War chest Money

[Mikeymike12]

I think The “war chest money” (funds) was a great idea.. Having monthly dues to put away for legal fees on members that are awaiting trial .Did Massino start that? Did that end after Vinny Gorgeous or has it came out that the Bonanno's still do something like that?? Has anyone heard of any other families doing that? Seems like the Genovese would have something like that set up .
I think It shows more of a family bond with something like that and would be perfect for nowadays
We hear it all the time on a reason they turned was because the money stopped coming . Or nobody helped and they felt everyone’s greed with no loyalty etc

[bluehouse]

Something like that can easily get skimed.Also what if a guy wants Gerarld shargel to represent him which would cost 5x what a normal lawyer would it would cause too much trouble.Also what if an a non made guy has contributed more to the family then some brokster made guy would he be entitled to get his legal fees paid

[TallGuy19]

The government seized $3.8 million from Vincent Esposito, which they claimed was a slush fund for the Genovese family. Im not sure if they were using that money to pay legal fees for their members or if it was just being used to bribe politicians and other officials, but it is an example of a crime family having communal fund in the modern era.

[JohnnyS]

The government seized $3.8 million from Vincent Esposito, which they claimed was a slush fund for the Genovese family. Im not sure if they were using that money to pay legal fees for their members or if it was just being used to bribe politicians and other officials, but it is an example of a crime family having communal fund in the modern era.

iirc they were using some of that money to pay for a former consigliere's legal fees.

[Pogo The Clown]

I believe Joe Profaci had a similar "fund". In reality the money ends up in the pocket of the Boss.


Pogo

[queensnyer]

while its a sign of loyalty and imo the right thing to do...it has to be done extremely quietly or any prosecutor worth his tie will be able to use it as evidence of furthering a criminal conspiracy and the membership in a criminal organization....i know its a given today in mob cases but why make it easier

[TallGuy19]

If I had the responsibility of managing the fund I would go to extremes to hide the money so that even if the FBI searched my house, it wouldn't be found. Having that money available would go a long way toward keeping the soldiers loyal, preventing them from cooperating, and possibly keeping them out of prison. Even if the family can't afford to pay all of a member's legal bills, they could provide them with enough money to hire a better lawyer than they could on their own. Mikey Scars said the main reason he cooperated was that the family cut him off financially once he was in prison and facing a life sentence. If bailing a member out of jail and paying a percentage of their lawyer's fees prevents even one member from flipping, it's probably worth it.

[Stroccos]

Cleveland had a fund as well , they used casino skim money to cover the families legal expenses during the Danny Greene Trial

[aleksandrored]

This seems to be a very old practice, when Camorra was in Brazil in the 90s it taught criminals that.

[HairyKnuckles]

I believe Joe Profaci had a similar "fund". In reality the money ends up in the pocket of the Boss.


Pogo

Carlo Gambino did too. And Joe Bonanno also. We know that the Bonanno Family used that fund not only for legal fees, but also to lend out money to Family members at low interest rate to be put out on the street or to be used in a buisness endeavor. And it was usually the consigliere who held that money. When Pistone opened up the gambling place down in Florida, it was Steve Cannone (the consigliere at the time) who brought him the money. Via Sonny Black of course.
Vito Genovese did not have such a fund. When he was facing legal troubles, he forced Philip Lombardo to give up his hat check concession at the Copa. A profit of 30,000 dollars was given to Genovese for his legal fees.