Leaking like a sieve

The mafia, which originated in Sicily, has come a long way since its earliest known origins of threats, extortion and disputes in Sicilian lemon groves.

It is now a multi-billion dollar business spanning the globe. The organization is involved in most activities including legitimate business

These mafia families have used money made in the underworld to build substantial stakes in the upper world and they are making more money than ever. Their power and influence extends everywhere from the street corner to national governments.

For an organization that exhibits a strong code of silence (Omertà), sometimes enforced by violence, it is surprising how much is now known about activities. The mafia as an organisation is leaking more and more information every minute of the day... and is finding it extremely hard to keep its activities quiet.

There are many reasons for this. Some arise from within the mafia itself, and then there are other outside influences.

• Disgruntled members are often quick to talk about their affairs, sometimes with their associates, but more often with the authorities as part of a reduced sentence or witness protection scheme.
• Some of them, or their families, have even written biographies of their involvement with the mafia, government and business.
• Other sources arise from investigations into their nefarious activities.

In this information age it is increasingly difficult to control the flow of negative publicity.


If you are interested in this subject, here are three books worth reading.

• Costa Nostra in which John Dickie gives a vivid account of the origins of the Sicilian mafia, its move into drugs and expansion to the USA.

• The Outfit by Gus Russo concentrates on the emergence of the gangs in Chicago. Much attention is given to the prohibition era and the rise of Al Capone. It shows how the mafia infiltrated every aspect of Chicago's politics, unions and the development of the city. Money made here was used to make more money in Hollywood and develop Las Vegas. Gus Russo, author of The Outfit, also includes an excellent bibliography.

• The Godfathers : Lives and Crimes of the Mafia Mobsters by Roberto Olla