The Rise Of The Mob In New Jersey: Unveiling the Dark Underworld Powerhouses

Over the past century, the state of New Jersey has become synonymous with the American Mafia, also known as "La Cosa Nostra." This secret society of organized crime has infiltrated every aspect of society, spreading its roots deep within the foundations of the Garden State. The rise of the mob in New Jersey is an intriguing tale of power, wealth, and corruption that continues to captivate us to this day.

The Birth of the Mob in New Jersey

The origins of the mob in New Jersey can be traced back to the Prohibition era in the 1920s. With the alcohol ban in effect, organized crime syndicates saw a golden opportunity to amass vast fortunes by controlling the illegal liquor trade. The city of Atlantic City served as a hub for the mob's operations, attracting notorious gangsters from all over the country.

As the roaring '20s gave way to the Great Depression, the mob's influence grew exponentially. Desperate individuals flocked to organized crime for employment and economic stability. Italian, Jewish, and Irish crime families rose to prominence, with each group establishing their own territories and expanding their criminal enterprises.

Garden State Gangland: The Rise of the Mob in New Jersey

by Scott M. Deitche (Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	59599 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	228 pages

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The Five Families of New Jersey

At the pinnacle of the mob's power in New Jersey stood the infamous "Five Families." These legendary crime syndicates dominated the state's underworld scene, ruling with an iron fist and carrying out their illegal activities with ruthless efficiency.

1. The Genovese Crime Family: Established by the undisputed boss Vito Genovese, this family has maintained a strong grip on power since the 1930s. With operations spanning from extortion and gambling to drug trafficking, the Genovese family remains one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the world.

2. The Lucchese Crime Family: Led by various notorious bosses such as Gaetano "Tommy" Lucchese and Anthony "Tony Ducks" Corallo, the Lucchese family gained notoriety for their involvement in labor racketeering, loan sharking, and illegal gambling.

3. The Gambino Crime Family: Founded by the notorious "Dapper Don" John Gotti, the Gambino family emerged as one of the most powerful and feared crime organizations in New Jersey. They were heavily involved in narcotics trafficking, contract killings, and controlling lucrative construction unions.

4. The Bonanno Crime Family: Led by the charismatic Joe Bonanno, this family was involved in a wide range of criminal activities, including loan sharking, gambling, narcotics trafficking, and infiltrating legitimate businesses.

5. The Colombo Crime Family: Under the leadership of Joseph Colombo, this family gained notoriety for its participation in labor racketeering, illegal gambling, and extortion.

The Mob's Influence on Politics, Business, and Society

The rise of the mob in New Jersey brought with it a new era of corruption and criminal influence on various sectors of society. Politicians, law enforcement, and even labor unions were not immune to the sway of these powerful crime families.

Due to their immense wealth and connections, mobsters successfully bribed and manipulated public officials to establish a stronghold over key government positions. This allowed them to control law enforcement investigations, ensuring their own protection while continuing their illegal activities with minimal interference.

Moreover, the mob's influence extended well into legitimate businesses. Entrepreneurs seeking protection or venture capital found themselves indebted to the crime families, giving the mobsters a stranglehold over various industries.

One industry that was particularly vulnerable to mob infiltration was the construction business. The mob controlled powerful construction unions, using them as a front to extort money from legitimate contractors or secure lucrative deals for their own front companies.

The Decline and Current State of the Mob in New Jersey

The mob's reign of power in New Jersey began to decline in the 1980s due to increased law enforcement efforts, internal power struggles, and rivalries between families. High-profile prosecutions and the implementation of RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) severely weakened the once invincible crime organizations.

However, it would be naive to assume that the mob has vanished completely. While they may no longer wield the same level of power and influence as before, remnants of the mob still exist, albeit in more covert and discreet forms.

The rise of new criminal organizations and the ever-evolving nature of organized crime make it challenging for law enforcement to completely eradicate these underworld powerhouses. The mob's ability to adapt to changing circumstances and exploit vulnerabilities in society ensures their survival, albeit on a smaller scale.

In , the rise of the mob in New Jersey is a captivating story that showcases the dark underbelly of power and corruption in society. As we look back at the history of organized crime in the Garden State, it serves as a stark reminder of the constant battle between law and disorder. While the mob may have lost some of its luster, its legacy continues to haunt New Jersey and serves as a cautionary tale for future generations.

Garden State Gangland: The Rise of the Mob in New Jersey

by Scott M. Deitche (Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	59599 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	228 pages

FREE

The Mafia in the United States might be a shadow of its former self, but in the New York/New Jersey metro area, there are still wiseguys and wannabes working scams, extorting businesses, running gambling, selling drugs, and branching out into white collar crimes. And they are continuing a tradition that’s over 100 years old. Some of the most powerful mobsters on a national level were from New Jersey, and they spread their tentacles down to Florida, across the Atlantic, and out to California. And many of the stories have never been told. Deitche weaves his narrative through significant, as well as some lesser-known, mob figures who were vital components in the underworld machine.

New Jersey’s organized crime history has been one of the most colorful in the country, serving as the home of some of the most powerful, as well as below-the-radar, mobsters in the Country. And though overshadowed by the emphasis on New York City, the mob and New Jersey have, over the years, become synonymous, in both pop culture and in law enforcement. But for all the press that has been dedicated to the mob and New Jersey, for all the law enforcement activity against the mob, and for all the pop culture references, there has never truly been an examination of the rise of the mob in New Jersey from a historical perspective. Until now.

In Garden State Gangland, Scott M. Deitche sets the historical record straight by providing the first overall history of the mob in New Jersey, from the early turn of the century Black Hand gangs to the present, and looks at how influential they were was, not only to goings-on the Garden State but across the New York metro region and the country as a whole.