TIL: What The APALACHIN DEBACLE Was... (think mafia)
Today I learned...
What happened that cold November day, Apalachin NY, in 1957.., was the beginning of the end of -- the mafia. And really embarrassing, not just for La Cosa Nostra.., but the FBI, too.
The historic summit.., the meeting of over 100 of the biggest mafiosa, including the 5 heads of the NY faction. It is said.., Vito Genovese, head of one of the biggest families in NY.., called for this meeting of the bosses, to solidify his standing as, Capo di tutti capi -- boss of all bosses. A grab for massive power!
Seldom did they grant someone with the title of Capo di tutti capi.., because it hurt other gangsters feelings -- and create unwanted and unneeded attention. So calling a meeting to have yourself named "Boss of all bosses" took some pair of balls -- was already gearing up to be quite tense.
Being hosted by Joe "The Barber" Barbara, in the sleepy town of Apalachin, about 200 northwest of NYC… Local police were not used to seeing so many fancy cars, at the same time -- many parked at the local motel.., and in Barbara's driveway.
A local officer overheard Barbara's son making numerous reservations at the local motel.., and when they saw all those nice cars.., they smelt a rat… Knowing something was out of whack.., they soon showed up at the estate of this historic summit of heads of the families -- owned by Joe "The Barber" Barbara.
Over 60 Mob bosses were rounded up and detained… When questioned.., they all had the same response -- claiming to be visiting a sick friend. After all, they weren't breaking any laws, at the time. Some of the bosses were Vito Genovese, Carlo Gambino, Joseph Profaci and Joseph Bonanno. Some supposedly alluded capture, by running through the snow covered woods tossing their guns and money into the air -- legend has it, locals were finding $100 bills all over those woods for years.
Besides the embarrassment of all the bosses being nabbed.., by some dumb local cops… They lost the respect of many of their soldiers. And, the thing that would harass them for years.., and eventually bring them down -- they were now on the FBI's radar… J. Edgar Hoover, who had denied the existence of a National Crime Syndicate.., now had no choice but to recognize and investigate it.
Today I learned...
Even though it years and years, to dismantle… It all in sleepy little town in upstate NY -- because was power hungry. And now, they had to deal with special branches Hoover created to specifically go after the bosses the -- "Top Hoodlum Program." After this historic debacle.., many of the bosses found themselves under much greater scrutiny, from the law. And so started all the indictments and subpoena's, the thousands -- all started way back in 1957!
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