How The New York Mafia Actually Works | How Crime Works | Insider

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John Pennisi highlights the shift in Cosa Nostra culture towards selfishness and greed, discussing rules, exceptions, and prohibitions within the organization in New York. The decline of Cosa Nostra is linked to increased law enforcement efforts, informant infiltration, and limited money-making opportunities, leading to decreased power and influence.

Insights

  • Cosa Nostra's traditional values of honor, loyalty, and respect have shifted towards selfishness and greed, reflecting a significant change in the organization's ethos over time.
  • The decline of Cosa Nostra is primarily linked to heightened law enforcement activities, informant penetration, and reduced avenues for profit, resulting in a notable decrease in the group's authority and impact.

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Recent questions

  • What are the rules within Cosa Nostra?

    Rules include not harming made members, not engaging with spouses, and being of Italian descent.

  • What are the prohibitions in New York for Cosa Nostra?

    Prohibitions include not targeting women, children, or using explosives.

  • What is the role of The Commission in Cosa Nostra?

    The Commission oversees decisions and territorial disputes among families.

  • How does one become a boss in Cosa Nostra?

    Becoming a boss can result from arrests, deaths, or internal conflicts within the family.

  • What factors have contributed to the decline of Cosa Nostra?

    Increased law enforcement efforts, informant infiltration, and limited money-making opportunities have led to decreased power and influence.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Misconceptions and Decline of Cosa Nostra

  • John Pennisi, a former member of the Lucchese crime family, discusses the misconceptions surrounding Cosa Nostra, highlighting the shift from honor, loyalty, and respect to selfishness and greed.
  • Rules within Cosa Nostra include not harming other made members, not engaging with another member's spouse, and being of full Italian descent.
  • Exceptions exist within these rules, such as involvement in lawsuits or stocks and bonds.
  • Prohibitions in New York include not targeting women, children, or using explosives, unlike practices in Italy and Sicily.
  • The Five Families in New York, including Genovese, Gambino, Lucchese, Colombo, and Bonanno, form the core of Cosa Nostra.
  • The Commission, akin to a board of directors, oversees decisions and territorial disputes among the families.
  • The hierarchical structure of Cosa Nostra includes associates, made members, captains, and the administration comprising the boss, underboss, and consigliere.
  • Induction into Cosa Nostra involves a ceremony with symbolic gestures like pricking a finger and pledging loyalty.
  • Reasons for becoming a boss include arrests, deaths, or internal conflicts within the family.
  • The decline of Cosa Nostra is attributed to increased law enforcement efforts, informant infiltration, and limited money-making opportunities, leading to decreased power and influence.

16:17

Cosa Nostra's Money-Making Secrets in 2022

  • Next episode titled "Unlimited Substance" discusses how Cosa Nostra makes money in 2022
  • Mentions a laboratory where leaves will be processed
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