Congo4life (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

damn that quote is classic "i want my environment to be product of me" shows the meaning of being dominant

gnr4evr06 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

In the long run, the Rudaj gang was never more of a threat than any of these other upstart groups. The Rudaj gang didn't try to take on the mob directly. They went after Greek clubs in Queens that were paying a tax to the mob only after the Gambino and Lucchese families had been weakened in that area due to indictments.

swordpunisher (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Black gangsters were never a match for any syndicate operation. Like you mentioned, Sam Giancana and Jackie Cerone took over the numbers during the 50's. "Tumac" Accetturo did the same in New Jersey by eliminating many of the Black Panthers. My point is that the mob had the power to stop anything at such times. In Rudaj's case, it was the police force that stopped them. As far as the mob goes, their soldiers were losing gambling territories to the Albanians.

gnr4evr06 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

There have actually been skirmishes between the Mafia and other groups throught the years, though not as much after Prohibition. In the 1950's there was conflict between black numbers operators and the Chicago mob. Same for black numbers operators and the Luccheses in New Jersey in the 1960's. As well as the Pagan motorcylce gang and the Philadelphia mob in the 1980's. There are other examples as well. The Rudaj gang was just the latest.

gnr4evr06 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I've read everything there is on the Rudaj organization. The statement that they "amounted to a sixth crime family" originated with FBI official Fred Snelling. In hindsight, it proved to be a vast overstatement. The entire group consisted of a couple dozen members and basically collapsed once it's top six leaders received lengthy prison sentences. Judging by their size and scope of operations, they were closer to a single mob crew than a sixth family.

swordpunisher (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

"They also had a standoff with the Gambinos at a gas station in New Jersey but nothing really happened" This is a sign of weakness that La Cosa Nostra never had before. Before the Commission trial in 1985, no one ever even dared to compete the mob in any state in the US, even mob sectors in St. Louis and Cleveland (which are considered not that big) were not challenged. Even Sicilians couldn't operate in the US unless an approval could be made from the commission. It's much different now.

swordpunisher (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

You might be interested in reading the 5th sentence from this article (ALBANIA 'MAFIA'BROKEN By CARL CAMPANILE). Attorney David Kelly said that the Rudaj family is considered to be a sixth family in New York, which indicates how powerful they are. Alex is serving his prison term, but still his mob is active in the city.

gnr4evr06 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

The Rudaj organization was very overrated. They temporarilly took over two Greek gambling clubs in Queens that were paying a tax to the Gambino and Lucchese families and assaulted some Greek operators. They also had a standoff with the Gambinos at a gas station in New Jersey but nothing really happened. The closest they ever came to actually attacking a mafioso is when they shot at a Bonanno associate. In any event, most of the group was indicted and it is now defunct.

swordpunisher (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

You are right about the mob, they are down but not out. This caused many other ethnic groups to try their schemes in the US. Alex Rudaj became so powerful in the last 16 years to the extent that he attacked many members from the Luccheses and the Gambinos on many occasions. As far as Boston is concerned, I believe that Bulger pulled some clever schemes with FBI agent John Connolly, who let Bulger run his criminal operations with impunity in exchange for information on the Patriarca's mob.

gnr4evr06 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

It goes without saying that the Mafia is not as dominant as it once was. Every family has declined to some degree or another. But the Patriarcas continue to be involved in illegal gambling, loansharking, extortion, drug trafficking, as well as legitimate business like the construction industry. Much of the talk about other groups like the Russians and Albanians "taking over" has been hype with no real basis in fact.