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Organized Crime

A historical look at New York's infamous mafia network caught in NBA gambling scandal

Portrait of Alexa Juliana Ard Alexa Juliana Ard
Updated Oct. 23, 2025, 5:37 p.m. ET
American mobster Joseph Valachi, of the Genovese crime family, testifies during Senator John McClellan's congressional committee on organized crime in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 27, 1963. Valachi was the first member of the American Mafia to publicly acknowledge its existence and describe its inner workings. When he was serving a 15-year sentence for drug trafficking, he killed a fellow prisoner whom he mistook for a man sent by Vito Genovese, boss of the Genovese crime family, to kill him. He received a life sentence for the murder. He feared he was still in danger from the Genovese family and decided to cooperate with law enforcement and later the U.S. Senate. His testimony motivated Congress to enact new anti-racketeering laws, strengthen drug addiction recovery efforts, and create a new witness protection program.
American mobster Joseph Valachi, of the Genovese crime family, testifies during Senator John McClellan's congressional committee on organized crime in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 27, 1963. Valachi was the first member of the American Mafia to publicly acknowledge its existence and describe its inner workings. When he was serving a 15-year sentence for drug trafficking, he killed a fellow prisoner whom he mistook for a man sent by Vito Genovese, boss of the Genovese crime family, to kill him. He received a life sentence for the murder. He feared he was still in danger from the Genovese family and decided to cooperate with law enforcement and later the U.S. Senate. His testimony motivated Congress to enact new anti-racketeering laws, strengthen drug addiction recovery efforts, and create a new witness protection program.
Leffler/Library Of Congress/Interim Archives, Getty Images
The Vito Genovese Family chart shown at Senate crime inquiry on Oct. 8, 1963, listening to the testimony of convict-informer Joe Valachi.
The Vito Genovese Family chart shown at Senate crime inquiry on Oct. 8, 1963, listening to the testimony of convict-informer Joe Valachi.
Bettmann Archive, Getty Images
Carmine Tramunti, reputed boss of the Lucchese crime family, outside FBI headquarters in New York after being indicted on fraud and other charges on Nov. 19, 1970.
Carmine Tramunti, reputed boss of the Lucchese crime family, outside FBI headquarters in New York after being indicted on fraud and other charges on Nov. 19, 1970.
Bettmann Archive, Getty Images
Baldo Amato (far left) and his cousin Cesare Bonventre (center) of the Bonnano crime family enter the offices of the Brooklyn district attorney in New York on July 31, 1979. They were surrendering themselves following the murder of crime boss Carmine Galante. Both men were dining with Galante when he was assassinated on July 12, 1979. They had been subjects of an international manhunt since the killing.
Baldo Amato (far left) and his cousin Cesare Bonventre (center) of the Bonnano crime family enter the offices of the Brooklyn district attorney in New York on July 31, 1979. They were surrendering themselves following the murder of crime boss Carmine Galante. Both men were dining with Galante when he was assassinated on July 12, 1979. They had been subjects of an international manhunt since the killing.
UPI/Bettmann Archive, Getty Images
Sicilian gangsters Baldo Amato (left) and his cousin Cesare 'The Tall Guy' Bonventre of the Bonnano crime family, circa 1979. Both men were dining with crime boss Carmine Galante at the Joe and Mary Italian-American Restaurant in Brooklyn when Galante was assassinated on July 12, 1979. Amato was one of the shooters involved in Galante's assassination and was sentenced to life in prison. Bonventre was murdered in 1984.
Sicilian gangsters Baldo Amato (left) and his cousin Cesare 'The Tall Guy' Bonventre of the Bonnano crime family, circa 1979. Both men were dining with crime boss Carmine Galante at the Joe and Mary Italian-American Restaurant in Brooklyn when Galante was assassinated on July 12, 1979. Amato was one of the shooters involved in Galante's assassination and was sentenced to life in prison. Bonventre was murdered in 1984.
New York Times Co., Getty Images
Large bulletin board shows photographs of bosses, underbosses, capos and soldiers in five New York organized crime families, including four involved in the NBA gambling scandal, Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese and Luchese.
Large bulletin board shows photographs of bosses, underbosses, capos and soldiers in five New York organized crime families, including four involved in the NBA gambling scandal, Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese and Luchese.
Marianne Barcellona, Getty Images
Paul "Big Paul" Castellano (L), a high-ranking member of the Gambino crime family, was arrested with eight other men on charges of loansharking. Included in the arrest was his son, Joseph Castellano (C), and cousin, Paul F. Castellano (R). Big Paul Castellano is the brother-in-law of reputed underworld boss Carlo Gambino, and heir to the leadership of the Gambino Family.
Paul "Big Paul" Castellano (L), a high-ranking member of the Gambino crime family, was arrested with eight other men on charges of loansharking. Included in the arrest was his son, Joseph Castellano (C), and cousin, Paul F. Castellano (R). Big Paul Castellano is the brother-in-law of reputed underworld boss Carlo Gambino, and heir to the leadership of the Gambino Family.
Bettmann Archive, Getty Images
The Carlo Gambino Family chart shown at Senate crime inquiry on Oct. 8, 1963, listening to informant Joe Valachi.
The Carlo Gambino Family chart shown at Senate crime inquiry on Oct. 8, 1963, listening to informant Joe Valachi.
Bettmann Archive, Getty Images
Paul Castellano, boss of the Gambino Crime Family, is photographed arriving for the Mafia Commission Trial on Feb. 27, 1985 at the US Federal Courthouse in Manhattan, New York City. He ran the organization from 1976 until his murder in December 1985. He became involved in criminal activities at a young age, including armed robbery, and as head of the Gambino family he oversaw labor racketeering and the corruption of businesses and public officials.
Paul Castellano, boss of the Gambino Crime Family, is photographed arriving for the Mafia Commission Trial on Feb. 27, 1985 at the US Federal Courthouse in Manhattan, New York City. He ran the organization from 1976 until his murder in December 1985. He became involved in criminal activities at a young age, including armed robbery, and as head of the Gambino family he oversaw labor racketeering and the corruption of businesses and public officials.
Yvonne Hemsey, Getty Images
Anthony 'Fat Tony' Salerno, boss of the Genovese Crime Family, is photographed on Feb. 28. 1985, leaving the U.S. federal courthouse in Manhattan, New York, after his arraignment. Salerno faces two counts of racketeering.
Anthony 'Fat Tony' Salerno, boss of the Genovese Crime Family, is photographed on Feb. 28. 1985, leaving the U.S. federal courthouse in Manhattan, New York, after his arraignment. Salerno faces two counts of racketeering.
Yvonne Hemsey, Getty Images
Anthony "Tony Ducks" Corallo, boss of the Lucchese crime family (back seat), and Salvatore T. "Tom Mix" Santoro, Sr., underboss of the Lucchese crime family, as they leave the US Federal Courthouse during the Mafia Commission Trial on Sept. 18, 1986 in New York City.
Anthony "Tony Ducks" Corallo, boss of the Lucchese crime family (back seat), and Salvatore T. "Tom Mix" Santoro, Sr., underboss of the Lucchese crime family, as they leave the US Federal Courthouse during the Mafia Commission Trial on Sept. 18, 1986 in New York City.
Yvonne Hemsey, Getty Images
Joe DeCicco (L) and Jackie "Nose" D'Amico (R) of the Gambino crime family, led by John Joseph "Johnny Boy" Gotti, Jr., currently on trial for racketeering, murder, illegal gambling, obstruction of justice, tax fraud, and a list of other crimes.
Joe DeCicco (L) and Jackie "Nose" D'Amico (R) of the Gambino crime family, led by John Joseph "Johnny Boy" Gotti, Jr., currently on trial for racketeering, murder, illegal gambling, obstruction of justice, tax fraud, and a list of other crimes.
Rick Maiman, Sygma Via Getty Images
Vincent "The Chin" Gigante, a former boxer and the reputed head of the Genovese crime family from 1981 to until his death in 2005, enters a car here after he was arrested on charges of racketeering along with several other top mob figures in 1990. He is wearing a bathrobe; Gigante's lawyers would claim he had a long history of mental illness.
Vincent "The Chin" Gigante, a former boxer and the reputed head of the Genovese crime family from 1981 to until his death in 2005, enters a car here after he was arrested on charges of racketeering along with several other top mob figures in 1990. He is wearing a bathrobe; Gigante's lawyers would claim he had a long history of mental illness.
Bettmann Archive, Getty Images
Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano, a former member of the Gambino family, prepares to testify on April 1, 1993 about corruption in the sport of professional boxing.
Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano, a former member of the Gambino family, prepares to testify on April 1, 1993 about corruption in the sport of professional boxing.
STEVEN PURCELL, AFP Via Getty Images
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