In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Selwyn Raab claims that the American Mob, influenced by Zips, have "recently taken over" old country methods and "spread the word" that ratting could not just put you but also your family in danger.
Any truth to this? I'm aware of the wiretap quote he mentions, but seems like a stretch to imply this is widely practiced now by the 5 fams.
Article:
http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/is-the-american-mafia-on-the-rise-w451888Excerpt below:
Rolling Stone: You write that in order to "counter defections," newer Mafiosi have "initiated savage relations including murdering relatives of traitors." What can you tell us about that?
Selwyn Raab:The long established rule was that anyone who was a civilian — not implicated in mafia activities — was immune. One of the reasons that's changed is because of these so called "Zips." That's a nickname for Sicilian newcomers who are not members of the Sicilian mafia but recent immigrants, and they've pretty much taken over the Gambino family. And one of their effective methods [in the old country] was that if you became a rat or you in any way betrayed the Italian or Sicilian mafia, it wasn't just you, but anybody in your family could be victimized. The Americans have now also taken that over and spread the word. You can't pinpoint this practice down to one year, but "recently" would be the best way of describing when it began. But the point is, very simply: it's a method to prevent people from becoming informers and betraying the Mafia. There's stuff on tapes in which they talk about it – "If my kids have to suffer, why shouldn't the rat's kids have to suffer?" Stuff like that. It's an effective tool, and again, they're still getting reinforcements, they're shipping more blood over from Sicily and Southern Italy.
