The Richest NYC Boss?

During the years spent at the summit of their respective families, in your opinions, which of these legendary New York bosses became the wealthiest?

A) Francesco (Frank Costello) Castiglia
B) Albert (The Executioner) Anastasia
C) Giuseppe (Joe Bananas) Bonanno
D) Giuseppe (The Old Man) Profaci
E) Gaetano (Tommy Brown) Lucchese

Probably the one who left tons of cash to his two families, meaning his blood family and the "other one". Lucchese?!

My guess is Costello, even though he retired earliy, he was defintiely wealthy. If not him, I would say Lucchese.

There's a story of Tommy Lucchese taking out a big fat bankroll from his silk pocket and peeling off $12,000 and giving it to his doctor who was treating him for cancer. This was in the 1960s, so yeah, you do the math. Tommy Lucchese is my all-time favorite mob boss by the way.

With today's cost of living the way it is, for today's mob bosses to be living nicely they have to be making some serious loot as well.

Profaci's family is still reaping the benefits of his wealth from the olive oil business. I'd go with him.

There is a lot of merit to what you just pointed out BT. A lot of merit.

Both of them are also good picks IMO. Both were enormously wealthy, especially Costello (like next level wealthy.)

That's my choice as well Big Tuna. The guy left a huge legacy.

I'm in good company!

Yes, you are BT. I gotta agree with ya 1000% on that! LOL

They were all multi millionaires, dificult to say but Genoveses and Gambinos were the richest families.

while merely only an acting boss, JERRY CATENA was certainly well heeled !

Genoveses in those times were worth billions.

Catena was official boss for a little bit

My vote goes to Louis (Lepke) Bucholter, who had a conglamorate in the Garment District, trucking, movies, bakeries, etc.

Nice pick TB, and when was no longer in the picture, the Genovese and Lucchese families swooped them up.

Frank Costello is my vote, what he was bringing in across the country and other countries with Gambling and casinos made him a lot of money.

While Catena wasn't one of the guys I listed, I have to say that Catena was, as you say, extremely "well heeled." Very much so. In fact, Catena was one of the wealthiest (most successful and most powerful) guys around, bar none.

And although Catena never became the "official" boss of the old Luciano/Genovese Family, he had been a close intimate of that Family's NJ hierarchy since the 1930s era, and even before that, he dated back to the days of NJ rackets boss Longy Zwillman.

In later years, as a clear sign of how trusted his was for his moneymaking abilities, temperament and loyalty, Vito elevated him to "acting boss" as his eyes and ears over the membership and to steady the ship after Genovese was jailed for narcotics.

Jerry Catena was SOOOO wealthy and happy where he was, and the station he had in life, that as he aged he actually shunned the thought of becoming the official boss. So he migrated down to South Florida and essentially retired. After all, what did he need at that point?

Smart man! In fact, one of the smartest IMO.

Well, what can you say. Lepke controlled a lot until he got fried. And, as you mentioned he had a lock on a lot of varied industries. After his demise Lepke's "assets" were parceled out among the Five Families. (I have no doubt thats one of the reasons why he was set up. In order to eliminate him and grab his rackets.)

Including some of the narcotics trade/connections because Lepke was allegedly deeply involved in it.

Correct TD...100%

He was an official boss. There’s many files that list him as a former boss.

I cant forget the old days on these forums when some posters had "hardcore" belief that the Mafia never dealt with drugs lol, especially about Chicago lol. After awhile they became silent and some even became like "I told you they were dealing drugs" lol lol

Well, I wasn't around back then, so I don't know who the culprits were, but I suspect its a case of "Monday morning quarterbacking." Lol

Good one lol

i remember from one past t.v. program on LEPKE, it was alleged he was making 5 million a year in the 1930's from his rackets.it was also stated the LUCCHESE was also earning 5 million a year during the same time frame.

the alleged numbers for COSTELLO during prohibition were staggering. its believed he made 50 million during prohibition. a truely ungodly amount of money for that, or any era.

i dont think we can leave out TONY SALERNO either. while he may never had been more than the front boss his wealth is legendary.

Faffy, I completely agree with you. On everything you said. And yes, Fat Tony had money he never even counted yet. lol

FAT TONY had a lot of guys to count his money. while all of the families had major, major earners, it seems like the GENOVESE had a ton of huge earners.dont forget RICHIE THE BOOT, or MATTY THE HORSE, or FUNZI TIERI. DON VITONE wasnt too shabby either !

No doubt about that. But where do you draw the line with the question? Ya know what I mean? Because, truth be told, there were lots of guys who became very wealthy. Thats why I just named those five NYC bosses for the opinion piece.

I’m going with Joe Profaci ….

I was going to go with Costello but hearing all the good arguments I’m back to square one!

And what's square one?

People make fun of the Colombos but truth be told they had and have HUGE earners, and without having to turn to drug trafficking. Joe Profaci, Joe Magliocco, Michael Franzese, John R------, John S-------, Andrew Russo, hell, even the most recent rat Richard Ferrara looks like he's pretty wealthy. I know I went a bit off track but just wanted to throw that out there.

By square one I meant when I thought I knew have to rethink things

I understood you Jimmy. "Back to square one" means that you're back to where you started from...at the very beginning of the process, all over again.

Gotcha my man! lol

Speaking of Albert Anastasia, was he even wealthy? I read that he lost that mansion in New Jersey because he couldn't keep up with his payments. How true is that? I can't imagine the head of the Gambino Family having money problems.

Some CN bosses died penniless mainly because of their fanatical dedication to the Cosa Nostra ideology, but I dont think that Anastasia belonged to that same group mainly because of he allegedly selling membership which means (if true) the guy didnt care much about that same CN ideology. Similar as Giancana and some other guys, who again similar as Anastasia, were all about money and connections/power. In plane words, Anastasia was probably a millionare and his brother Tough Tony might be the proof for that.

Good point

You'd be surprised to learn just how many wise guys, from soldiers, up to the bosses themselves, ended up broke because they were either;

A) Degenerate gamblers all their lives, who blew every dollar they ever made.
B) Hoodlums who never learned "how" to earn in the streets from day one in the first place.
C) Were one-trick ponies with one way to earn, once that hustle ended they collapsed financially.
D) Were guys who were strictly "street guys," well-versed in the rackets, but with no legit business savvy. And they got "long in the tooth" so to speak, didn't have anything solid to fall back on.
E) Were guys who never wanted to invest in legitimate business. And, once again, as their racket revenue dried up, they found themselves dead in the water.

**And a hundred other reasons...that all ended up at a dead end for them.

Do you have an answer in your opinion as to who was the richest boss? Would love to hear.

BT, that's an extremely tough question. After all, none of us have their true financial statements and know what they were truly worth.

But, if I had to guess? IMO? At least among the NYC/NJ guys? I'd say a Frank Costello, Joe Profaci, Joe Bonanno, were the very 'creme de la creme' as far as wealth went. Ya just don't get much better than them! Period!

If I had to narrow it down? I'd go with Costello or Profaci. Most people have some sort of understanding of just how wealthy Frank was (although few really understand.) But Profaci? His financial legacy get mucked up because of the gang wars and blood over the Gallo insurrection. But trust me, this man was a dynamo! And one of the very wealthiest of all!!!

PS: I will be posting up my FULL opinions about each of the men listed soon. In fact, I've actually be working on it for a few days already.

That's why I chose Profaci. Despite the wars and everything else, we know that his family today is still reaping benefits.

Guess what BT? I gotta tip my hat to you! Because, without a doubt, you and I are in the minority by picking Profaci. In fact, based upon the very same opinion poll we posted up on our Mob Fireside Chat "Community Page," Profaci came in last. Lol. Yet, he should have ranked in first, or second place, at the very least.

So bravo my friend!

As I mentioned earlier. I'll be providing all the evidence in support of our position down the pike a bit. As soon as I can write it all out in a clear and legible manner for all to read.

My question was about Anastasia. Yes I know that there's a bunch of broke mobsters, doesn't surprise me at all. I like to use the Walmart analogy when talking about the Mafia. Walmart is a billion dollar corporation, if not trillion dollar. Does that mean that everyone who works for Walmart are wealthy or even making good money? Of course not! In fact, most are barely scraping by. To me it's the same thing with the mob. Or any other major company.

As I mentioned earlier to BigTuna, the answer to your Anastasia question will be forthcoming within my "opinion" and response to this opinion poll soon. (hopefully later today.)

Paul, ,fat tony

We're only talking about the dead, but there are still plenty of wealthy mobsters out there who are still alive or recently deceased.

The richest mob bosses are all involved in legit businesses. That is a fact!

100% Rushstreet. 100%...and when I post up the answer to this little opinion quiz a bit later today, the statement you just made will ring true even more.

I've heard from Arizona locals that Joe Bonanno owned a lot of real estate in both Tucson and Phoenix. Much like Meyer Lansky, he apparently kept a lot of money in other peoples names

Yep, he was a very rich fella. My opinion article (a very lengthy and in-depth piece) is written, and is currently in the finishing stages of design. So we should have it posted up here later today for your enjoyment.

But it's such a lengthy article that we're gonna post a "link" to click that will take you to it, ok. It was much too much for a single post, so we figured this was the more comprehensive way to go with it.

I think you'll enjoy it (Because, I speak about exactly what you just said about JB).

Thanks NYM

I would say that Albert Anastasia even had money for a long time before he was boss. He may not have been the "don" for decades, but he was a top mobster for decades. However, he was more John Gotti than Carlo Gambino.

You are very welcome Liggio.

And yes, I have to agree with your assessment of Anastasia. He was always an important guy, so I'm sure he made money, even before he ascended to boss.

But, its funny you say what you did, because as I wrote this piece, Gotti came to my mind also, as I compared the two men. Similar styles, big gamblers, rose to boss, but blew nearly everything they had.

In the "opinion poll" posted up at the top of this thread, we asked who was the wealthiest gangster from these five choices: Francesco (Frank Costello) Castiglia, Albert (The Executioner) Anastasia, Giuseppe (Joe Bananas) Bonanno, Giuseppe (The Old Man) Profaci, Gaetano (Tommy Brown) Lucchese.

Once gained, Button Guys' "The Other Guy" reveals his epic answer - which is way too long to post up here as a direct comment.

So, instead, we've posted it up on our website (not behind the wall) where you can read what he has to say, and you can come back here and share your opinion on HIS opinion.

https://thenewyorkmafia.com/the-mafia-wealthiest-gangster/

Often Imitated...Never Duplicated...Button Guys of The New York Mafia...there's only one!

Profaci turned out to be a wise pick, Zavattoni

When it comes to wealth, I always think of Jerry Catena. Not an official boss, but he was acting for Vito for a while

Again, he was an official boss. Vincent Cafaro, whoI imagine you’re getting this from didn’t even know the boss when he was made in 1976 (though he claims he was made in 1974, this isn’t true and has been debunked) let alone the boss in 1969. Catena stepped down in 1972 I believe.

@NYMafia.

Joe Profaci is definitely a wise choice

He was filthy rich….

Greedy though…. I think he would have gotten whacked (In his own family/Internally) or stepped down eventually in the late 1960’s if he didn’t die of cancer….

This can be disputed though… Profaci and Bonanno were a deadly combination together…. You said a while back that Lucchese/Gambino weren’t going to mess with them…. They (Profaci/Bonanno) we’re originals and seniors on the commission.

Zavattoni, I gotta agree with everything you said. Especially about Profaci and Bonanno being "originals" and seniors on The Commission.

I am getting this from over 20 years of researching this topic. He was never an official boss and that's that.

But please provide the evidence. We're all waiting lol

For the record, I completely agree with you Giacalone.

https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=71920#relPageId=23&search=Gerardo_Catena
December 4,1969

https://www.archives.gov/files/research/jfk/releases/docid-32300026.pdf
Page 9, second to last paragraph

https://archive.org/details/FunziTi.../n228/mode/1up?q=Catena&view=theater
Page 229

I’m on my phone right note because my computer broke so many of the files I have weren’t accessable. There are many files that refer to him as a former boss

Nobody ever talks about the Jewish gangsters in discussions like these. I'm still going through Zwillman's FBI files (and not just that one volume you recommended....the other ones on the FBI Vault. There's a LOT.

I might have asked you this before, but do you think Zwillman really committed suicide?

Lepke had lots of money. So did Zwillman and a lot of other Jewish hoodlums.