The biggest mob myth is that they extorted legitimate people, Maybe in 1910 some immigrants were extorted, and I don't want to hear about Italian goat farmers of today getting shaken down in that country. Every case I looked i to where it was legged a legitimate businessman minding his business was extorted there was more to the story than that.
Same as the 1974 murder of alleged honest businessman Daniel Seifert in Chicago. General story goes that Seifert was an honest guy but later it turned out that he was previously an Outfit associate. But still, believe me when I say that sometimes real legit people were extorted or paid huge vig on their loans, especially in the barber business, and also in the trucking and garbage businesses.
I understand what you are saying and agree we can't know what Ricca actually said in the meeting with other gangsters, but if he confirmed to prosecutors (as Toodoped said) the information about Cerone, then the thing is on record and became known to public at least after the trial. While I agree it's the mafia that decides what is acceptable for the organization, but if we apply the rigid logic of "no ratting whatever the circumstances" to every single gangster, then what Ricca did was at least controversial in my opinion.
I agree and I think thats another point of view which we all should take in consideration. Thanks @Dwalin2011
