Organized Crime SP26

What is the main goal of organized crime groups?

Money

Joe Valachi

Monospony

Single buyer

The criminal part of society is known as

The Underworld

The law-abiding part of society is known as

The Upperworld

Trust is the combination of

Rational calculations and irrational blind faith

Project Organizations

Ad-hoc teams of specialists formed for the commission of large-scale crimes, such as burglaries, robberies, frauds, or smuggling operations, involving complicated techniques and advanced planning. These teams might be put together by someone for a specific job.

Picaresque Organizations

Groups that are typically full time criminals, and they avoid getting caught by staying in locations that are uninhabited and unpoliced. There might be one individual that is considered to be the leader, and they share profits according to rank.

Craft Organizations

Fairly permanent small teams of criminals, each performing specific tasks in the routinized commission of skilled but small craft crimes. Each member has a specific skill.

What were the Italian Mafia’s main products?

Wine and Grappa

Omerta refers to

The Mafia’s code of silence

Payment made by serfs to nobility

Tribute

Names for illicit bars during prohibition

Blind pigs, speakeasies, gin joints

Prohibition was influenced by

The Protestants’ Temperence movement, Anti-German and Anti-immigrant sentiment from WWI, and women believing that alcohol led to the disruption of family function and domestic violence.

Consigliere

A trusted advisor and confidante to a Mafia boss

Underboss

The second in-command of a crime family, typically a close friend or family member. They assume command of the business when the boss is incapacitated or killed.

Vincent “Mad Dog” Coll

Hired to kill Lucky Luciano

Capo di tutti i capi

Boss of all bosses

Made Man

Must be of Italian/Sicilian descent, committed murder or prepared to commit murder, has to share profits with hierarchy

Who took over Lucky Luciano’s business when he was arrested?

Frank Costello

How did Frank Costello earn his money?

Illegal slot machines

Murder Inc. was mostly comprised of

Jewish hitmen

The nickname “Lord High Executioner” was given to

Albert Anastasia

Who agreed to testify for the FBI?

Abe “Kid Twist” Reles

What was Henry Hill’s rank in the Mafia?

Associate

What family did Henry Hill work for?

Lucchese

How did Henry Hill get involved with the Mafia?

He worked at a cabstand managed by them

What age did Henry Hill join the Mafia?

Age 11

What heist was Henry Hill part of?

German Airways Lufthansa Heist

How many permanent ranks must there be in a criminal organization?

3 Ranks

What are some of the benefits of joining a criminal organization?

Social status, access to criminal resources, and protection from the law