The Gambino family, one of New York’s infamous Five Families, has a storied history in organized crime dating back to the early 20th century.
Established as a key player in the American Mafia, the family reached its height of power under the leadership of John Gotti in the 1980s.
Gotti’s flamboyant persona made the Gambinos synonymous with Mafia power and notoriety.
However, after his imprisonment and eventual death, the family adopted a lower-profile approach, allowing them to continue operations more discreetly in the present day.
Let us talk about how the Gambino Family operates nowadays.
How the Gambino Family Operates Today
| Boss | Reign | Acting Bosses |
|---|---|---|
| Salvatore D’Aquila | 1910 – 1928 | / |
| Alfred Manfredi | 1928 – 1930 | / |
| Frank Scalice | 1930 – 1931 | / |
| Vincent Mangano | 1931 – 1951 | / |
| Albert Anastasia | 1951 – 1957 | / |
| Carlo Gambino | 1957 – 1976 | Paul Castellano (1974–1976) |
| Paul Castellano | 1976 – 1985 | / |
| John Gotti | 1985 – 2002 | John Gotti Jr. (1992–1999), Peter Gotti (1999–2002) |
| Peter Gotti | 2002 – 2011 | Arnold Squitieri (2002–2005), Nicholas Corozzo (2005–2008) |
| Domenico Cefalù | 2011 – 2015 | / |
| Frank Cali | 2015 – 2019 | / |
The Gambino family has undergone a significant transformation since the days of John Gotti and his underboss, Sammy the Bull, shifting from a publicly defiant organization to one that operates in the shadows.
The current boss Lorenzo Mannino, has a completely different approach.
The evolution has allowed the family to continue profiting from traditional Mafia activities while avoiding the intense law enforcement scrutiny that brought down previous leaders.
Here’s how the Gambino family operates today:
Shift from Publicity to Secrecy
Today, the family has abandoned Gotti’s approach, favoring a much more discreet operational model.
They have become adept at hiding their activities through layers of intermediaries and shell companies, a strategy that keeps them out of the public eye while continuing to exert influence in key sectors.
The Gambino family continues to hold sway in industries that have long been associated with organized crime.
- Construction: The family’s infiltration of labor unions gives them control over key aspects of construction projects, allowing them to extort businesses, manipulate bids, and skim off profits.
- Gambling: They remain deeply involved in illegal gambling operations, running underground betting rings and loan-sharking schemes.
- Extortion: They use both legitimate business fronts and illegal means to extort payments from companies and individuals, especially those in industries they dominate, such as waste management and construction.
Recent Investigations and Arrests
In 2019, the family suffered a massive blow after the boss of the family, Frank Cali, was gunned down.
In 2023, a series of arrests targeted prominent members of the Gambino family, signaling one of the most high-profile law enforcement actions against organized crime in recent years.
These arrests were part of a larger, coordinated effort by federal and state agencies to crack down on Mafia activities that had managed to persist, albeit more discreetly, in New York.
Independent investigative sources revealed that these arrests weren’t isolated incidents but rather the culmination of years of surveillance and undercover work aimed at dismantling the remnants of the Gambino organization.
Historically, the Gambino family, like other Mafia organizations, has maintained its influence by embedding itself in seemingly legitimate sectors.
- Extortion
- Bribery
- Bid-rigging
Evolution of the Mafia Post-Gotti
Since the passing of the RICO Act in the 1970s, Mafia families have had to adapt to avoid being dismantled through the courts.
The RICO Act allowed prosecutors to go after the entire organization rather than just individuals, leading to the imprisonment of numerous high-ranking members of the Five Families, including John Gotti.
Despite these challenges, the Gambino family and other Mafia organizations have found ways to evolve. While they are no longer the media darlings they were in the 80s, their influence persists in more subtle forms.
Mafia families have diversified their operations, investing in legitimate businesses alongside their criminal activities.
They have also been forced to adapt to the technological age, using encrypted communications and more sophisticated money-laundering techniques.
The decline of public trials and street wars has made them less visible to the public, but their influence remains entrenched in various industries and local communities.
Challenges Facing Modern Mafia Families
Modern Mafia families face several challenges that threaten their traditional way of life.
Increased law enforcement pressure, especially with advancements in surveillance and digital forensics, has made it harder for families like the Gambinos to operate without detection.
Reports from the New York Post indicate that law enforcement agencies have improved their ability to track Mafia finances, making it more difficult for them to hide assets or launder money.
Erosion of the Code of Silence
Another significant challenge is the erosion of the “omertà,” the Mafia’s code of silence. Historically, this code ensured that members would never cooperate with authorities, even under threat of imprisonment or death.
However, in recent years, more Mafia members have chosen to turn informant, providing critical information that has led to arrests and convictions.
These “rats” have weakened the internal structure of the Mafia, causing distrust and fear within the organization.
Increased Competition from Other Criminal Enterprises
Additionally, competition from other criminal enterprises, including international drug cartels, has diminished the Mafia’s control over certain industries.
Despite these challenges, the Gambino family continues to operate, albeit in a much more subdued fashion than during their peak under Gotti.
The Bottom Line
Despite the numerous challenges facing modern Mafia families, including increased law enforcement scrutiny and internal betrayals, the Gambino family retains a significant level of influence in New York’s criminal underworld.
They have shifted toward more discreet operations and continue their involvement in traditional Mafia sectors like construction and gambling, ensuring they remain a formidable force.
While it’s unclear what the future holds, it is unlikely that the Gambino family will disappear entirely from the city’s underworld.