Mafia families in North America

NOTE: There have been a few changes to the information on the New Orleans Mob and on the Orlando (Bonanno) Family.

The following is a list of Mafia families and organizations from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present, with a list of their successive bosses.  For some, there is no information after a certain date, but neither is there any information that the family is defunct; where the latter is available, it is so noted.

Capo di tutti capi

His authority was largely confined to New York City, and the elimination of the position was one of the major reforms after the Mustache Petes were overthrown in 1931.

Giuseppe Morello, 1898-1910
Sebastiano DiGaetano, 1910-1912

Salvatore D’Aquila, 1910-1928

Joe Masseria, 1928-1930
Gaspare Messina, 1930-1931

Salvatore Maranzano, 1931

Chairman of the National Commission

The National Commission replaced the capo di tutti capi in 1931, and has always had representative from the Five Families and the Chicago Outfit.  In the first decade, two-thirds of the Combination were Jewish mobsters, contrary to popular conception.  After Charlie Lucky was expelled from Cuba to Italy, Meyer Lansky was top man, though not of the Mafia.

Charlie Luciano, 1931-1946

Vincent Mangano, 1946-1951

Frank Costello, 1951-1957

Vito Genovese, 1957-1959

Joe Bonanno, 1959-1962

Carlo Gambino, 1962-1976

Paul Castellano, 1976-1985

John Gotti, 1985-1992

Vincent Gigante, 1992-1997

Joe Massino, 1997-2003

At its largest, the Commission sat the Five Families, the Chicago Outfit, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Detroit, and Los Angeles.

There were six members at last count:  Genovese, Gambino, Lucchese, Colombo, Bonanno, and the Chicago Outfit.

The Genovese family represents Buffalo, Philadelphia, Elizabeth, Detroit, New England, Pittsburg, Cleveland, and New Orleans.  Sometimes Chicago also.

The Chicago Outfit represents Milwaukee, Kansas City, St. Louis, Tampa, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose.

In practice, at least until the early fifties, the Italian-Jewish partnerships that began during Prohibition were managed at the national level by Charlie Lucky or his representative (Costello until 1957) and Meyer Lansky, plus two others of each ethnic group, for a total of six.  For the first two decades, Jewish mobsters outnumbered Italian mobster two to one.

The Commission has been all but defunct since 2003.

Murder Inc.

The infamous murder and mayhem crew dubbed Murder Inc. by imaginative news editors was based largely on the garment district enforcement crew run by Buchalter and Shapiro.  Under the direct administration of Reles and Maoine, the crew reported to the Commission at various times through Adonis, Siegel, Buchalter, Anastasia, and Shapiro.

Joe Adonis

Benny Siegel

Lepke Buchalter

Albert Anastasia

Gurrah Shapiro

Abe Reles

Harry Maoine

New Orleans Mob

The New Orleans Mob began with the Agnello/Provenzano Family in 1860 from Palermo.  In 1875, a group of Stuppagghieri (Mafia rebels, precursors of Luciano's Young Turks, against the conservative Giardiniari, precursors to the Luciano-era Mustache Petes) arrived from Monreale.  Esposito threw in with the new arrivals, but Provenzano's rise put the Palermo faction back on top.  At his death, that faction faded and the Matranga/Marcello Family assumed full control.

Raffaele Agnello, 1860-1869

Joseph Agnello, 1869-1872
Mateo Minafo, 1872 (died of natural causes)

Joseph P. Macheca, 1872-1879

Giuseppe Esposito, 1879-1881

Joseph Provenzano, 1881-1891

Charles Matranga, 1891-1922

Corrado Giacona, 1922-1944

Frank Todaro, 1944

Sylvestro "Sam" Corallo, 1944-1947

Carlos Marcello, 1947-1990

Anthony  Carollo, 1990-2007

Joseph Gagliano, 2007-present

Tampa Mob

Ignacio Antinorio, 1920-1940

Santo Trafficante, Sr., 1940-1954

Santo Trafficante, Jr., 1954-1987

Vincent Losalzo,1987-present

Dallas Mob

(defunct)

Carlo Piranio, 1921-1930

Joseph Piranio, 1930-1956

Joseph Civello, 1956-1970

Joseph Ianni, 1970-1973

Joseph Campisi, 1973-1990

Birmingham (AL) Mob

(defunct since 1938?)

Sam Forello

Vincent Musso

Jacky Musso

Morello (Genovese) Family

(107th Street Mob; East Harlem and Little Italy)

Giuseppe Morello, 1898-1910

Nicholas Morello, 1910-1916

Vincenzo Terranova, 1916-1920

Giuseppe Morello, 1920-1922

Joe Masseria, 1922-1931

Charlie Luciano, 1931-1946

Frank Costello, 1946-1957

Vito Genovese, 1957-1969

Phil Lombardo, 1969-1981

Vincent Gigante, 1981-2005

Daniel Leo, 2005-2008
Liborio “Barney” Bellomo, 2008-present

Orlando (Bonanno) Family

(Williamburg, Brooklyn)

Paolo Orlando, ????-1909
Sebastiano DiGaetano, 1909-1912

Vito Bonventre, 1912-1915
Steve Maggadino, 1915-1921

Nicola Shiro, 1921-1930

Joe Parrino, 1930

Salvatore Maranzano, 1930-1931

Joe Bonanno, 1931-1965

Gaspar DiGregorio, 1965-1968

Paul Sciacca, 1968-1971

Natale Evola, 1971-1973

Phil Rastelli, 1973-1991

Joe Massino, 1991-2004

Vincent Basciano, 2004-2009

Vincent Badalamenti, 2010-2012

Michael Mancuso, 2013-present

D’Aquila (Gambino) Family

(Brooklyn)

Salvatore D’Aquila, 1910-1928

Alfred Mineo, 1928-1930

Frank Scalise, 1930-1931

Vincent Mangano, 1931-1951

Albert Anastasia, 1951-1957

Carlo Gambino, 1957-1976

Paul Castellano, 1976-1985

John Gotti, 1985-2002

Peter Gotti, 2002-2011

Domenico Cefalu, 2011-2015
Frank Cali, 2015-2019
Lorenzo Mannino, 2019-present

Note:  Sources differ on whether Frank Cali was the actual boss of the acting boss at the time of his death.  Many report that Cefalu stepped down in 2015, others that he remains boss.

Yale Organization

Not a family, but still autonomous under Yale, largely because of his charisma and ruthlessness.  He should have known better than to rip off Big Al.  The crew remained intact under Carfano under Masseria, then Luciano, until Costello sent him to oversee interests in Florida.

Frankie Yale, 1917-1928

Anthony Carfano, 1928-1938 (as capo to Masseria then Luciano)

Profaci (Colombo) Family

(Brooklyn)

Joe Profaci, 1928-1962

Joseph Magliocco, 1962-1963

Joe Colombo, 1964-1973

Carmine Persico, 1973-2019
Andrew Musso, 2019-present

Note: Carmine Persico was in prison since 1973 but remained the recognized boss, governing thru a series of acting bosses on the outside.

Reina (Lucchese) Family

(The Bronx)

Gaetano Reina, 1922-1930

Joseph Pinzolo, 1930

Tommy Gagliano, 1930-1951

Tommy Lucchese, 1951-1967

Carmine Tramunti, 1967-1974

Anthony Corallo, 1974-1987

Victor Amuso, 1987-present

Philly Mob

Salvatore Sabella, 1911-1931

John Avena, 1931-1936

Joseph Dovi, 1936-1946

Joseph Ida, 1946-1959

Angelo Bruno, 1959-1980

Phil Testa, 1980-1981

Nicky Scarfo, 1981-1991

John Stanfa, 1991-1994

Joey Merlino, 1994-2012

Joe Ligambi, 2012-present

Buffalo Arm

Angelo Palmeri, 1908-1912

Giuseppe DiCarlo, Sr., 1912-1922

Steve Magaddino, 1922-1974

Sam Frangiamore, 1974-1985

Joseph Todaro, Sr., 1985-2006

Joseph Todaro, Jr., 2006-present

Pittsburgh Mob

Gregorio Conti, 1910-1920

Salvatore Calderone,1920-1925

Stefano Monastero, 1925-1929

Giuseppe Siragusa, 1929-1931

John Bazzano, 1931-1932

Vincenzo Capizi, 1932-1937

Frank Amato, 1932-1956

John LaRocca, 1956-1984

Michael James Genovese, 1984-2006

John Bazzano, Jr., 2006-2008

Sonny Ciancutti, 2008-present

New England Office

(Providence and Boston merged in 1932)

Gaspare Messina, Boston, 1916-1924

Filippo Buccola, Boston, 1924-1932

Frank Morelli, Providence, 1917-1932

Filippo Buccola, 1932-1952

Raymond Patriarcha, Sr., 1952-1984

Raymond Patriarcha, Jr., 1984-1991

Nicky Bianco, 1991

Frank Salemme, 1991-1996

Luigi Manocchio, 1996-2009

Peter Limone, 2009-2017
Carmine Dinunzio, 2017-present

Newark Mob

Newark was too close to New York City to stay independent very long.

Gaspare D'Amico, 1920-1937

Elizabeth (NJ) Mob

Steve Badami, 1920-1955

Phil Amari, 1955-1957

Nick Delmore, 1957-1964

Sam DeCavalcante, 1964-1982

John Riggi, 1982-2015
Charles Majuri, 2016-present

Rochester Mob

(defunct)

Stan Valenti, 1951-1958

Jake Russo, 1958-1964

Frank Valenti, 1964-1972

Sam Russotti, 1972-1993

Pittston Mob

(defunct)

Tommaso Petto, 1900-1903

Stefano LaTorre, 1903-1908

Santo Volpe, 1908-1933

John Sciandra, 1933-1940

Joe Barbara, 1940-1959

Russell Bufalino, 1959-1975

Edward Sciandra, 1975-1994

William D’Elia, 1994-2008

Chicago Outfit

Unlike most families in the Combination, the Outfit was not originally part of but rather an enemy of the local Mafia family.  Though the boss had always been Italian, its ranks have also always been multi-ethnic, including at the highest echelons.

Jim Colosimo, 1910-1920

Johnny Torrio, 1920-1925

Al Capone, 1925-1931

Paul Ricca, 1931-1966

Tony Accardo, 1966-1992

Samuel Carlisi, 1992-1996

John DiFronzo, 1996-2014
Salvatore DeLaurentis, 2014-present

Chicago Mafia

(defunct since 1930)

They could have formed part of the Outfit, or at least been its ally, but leaders of the Chicago family of the Mafia always wanted to be boss.  And they lost.

Joseph Morici ????-????

Mariano Zagone, ????-1909

Rosario Dispenza, 1909-1914

Anthony D’Andrea, 1914-1921

Mike Merlo, 1921-1924

Angelo Genna, 1924-1925

Samoots Amatuna, 1925

Tony Lombardo, 1925-1928

Patsy Lolordo, 1928-1929

Joe Guinta, 1929

Joe Aiello, 1929-1930

Rockford Mob

Tony Musso, 1931-1957

Joseph Zammito, 1957-1973

Frank Buscemi, 1973-1987

Frank Saladino, 1987-2005

Detroit Partnership

Vito Adamo, 1908-1913

Anthony Gianolla, 1913-1919

Salvatore Gianolla, 1919

Giovanni Vitale. 1919-1921

Sam Catalanotte, 1921-1930

Gaspar Milazzo, 1930

Cesare Lemare, 1930-1931

Bill Tocco, 1931-1936

Joe Zerilli, 1936-1977

John Priziola, 1977-1979

Jack Tocco, 1979-2014

Jack Giacalone, 2014-present

Cleveland Mob

Joe Lonardo, 1920-1927

Joe Porello, 1927-1930

Vincenzo Porello, 1930

Frank Milano, 1930-1935

Al Polizzi, 1935-1945

John Scalish, 1945-1976

Jack Licavoli, 1976-1985

John Tronolone, 1985-1991

Tony Libertore, 1991-1993

Joe Iacobacci, 1993-2005

R.J. Pappalardo, 2005-present

Milwaukee Mob

Vito Guardalabene, 1918-1921

Peter Guardalabene, 1921-1924

Joseph Amato, 1924-1927

Joseph Vallone, 1927-1949

Sam Ferrara, 1949-1952

John Alioto, 1952-1961

Frank Balistrieri, 1961-1993

Pete Balistrieri, 1993-1997

Joe Caminiti, 1997-2014

Peter Picciurro, 2014-present

Des Moines Mob

Charles Gioe, 1936-1939

Louis Fratto, 1939-1967

Madison Mob

Carlo Caputo, 1940-1993

Kansas City Mob

Joseph DiGiovanni, 1912-1931

John Lazia, 1931-1934

Charlie Carrollo, 1934-1939

Charles Binaggio, 1939-1950

Anthony Gizzo, 1950-1953

Nick Civella, 1953-1983

Carl Civella, 1983-1984

William Cammisano, 1984-1995

Tony Civella, 1995-2006

John Sciortino, 2006-present

St. Louis Mob

Dominick Giambrone, 1912-1923

Vito Giannola, 1923-1927

Frank Agrusa, 1927-1937

 Thomas Buffa, 1937-1943

Pasquale Micel, 1943-1950

Vincent Chiapetta, 1950

Tony Lopiparo, 1950-1960

Tony Giordano, 1960-1980

John Vitale, 1980-1982

Mike Trupiano, Jr., 1982-1997

Anthony Parrino, 1997-2014
Vincent Giordano, 2014-present

Omaha Mob

Frank Calamia, 1931-1951

Anthony Marcella, 1951-1959

Anthony Biase, 1959-1991

Los Angeles Mob

Vito DiGiorgio, 1909-1922

Rosario DeSimone, 1922-1925

Joseph Ardizzone, 1925-1931

Jack Dragna, 1931-1956

Frank DeSimone, 1956-1967

Nick Licata, 1967-1974

Jimmy Brooklier, 1974-1984

Pete Milano, 1984-2012

Tommy Gambino, 2012-present

San Francisco Mob

Frank Lanza, 1932-1937

Tony Lima, 1937-1953

Michael Abati, 1953-1961

Joseph Lanza, 1961-1989

James Lanza, 1989-2006

Frank Velotta, 2006-present

San Jose Mob

Onofrio Sciortino, 1942-1959

Joseph Cerrito, 1959-1978

Angelo Marino, 1978-1983

Emmanuel J. Figlia, 1983-1998

Salvatore Marino, 1998-present

Denver Mob

(defunct)

Joe Roma, 1923-1933

Clyde Smaldone, 1933-1950

Vincenzo Colletti, 1950-1969

Joseph Spinuzzi, 1969-1975

Eugene Smaldone, 1975-1992

Clarence Smaldone, 1992-2006

Seattle Mob

Darius LaManzella, 1942-1964

Tommaso DeLeo, 1964-1982

Carlos LaManzella, 1982-1998

Vincent LaManzella, 1998-1999

Othello Testa, 1999-2006

Salvatore Orena, 2006-present

Canada

(no lists of bosses, just families)

Rizzuto Family, Montreal

Cotroni Family, Montreal

Papalia Family, Toronto

Volpe Family, Toronto

Siderno Group, Toronto

Musitano Family, Hamilton

Luppino Family, Hamilton