Mafia Commission Trial

The Mafia Commission Trial was a criminal trial in New York City, USA, that took place in the mid-1980s and saw many of the top Mafia bosses in the city put away for life. "The Commission" is the name given to the bosses of the five major Mafia families in New York who regularly meet to resolve disputes or discuss criminal activities. The Commission could be roughly described as organized crime's equivalent of a board of directors.

Related Topics:
Criminal - Trial - New York City - USA - 1980s - Mafia - Organized crime - Board of directors

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The eight defendants were:

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• Anthony Salerno, boss of the Genovese family
• Anthony Corallo, boss of the Lucchese family
• Phillip Rastelli, boss of the Bonnano family
• Jerry Langella, acting boss of the Columbo family
• Carmine Persico, capo in the Columbo family
• Salvatore Sanaro, underboss of the Lucchese family
• Christopher Funrari, consigliere of the Lucchese family
• Ralph Scopo, capo in the Columbo family

The defendents were arrested in early 1985 in a major operation by the FBI and they were charged under the RICO statute. The bosses were released on $1,000,000 bail. At the trial itself, which began in 1986, Carmine Persico acted as his own attorney.

Related Topics:
1985 - FBI - RICO - Bail - 1986 - Attorney

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Paul Castellano, boss of the Gambino family, and his underboss Aniello Dellacroce, were also indicted, but both died before they came to trial. Castellano was murdered on the orders of his successor, John Gotti, and Dellacroce passed away from cancer.

Related Topics:
Paul Castellano - Aniello Dellacroce - Indicted - John Gotti - Cancer

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The trial lasted until 1987. It resulted in convictions for all the defendents, with the top bosses receiving 100-year sentences.

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