A question for you. I'd like your opinions...

Aside from the Genovese and Gambino families which I know is often the automatic default answer for a question of this nature. Which one particular Mafia "Family" (or families) do members of this forum feel were the most successful in terms of profitability, tenure, and had the least amount of problems such as in-fighting, wars, or arrests and imprisonment throughout their history?

Have at it guys. I'm genuinely curious as to how others perceive this.

Not exactly an answer, but for its size, scope, and duration, could it be said that Chicago has operated relatively trouble free for a long, long time?

I mean, besides the Giancana and Spilotro era?

I’d also say the Chicago Outfit

ok. Thats one vote for Chicago. Duly noted!

Detroit Giacomo "Jack" Tocco headed a smoothly run syndicate from the 60s till his death in 2014.

So one vote for Detroit. I can see that too. Another good choice IMO

Detroit

Thats two for the Zerilli crew! Duly noted!

Throw in one for Marcello.

Duly noted! The first vote for the New Orleans Family

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So here's the voting count so far;

Chicago 2
Detroit 2
New Orleans 1

Detroit

Duly noted. We're up to;

Chicago 2
Detroit 3
New Orleans 1

Has to be Chicago.

Thank you BT93. Were' now at a tie between Chitown and Motor City at;

Chicago 3
Detroit 3
New Orleans 1

I would say Detroit and the old Gagliano/Lucchese Family.
New Orleans, much like The Bonannos are a "top down" Family. Meaning the power and wealth of the Family comes the boss in place. The perfect example of a "bottom up" Family is the Genovese, Chicago and Gambinos. The strength of the soldiers and crews allow a boss to sit atop a strong emipre, no matter what his credials are.

Hi Don Pep. Thats a reasonable outlook.

So now the count is;
Chicago 3
Detroit 4
New Orleans 1
Gagliano/Lucchese 1

Bufalino

Another excellent choice. So now we have;

Chicago 3
Detroit 4
New Orleans 1
Gagliano/Lucchese 1
Bufalino 1

Due to the Casino skims and unions, among the other everyday money making schemes, I think Chicago was making money hand over fist.

Remember they had Murray Humphreys out there bribing all the politicians, that had to be expensive. They were making as much money if not more than the NY Families at their peak in my opinion, mainly due to the Vegas skimming.

As much as I would like to say Pittsburgh, I would say Chicago made the most money outside NY, by far.

But I do think Pittsburgh had much more money, influence and power than many other outside of NY families, just not the most. From the casino they owned in Cuba, to California, to Detroit, to NY.
During the 1960 World Series, John LaRocca hosted a group of Outfit big shots in Pittsburgh and got them tickets, the FBI has photos of them together at the game(s).

*Honorable Mention*
I think Trafficante may have had more money and power than given credit for because he had legit relationships with every single family in the country. I think he was getting a piece from many families who operated in Florida.

A logical answer Millspgh. So here's the count;
Chicago 4
Detroit 4
New Orleans 1
Lucchese 1
Pittsburgh 1
Trafficante 1

Honest question, and please tell me if this off: Couldn't you make a pretty strong argument that at least throughout the 50's and 60's the outfit was on par with the most powerful families in NY? Even for all the flack Giancana gets for attracting too much attention, the dude was an absolute powerhouse that grew their influence throughout the entire world. Not to mention, Paul Ricca is, in my opinion, the most powerful boss that no one ever talks about. When Aiuppa became the front guy for the outfit is when I think they started slipping a little, as he wasn't nearly as saavy as his predecessors.

That part about the World series is really cool. I did not know that. Are those photos available online?

Absolutely. During their heyday "The Chicago Outfit" was a powerhouse! On par in rackets and influence with any crew in the USA.

I have not been able to find the photos but I have multiple files that reference this taking place.

I agree with this 100%

The Second City also became bigger after their rivalry with NYC.

I voted for Detroit but the Genovese Family never had an internal war like the other NY families.

The Genovese definitely had their internal conflicts and killings over the years. Plenty in fact. But no they never had a full-blown internal gangland war.

Anybody else care to give their thoughts and opinion on this topic?

Philly. Of course they had their internal wars but today had 40 active made men and a large territory while Chicago and Detroit are small family in big cities.

Fair enough Furio. So the count is up to;

Chicago 4
Detroit 4
New Orleans 1
Lucchese 1
Pittsburgh 1
Trafficante 1
Philadelphia 1

Any more posters care to express an opinion and vote?

That's what I mean NYM Costello vs Genovese was big but after the hit Frank just retired and Vito took power.