Hey,

I've been reading up about Italian-American gangs such as the The South Brooklyn Boys and The East Harlem Purple gang.

I know that both these Italian gangs, as well as many others, are independent rather than mafia crews. I was wondering if hypothetically the leader of the Purple gang, which is very powerful, became a made member of one the five families. Would the Purple gang then turn into a crew that now works for the mob? If so, why hasn't any of the New York families offered membership to the leader before?

The East Harem Pur le Gang was had at his peak 30 members and 80 associates. Most of them was considerated too reckless for be made but at the end in the early 80s the gang was disbanded and almost all of the italian members was made in the Genovese 116th crew or in the lucchese.

For answer to your question: no. If a gang leader get made the gang can decide to remain indipendent. For example the Turra brothers in the 90s rule on the 10th and O In philly before one of them get whacked; if was get made the 10th and O for sure dont will work only for the mafia.

Thanks for the info of the Purple gang.

In regards to the 10th and O Gang, I know back in the late 90s they were beefing with Merlino and they had that fight with that underboss that one time. But to me it seems plausible that if the leader in the 10 and O gang became made (if they ever made peace with the Philly mob) then the rest of the members would turn into a mafia crew. They take leaders from their boss, and their boss in turn takes orders from who's ever in charge of the family.

Maybe even in the 90s with the Bath Avenue Boys but the 10th and O are different. Merlino ordered to whack turra in 98 because was too indipendent and now the gang made bussiness with the philly mob but with Narducci and the other scarfo guys because hate merlino for the Turra murder.