Of course not. And that's still what 'makes the mob, the mob!' Average Joe's are not going up against these kinds of guys.

Basciano and Mancuso are done Bonanno's need a low profile leader a Zip/Sicilian.

Yes Hollander, they need to take a page out of the Gambino book. Mancuso should've waited for his supervised release to be up, but the only question is would the Bonannos wait? They do need someone who is completely free.

Done? Mancuso's sentencing was capped at only 11 months. Although Basciano's fate may appear sealed, there is a glimmer of hope as a judge has finally consented to review the entrapment evidence pertaining to the Pizzolo murder conviction. Will he see the streets again? There is a small chance. He has a very valid legal argument, and much crazier things have happened in this world.

Yes but once Mancuso is released he will have 3 years on parole and if he's seen meeting with his troops again, back to the pokey he goes. They need someone to lead who has no restrictions.

Yes considering their links to Castellammare del Golfo, a new regime wouldn't be very difficult.

Do you know who is in that Castellamarese faction of the family these days assuming it is still a "faction"? I believe the Asaro's are long time Castellamare Bonannos, the Pipitone brothers are I believe so that crew maybe? Are the Grimaldi's from there too?

Joe C is also an interesting one who already tried to take over the family allegedly. He could be pulling strings behind the scenes trying to get captains on board with him to make a comeback though I may be writing a movie script there rather than a real life scenario lol

Nobody really knows, and I hate how some people here will say beyond a doubt that they don't have those ties anymore just because it hasn't been out in the news lately. If it's not in the news, it doesn't exist mentality that seems to be so prevalent here.

There is definitely Bonanno's with that lineage still, whether they have any strong links I guess is the debate but it would appear so from what I've read. I believe Ace Aiello is also Castellamarese heritage. There's a guy Bonventre is the Asaro crew who I assume of that heritage too so there's plenty of them. On that case with Francesco Domingo a couple years back they spoke about links to the Bonannos. A few guys I have not heard of before who are based in Queens and the article also mentioned that a guy "Jo" was the person to speak to in New York. My assumption on that was "Jo" was either Grimaldi or Cammarano but could be someone else. I believe the article also said that Domingo's brother had lived in New York

No one has ever said that they don't have those ties anymore, but those ties aren't much of a factor these days. So why even bring it up? Is Carmine Galante the boss? Is it 1979 out there? These families have become so Americanized at this point that I'm always surprised when people bring this up. The Castellamarese contingent of today is barely there. It's a small crew. Their top guy was offered the consigliere position about 10 years ago, but declined. The family is probably too American for them lol

Well one thing's for sure, they can do better than putting someone on parole in charge. That much I do know.

I would not be surprised if Ernie Aiello has already been named acting boss. Another guy that is also high on my list is Johnny Mulberry. Bruno I believe is still on paper

I like to bring it up as I'm a history nerd but the fact those ties do still exist in some capacity is pretty interesting. Eg Lucchese family and origins in Corleone I believe that link to be dead long ago. But your point is probably most accurate that in the grand scheme of things it is not relevant today. Be it a Sicilian faction or not I think we all agree that family needs new leadership that's not in the news media every few months

Indeed. In fact, there were numerous visits, documented by the carabinieri, by members of the Italian-American Bonanno mafia family from New York who updated the Castellammarese mafia boss Domingo on the dynamics and balances of Cosa nostra overseas.
Domingo is said to be even related to Salvatore Maranzano, considered the first Italian-American mafia boss, who was killed in New York in the 1930s. The family link with the overseas boss would be constituted by the aunt of the regent of Castellammare, Angela Domingo, wife of Mariano Maranzano, son of Salvatore.

Not to draw any conclusions about the current situation but “A generation which ignores history has no past and no future.”