Some smart mobsters, like Meyer Lansky upon whom Roth was based, and Carlo Gambino, deliberately lived modestly, the better to keep from attracting attention. Another reason: the low-profile lifestyle was consistent with the phony "jobs" they listed on tax returns, so that they could keep from being prosecuted for tax evasion. More dumb mobsters were sent away for tax evasion than for RICO and drugs combined.


Ntra la porta tua lu sangu � sparsu,
E nun me mporta si ce muoru accisu...
E s'iddu muoru e vaju mparadisu
Si nun ce truovo a ttia, mancu ce trasu.