Vito Genovese: The Rise and Fall of a Mafia Boss

Vito Genovese: The Rise and Fall of a Mafia Boss

Vito Genovese was a powerful and ruthless Italian-American mobster who rose to prominence in the early 20th century. He was a key figure in the American Mafia and played a significant role in organized crime in the United States.

Early Life

Vito Genovese was born on November 21, 1897, in Naples, Italy. He immigrated to the United States with his family in 1913 and settled in New York City. Genovese quickly became involved in criminal activities and joined the Morello crime family, one of the most powerful Mafia families in New York at the time.

Rise to Power

Genovese quickly rose through the ranks of the Morello family and became a trusted lieutenant of Giuseppe “Joe the Boss” Masseria. In 1922, Masseria was assassinated, and Genovese became the acting boss of the family. However, he soon faced a challenge from Salvatore Maranzano, another powerful Mafia boss who wanted to consolidate power under his control.

In 1931, Maranzano was assassinated, and Genovese became the undisputed boss of the Morello family. He renamed the family the Genovese crime family and expanded its operations into various criminal activities, including gambling, extortion, and drug trafficking.

The Castellammarese War

In the early 1930s, Genovese became involved in the Castellammarese War, a bloody conflict between two rival Mafia factions in New York. Genovese allied himself with Salvatore “Lucky” Luciano, a rising star in the Mafia, and together they defeated their rivals.

The Castellammarese War marked a turning point in the history of the American Mafia. It led to the establishment of the Five Families, the dominant Mafia families in New York City, and Genovese became one of the most powerful crime bosses in the country.

The Commission

In 1931, Genovese was one of the founding members of the Commission, a governing body that oversaw the activities of the Five Families. The Commission was designed to prevent future conflicts between the families and to ensure that all disputes were resolved peacefully.

The Apalachin Meeting

In 1957, Genovese attended the famous Apalachin Meeting, a gathering of top Mafia leaders in Apalachin, New York. The meeting was raided by law enforcement, and Genovese was arrested along with dozens of other mobsters.

The Apalachin Meeting marked the beginning of the end for Genovese. He was convicted of conspiracy to obstruct justice and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He died in prison in 1969.

Legacy

Vito Genovese was one of the most powerful and ruthless Mafia bosses in American history. He played a significant role in organized crime in the United States and helped to establish the Five Families. Genovese’s legacy is one of violence, corruption, and greed, but he also remains a fascinating figure in American history.

Additional Resources

• Vito Genovese: The Rise and Fall of a Mafia Boss by John H. Davis
• The Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires by Selwyn Raab
• The Mafia Encyclopedia by Carl Sifakis