Got bored and decided to start this correct me if you think anyone else's reign was better and add in any crime families I may have missed
New York
-Genovese crime family, Charles Luciano
-Gambino crime family, Carlo Gambino
-Bonanno crime family, Joe Bonanno
-Lucchese crime family, Tommaso Gagliano
-Colombo crime family, Joe Profaci

East coast
-Buffalo crime family, Stefano Maggadino
-Patriarca crime family, Raymond L.S Patriarca
-DeCavalcante crime family, John Riggi
-Bufalino crime family, Rosario Bufalino
-Philadelphia crime family, Angelo Bruno
-Pittsburgh crime family, Sebastian LaRocca
-Rochester crime family, Samuel Russotti

South
-Trafficante crime family, Santo Trafficante Jr
-Dallas crime family, Joseph Campisi
-New Orleans crime family, Calogero Minacore

Midwest
-Cleveland crime family, John Scalish
-Chicago Outfit, Paul Ricca
-Milwaukee crime family, Frank Balistieri
-Detroit Partnership, Joseph Zerilli
-Kansas City crime family, Nicholas Civella
-St Louis crime family, Anthony Giordano

West Coast
-Los Angeles crime family, Jack Dragna
-San Francisco crime family, James Lanza
-San Jose crime family, Joseph Cerrito
-Denver crime family, Eugene Smaldone

i would change only 2 things....Genovese/Costello,Kansas/Lazia,everythin else is cool

Agree with everything except John Riggi for the Decalvacante's. I think their best boss was Sam Decalvacante.

ya i agree riggi spent the majority of his reign in prison but the rest of the list is spot on except some1 could argue luchese over gagliano.

I was thinking the same thing

After they started using the RICO prosecutions the feds made it difficult to be on that list. IMO

Got bored and decided to start this correct me if you think anyone else's reign was better and add in any crime families I may have missed
New York
-Genovese crime family, Vincent Gigante
-Gambino crime family, Carlo Gambino
-Bonanno crime family, Joseph Massino
-Lucchese crime family, Thomas Lucchese (expanded the garment rackets a good deal)
-Colombo crime family, Joseph Colombo

East coast
-Buffalo crime family, Stefano Maggadino
-Patriarca crime family, Raymond L.S Patriarca
-DeCavalcante crime family, Sam DeCavalcante
-Bufalino crime family, Rosario Bufalino
-Philadelphia crime family, Angelo Bruno
-Pittsburgh crime family, Sebastian LaRocca
-Rochester crime family, Not sure

South
-Trafficante crime family, Santo Trafficante Jr
-Dallas crime family, Joseph Civello
-New Orleans crime family, Calogero Minacore (assume this is Carlos Marcello)

Midwest
-Cleveland crime family, John Scalish
-Chicago Outfit, Tony Accardo
-Milwaukee crime family, Frank Balistieri
-Detroit Partnership, Joseph Zerilli
-Kansas City crime family, Nicholas Civella...honorable mention, Charlie Binaggio
-St Louis crime family, Anthony Giordano

West Coast
-Los Angeles crime family, Joseph Ardizzone
-San Francisco crime family, James Lanza
-San Jose crime family, Angelo Marino
-Denver crime family, Unsure

Did you really put joe massino on that list is that a joke? I know he brought the family back to promince but the first sitting ny boss to flip and he goes on the list?

I still think Ricca was a better Boss than Accardo i mean Accardo didn't gain absolute power until his death, thinking back Frank Valenti bought the Rochester from a crew to family but in the end was forced out but still a good boss as he organized it

Barrett M, I've read some of your postings and they are good. One correction, if I may, to a misconception.

Tony Accardo was never the Top Boss of the Outfit even though he had TREMENDOUS power and wealth.

Ricca was the Top Boss and then later it was Giancana, Battaglia (short lived), Alderisio (short lived), and then the Chicago changing of the Guard, Auippa.
Accardo was a Semi-Retired Advisor to Auippa/Cerone.
If push came to shove, Auippa made the final call, not Accardo.

I don't care what Bill Roemer said in his bullshit Books. Roemer was in love with Accardo and it affected his judgement in writing his books. Also, If he didn't like somebody, it affected his judgement the opposite way. He was very biased.

Roemer, along with some of the other Feds in 1986, also thought Joe Ferriola was the Top Boss of the Oufit.
Wrong again, it was Sam Carlisi along with John DiFronzo.

Chicago so in 1947 when ricca dropped himself back to the consiglire position wasnt accardo put in as official boss until he also dropped himself back in 1957?

Dellacroce, Very good question. No, to my understanding, Ricca became a Semi-Retired Advisor in 1957 along with Accardo. This came directly from my father.
Remember, Chicago's power structure is based more upon Street Crew Power rather than strictly an individual. A little different than New York in this regard.
That's why the Top Boss of the Outfit is also a CREW BOSS and his crew is the Dominant. The Underboss of the Outfit's Crew is the Sub-Dominant. The other Crews are partnered in one way or another with the Dominant and Sub Dominent Crews.

Ricca belonged to the West Side Crew along with Giancana.
Accardo belonged to the Grand Ave Crew.

In 1957, Ricca agreed to have HIS MAN, Giancana become the Boss of the West Side Crew which now became known as the Taylor St. Crew.

Accardo then of course wanted HIS MAN, Cerone, to be the Boss of the Grand Ave Crew and be Underboss of the entire Outfit. Cerone became Boss of the Crew which moved out West a little and became known as the Elmwood Park Crew.

Giancana refused sharing power with Cerone. He hated Cerone. NOBODY COULD DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. Giancana was already too strong and Ricca loved him so it didn't really matter to Ricca. Accardo did not want to disrupt the entire Outfit over this huge disagreement. Plus that, if push came to shove, Giancana would have killed Accardo and Cerone.

See what I'm saying? There were a lot of behind the scenes things that the Feds in those days would have never known.

Why do you think Accardo went along with Auippa/Cerone in killing Giancana in 1975.

Ok great history lesson thanks for answering, i always got the impression that cerone wasnt really respected just by his name jackie the lackey. Just one more question(might be a stupid one) do all the other crews pay tribute to the dominate crew?

Dellacroce, None of your questions are stupid. Actually, they are all very good questions. You can ask more of them. No Problem.
As far as paying tribute, In Chicago it works similar but a little different than New York.
In Chicago, the Dominent Crew led by the Boss is somehow or someway involved in all the street rackets in Chicago. For example, in bookmaking, all the other Crews would lay off some of their action to guys in the Dominent Crew. Also, for example, the Dominent Crew would own the Poker machines that would be distributed all over Cook County. The Dominent Crew would have the strongest Political Connections. the Dominent Crew would be the Boss over Las Vegas.
So, in conclusion, they were paid something, but it was FOR A REASON. the lion's share going to the Top Boss.

Tommy Lucchese all the way. Sometimes i get the feeling people don't realise just how powerful Lucchese really was.

Assuming his reign ended the minute he flipped...I would say he was a more capable boss than any of the others. Joe Bonanno overplayed his hand in Commission affairs and involved the family in a bloody mess, although I believe he was not of a sociopathic killer mindset like many bosses in his day. Gaspare DiGregorio was a joke of a boss and a puppet. Paul Sciacca, his successor, was actually a skilled peacemaker but his reign wasn't long enough to judge. Rusty Rastelli was the worst boss they've ever had. IMO that leaves Massino but if not I would put Bonanno or Sciacca.

@Chicago. Very interesting, thank you. A couple more questions. Was Accardo not the boss while Ricca was in jail? That was the 'reign' I had in mind when I placed him as the top boss, as he did a number to expand the family's rackets at the time. Another thing, how was Aiuppa the top boss if Accardo had handpicked him? I know I've definitely read that before. Another one. Wasn't Frank 'Strongy' Ferrara Giancana's Underboss? (handpicked by Ricca apparently). Was he the boss of the second most dominant crew like the others? He was definitely a shadowy figure in mob lore. Lastly, if the line of succession in bosses went from Aiuppa to Ferriola to Carlisi, wasn't the dominant crew for a very long time Cicero, outside of Chicago? Thanks.

BarretM, Ricca was in jail for less than 3 years. Accardo, the Underboss of the entire Outfit, was in charge on the street FOR Ricca. Remember, in Ricca's Crew, there was a Powerhouse named Giancana with all his Taylor St men. That was Ricca's POWERBASE.

Auippa became the Top Boss because of the attrition and demise of the Taylor St. Crew. His Cicero Crew aligned themselves with the Elmwood Park crew and along with the blessings of Accardo and Ricca, took over the Outfit. Auippa was about the same age as Accardo. Auippa had a strong power base and it became stronger when guys like Joe Feriola, Dominic Cortina and Donald Angelini followed him into the Cicero Crew.

Frank Strongy Ferraro was NEVER the Boss of one of the 6 Crews. He was a STRONG MADE GUY who was a political specialist and was partnered with Gus Alex in running there sub Crew in the Loop. Roemer assumed the wrong conclusion again. Ferraro was a very important made guy who would deal with all the upper echelon because he was also a Political Specialist, not Underboss of the entire Outfit.

The line of succession went from Auippa to Carlisi. Ferriola WAS NEVER the Top Boss of the Outfit. He was the Capo within the extended Cicero crew which was the Dominant One in partnership with Elmwood Park (Cerone).

You'll notice that what was considered the golden era for these crime families, both individually and collectively, was the same general time frame. Which shows that it was more than the leadership abilities of those bosses at the time. It also had to do with several other factors, not least of which was less law enforcement scrutiny.

Correct. It was all before something called R.I.C.O, The American Mafia's worst nightmare. The Bosses had it easier during those times.

5 fam:

1. The Chin: ruled for the longest and grew the family to no1 in the nation. His legacy still perforates the family today with its relative strength still growing over three decades after his ascension.

2. Joe Bonanno. Though a lot has to be said for Massino's tenure. He regenerated the family from oblivion to hosting a commission meeting. Cannot recall the author but a quote was taped from a west side guy saying they were the big guys on the block with the only comparable being 'Joe's crew'. Obv his participation in destroying the family is comparable to his input in its regeneration so it's all where you draw the line.
Personally I would've loved to have see what would've happened if Dominick Napolitano (Sonny Black) had taken over.

3. Carlo Gambino no question.

4. Joe Profaci.

5. Tommy Brown.

Regards Chicago: despite poster 'Chicago's' very valuable and appreciated contributions I'm inclined of the opinion that Accardo was the string puller and the ultimate power for many decades. I find it difficult to believe that he would be at the nexus of the Outfits power for 5 decades and never assume the top spot. But there we'll never know.

Thanks Sonny,
Believe it or not, I do not completely disagree with you! There is a difference sometimes between being the Top Boss and actually pulling the Strings from behind the scenes.
During the Auippa/Cerone Reign which lasted the longest, it could be argued that even though Auippa was the Top Boss of the Outfit, Cerone was his Partner and Cerone was always Accardo's Boy. In fact that's why Cerone got the nickname 'Jackey The Lackey'. He was Accardo's bodyguard & driver in the old days. Even when Cerone was a Boss, he always catered to Accardo.
So, it could be argued that Cerone (WITH ACCARDO) actually ruled the Outfit as much or even a lttle more than Auippa.
We'll never really know all the true dynamics that existed among those three men. But for sure, those three were it for quite a long time.

I think you're probably spot on there Chicago.

We'll never know the final word between those three and also the other leadership dynamics. What we can say is that his influence was obvious and whether or not he 'held title' or final word or not is probably not overly relevant and will certainly go with him to the grave.

All good fun for speculation though.

Wheres that wiretap of Accardo basically giving orders to Giancana, it's online somewhere, Accardo is talking to him like he's a kid and Giancana hardly says a word.

Sam had no real power over Accardo.

ricca wasn't gonna let giancana kill accardo

hell I doubt accardo wanted to kill giancana in 75 but he left him no choice

Angelo Marino from San Jose wasn't much of a boss in my opinion. Another gangster even tried to extort money from him. Even though Marino had him killed, I think that the fact they even considered the possibility of squeezing money from him proves he wasn't feared or respected.

This matter of Accardo & Giancana will probably never be settled. There is just too much conflicting information on the Internet and in books about The Outfit.

I've attempted to find answers to questions about The Outfit and the change of leadership between the mid 1950's - 1966, and there are many different theories. How do any of us know what actually transpired within the inner-sanctum of The Outfit? Did somebody tell us or did we read about it? There is usually some bias in just about everything.

I do agree with CookCounty that Accardo did not want to see Giancana killed. Too many reasons to list here, but it appeared to be a business decision made by a criminal organization that probably felt there was no other choice.

This was a great post .

As far as the Genovese are concerned, in my opinion, Luciano's reign wasn't long enuff. It was basically 5 years, in terms of controlling the family directly. If your looking at the golden years of LCN then the Costello regime was the most solid. Frank Costello was acting boss in 1937 because Vito Genovese went on the lam to Italy n bcuz Luciano was jailed in 1936. Costello became official boss in 1946 when Luciano was released n deported, but the whole time under Costello, with Genovese gone, the family was firmly cemented under Costello's control, had no major internal conflicts or bad blood between factions until Genovese returned in 1951 n even then the family continued to maintain its power n influence n flourish. A sidenote, perhaps it had something to do with all the top guys/capos being Calabrian like Costello (Willie Moretti, Anthony Carfano, Rocco Pelligrino, john Biello, Tommy Greco, Generoso Del Duca, Gaetano Ricci, john DeNoia n i think Dom De Quarto was Calabrian or he was Neapolitan like Joe Adonis, Vincent Alo n Ritchie the Boot Boiardo, but i dont think he was Sicilian.. Mike Coppola was Sicilian if i remember correctly, he one of Ciro Terranova's top guys n I dont think the Morello-Terranova clan trusted Neapolitans. Lol. Even the major fence-jumper n so-called Genovese loyalist Tony Bender Strollo towed the line n thrived under Costello.

The Costello regime basically reigned from 1937-57......20 years undisturbed....until Vito Genovese n the various tax problems n incarcerations began with Kefauver from May 1950-51. In Oct. 1951, Costello underboss Willie Moretti was hit. Aug. 1952 Costello was hit with contempt of senate charged n jailed 14 months.Charged with tax evasion in 1954, sentenced 5 yrs n did 11 months on appeal. Jailed again in 1956 m released I think 3 months prior to his May 1957 assassination attempt by the Genovese faction...but the family remained strong n intact until his official retirement soon after.

The Genovese regime was disturbed soon after Vito took over n he was imprisoned in 1959 for 15 yrs. We all know just how the Genovese family remained smart, strong n continued to prosper by way of using front bosses n by keeping the real power that be in the shadows n thats why I I think the next best regime was the Phil "Benny Squint" Lombardo-Vincent "the Chin" Gigante regime-alliance from 1969/70 to the early to mid-1980s. Phil Lombardo ruled from 1969-1981 n handed official power to the Chin in 1981, but I would think someone as respected, well connected n valued as Benny Squint would remain a top advisor in the family until his death in 1987. Then Chin then went on to cement what he n Lombardo built together with their supporters n allies, but Gigante was charged in 1990 with racketeering n murder, tried n sentenced to 12 yrs in 1997, charged again in 2002, pleaded in 2003 n he died in Dec. 2005 in prison. Its hard to put Gigante n his reign into a specific place among the rest of the historic bosses of the Genovese family because he was certainly the best of the most recent bosses, but his imprisonment n death in prison makes it hard to accurately compare him to bosses like Benny Squint, Jerry Catena, Funzi Tieri n Tony Salerno....they are so similar in that Squint is the one who was never once in prison during his reign. Catena inly did a small amount of time, retired n lived a long life. Tieri died prior to incarceration, Salerno n Gigante died in jail, yet.....the Genovese bosses do it the best overall.

Without question in my opinion Tommy Lucchese took the old Reina/Gagliano Bronx borgata to heights that the family would have never seen under Known if not for Lucchese. Lucchese was Costello top rival in terms of political clout in New York n the family became the 3rd powerful n influential under Lucchese's reign. Tommy Brown brought the family into areas that the first two bosses hadn't such as the garment center (partnering first with Lepke Buchalter's group n then taking over after Buchalter received the chair in 1944), the kosher poultry industry, stone quarries for cement, various labor unions n Kennedy airport.

In fact, as I sidenote, I have always said that Carlo Gambino would never have become the boss of the Mangano/Anastasia family n the so-called or unofficial boss of bosses from the late 1960s-mid 1970s if it weren't for Tommy Lucchese n his death in 1967. Tommy Lucchese had been an underboss since 1931, official boss n member of the Commission since 1953 (acting since 1951) which gave him more seniority n clout than Gambino who was an underboss for only a few months n then became boss in late 1957 on a 1 year probationary period (official boss by late 1958). It was mainly Lucchese's direct support n the blood-marriage alliance between Gambino's son n Lucchese's daughter that made Gambino who he eventually became. With Joe Bonanno officially deposed n Joe Profaci n Magliocco both dead by the mid-1960s, Frank Costello retired n his political clout n position within the NY mafia taken by Lucchese n Genovese in prison by 1959, Tommy Lucchese held the most seniority in the Commission, but he became ill by the mid-1960s n died in 1967. Had he not died, he would have become the most senior boss in NY n the East coast by the late 1960s n Carlo Gambino would have deferred to him. Lucchese would have been looked upon as first amongst equals, not Gambino had Lucchese lived. Tommy Brown Lucchese is that family's best boss.

Ss for the Chicago Outfit....Chicago, your posts regarding the Outfit n its history are fantastic.....but, you can't dismiss facts! Sure Bill Roemer was somewhat bias when it came to Tony Accardo, but Tony Accardo had the kind of respect, connections (criminal, political n business) that Giancana never had. Both men were greatly feared, but Accardo was far more respected than Giancana n held the majority loyalty of the Outfit n its carious crews n factions for decades....the proof....his longevity, the respect n position he continued to hold from the time Paul Ricca n Tony Accardo gained full control if the Outfit after Capone's fall from power beginning with his 1932 incarceration n his eventual demise both mentally n as a power within the Chicago Outfit by late 1930s. By the start of the 1940s Ricca n Accardo were the true powers on the throne, allowing their front man Frank Nitti to take the heat, while they gave the orders n dictated policy from the background. BUT....the biggest fact that cements Accardo's obvious power n influence over Sam Giancana was the FBI wiretaps that clearly show Accardo continuously being deferred to by Giancana n the fact that Accardo berated n even embarrassed Giancana at times as freely n as often as he wanted too, every one within the Outfit knowing that Joe Batters disliked Giancana's flagrant breaking of the rules n overly flashy lifestyle. Sam Giancana was an underling of Paul Ricca's n Tony Accardo's put in his position of power the same way Frank Nitti was. The legend is that by the time of Paul Ricca's release from prison in 1947, along side the rest of the Hollywood extortion group such as Louis Campagna, Phil D'Andrea, Charles, Cherry Nose Goie, John Roselli, Frank Diamond Maritote.

Dago Larence Mangano (Near West Side boss) was hit August 1944. At the time, Mangano was one of the Outfit group/faction leaders, who controlled gambling, along with Accardo n had the kind of support within the organization to be a serious threat to Accardo's ascension to the top of the Outfit....Boss.
Even 4 years in prison can effect the leadership of a boss n by 1947 when boss Paul Ricca n underboss Louis Campagna were getting out of prison, Tony Accardo had cemented his rise to the top boss's position n many Chicago Outfit n mafia historians believe Ricca understood he could either support Accardo while he was in prison n after his release n share power with the Outfit's longtime enforcer, gambling boss n present powerhouse or come into direct conflict with Accardo n his supporters n possibly lose it all....the way Lawrence Mangano did.

Too many events n people......whether from law enforcement bugs, informers or wiretaps support the fact that Tony "Joe Batters" Accardo was the Outfits top boss from the mid-1940s until roughly the 1970s. Accardo in fact lost some influence after his top supporter Ricca died in 1972. We all know what really matters is who is the boss on the streets, who holds majority support from the rest of the family leaders, who holds the most outside connections n even wealth-earning power counts, not just the name n title. Point in fact...Carmine Galante n Phil Rastelli in the mid to late 1970s Bonanno family. Joey Merlino n Ralph Natale in the mid to late 1990s Philly family.

From all the can be researched n supported, it seems that Paul Ricca n Tony Accardo shared power at the top from the mid-1940s up to the death of Ricca in late 1972. Then it seems that Tony Accardo was solidified within his position as first amongst equals within the Outfit from the early 1970s up until roughly when the reign of the older guard Outfit bosses came to an end with the imprisonment of Joey Aiuppa n Jackie Cerone in 1986.
You honestly believe Jackie Cerone n Joey Aiuppa would have become the powers they did without Accardo's support?

One belief is that by the time Joseph "Joe Nagal" Ferriola, the Cicero area leader took over the Outfit as it's top boss, Tony Accardo was then seen as the organizations to advisor n consigliere, the defacto "power behind the scenes" as a new crop of Outfit leaders took power n absolute control of the Outfit's street operations n other interests. From Joe Ferriola (1986-89) to Sam Carlisi (1989-93), Tony Accardo no longer held absolute power in the Outfit, he was still highly respected n considered the senior most advisor within the organization, but in terms of direct n absolute control, Accardo lost that once Aiuppa n Cerone were imprisoned. Joe Ferriola himself was highly feared n a capable Chicago mafioso, who was respected n held the connections n support to become the first boss to take the reigns post-Accardo, in a manner of speaking, prior to Joe Batters' death in 1992. By the early to mid-1980s, Tony Accardo was very ill, weaker n nowhere near the power on the streets he once was n the removal of the Aiuppa-Cerrone regime effectively guaranteed his retirement from direct control if the Outfit......BUT....the Accardo reign was the best!

The Elisabeth, New Jersey based DeCavalcante family thrived more under the family's namesake Sam the Plumber than John Riggi.

Btw.....if anybody thinks my posts aren't long enuff....just let me know.

I'll try harder! Lol

@LittleJoeshots.

Mate what an awesome post.
VERY appreciated.

1. Costello (vs Chin). Yes Costello ruled for 20 years, but Vincent ruled from 81 to 05. This in the age of RICO. Look at any of his compatriots and how well they did. His family has outpaced the others, exponentially, to this day.
No other boss has, in history, created such a chasm between their family and its counterparts.
Not even close.

2. Regards Tommy Brown. Thank you! He gets imo, not nearly enough recognition. Everyone is Carlo obsessed. Tommy wasnt 'the' ultimate power, but he had more than most realise.
Carlo may be #1, but i dont think people realise how big a part/powerful Tommy was.

3. The eternal debate regards Accardo?
Joe went through Sam Giancana, Ricca, Battaglia, Jackie, Phil and Joey Doves. You DONT do that unless its your say. At least for a part of the time. Thats for me, too much coincidence (respect, always, 'chicago').
End of day you just have to look at the numbers. He was top echelon for FIVE decades. Thats not coincidence.

Great debate gents.

Little Joe Shots, Show me the tapes where Accardo berated Giancana. Tell me where I can hear them.
If Accardo said anything to Giancana, it was in front of Ricca.

Power is not anything somebody gives you, it's something you take. Real power is anything a man can take and hold onto, then it belongs to him.

Sam Giancana was going to TAKE over the Outfit anyway because of the tremendous power he had with his Power Base which was the Taylor St Crew. Once he took over with Rica's blessing, he FLAT OUT refused to have Cerone be the #2 in the Outfit. Accardo couldn't do a fucking thing about it. Accardo had no power over Giancana AT THIS TME.

It was Taylor St. versus Grand Ave. It's not something you will read in a book. It was the reality of what went on during this time.

In the 1960's , Accardo and his men didn't stand a chance against Taylor Street. Again, we are talking about the Streets of Chicago. We are not talking about a Board of Directors Meeting of the McDonald's Corporation.

I lived through it. My father belonged to Giancana. What I know that went on is not written in any book. Giancana disliked Cerone who was Accardo's man and I repeat, ACCARDO COULDN'T DO A FUCKING THING ABOUT IT.
Accardo got his chance in 1975 when He, Auippa & Cerone killed Giancana because Giancana had been gone from Chicago for 9 years and had NO MORE POWER BASE when he returned to Chicago.

Leadership in the Oufit was determined by STREET CREW POWER, not by a Board of Directors drinking coffee politely discussing it in a conference room and then going out together afterwards for dinner.

Tony Accardo was a very successful, smart powerful man. His dominance over the Outfit came when Ricca and Giancana were either dead or gone and had no more POWERBASE and Auippa/Cerone/ACCARDO were in Charge with THEIR Powerbase.

During the years 1957 through 1966, Taylor St. was the Dominent Crew in the Outfit based upon Street Power.

After Auippa/Cerone took over with the backing of ACCARDO, then, they were the Dominent Crew and it can be argued that Accardo pulled the heaviest strings THROUGH CERONE.

Going by LONGEVITY, it was actually the Grand Ave men who won out in the long run.

As you can see, I'm not for Taylor St or for Grand Ave, I'm just telling you what went on during this period. Accardo didn't have the Street power within the Outfit DURING THIS TIME to fight Giancana and make Cerone and Elmwood Park share the power with Taylor St.

Instead, he reluctantly accepted it and quietly bided his time and waited to see what would happen in the future. Accardo was a real Sicilian who was very smart, and as it turned out, smarter than Giancana.

Also, in 1986, Ferriola WAS NEVER the Top boss of the Outfit. He was the CAPO within the extended Cicero Crew. Sam Carlisi was the ACTING Boss for Auippa who was in jail. Carlisi was Auippa's closest confidant and was his personal underboss. Ferriola was a gambling specialist.

All due respect intended.