No problem breaking it down to me. You make a very good point and you've given examples of particulary Bonanno members who were amico nostra without being actual criminals, such as Alfonso Gagliano from Toronto and a member from the old days who was a practising dentist if I remember correctly.B. wrote:I don't understand how running a successful pizza business would prevent someone from holding the title of boss. Mafia hisory is filled with successful (and unsuccessful) businessman holding high-ranking positions, even boss, with little to no involvement in day-to-day criminal activities. From what has come of this Violi case, Todaro could very well be removed from criminal activity and still preside over the formalities of a mafia family, like appointing an underboss.
There seems to be a fundamental misunderstanding on here over what a mafia family is. Would be great if the DiLeonardo Q&A were still active, as I believe he would be able to give some insight into how this works and why a group like Buffalo could be a fully-structured family, capable of meeting with other families, without necessarily being a criminal powerhouse. It seems to be beyond my abilities to break it down despite plenty of effort over the years.
I'm not denying any of Wiseguy's and Pogo's repeats of FBI statements of the Buffalo family. But as I've also said, Todaro may be fully legitimate but still hold sway in the local underworld. He has already made his bones in crime and built a reputation so why would he need to actually continue to participate in criminal activities to still be recognised as a Mafia leader and be able to make decisions? Now this is food for thought for some here.
I'm choosing the middle ground because there's no denying the FBI's statements as well as there's no denying these actual wiretaps. So it all comes down to interpretation of both sources, and that is according to my own logic that the Buffalo Family's criminal activities have continued in Canada with possible supervision from the original powerbase, which in turn is recognised and supported by the still relatively powerful New York families. As has been indicated, the Violis and other Canadian Buffalo members or associates rely on the support and cooperation of the families in New York, because it would be bad for business otherwise and even dangerous if they start ignoring Mafia traditions, politics and protocols. These guys are far more loyal and devoted to "their thing" than various posters over the years (particulary in regards to Canadian affairs) have suggested.
A good example would be Joe Di Maulo, who was according to some the great usurper who not only went to war against the Rizzutos but the Bonannos too and would've ordered the murder of Sal Montagna. We now know, thanks to the likes of Daniel Renaud and Di Maulo's own daughter that this was not the case. I was attacked by some posters on the RD for even suggesting the possibility that Di Maulo may not have been that much involved. I always believed (gut instinct) that he was a true mafioso who believed in its rules and protocols. He also had a good thing going for himself. Why would he jeopardise his carefully built status for going to war instead of enjoying his wealth and grandchildren? Never made much sense to me. Di Maulo was also furious with Desjardins according to his daughter, because he knew the consequences of an unsanctioned murder of a Mafia higher-up by a non-member who happened to be his brother-in-law. He probably realised from that point onward that the power-play against the Rizzutos was doomed and he knew he could pay the price for the actions of his brother-in-law.
