hurt in some way, I'm sure many people who are hired to protect certain people would get pissed if they weren't paid for all that protection they're giving, it's not necessarily a bad thing, it makes sense why the Mafia would hurt people if they weren't paid.

I'm not even gonna try to explain to you how ridiculous that statement is. It's safer just to call you stupid

Seeing how I have my own personal experiences with the Mafia and know a lot of things no one else does I don't think I'd be the stupid one.

Do NOT start with the personal insults, name calling and attacks.

Stick to the discussion and voice your feelings and opinions all that you want, but DO NOT make it personal.

I wonder if anybody actually knows any living mobsters besides people who supposedly know a guy who knows a guy

I know the mob is a bunch of scumbags scamming old people and selling drugs to street gangs in their own north beach italian neighborhoods but i do enjoy reading italian mafia boss's posts u r fuckin hilarious dude, really keep posting and sc don't mind if i steal that sandbox line....

Yeah, sorry. It's kinda hard for me not to lose my temper. It won't happen again

Was Hill drunk or stoned when he said that? Or both?

Been a few years since I've read Wiseguy but I remember it being quite a bit different than Goodfellas.

Pesci's character was Tommy D - real life his name was Tommy DiSimone.

Ron

Henry Hill was--is--a pathological liar. But he's a good storyteller. I like a good story, whether or not it's true.

I'm still surprised Henry Hill isn't dead by now.

I'm more surprised that Sammy The Bull is still breathing

i am surprised whitey bulger is still at large number two wanted man in america next to osama

Most of the guys that he hurt are long dead by now. The ones who aren't are either jailed for life or realize that killing such a high profile rat would be terrible business. The Feds would never let up on them.

That's one of the myths that we've discussed in another thread, that wiseguys will always hunt a rat to the end of the earth. While that may very well be true in some instances, it's not always the case. It's just impractical at times, especially in such high profile cases.

If the Luccheses still wanted Hill dead, he'd be dead. End of story. The guy is a fucking moron, incapable of keeping a low profile. He's never been that hard to find. Christ, he's on Youtube every other day .

Plus, it costs money and time to hunt them down. In this era of "Cosa Mia," no one wants to make that sacrifice.


Probably has his own website, sells hot sauce with his picture on it...

He's going to be away for a long time. But, in some ways I do agree because there are still several guys who were close to Gotti who I think are still on the street.

He's probably gonna end up coming out with his own TV show one of these days.

I'd watch that

I don't know if I'd watch that, I hate everyone who ended up being a rat, so I probably wouldn't watch it.

I see it now:

"Welcome to the Rat-Out Hour, starring me, Sammy the Bull Gravano! My guest tonight is Thomas (Huck) Carbonaro!"

"Hiya, Sam, been lookin' for you."

"Yeah, I heard about that, Huck. Heard Peter Gotti had you dress up as a biker gang-banger, try an' whack me. What happened?"

"Uh, I got lost in New Mexico. Them square states confuse me. Thought I was in Tijuana, tried to get laid. Turned out I was inna art museum in Santa Fe. Threw me inna can."

"I bet you got laid there, Huck" [sounds of audience laughter...]

"Well, I heard you were inna swimming pool business, Sam. Good thing you gotta lotta cement--saves me havin' to buy my own to make you a new set of shoes." [more laughter]

Coming to a HBO station near you!

Haha.

In "Idiots Guide to the Mafia", Jerry Capeci cites Stephen "Stevie Coogan" Grammauta as taking part in the 1957 barbershop murder of Gambino Boss Albert Anastasia (we've all heard heaps of different claims and versions of this classic hit; i tend to give credence to Capeci's) This guy, according to Capeci "was seemingly inactive for decades. He reemerged in the late 1990's as the Capo of a the crew-" After a stint on a Gambino ruling panel, he is apparantly, as of 2002 at least, a Capo again.

Sure he spent 25 of those 35-odd years serving a heroin rap, but he obviously operates on a level above all but the nosiest and aggresive of investigators. San Francisco Boss James "Jimmy" Lanza apparantly managed to fake his own death in 87 and continue a life in the mob until supposedly dieing for real in 2006 (Admittedly, this could be false; the James Lanza dead as of 2006 could perhaps be a relative or cousin, though both born in 1917)

Really, id say that by running a tight ship and keeping crew members loyal through fair leadership and respect, by not being either a loudmouth douch like Gotti or a murderous nut like Scarfo and most importantly by watching what they say, do and deal with 24/7/365. Insulation is key.

For the average "button" man, wouldnt it all be in the rackets first, his reactions second? For example, a married man with a routine committing various white and low-key blue-collar crimes under the auspices of his "front"(think tony soprano and maserone garbage hauling) is for obvious reasons far less conspicuous than a dedicated hi-jacker/drug-dealer/enforcer, living far beyond his means with no reported source of income. Some people scream "gangster", some gangsters scream "grandpa"

Has a wiseguy ever turned down getting "made" that we know of?

If one ever did, he probably never lived to tell about it

You can't turn down getting made, you don't choose if you get made or not, the Boss chooses, and what he says goes.

Well, actually, Cleveland mob assosciate Carmen P. Zagaria refused the offer of his sponsers, Capo Joseph C. Gallo & soldier Thomas "The China-Man" Sinito, to be formally inducted, preferring instead to continue running his drug operation as he had been (although he was paying tribute to them anyway for protection, so i dont know why he'd supposedly refuse. THe guy later became a rat, so maybe the story is dubious.)

Gambino assosciate Salvatore Ruggiero, the brother of Gotti side-kick Angelo "Fat-Ange/Quack-QUack" Ruggiero, seemed content to work his heroin rackets on the fringes rather than follow his brother and maternal uncle Aniello Dellacroce into Cosa Nostra.

Andrew Gigante has served time for Union infiltration and extortion despite his father Chin Gigante's apparant redusal to formalyy induct him.

I dont think anybody who gets as far as the ceremony would be stupid enough to pike out at that point. ("Take this card a repeat after me. And let me prick your finger. Ill kiss you after" "Hmm, actually fellas this might not be for me.") Indeed.

Turning down getting made would be considered the ultimate disrespect and would get you killed.

This day in a age It can't be easy being a mafioso with all those cameras behind every back alley and even places you least expect staring at you... The Police GPS system has also gotten so good that they have to be very, very good to get away with a load of Armani suits from a truck hijacking job.. Forensic sience has even gotten so well these days that the wiseguys won't be able to get away with murder like they did before.. I think this is the reason the mafia in America is basically gone.. The only families that still are big are the 5 New York families and the Chicago Outfit..

Another reason the LCN is basically dead is 'cause us young Sicilian-Americans don't wanna have nothing to do with it.. Even John "Junior" Gotti has said he wishes his father never got him mixed up in the life. Because that's what are ancesters did.. That was their life.. Even though some of us still share the same traits we don't wanna get involved.

I checked it out and I was actually right in the past about Junior being 75% Italian 'cause Victoria has said in an interview that her mother of the same name is half Italian of a Sicilian orgin and her father John Gotti was Napolitano. My friend showed me last night, but I'm having trouble finding the link.