New crime leaders emerging in U.S.

Press, 27 October 1976, Page 4

New crime leaders emerging in U.S.

NZPA-Reuter Washington The death of Sicilianborn Carlo Gambino, reputedly the most powerful Mafia boss in the United States, marks another turning point in the move toward a native American brand of syndicated crime, law enforcement officials say, the Associated Press reported. Gambino is reported to have been the pattern for the Don Corleone character in the Mario Puzo book and film, "The Godfather.'’ He died of a stroke on October 15. "In terms of broader significance. I would look at Gambino’s passing as more confirmation of the trend,” says Jay Waldman, a deputy assistant attor-ney-general in the United States Justice Department’s criminal division. “We’re talking about a younger group of people now, many of them born in this country and educated here." "Gambino,” he said, "had enormous standing in New York, where he controlled the rackets. But I don’t think he had the national influence some jot h e rs have had in t h e

past, Lucky Luciano, particularly. "The influence of Mafia godfathers is waning, and younger men are taking their place. “Gambino’s death may have little impact on organised crime nationally,” Mr Waldman said. “But” in New York the speculation about some kind of conflict where a lot of blood is spilled may be justified. There has been speculation that rival mob factions will battle for control of New York syndicate operations following Gambino’s death.” In an interview Mr Waldman also discussed organised crime trends and current department efforts to keep up with them. Mr Waldman’s duties include supervising the over-all thrust of department investigations and prosecutions in the field of organised crime. “The nation’s crime syndicates are moving off the streets and into corporate boardrooms be- ; cause they’re finding that \ business frauds are more I rewarding than con- | ventional racketeering.” I says Mr Waldman. “These I people go where the |

money is. There’s more money to be made more quickly and with less risk in the so-called paper crimes. “In the 1970 s there has been some shift in organised crime that reflects changing times and personalities among the leadership of organised crime, and changing conditions in the country at large.” He said the old Mafia families based on ethnic and blood kinship still operate in perhaps two dozen cities. But new groups and combinations of individuals who really transcend ethnic lines are on the rise. “Mobsters have infiltrated and taken over dozens or perhaps hundreds of businesses and we have definitely seen an infiltration of legitimate labour unions,” he continued. He refused to name companies and unions that have fallen to criminals. Cycling.—The Belgian cyclists ! Freddy Maertens and M. Polleni tier scored an easy victory by more than two minutes in the annual Baracchi trophy professional pairs pursuit in Italy. ■ Bruce Biddle (N.Z.) was eighth I with A. Neel (U.S.).