Five Families

The Five Families are the five major organized crime groups that have historically dominated the Italian-American Mafia in New York City. These families—Gambino, Lucchese, Genovese, Bonanno, and Colombo—operate independently but sometimes collaborate on criminal activities such as extortion, loan sharking, and gambling. Each family has its own leadership and territory, maintaining a code of secrecy and loyalty. Their influence has shaped organized crime in America, blending traditional Italian Mafia practices with modern criminal enterprises. Despite law enforcement efforts, they have maintained significant, though diminished, power through generations.