My father and uncle (two VERY knowledgable guys - in the life), told me that Tommy Brown was THEE best boss (bar none) around in his era
Interesting, is that from an earner's perspective? Lucchese's did a great job until Corallo turned things over to Amuso after Casso turned him down.
Knowing how Tommy became boss, and reading Joe Bonnano's book, it seems Tommy was smartest by not being a thorn in anyone's side. When you read about Tommy and Joe having a private conversation about the Anastasia/Costello stuff going on, Tommy reveals it was Vito Genovese guiding a lot of his moves. Seems like Tommy was really good at not reaching for too much and sharing with others, specifically Carlo Gambino and Vito Genovese.
Exactly. That was just one of Tommy's great attributes. He never overstepped himself. He let everybody eat. From associates and soldiers, capos and above. He allowed his men a wide berth, and they rewarded him for the courtesy with a lot of tribute. He rarely (very rarely) hurt one of his family men unless that guy was a rat like Gene Giannini. He set all his brothers up with their own mini-fiefdom in Corona, Queens that became "Lucchese territory" 99.9%, and placed his bother Joe Brown as the capo, with Joey Narrow as acting capo, and later gave Narrow a full capo status. He ran a wealthy, wealthy borgata active and in control over some of the most important industries in NYC.
He concentrated heavily on legitimate business, encouraging all his men who were capable to invest in legit business (and he gave them opportunities to do just that). Pound for Pound it was successfully argued that the Lucchese Family had more millionaires amongst its membership than any other crew in the country. Even the Genovese crew couldn't match them in wealth.
He didn't heavily "tax" his men. He encouraged them all to "share the wealth' and help one another get involved in the numbers business, bookmaking, shylock, etc. He allowed guys who were prone to go that way to deal in narcotics, and he "helped" those nabbed by police.
By and large he was an extremely "intelligent", level-headed business man type mafioso. He was NOT a "cafone". He knew how to travel; manicured fingernails, the finest tailor-made shirts and suits, ate in the best Manhattan restaurants, lived in an expensive home on Lido Beach. Owned many partnership interests in various dress factories, garment trucking firms, lathing and construction companies, vast real estate, etc, etc..... sharp, sharp guy.
He forged close relationships (partnerships really) with judges, magistrates, mayors, councilmen, lawyers, prosecutors, city officials, etc.....this was how he and his minions were able to avoid major prosecution for decades with little fanfare.
He "bought" people. He didn't kill them!......In that regard he was the "ying" to Frank Costello's "yang"
THATS a boss!... not the shit you see nowadays.
A closing note: In all the decades of operation overseen by both Gagliano and Lucchese, there was never so much as one eyebrow raised in an attempt to "overthrow" the leadership or buck the hierarchy. Why?
The answer is because everybody was happy. everybody ate. His men didn't fear Tommy, so much as they greatly respected him. (honestly? The fucking loved him).
I had a very dear friend with that crew. Happiest guy in the whole world. He loved his skipper, and he loved and revered his boss Tommy. My friend became a rich guy. He had habits lol (he was a DG gambler) and blew a lot of his money. But that was his fault not Tommy Brown's. Even when he fucked up, Tommy saw to it that they bailed him out several times and helped him get on his feet.
Another boss? Lol... they woulda gave two behind the ear, or chased him. But that wasn't Tommy's way.
