New issue of Informer Journal is out

[Antiliar]

For those who don't know, the latest issue of Informer Journal is out. Lennert Van Ri'et, David Critchley and Steve Turner put out the most informative and detailed article on infamous Mob boss Albert Anastasia ever written; Ed Valin traces the history of the term "Cosa Nostra" for the Mafia; Tom Hunt examines the connections of Calabrian mobsters in early 20th century America; and I review Gary Krist's new book "Empire of Sin," about the New Orleans underworld in the late 1800s to early 1900s. My latest column shows how J. Edgar Hoover of the FBI and his meddling into the Black Panthers inadvertently led to the creation of the Bloods and Crips.

http://informer-journal.blogspot.com/20 ... ormer.html

[B.]

Always glad when these are out.

[johnny_scootch]

Purchased. Thank you for the heads up.

[BeatiPaoli]

To Everyone: Purchased the new issue of The Informer, waiting to receive it in mail. I am disappointed in the frequency of the editions, would really like to see it quarterly. I am impressed with the level of research, writing, annotations, etc, in the articles since the magazine's inception. Particularly impressed with the issue-spanning article clearing up all the misconceptions of the early Mafia in New York.

So, in an ( admittedly feeble) attempt to stoke the editor and author(s) to produce another fine issue-spanning, comprehensive article on all our favorite subject, I would respectfully propose that the researchers and contributing authors involved with The Informer--and the more knowledgable posters in certain geographical areas from around the country here on this Forum--collaborate to write a comprehensive piece on the current state of Cosa Nostra in the United States, updating the status of the 28 Families over the last 20-30 years (including those that are defunct) a la Ed Reid's city-by-city account of the anatomy of traditional organized crime in his excellent book (for its time) "The Grim Reapers." The comprehensive synopses would include the latest history and developments in the affairs of the Families, current structure and number of members, etc. Some of this is already being written and researched by competent members of this Forum,those who are familiar with their own regional Family. This would be quite an undertaking, but it would certainly be a landmark article, perhaps even comprising more than one issue.

Just a suggestion, by one who would like to see a comprehensive, current update of the 28 Families' status in 2015.

Regards,
Beati Paoli

[B.]

To Everyone: Purchased the new issue of The Informer, waiting to receive it in mail. I am disappointed in the frequency of the editions, would really like to see it quarterly. I am impressed with the level of research, writing, annotations, etc, in the articles since the magazine's inception. Particularly impressed with the issue-spanning article clearing up all the misconceptions of the early Mafia in New York.

So, in an ( admittedly feeble) attempt to stoke the editor and author(s) to produce another fine issue-spanning, comprehensive article on all our favorite subject, I would respectfully propose that the researchers and contributing authors involved with The Informer--and the more knowledgable posters in certain geographical areas from around the country here on this Forum--collaborate to write a comprehensive piece on the current state of Cosa Nostra in the United States, updating the status of the 28 Families over the last 20-30 years (including those that are defunct) a la Ed Reid's city-by-city account of the anatomy of traditional organized crime in his excellent book (for its time) "The Grim Reapers." The comprehensive synopses would include the latest history and developments in the affairs of the Families, current structure and number of members, etc. Some of this is already being written and researched by competent members of this Forum,those who are familiar with their own regional Family. This would be quite an undertaking, but it would certainly be a landmark article, perhaps even comprising more than one issue.

Just a suggestion, by one who would like to see a comprehensive, current update of the 28 Families' status in 2015.

Regards,
Beati Paoli

While it's a good idea, I can't seem to remember the Infomer ever dealing with much if anything after the 1960s. I believe it is more geared toward doing quality research and clearing misconceptions about the first half of the 20th century, so not sure a "current state" type article would be of interest to the editor.

[Antiliar]

Actually it is open to any time period as long as the article is high quality and well-researched. Because of the time lag before the FBI and other agencies release information, it can take years before good, verifiable material is made public. FBI files, for example, are only made available after proof of the death of the subject has been made. Even then, the names of other people in the files may have their names redacted if they are still alive, not considered relevant and third party, or are informants. Facts considered procedural are redacted. Sometimes when sufficient time has passed for the file to be made public the agency destroys it since there is a file destruction program made in conjunction with the National Archives. Another consideration is that it may take years before a person connected with organized crime may feel comfortable enough to go public. The Family Secrets trial which took place in 2007 and covered events from the 1970s and 1980s. So current information is harder to come by, but to verify it takes even longer. Also, when dealing with living people you can get sued unless the information covered is already in the public domain.

[B.]

Actually it is open to any time period as long as the article is high quality and well-researched. Because of the time lag before the FBI and other agencies release information, it can take years before good, verifiable material is made public. FBI files, for example, are only made available after proof of the death of the subject has been made. Even then, the names of other people in the files may have their names redacted if they are still alive, not considered relevant and third party, or are informants. Facts considered procedural are redacted. Sometimes when sufficient time has passed for the file to be made public the agency destroys it since there is a file destruction program made in conjunction with the National Archives. Another consideration is that it may take years before a person connected with organized crime may feel comfortable enough to go public. The Family Secrets trial which took place in 2007 and covered events from the 1970s and 1980s. So current information is harder to come by, but to verify it takes even longer. Also, when dealing with living people you can get sued unless the information covered is already in the public domain.

Thanks for the info, Rick, and that also explains why there haven't been many modern articles in there. Either way it's an invaluable resource.

[BeatiPaoli]

To Everyone: First and only bump.

Regards,
Beati Paoli

[johnny_scootch]

I read the Anastasia article and while it is excellent I was hoping it would have more info about his entire criminal career rather then focusing mainly on the known murders he was involved in. Also something interesting I didn't know that is part of the Mafia Rebranding article is that it's possible for a member of one family to sponsor someone into a different family then his own. This being the case with John Misuraca a member of the Colombo family sponsoring Salvatore Costanza, Peter Misuraca & Alex Camarata for membership in the San Jose Family. Anyone know of any other cases similar to this?