Articles by David Breakspear

Felice Maniero and the Mala del Brenta

“In conclusion, we can therefore recognize the existence of a criminal association aimed at the commission of an indeterminate series of crimes against property, against personal safety and freedom, against drug laws and the direct and indirect acquisition of control of economic activities, both lawful and illegal. The same appears to have acted making use of the intimidating force emanating from the associative bond and the state of subjugation and silence that ensued for the…

The Power of Puglia: Sacra Corona Unita

‘I swear on the tip of this dagger, wet with blood, to be faithful to this body of formed society, to disown father, mother, brothers and sisters, up to the seventh generation’ In ‘The Fifth Element’, I outlined the history of the formation of the ‘Famiglia Basilischi’ who were officially recognised as the fifth mafia. A lot has been written about the main three: Camorra, ‘Ndrangheta and the Sicilian Mafia (Cosa Nostra), however, not much…

Mobsters

The Fifth Element: The Creation of a New Mafia

To most Mafia aficionado’s the name ‘Lucania’ will no doubt recall one of the Italian-American Mafia founders. A man born in Lercara, Sicily on the 24th November 1897, whose family emigrated to America in April 1906. A man who also, whilst serving a prison term of 30-50 years, helped the American war effort from the confines of his prison cell by ensuring the docks of New York were protected from the Nazis. His reward, sentence…

Family Structure

‘Ndrangheta – The Honoured Men of Calabria

A conspiracy can be defined as such when those who are members of it use the threatening power of the associative bond and the condition of subjection and the code of silence deriving from it, to commit crimes, to directly or indirectly acquire the management or control of financial activities, concessions, authorizations, contracts and public services to get unjust profit or advantages for oneself or other people, that is to prevent free voting practice or…

Secret Syndicate

Godfather 1 vs Godfather 2: Which is Better? (MADE MEMBER CONTENT)

Ahh the 1970’s a great period for films and of course for mob related deaths. We have Carlo Gambino, Carmine Galante, and of course Joe Colombo. The latter had a helping hand with the Godfather film. In the spring of 1971, Paramount Pictures started filming The Godfather with the assistance of Colombo and the Italian-American Civil Rights League. With the terms “Mafia” and “Cosa Nostra” pulled from the film, Colombo and the League allowed filming…

Tony T's Trivia

Tony T’s Trivia: ‘Vault’ Available on Demand Tomorrow

Tony ‘T’ is connected. Not only in America, but worldwide. What ‘T’ don’t know, ain’t worth knowing. You’ll know, because he’ll want you to know. Set in 1975, ‘Vault’ is, allegedly, based on a true story of how a gang of small-time hoodlums attempt to rob the Mafia of $30 million and will be available to watch on demand from tomorrow (06/14/2019). One would hope, that with a cast that includes the familiar faces of…

On This Day

Mafia Killer Reported Slain: The Death of Pino Greco

Although, allegedly murdered in September 1985, Pino Greco’s body has never been found. His death only confirmed in 1989 when pentito, Francesco Marino Mannoia, told authorities that his brother had been present at the time of Greco’s death. Francesco Marino’s brother, Agostino had told him everything, that he was downstairs in the house when he heard gunshots, and upon going upstairs saw Pino lying dead on the floor, with one of his assassins holding a…

News

The Brooklyn Camorra

At the turn of the 20th century, residents of impoverished towns and villages in Italy’s southern regions were leaving in their tens of thousands in search of a better life in America. Amongst them was Enrico Alfano, a man, who according to some, was behind the infamous March 12, 1909 slaying of a New York law enforcement officer Joseph Petrosino who was shot to death in Palermo, Sicily’s capital city, whilst waiting to speak with an informant Petrosino believed had information on the Mafia. Alfano arrived in America on…

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