Originally Posted by Moscone65
I would say that the Smaldone's/Denver organization was indeed a viable family back in the day. They had quite a few guys under them, it wasn't just the Smaldone's and a couple of cronies. They had bookmaking and gambling operations as well, the usual mob bread and butter rackets.

https://a.spirited.media/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/11/171106-GAETANOS-KEVINJBEATY-13.jpg

Here's a link to an old hierarchy type list Hopefully the link works.

I would still consider them as tier 5 though.



Wow! That is cool. I think the Smaldones were just the most flamboyant crew. Up until the 70's even old Sicilian guys were the dons of the family. I would say they were comparable to the Lanzas (SF) or San Jose. There's books out there.

In my opinion St Louis operated under the Detroit family due to all the intermarriage.