The KC info is false, you should have put up the list I gave you. Most the soldiers you have listed are just associates. You don't need to list the associates, and KC never had a consigliere. LaBruzzo is just a soldier.

We do know who is made. The Mary Ferrell site has FBI reports on the made members, and I gave you the list of them. Will write the list in a while.

Ivyleage is right, there's only 15 made men left in KC and about 11 are still active.

1. Former Boss - Anthony "Tony Ripe" Civella (passed away in 2006)

2. Current Boss - John Joseph "Johnny Joe" Sciortino /68

3. Underboss- Peter "Las Vegas Pete" Civella /65

4. Capo - William "Little Willie" Cammisano, Jr. /62

5. Capo - Vincent "Vince" Civella /54

6. Capo - Joseph Porello/86 - Life in prison

7. Capo - James Duardi, Jr. /89 - Retired

8. Soldier - Peter Ribaste /56

9. Soldier - John Calia /65 - In prison until 2016

10. Soldier - Nicholas "Nick" LaBruzzo

11. Soldier - James Moretina /61

12. Soldier - Nathaniel "Nathan" Brancato /78

13. Soldier - Joseph "Joe Rag" Ragusa /71

14. Soldier - Anthony "Tony" Simone /65

15. Soldier - John Mandacina /62 - Life in prison

16. Soldier - Benjamin "Ben" Palmentere /61

You'd think the smaller Families would be easier to document but they're often the most difficult because they don't as much attention from law enforcement and the press; in turn because they don't have as the size and activity that the larger Families do.

Kansas City has always been one of the trickier ones. I've seen charts on different forums that have listed 30 or 40 people. But there's no way they have that many made guys left. I find NJBoy55's list believable. Other than a handful of guys have have been positively identified as made over the years, I'm not sure which ones have had their finger pricked and which ones haven't. However, judging by estimates of where they were years ago, as well as the level of mob activity in Kansas City today, I'd be surprised if they have over something like 15 members at most.

Another tricky Family is Milwaukee, which has also had lists of 30 + members. Mostly bogus, in my opinion. They were always a small Family and you basically have to go back to the 1980's for any major mob activity there. There may be a few members left but that's all.

As for other smaller Families, these lists are from a year or two ago so the ages are 1-2 years older than stated. Some here or there might be dead.

Rochester
1. Angelo Amico/77
2. Anthony Colombo/66
3. Eugene “Gene” DeFrancesco
4. Joseph Geniola/80
5. Charles Indovino/87
6. Joseph LoDolce/67
7. Thomas Marotta/67 (IP/2/12/2011)
8. Reigo Marterano/74
9. Donald Paone/65
10. Loren Piccarretto/58
11. Rene Piccarretto/85
12. Joseph “The Hop” Rossi/72
13. Robert Silveri/76
14. Joseph “Joe T” Trieste

Pittsburgh
1. Thomas "Sonny" Ciancutti/78
2. Eugene Chiarelli/65
3. Nicholas “Nick” DeLucia (Might not be made)
4. Robert "Bobby I" Ianelli/77
5. Anthony Imburgia
6. Mauro Matone/65

Cleveland
1. Ralph "Bosie" Bucci/59
2. William "Billy" DeNova/68
3. William "Billy D" Dileno/72
4. Joseph Gallo/71
5. Joseph "Joe Loose" Iacobacci/59 - was boss, now semi-retired
6. John Iorillo/64
7. Ronald Lucarelli Jr/51
8. Nicholas "Nick" Nardi/82
9. John Oliverio/56
10. Russell Papalardo/67 - said to have taken over for Iacobacci
11. Peter "Petey Boy" Sanzo/74
12. Anthony Velotta/67

St. Louis
1. Anthony "Nino" Parrino - was the boss
2. Joseph Cammarata
3. Frank Palazzolo
4. Fernando "Nondo" Bartolotta
5. Vincent Giordano (Might not be made)

Los Angeles
1. Peter "Shakes" Milano - boss
2. Vincent "Jimmy" Caci - capo
3. Louis "Little Louie" Caruso - capo
4. Thomaso "Tommy" Gambino
5. John "Johnny V" Vaccaro
6. Michael "Porno Mike" Esposito
7. Paulo "Paulie Tattoos" Rossi
8. James Testa
9. Steve "The Whale" Cino
10. Leonardo "Limping Lenny" Montana (Might not be made)
11. Michael "Sports Bar Mike" Russo (Might not be made)

Tampa
1. Vincent LoScalzo - boss
2. Francisco "Frank" Albano
3. Antonio Amorelli
4. Ciro Bedami
5. Joseph Camero
6. Salvatore "Sam" Carollo
7. Joseph DiGerlando
8. Michael Napoli
9. Santo Jose Trafficante - I think he died recently
10. James Valenti

New Orleans
1. Anthony Carolla
2. Joseph Gagliano/50
3. Sebastian Salvatore/90's (alive?)
4. Anthony "Tony" Marcello (alive?)
5. Salvatore "Sammy" Marcello (alive?)
6. Vincent "Vinny" Marcello (alive?)

Thanks for the info guys, both of yous. I will change it and release a more recent version without the associates. NJBoy, i had used your list, but then i stumbled upon Kansas City post on realdeal forum. anyways thanks

Oke i edited both the Phlly mob and Kansas city, check first page. i am going to start on the DeCavalcantes. NJBoy, Ivy, any info?

mukremin is there any leads on who may b the consigliere in new england ??? or is it confirmed that there is no consigliere at this time??

New Jersey

Boss: Giovanni "John the Eagle/Uncle John" Riggi/85 (IP/11/27/2012)
Acting Boss: Francesco “Frank” Guarraci/55 (UI)
UnderBoss: Joseph Miranda/86
Consigliere: Stefano "Steve the Truck Driver" Vitabile/74 (IP/11/24/2013)

Capos:
Philip Abramo/64 (IP/1/21/2018)
Giuseppe "Pino" Schifilliti/71 (IP/11/30/2015)
Salvatore "Little Sal/Sal the Barber" Timpani/66

Soldiers:
Gaetano Alessi
Daniel "Danny" Annunziata
Anthony DeMaio Sr.
James Castaldo/54
Amelio Cocchiaro
Rosario “Russell” Cocchiaro/68
Joseph Collina/62
Louis "Louie Eggs" Consalvo/52 (IP/2/14/2012)
Carl Corsentino
Nicholas “Nick” Cottone
Frank D'Amato/62 (IP/5/19/2012)
James Gallo/65 (IP/12/22/2021)
Francesco “Joe” Gatto/68
Joseph "Uncle Joe" Giaccobe
Leonardo “Larry” Giacobbe
Girolamo Guarraggi
Charles "Fat Charlie/Big Ears" Majuri/69
Anthony "Marshmallow" Mannarino/64 (IP/7/12/2010)
Mimmo Marzullo
Joseph Merlo Jr/70
Joseph “Joey” Merlo III/41
Michael Merlo/58
Joseph Miglorato
Frank Nigro/67
Robert "Bobby Basile" Occhipiti
Girolamo "Jimmy Gumps" Palermo/72
Francesco Paparatto/75
Salvatore “Sal” Polizzi
Gregory Rago/50 (IP/11/15/2014)
Emmanuel "Manny" Riggi
John "Junior" Riggi/58
Vincent Riggi/58
Joseph "Tin Ear" Sclafani/72
Gaetano "Corky" Vastola
Joseph Venditti

Ribera Zips: (Members from the Ribera family that work with the family in Jersey)
Emmanuel Sortino (IP)
Joe Gatto
Giuseppe “Lenny” Terrasi
Ignazio Massimino (IP)
Giuseppe Capizzi
Paolo Capizzi
Nicolo Amari
Giuseppe Campo

New England

Boss: Peter Limone/74
Underboss: Robert "Bobby Cigar" DeLuca/62
Consigliere: Carmen "Fat Carmen/The Cheese Man" DiNunzio/50 (IP) - there was some news reports that he had stepped into that position back in 2009

Capos:
1. Joseph “Joe the Bishop” Achille Sr/72/Prov (IP)(I think he might be out)
3. Anthony DiNunzio/49/Bos
4. Anthony Parillo/Prov
5. Mark Rossetti/48/Bos
6. Antonio "Spucky" Spagnolo/66/Bos


Soldiers:

(Providence Faction)

Richard Bonafiglia
Vito “The Ox” DeLuca/64
William "Billy Blackjack" Delsanto/65
Rocco "Rocky" Folco/61 (UI)
Pasquel “Patsy” Galea/65
Matthew "Matty Gugs" Gugliemetti Jr/60 (IP)
Edward "Eddie" Lato/61
Luigi "Baby Shanks" Manocchio/80
Frank “BoBo” Marrapese/65
James “Jimmy” Martorano/66/Bos
Raymond “Junior” Patriarca/63/Prov
Joseph Ruggiero/58
John “Jackie” Salemme/65
Rudolph Sciarra/84
Anthony "The Saint" St. Laurent/66 (IP)
Alfred "Chippy" Scivola/67

(Boston Faction)

William Angelesco/38 (IP/2013)
Francisco “Frank the Cat” Angiulo
Vincent Capone
Robert “Bobby” Carrozza/68
John Cincotti/68
Greg “Fat Boy” Costa
Biagio “Benny” DiGiacomo/62
Vincent "Vinny Fed" Federico
Vincent “The Animal” Ferrara/59
Richard “Richie” Floramo/68
Richard “Richie the Pig” Gambale/65
Vincent “Dee Dee” Gioacchini/55
Frank Imbruglia/76
Ralph “Ralphie Chong” Lamattina/86
Dennis “Champagne” LePore/61
Junior Pingaro
Pryce Quintina/68
Stephen Rossetti/49 (IP/4/4/2044)
Frederick “Freddie the Neighbor” Simone/57
Carmen Tortora/61


Connecticut:
Anthony “Tony the Beaver” Ascenzia Jr/49
Salvatore “Butch” D'Aquila/67
Mariano “Mario” Grasso/58
Dominic Marangelli/82
Americo “The Cigar” Petrillo/74


Guy’s Who Might Be Made:
Joseph “Joe Black” Lamattina/78/Bos
Alphonse “Horseshoe Al” Napolitano/Bos
Joseph "Joe" Paterno Jr/Prov
Michael “Mike” Prochillo/Bos
Cono “Connie” Frizzi Jr/Bos
John Vitello/61/Conn

Philadelphia

Administration:
1. Boss: Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi/69
2. UnderBoss: ????? (It may still be Steve Mazzone)
-Acting UnderBoss: Martin "Marty" Angelina/47
3. Consigliere: Vacant (It may still be George Borgesi) (Gaeton Lucibello/55 was listed as the Consigliere in the recent Delco Nostra investigation. I'm not sure if it was as the Official or Acting)
-Steven "Handsome Steve" Mazzone/44 - Merlino Faction


Capos:
1. Vincent "Beepsie" Centorino/79/NJ
2. Michael "Mikey Lance" Lancelotti/48
3. Gaeton Lucibello/56 (May Be Consigliere)(Listed as a Soldier in this latest chart)
4. Anthony “Tony S/Ants” Staino/52/SJ


Soldiers:

Ralph "Ralphie Head" Abbruzzi/59 (IP)
Anthony "Tony Cujino" Accardo/48
Martin "Marty" Angelina/46/Acting UnderBoss
Michael “Mikey” Angelina/41
Anthony Borgesi/41
Gennaro "Joseph Costello" Boccia/57
Joseph “Bongs” Bongiovanni/61
Stephen "Stevie Gongs" Casasanto/37 (UI)
John "Johnny Chang" Ciancaglini/52
Martin "Marty Crutch" Curro/55
Louis "Big Lou" Fazzini/41
Frank Gambino/76
Vincent "Vince" Iannece/43
Albert “Ally Lance/Cousin Al” Lancelotti/43
Joseph "Scoops" Licata/67
Philip “Philly” Ligambi/61
Salvatore "Sonny" Mazzone/38
Anthony “Tony Nics” Nicodemo/37
Nicholas “Nicky O” Olivieri/62
Anthony "Martino/Blonde Babe" Pungitore Sr/87
Anthony "Tony Pung" Pungitore Jr/54
Shawn Vetere/40


Inactive:
Joseph "Joey Chang" Ciancaglini Jr/51 (Shelved)
Guerino "Gino" Marconi/79
Nicholas "Nicky Whip" Milano/48
Frank “Windows” Narducci Jr/55 (On Parole)
Dominic Rugnetta/86
Antonio “Nino” Sciglitano/80
Ralph "Junior" Staino/77
Joseph “Joey” Stanfa/39 (Shelved)
Luigi “Gino” Tripodi/70


Imprisoned Members:
George Borgesi/45 (IP/7/03/2012)
Damion “Dame” Canalichio/40 (IP/11/25/2011)
Joseph “Chickie” Ciancaglini Sr/74 (5/04/2015)
Vincent "Big Vince" Filipelli/55 (IP/8/9/2011)
Joseph Grande/48 (IP/3/05/2011)
Francis "Faffy" Iannarella/61 (IP/6/16/2022)
Charles "Charlie White" Iannece/73 (IP/5/03/2011)
Frank Martines/54 (IP/L)
Joseph "Mousie" Massimino/57 (12/26/2010) (IP/1/27/2011)(It Keeps Changing)
Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino/47 (IP/9/7/2011)
Salvatore "Chucky" Merlino/69 (IP/8/03/2016)
Phillip Narducci/45 (IP/7/21/2012) (IP/5/20/2020)(His sentence keeps changing)
Joseph "Joey Pung" Pungitore/52 (IP/5/23/2010)
Salvatore "Tory" Scafidi/46 (IP/9/01/2011)
Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo/79 (IP/1/05/2033)
John Stanfa/67 (IP/L)

Buffalo

Administration:
1. Boss: Joseph “Lead Pipe Joe” Todaro Sr/88 - basically retired
2. UnderBoss: Joseph “J.T./Big Joe” Todaro Jr/67 - basically retired
3. Consigliere: Leonard Falzone/73 - might be acting boss


Capos:
1. Frank “Butchie” BiFulco/63 (IP/9/10/2012) – West Side
2. Russell Carcone/53 – Upstate, NY
3. Dominic Italiano - Hamilton
4. Benjamin “Sonny” Nicoletti Jr/69 – Niagara Falls


Soldiers:
Pasquale “Paddy” Brindisi/64
Philip “Phil” Corelli/45
Frank Falzone
Frank Ferraro/66
James “Jimmy” Feliciano/31
Frank Marino/59
Larry Panaro
Robert “Bobby” Panaro Jr/66
John Pieri
Joseph Pieri Jr.
Donald "Turtle" Panepinto
Charles "Charlie" Pusateri
Joseph Rosato (1984)
Victor Sansanese (Mid 1970s)
Vincent “Jimmy” Sicurella/67
Richard Todaro


Hamilton Faction: (Not sure all these guys are made)

Harold Bordonaro
Paul “Paulie” Cipolla
Ralph Criminisi
Michael “Mike” DePaolo
Daniel “Danny” Gasbarinni
Vincent “Vinny” Lombardo
Antonio "Tony" Luppino
John Luppino
Natale Luppino
Rocco Luppino
Bruno Monaco
Rocco Papalia
Vincent "Jimmy" Luppino
Frank Papalia
Frank “Cheech” Perri/51
Anthony “Tony” Pugliese
Pasquale "Patty" Pugliese
Joseph “Joe” Pugliese

thanks Ivy, the charts have been changed again check first page, and in the weekend i plan to release the Jersey Family, and Buffalo

Ivy, how come the DeCavalcantes have only 3 Capos? There are many soldiers, so they must have at least 5 captains?

NJ DeCavalcante family has been released, download:
First page is also edited
PDF:
http://www.FreeUploadShare.com/DOWNLOAD/24e0d419/NJ DeCavalcante Cosa Nostra Family.pdf

JPG:
http://www.FreeUploadShare.com/DOWNLOAD/9c863457/NJ DeCavalcante Cosa Nostra Family.jpg

Really looking forward to the Buffalo charts. Well done.

Joseph Mousie Massimino is out of prison, I saw him within the last two weeks. I'm surprised to hear he doesn't have a higher rank, he seems to have been around a long time now, and appears to be a standup guy, he has done a lot of prison time over the years.

They very well could have more captains. But, if so, they haven't been identified yet. And it's not always a case of a each captain having exactly 10 soldiers under them. Crews come in various sizes.

The upper ranks of the Philadelphia hierarchy have been rather hard to read over the past few years. Reports from the press, and even law enforcement, have been contradictory at times.

The only thing that seems to be certain is that Ligambi is the boss. There seems to be several top guys who act as Ligambi's immediate subordinates, though the titles/ranks they are given don't always match up. Those guys would include Mike Lancelotti, Anthony Staino, Gaeton Lucibello, Marty Angelina, Vincent Centorino, Steve Mazzone, George Borgesi, Joseph Massamino, as well as Joey Merlino.

George Anastasia suggested that maybe at this point we shouldn't try to force certain ranks on guys too much. That the hierarchy makeup of the current Philadephia mob may not be that rigid.

Ivy, do you think the Philadelphia family is still powerful/influential? Or are they the new Mickey Mouse Mafia?

I guess it depends on how you want to define power or influence.

Technically, they are still recognized as a formally structured, viable crime family by law enforcement. They've shown a remarkable ability to stay alive despite the last 30 years that has seen so much infighting, rats, etc.

In terms of total size, they are mid-level at this point; being considerably smaller than the New York families, comparable to New England, New Jersey, and Chicago, and larger than what remains in places like Cleveland, Tampa, or LA.

That said, the Philly Family has basically been a street operation for the last 20 years; being involved in the usual mob rackets of illegal gambling, loansharking, extortion, drug trafficking, and stolen goods. Not really any labor racketeering or major involvement in legitimate businesses at this point.

I meant, are they still the most powerful crime organization in and around Philadelphia? Like they used to be back in the days when Bruno was in charge.

They are nowhere near the power that Bruno had, Bruno era was a heaven to them. The new generation mobsters have crippled the mafia in Philly, at least Ligambi emerged as a old skool gangster. If it was for merlino and his hot head crew, the Philly mafia would have been extinct.

just read an article on boston.com that stated that mark rossetti of the boston faction was the acting consigliere of the patriarca family. It was apparently quoted from massachusetts state police detective which makes me believe it may b true

In Bruno's day there really wasn't a lot of other players involved. He ruled in that "window" when the Irish and Jewish groups had fallen by the wayside and other groups weren't really a major factor yet or even on the scene. Now you've got various street gangs, the Hispanic drug trafficking groups supplying most of the narcotics, biker gangs, and other organized crime groups. Each has their own sphere of influence so it still comes back to how you want to define power.

Other than being more dependant on gambling than drugs, I'd say there really isn't much that separates them from other groups in the area. Like one law enforcement official said about the Philadelphia mob, "They really aren't any different from the local drug gangs. We give them names and put them on charts but they're really no different."

have you got a link on that barber? looks interesting

here is that link


www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/.../the_old_schools_out/

ur link doesnt work

Not sure y that link wont work i am not very good with computers so i just
posted the entire article here for you guys



Home /News /Local /Mass. Kevin Cullen
The old school’s out
By Kevin Cullen
Globe Columnist / October 24, 2010

It wasn’t that long ago that if Mark Rossetti had been accused of selling heroin like he was the other day, he wouldn’t worry about the cops so much as his reputed associates in that fine fraternal organization known as La Cosa Nostra.

Tweet 2 people Tweeted this.Submit to Diggdiggsdigg.
Yahoo! Buzz ShareThis .Rossetti’s looking at a long stretch in prison, but that’s infinitely preferable to the two in the cap he would have received from other Mafiosi had he been accused of this just a few years back.

But then, that Mafia is dead and gone, in the grave with Jerry Angiulo and a generation of old-school wiseguys who would have choked on their cannoli if they heard the charges leveled against Rossetti, a reputed capo regime, or crew leader, in what’s left of the Boston Mafia.

The old-school wiseguys used to have wine presses. Rossetti’s crew is accused of having a freakin’ heroin press.

“It’s shocking,’’ State Police Detective Lieutenant Steve Johnson was saying. “Shocking that a person of Rossetti’s position in the LCN would be hands-on in the heroin business. But this is where these guys are now.’’

It was Johnson’s troopers in the Special Services Section who built the case against Rossetti and 30 others charged with everything from taking bets over the phone to pistol-whipping people who owed them money to ripping off drug dealers to, the piece de resistance, heroin trafficking.

These are just charges. Nothing is proven yet, except that the Mafia around here sleeps with the fishes. It’s over. Finito. Like that last scene from “The Sopranos.’’ Fade to black.

Stevie Johnson’s boys have had a lot to do with it. But this is a cultural change brought on by more than good police work.

Besides the Massachusetts State Police, there’s the Massachusetts State Lottery. Once The Number became a state-owned entity, the Mafia’s days were numbered. The FBI, having framed one generation of mobsters in the 1960s, had better luck in the 1980s. By then, omerta had become a joke and the rats in the North End, previously confined to those dug up during the Big Dig, started walking around on two feet, answering to names like Sonny.

Everybody was a stool pigeon, which may explain why so many of the old goodfellas got out of the can and said thanks, but no thanks, when the prospect of rejoining the family business was raised. You couldn’t trust anybody. The Staties kept making cases.

A lot of the smarter wiseguys saw where this was going. The Number was gone. Sports book had limited earning potential. That left drugs and drugs scared off a lot of the old-school guys.

The Mafia’s decline was operationally apparent. Carmen DiNunzio, who headed the Boston Mafia until he was put in prison last year, got caught personally delivering a $10,000 bribe to a stranger who — surprise! — turned out to be an undercover FBI agent. The idea that the underboss of the Patriarca crime family had to be his own bag man was ridiculous. That’s what you have soldiers for. Insulation is not just something you put in the ceiling.Continued...

Home /News /Local /Mass. Kevin Cullen
The old school’s out
By Kevin Cullen
Globe Columnist / October 24, 2010
E-mail this article To: Invalid E-mail address Add a personal message:(80 character limit) Your E-mail: Invalid E-mail address Sending your articleYour article has been sent.
E-mail|Print|Reprints|Comments (15)Text size – + It wasn’t that long ago that if Mark Rossetti had been accused of selling heroin like he was the other day, he wouldn’t worry about the cops so much as his reputed associates in that fine fraternal organization known as La Cosa Nostra.
Rossetti’s looking at a long stretch in prison, but that’s infinitely preferable to the two in the cap he would have received from other Mafiosi had he been accused of this just a few years back.
But then, that Mafia is dead and gone, in the grave with Jerry Angiulo and a generation of old-school wiseguys who would have choked on their cannoli if they heard the charges leveled against Rossetti, a reputed capo regime, or crew leader, in what’s left of the Boston Mafia.
The old-school wiseguys used to have wine presses. Rossetti’s crew is accused of having a freakin’ heroin press.
“It’s shocking,’’ State Police Detective Lieutenant Steve Johnson was saying. “Shocking that a person of Rossetti’s position in the LCN would be hands-on in the heroin business. But this is where these guys are now.’’
It was Johnson’s troopers in the Special Services Section who built the case against Rossetti and 30 others charged with everything from taking bets over the phone to pistol-whipping people who owed them money to ripping off drug dealers to, the piece de resistance, heroin trafficking.
These are just charges. Nothing is proven yet, except that the Mafia around here sleeps with the fishes. It’s over. Finito. Like that last scene from “The Sopranos.’’ Fade to black.
Stevie Johnson’s boys have had a lot to do with it. But this is a cultural change brought on by more than good police work.
Besides the Massachusetts State Police, there’s the Massachusetts State Lottery. Once The Number became a state-owned entity, the Mafia’s days were numbered. The FBI, having framed one generation of mobsters in the 1960s, had better luck in the 1980s. By then, omerta had become a joke and the rats in the North End, previously confined to those dug up during the Big Dig, started walking around on two feet, answering to names like Sonny.
Everybody was a stool pigeon, which may explain why so many of the old goodfellas got out of the can and said thanks, but no thanks, when the prospect of rejoining the family business was raised. You couldn’t trust anybody. The Staties kept making cases.
A lot of the smarter wiseguys saw where this was going. The Number was gone. Sports book had limited earning potential. That left drugs and drugs scared off a lot of the old-school guys.
The Mafia’s decline was operationally apparent. Carmen DiNunzio, who headed the Boston Mafia until he was put in prison last year, got caught personally delivering a $10,000 bribe to a stranger who — surprise! — turned out to be an undercover FBI agent. The idea that the underboss of the Patriarca crime family had to be his own bag man was ridiculous. That’s what you have soldiers for. Insulation is not just something you put in the ceiling.

Page 2 of 2 --Say what you want about Carmen. I can’t see him selling heroin. Some overpriced cheese on Endicott Street? Yes. Smack? No way.

.But after Carmen got jammed up, whatever was left of the leadership got desperate enough to decide to make a lot of money real fast, and that always means drugs.

The Mafia was never reluctant to take the proceeds of drug dealing, usually in the form of tribute, the cost of doing business for dealers. But unsanctioned, hands-on drug dealing carried a death sentence. Dealers were invariably users and users were invariably informants. Besides, it’s hard to sell that “men of honor’’ schtick when you’re selling junk.

You would think the consigliere would have stepped in and stopped the drug stuff before it got started. Problem is, Mark Rossetti is not just a reputed capo regime but the reputed “acting’’ consigliere.

That the Boston Mafia has a capo regime doubling as “acting’’ consigliere is an indication of how thin the wiseguy bench is in this town.

Last year, Rossetti allegedly sponsored the Mafia induction of Darin Bufalino, who, like Rossetti, used to work as muscle for the former boss, Cadillac Frank Salemme. Bufalino’s previous drug use, documented by court-ordered testing, would have made him ineligible for Mafia membership not that long ago.

“Apparently,’’ says Johnson, “those rules don’t apply anymore.’’

There’s no respect anymore, either. Gerry Sarro, who got pinched the other day, lives in Revere but was charged with storing 80 pounds of marijuana in his mother’s house in East Boston. When the cops came in, Sarro’s mother gave them a hard time. But when they kept pulling bale after bale out of her basement, she looked genuinely shocked.

At one level, the Mafia has evolved. In the 1980s, bugs planted in the Prince Street headquarters of the Mafia captured Jerry Angiulo and Larry Baione dropping the “N’’ word left and right. The old Mafia was peopled by insular bigots, who didn’t like the Irish, much less people of color.

Fast forward to today, and the flow chart for Rossetti’s organization looks like the United Nations. Blacks and Hispanics are listed in key positions. They can’t be made guys, of course, but the fact that they are considered associates suggests that even some elements of the Mafia have become color-blind.

Wendell Bradford, an African-American who is one of the alleged legbreakers, smiled broadly for his mug shot. He’s apparently new to this.

But things, even This Thing of Ours, change.

As for the Mafia leaders who sanctioned the slide to full-blown drug dealing, I have only one question: why do you think they call it dope?

Kevin Cullen is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at cullen@globe.com

That explains it.

As an example; one would say that the Genovese's are the most powerful crime organization in the New York area, right?

The Genoveses are considered to be the biggest, they always were the biggest. And most rich family, only the Gambinos at their peak were close to the Genoveses. The difference between Genovese Family and others is that they were strong and rich anytime, not like the others who had their good times and bad times.

Thanks for posting that article, barber.

The Genovese are certainly the most powerful Mafia Family in both New York and the U.S. And I think one could make the argument that, in a number of ways, the Mafia is still the strongest organized crime group in the Tri-State area.

Unlike Philadelphia, there are still things that differentiate the Genovese Family from other OC groups. The Genovese are considered to be the most diversified "business crime group" in the nation. They are said to control the largest bookmaking and loansharking operations in the New York/New Jersey area. They are involved in drug trafficking though not as deeply as other New York Families. Over the past 15 years or so they were among the fastest to form alliances with other OC groups and move into newer rackets like stock fraud.

But what really has set them apart is their ability to maintain varying degrees of influence over labor unions and in legitimate industries despite repeated attacks from law enforcement, industry regulation, union reform, etc. That's really what set the Mafia apart in the past from other OC groups. And the Genovese Family has been the most successful in holding onto that as much as possible. Though to a smaller degree than the past, they are still are involved in the waterfront, construction, trucking, and waste hauling industries and have been involved in several cases over the past decade with the ILA, Teamsters, Laborers, and other unions.

It is still highly lucrative to sit on top the Genovese family, the same goes to the other families as well. I mean, there are hundreds of soldiers and associates, even if they hold back money, even if they are not honest. You still get up to 50.000$ a month at least being a capo or underboss/consiglieri. And not to mention that the crews inherit legal and illegal businesses.