Carlo Gambino – Capo di Tutti Capi (Boss of Bosses) FBI Files

Description

Carlo Gambino: Rise of a Mafia Boss

Timeline of Main Events

• 1902: Carlo Gambino is born in Sicily.
• 1921: Carlo Gambino immigrates to the United States, allegedly illegally.
• 1957: Albert Anastasia is killed, allegedly orchestrated by Carlo Gambino with the approval of Vito Genovese. Carlo Gambino becomes the head of the Gambino Family, one of the Five Families of New York.
• 1957 – 1976: Carlo Gambino is reputed to be the head of the Five Families of New York and is described as the “Boss of Bosses” by 1970, considered the most powerful racketeer in the country. During this period, he is involved in various criminal activities including loansharking, illegal gambling, protection money, extortion, hijacking, bootlegging, and murder.
• Around 1970: The U.S. government begins serious attempts to bring Carlo Gambino to trial on hijacking charges and to deport him for his illegal entry into the United States in 1921.
• Around 1970s: Carlo Gambino suffers from severe heart trouble, which prevents him from being brought to trial. The FBI files include detailed reports of his electrocardiograms.
• 1976: Carlo Gambino dies of heart failure.
• Undated: Carlo Gambino, along with Peter Pillon, Horace Hone Hudson, Paul Masotto, Salvatore Gugliemini, Joseph Gambino, Arthur J. Cahill, Saul Blumenthal, George Mittelman, and Norman J. Cella, are indicted in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York for conspiracy to unlawfully distill alcohol, in violation of Section 1322, Title 26 United States Code.

Cast of Characters and Brief Bios

• Carlo Gambino (1902-1976): Born in Sicily, immigrated to the United States in 1921. Reputed to be the head of the Gambino Family from 1957 to 1976 and considered the “Boss of Bosses” by 1970, allegedly the most powerful racketeer in the United States. He was investigated by the FBI for various criminal violations, including loansharking, illegal gambling, protection money, extortion, hijacking, bootlegging, and murder. He allegedly orchestrated the killing of Albert Anastasia to become the head of his family. Government attempts to prosecute him for hijacking and illegal immigration were thwarted by his severe heart trouble.
• Albert Anastasia (d. 1957): The head of one of the Five Families of New York before 1957. His killing in 1957 allegedly paved the way for Carlo Gambino to become the head of his family.
• Vito Genovese: A prominent figure in organized crime who allegedly approved of Carlo Gambino’s plan to kill Albert Anastasia.
• Peter Pillon (with aliases): Indicted along with Carlo Gambino and others for conspiracy to unlawfully distill alcohol.
• Horace Hone Hudson (with aliases): Indicted along with Carlo Gambino and others for conspiracy to unlawfully distill alcohol.
• Paul Masotto (with aliases): Indicted along with Carlo Gambino and others for conspiracy to unlawfully distill alcohol.
• Salvatore Gugliemini (with aliases): Indicted along with Carlo Gambino and others for conspiracy to unlawfully distill alcohol.
• Joseph Gambino (with aliases): Indicted along with Carlo Gambino and others for conspiracy to unlawfully distill alcohol.
• Arthur J. Cahill: Indicted along with Carlo Gambino and others for conspiracy to unlawfully distill alcohol.
• Saul Blumenthal: Indicted along with Carlo Gambino and others for conspiracy to unlawfully distill alcohol.
• George Mittelman (with aliases): Indicted along with Carlo Gambino and others for conspiracy to unlawfully distill alcohol.
• Norman J. Cella: Indicted along with Carlo Gambino and others for conspiracy to unlawfully distill alcohol.

Carlo Gambino – Capo di Tutti Capi (Boss of Bosses) FBI Files

2,108 pages FBI files covering Carlo Gambino. Plus, a 343 page indictment for conspiracy to unlawfully distill alcohol.

Carlo Gambino (1902-1976) was investigated by the FBI for various criminal violations. In 1970, Gambino, said to be the “Boss of Bosses” was described as the most powerful racketeer in the country. About a third of the FBI pages were not released until November 2017.

Reputed to be the head of the Five Families of New York from 1957 to 1976, Gambino was born in Sicily in 1902, and immigrated to the United States in 1921. When Albert Anastasia was killed in 1957, allegedly by Gambino with approval of Vito Genovese, Gambino became head of the Family. The government made serious attempts beginning about 1970 to bring Gambino to trial on hijacking charges and deport him for entering the country illegally in 1921. However, his severe heart trouble, which plagued him for years, prevented trial. Files include detailed reporting of electrocardiograms given to Gambino. Gambino died of heart failure in 1976.

Through his career he was involved in loansharking, illegal gambling, protection money, extortion, illegal gambling, hijacking, bootlegging and murder.

Court Documents

United States of America v. Peter Pillon, with aliases; Horace Hone Hudson, with aliases; Carlo Gambino, with aliases; Paul Masotto, with aliases; Salvatore Gugliemini, with aliases; Joseph Gambino, with aliases; Arthur J. Cahill; Saul Blumenthal; George Mittelman, with aliases; and Norman J. Cella

The 335-page indictment U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, in this case is for violation of Section 1322, Title 26 United States Code, against members of organized crime, including Carlo Gambino, for participating in a conspiracy to unlawfully distill alcohol.