"These 'Goodfellas' thought they had a license to steal, a license to kill, and a license to do whatever they wanted!," stated FBI official George Venizelos, in announcing the arrests of 5 members of the Bonanno Mafia Family. - J. R. de Szigethy,
Make believe mobsters are pathetic caricatures of the real thing. The impact of such portrayals comforts the gun lobby and has a corroding influence on the body politic. - Mike La Sorte, Professor Emeritus
This is an excerpt from the new book, Vanished: The Life and Disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa, by William Hyrb. and is available from, Amazon.com and other publishing outlets.. - William Hyrb
It is one of gaining influence in community affairs; alliances and collaborations with state functionaries; infiltrating segments of the society and gaining support and protection of certain enabling segments of the population. - Mike La Sorte, Professor Emeritus
Why Youngstown?
In Crimetown U.S.A., is a narrative of organized crime in Youngstown, Ohio and the surrounding Mahoning Valley during the years 1933 to 1963. It begins with the Valley's participation in the Midwest Crime Wave of 1933-34, describing the demise of the legendary bank robber “Pretty Boy” Floyd. This is followed by the demise of one of the Valley’s own in the brutal slaying of “Happy” Marino, which also happens to be one of the Valley’s few gangland murders in which all the participants were tried, convicted and sent to prison.
- Allan R. May
One of the most dangerous and brutal criminals to have ever worked for the FBI, Boston Mob Boss James "Whitey" Bulger, has finally been convicted for the drug trafficking and murders he directed during his reign of terror dating back to the 1970s. - J. R. de Szigethy,
This is an excerpt from the new book, Diary of a Motor City Hit Man: The Chester Wheeler Campbell Story, by Christian Cipollini. Taken from Chapter 4 - Inventory of a Hit Man and is available from, Amazon.com and other publishing outlets.. - Christian Cipollini
The Russian Mafiya did not emerge as a result of the 1991 collapse of the communist state. It was present, as were other Russian mobs. They existed before and were a consequence of the unique characteristics of the Soviet system. - Mike La Sorte, Professor Emeritus
The FBI's Thirty-Year Relationship With a Mafia Killer
In Deal with the Devil, five-time Emmy winning investigative reporter Peter Lance draws on three decades of once secret FBI files—and exclusive new interviews—to tell the definitive story of Gregory Scarpa Sr., aka "The Grim Reaper;" a Mafia capo, who "stopped counting" after 50 murders, while secretly betraying the Colombo crime family as a Top Echelon Criminal Informant for the Bureau.
- Peter Lance
This is an excerpt from the new book, Black Caesar: The Rise and Disappearance of America's Biggest Kingpin, by Ron Chepesiuk. The book is published by Strategic Media Books (www.strategicmediabooks.com) and is available from the web site, Amazon.com and other publishing outlets. - Ron Chepesiuk
A closer look at the complete phenomenon of racketeering reveals greater complexity and scope, particularly in the inclusion of persons, businesses and corporations that function in the legitimate economy yet dip into criminality if not most of the time certain when the occasion warrants. - Mike La Sorte, Professor Emeritus
This is an excerpt from George Hassett's just released (Link to Amazon)Gangsters of Boston, which is published by Strategic Media Books - George Hassett
From Mob Lawyer to Mayor of Las Vegas - Only in America
Oscar Goodman spent more than 30 years defending some of the most notorious mobsters in America. Now he's written a book - Being Oscar - in which he talks about all that and more, much more.
- George Anastasia
Please note that Rick Porrello is NOT a national or
international organized crime or Mafia expert or historian. He does not maintain
contacts with mobsters, is unable to assist with family history research and is
unable to provide assitance with locating photographs. If you believe you are
the victim of organized crime, some of the agencies that may be able to help you
are local law enforcement agency, state attorney general's office, the F.B.I. or
U.S. Attorney's office.
Sorry, we are unable to personally accept research inquiries. Please
post questions to the Forum.
From 1991 to 2004