Looking at the mainstream mob history books and documentaries, I always got the impression that Costello was a “gentleman gangster” and an aloof boss, only concerned with his own gambling rackets and hobnobbing with high society types than with Cosa Nostra or what was going on in the streets. But after looking more into it over the years, it appears Costello was more shrewd and concerned with accumulating power within Cosa Nostra.
Joe Bonanno provides good examples. Costello backs Anastasia in murdering his own boss and becoming the new boss, scoring himself an ally on the Commission. He then (unsuccessfully) conspired with Anastasia to get Lucchese ousted as boss, which would have probably scored himself another Commission ally and also “checked” Vito Genovese as Bonanno puts it. I’ve read that he partnered with Carlos Marcello in the slot machine racket so may have influenced his appointment as boss of NOLA. We also know of his above mentioned influence in New England.
Having said that, I recall Valachi saying that all the captains except one showed up and pledged loyalty to Genovese after the attempted hit on Costello, so he can’t have been too on the ball by that time.
Frank Costello as a Member/Representative
Moderator: Capos
Re: Frank Costello as a Member/Representative
Great thread.
There's also Stefano Magaddino's hatred of Costello, who like other sources linked him to a faction with Albert Anastasia causing problems when the two were leaders.
Magaddino in contrast loved Vito Genovese, as did many people. While it didn't take much for Magaddino to hate someone, seems Costello was doing something to draw his ire. If he was just an aloof boss focusing on his rackets I imagine some of these national bosses would have been fine with him, but there are more and more references to him making enemies nationally. Obviously he made them in his own Family as well.
There's also Stefano Magaddino's hatred of Costello, who like other sources linked him to a faction with Albert Anastasia causing problems when the two were leaders.
Magaddino in contrast loved Vito Genovese, as did many people. While it didn't take much for Magaddino to hate someone, seems Costello was doing something to draw his ire. If he was just an aloof boss focusing on his rackets I imagine some of these national bosses would have been fine with him, but there are more and more references to him making enemies nationally. Obviously he made them in his own Family as well.