Listed as having 50 members, flying under the radar or just not much mob activity in Detroit?

Is Tocco still boss? He's well into his 80's now.

Thanks.

Another hotly debated topic.

I've made my opinion well known on this and have gotten a lot of flack from some people. Nevertheless, the evidence shows what it shows.

Relatively speaking, not a lot of mob activity in Detroit in recent years. The 2006 gambling bust was the biggest case but was small compared to the 1996 bust, the likes of which I don't believe we'll ever see again. Some people have come up with various excuses for the lack of indictments in Detroit but they don't hold water, in my opinion. Especially as more times goes by.

Back in 1996 the family was said to have 30 members at most. Even if some were not identified, there's virtually no chance of it growing to 50 or more since that time. Scott Bernstein himself quoted 25 in his 2006 "Motor City Mafia" book. Then later his charts on the RD ranged anywhere from 30+ to almost 60. Later he admitted that he didn't differentiate between made and non-made guys on those lists.

He's mentioned rumors about two recent ceremonies but I don't know if that's been verified. And even if they've taken place, I don't see the family making new guys in big numbers. Certainly not enough to stave off general attrition. At least 6 members have died in just the last 6 years.

Some reports still list the family among those remaining, others don't. So, while an argument can be made the family still has a formal hierarchy and ongoing activity, it can't be said that it's as strong or as active as some claim. If it already hasn't, it will certainly be the next one to cross the line to "non-viable."

By the way, Tocco is still the boss but his health is said to be deteriorating. Jackie "The Kid" Giacalone is thought by many to be the next boss when Tocco either steps down or dies.

Thanks for the info Ivy, you make some great points.

With Ivy on this one my opinion no more than 25 made members some not active or shelved like Zerilli and quite a few not even living in or near Detroit a lot in Miami.

Tocco is still the official boss of what is left and well respected but again like Ivy said old and in bad health. Jackie the bathrobe has been running things for a few years now at least he is also well respected.

You got to give it to Tocco he enjoyed life and never had to do much time unlike his cousin Zerilli had the world by the balls having Joseph as his pops and he blew it ended up getting shelved and hurting for cash.

The thing i like about Detroit is they were always very low key very few informants. If you did not know these guys from birth they would not even let you near them and that is why they had few informants.

Joseph Zerilli really built a family literally he had a lot of his soldiers and his own family marry and into each other. Pretty smart if you want to have some power in numbers and low key.

Always an interesting family to me.

detroit mafia is like the ndrangheta,the prefer share the power with the parent.if you look at a ndrina we see that the key positions are then hold by the relatives of the boss, also the fact of marrying together the soldiers, creates and strengthens the omertà.

I agree Furio.

Interesting... i see this as being a positive in that it reduces their visibility but it also reduces power and influence... Still if you can make a little less, you may have more longevity in this game..

That is the way I would go.

Since Anthony Zerilli has been on the shelf, and as was mentioned, probably low on cash, is that why he is supposed to be coming out with a book about the whereabouts of Hoffa's remains?

That's one of the theories being floated as to why he's doing it.

Haven't they had like 3 mob hits since 2000?

Detroit? The ones I'm aware of are associates John Jarjosa Jr. in 2001 and Gerry Bianchette in 2002. How directly these killings were related to mob business, I don't know.