Which criminal business carries the most power?

Post by **Cheech** » Sat Dec 19, 2015 10:41 am

That was welcoming

Post by **JCB1977** » Sat Dec 19, 2015 10:52 am

Cheech wrote:That was welcoming

Re: Which criminal business carries the most power?
Postby JCB1977 » Fri Dec 18, 2015 3:34 pm

Welcome to the board NE1020.

***I did welcome him at the beginning of the thread

Post by **NE1020** » Sat Dec 19, 2015 11:03 am

Im not a troll. But if this forum is more for people with advanced knowledge of LCN, which isn't me, Im fine with staying clear of making new threads to keep the quality of this board. I don't post that often and Im more into just reading posts by senior members anyway

Thanks for the welcoming JCB1977

Post by **Sol** » Sat Dec 19, 2015 12:18 pm

NE1020 wrote:Im not a troll. But if this forum is more for people with advanced knowledge of LCN, which isn't me, Im fine with staying clear of making new threads to keep the quality of this board. I don't post that often and Im more into just reading posts by senior members anyway

Thanks for the welcoming JCB1977

This forum is for everyone interested in OC and who are not trolls. So far you fit the bill on who belongs here. Don't worry about how advance your OC knowledge is, just keep posting and asking questions (and reading), those two things are really the best way to become an advance person on LCN. Welcome aboard NE1020.......Soliai

Post by **Angelo Santino** » Sat Dec 19, 2015 3:49 pm

NE1020 wrote:Im not a troll. But if this forum is more for people with advanced knowledge of LCN, which isn't me, Im fine with staying clear of making new threads to keep the quality of this board. I don't post that often and Im more into just reading posts by senior members anyway

Thanks for the welcoming JCB1977

Greetings, um, welcome to the, uh, board.

I actually never knew you existed before today, but ask whatever questions you want. There's a good number of well-rounded posters, Our "worst" recite book references. I recommend you do searches on things you're curious about and see if your topic has already been discussed. Otherwise, ask away. Steer clear of tallest/shortest/fattest/well endowed mobster ever questions and you'll be fine.

As far as your question: the largest criminal business is narcotics, which the Italian-American mafia has been light on. There's a few brushes here and there, there was the French Connection in the 1960's, but comparatively, the drug cartels of Mexico have 10x the power that the Italo-Mafia of America ever did. If we zoom into that demographric, the most elite criminal business within the LCN has been gambling in the long run, solid Union power until the 1990's followed by extortion. The Mafia-LCN down to any individual family- unlike a gang- didn't recruit solely counterfeiters in the '10's, bootleggers in the 20's, gambling in the 40's and so on. They instead recruited the best and brightest and well connected members of the day, at least in theory, there was nepotism and a decrease/change depending on how you look at it in the recruitment requirements. If tomorrow the USA outlawed the color pink and there was a need for that color, the members in the mafia would be deep in it and the up and comers involved in it. But others in other rackets would still find their place. It's never been a "gambling outfit" or a "drug outfit" in that they are directed structured to accommodate any individual racket. Made guys/mafiosi as members are diverse in their criminal rackets and eek a buck wherever they can. That's my take, get Wiseguy's, Pogo's, B.'s, take on this.

That said, what are your interests in this topic? introduce yourself. We have a section for that don't we? If not, we should, creates a friendly environment.

P.S.: You don't need to be an LCN expert to fit in here. In fact this topic is so broad that you have experts in different areas/eras/members/rackets. It's always a learning in process, no one here is a definitive expert on anything. So again, welcome.

Post by B. » Sat Dec 19, 2015 5:17 pm

Welcome. We are a cynical group here but keep in mind that a lot of us have been around for a decade or more and the cynicism has nothing to do with people's level of knowledge but whether or not they have an agenda.

I can see where Cheech (who is a good guy) was coming from, but your question is fine.

As for criminal business, loansharking and gambling has always been the glue that holds the families together. So while it may not be the most lucrative racket or enhance anyone's status in the underworld, it is still a dependable source of income that they can always fall back on. In my opinion, dependability and consistency are a certain form of "power".

Like others have said, narcotics trafficking is another one that produces a lot of money and puts mob members in touch with members of other criminal networks. The problem with narcotics is the level of scrutiny and the punishments attached... it may bring someone a lot of wealth and power in the short term, but being publicly labeled a major drug trafficker will hurt them both within the mob and in general.

It depends on what you mean by "criminal business", but to me the real answer to your question is white collar corruption. The control of legitimate businesses and the influence on certain industries is why families like the Genovese and the top factions of the Lucchese and Gambino have the power they do. It bridges the gap between the legit world and the underworld and with that comes the most "power" in my opinion.

Post by **bronx** » Sat Dec 19, 2015 5:41 pm

senator

Post by **Sol** » Sat Dec 19, 2015 6:03 pm

bronx wrote:senator

Can't be to powerful or dangerous when your sitting behind bars.......Soliai

Post by **Cheech** » Sat Dec 19, 2015 6:45 pm

I was fuckig around. This is how you get initated. Ur lucky we havent posted your picture yet and memed it. All the best my friend and welcome.

Post by **bronx** » Sat Dec 19, 2015 7:47 pm

Soliai wrote:
bronx wrote:senator
Can't be to powerful or dangerous when your sitting behind bars.......Soliai

?

Post by **Sol** » Sat Dec 19, 2015 8:28 pm

bronx wrote:
Soliai wrote:
bronx wrote:senator
Can't be to powerful or dangerous when your sitting behind bars.......Soliai
?

Lol I just got your post, good one. I thought you were referring to luchese Antony senator.......Soliai

Post by **bronx** » Sat Dec 19, 2015 8:54 pm

Anthony is very dangerous. he became a major addict in prison..shame..i enjoy your posts Soliai..great site..

Post by **Cheech** » Sat Dec 19, 2015 9:39 pm

Buon natale bronx! Yes solai. Best site hands down. I didnt mean to be turse. Just wanted to see where his head was at. Ya know. A virtual pat down.

Post by **Sol** » Sat Dec 19, 2015 9:46 pm

Cheech wrote:Buon natale bronx! Yes solai. Best site hands down. I didnt mean to be turse. Just wanted to see where his head was at. Ya know. A virtual pat down.

No problem Cheech, virtual pat downs are good also. Like B said most of us are cynical and it's because we've been around a long time and have seen all the BS that posters come up with and post. I totally understand, and we are cynical for a good reason. You're one of the best Cheech, thank you and Bronx for the kind words, but really this place is the best forum because of you all and the great Mods (HK and FF) here, I don't do jack anymore but enjoy it all, that's the honest truth. You all make this place what it is, the best place to be for LCN/OC.......Soliai

Post by **bronx** » Sat Dec 19, 2015 9:51 pm

buona natale to you gentlemen also, Cheech have you heard from E.B. ? Soliai, it's C.N. drop the "la" L.O.L