Deaths on February 14

Vito Genovese, Italian-American mob boss (b. 1897)

Vito Genovese (November 21, 1897 – February 14, 1969), pronounced IPA: [ˈviːto dʒenoˈveːze, -eːse], was an influential Italian-born American mobster who left an indelible mark on the landscape of organized crime in the United States. His career spanned several tumultuous decades, from the illicit era of Prohibition to his eventual demise in federal prison, solidifying his reputation as a ruthless and ambitious leader within the American Mafia.

From Humble Beginnings to Prohibition-Era Power

Born in Risigliano, Tufino, Naples, Italy, Genovese immigrated to the United States as a young boy, settling in New York City's burgeoning Italian-American communities. It was in these dense urban environments that he forged early connections that would define his criminal career. Genovese’s ascent to power began in earnest during the 1920s, a period famously known as Prohibition. The national ban on alcohol, enacted by the Volstead Act, inadvertently created a lucrative black market for bootlegging, providing fertile ground for organized crime syndicates to flourish.

Initially operating as an enforcer, Genovese was known for his violent efficiency and unwavering loyalty. His role was crucial in protecting illicit alcohol operations and intimidating rivals, quickly establishing him as a formidable figure within the nascent American Mafia. This era allowed him to develop the strategic acumen and brutal reputation that would later define his leadership.

The Castellammarese War and the Birth of The Commission

A long-time associate and childhood friend of Charles "Lucky" Luciano, Genovese played a pivotal role alongside him in the bloody Castellammarese War (1929-1931). This internecine conflict pitted two dominant factions of the New York Mafia against each other: the old-guard "Mustache Petes" led by Salvatore Maranzano and Joe Masseria, and the younger, more progressive mobsters, including Luciano and Genovese, who sought to modernize and centralize organized crime operations.

Genovese was instrumental in the strategic elimination of both Masseria and Maranzano. Following Maranzano's assassination, Luciano, with Genovese's backing, dismantled the archaic "boss of bosses" structure and instead established The Commission. This groundbreaking governing body, comprised of the heads of the Five Families of New York and other powerful crime families across the nation, aimed to prevent future internal wars, arbitrate disputes, and foster unprecedented cooperation, thereby significantly shaping the future of the American Mafia and organized crime in the United States.

Leading the Genovese Crime Family and Expanding the Heroin Trade

Upon Luciano's conviction and imprisonment in 1936, Genovese briefly stepped in as acting boss of what was then known as the Luciano crime family. However, his tenure was cut short. Working in tandem with Luciano, Genovese was a key architect in expanding the international heroin trade. They exploited existing smuggling routes and established new networks, turning narcotics into a highly profitable global enterprise for the Mafia, with significant operations extending from Europe to the United States.

Exile in Italy and World War II Ties

In 1937, facing a looming indictment for the 1934 murder of gangster Ferdinand Boccia in New York, Genovese fled to Italy to evade American law enforcement. During his period of exile, which coincided with World War II, he maintained a complex and opportunistic relationship with Benito Mussolini's Fascist regime. Fearing extradition back to the United States to face murder charges, Genovese briefly supported Mussolini, leveraging his criminal connections and resources to aid the regime in various illicit activities, including black market operations. However, his support was pragmatic rather than ideological, driven by self-preservation and the desire to remain beyond the reach of American justice. After the Allied invasion of Italy, Genovese's political allegiances shifted, and he began collaborating with American military authorities through figures like Colonel Charles Poletti, playing a role in the Allied administration of occupied Italy, an arrangement that ultimately facilitated his return to the U.S.

Genovese was eventually arrested by American military police in 1944 on charges related to black market operations, before being deported back to the United States in 1945 to face the outstanding murder charges. Though eventually cleared of the murder charge due to the suspicious death of the key witness, he quickly reasserted his influence within the American Mafia.

The Quest for "Boss of Bosses" and Mentor to "Chin" Gigante

After his return, Genovese continued his ascent, eventually becoming a mentor to a young and ambitious mobster named Vincent "Chin" Gigante, who would later rise to become a notorious boss of the Genovese crime family, known for his eccentric behavior and long reign. Genovese’s ultimate ambition, however, was to claim the revered, albeit unofficial, title of "Capo di tutti capi" or "boss of bosses" – a position that signified supreme authority within the American Mafia.

In 1957, Genovese orchestrated a violent power play to consolidate his dominance. He ordered the assassination of Albert Anastasia, the brutal boss of the Anastasia crime family (later the Gambino crime family), who was infamously gunned down in a New York barbershop. Simultaneously, he sanctioned a botched murder attempt on Frank Costello, the powerful and politically connected acting boss of the Luciano family, who narrowly survived the attack. These acts of aggression sent shockwaves through the underworld, clearing the path for Genovese to assume full control of the Luciano family, which was then formally renamed the Genovese crime family in his honor, a testament to his ruthless effectiveness.

The Apalachin Meeting and His Downfall

Immediately following these power moves, Genovese sought to cement his newfound supremacy by calling a highly secretive summit of Mafia leaders. This infamous gathering, known as the Apalachin Meeting, took place on November 14, 1957, at the rural estate of Joseph Barbara in Apalachin, New York. Over 100 high-ranking mobsters from across the United States convened to discuss critical organizational issues, including the recent power shifts, racketeering operations, and the lucrative drug trade.

However, the meeting was unexpectedly raided by New York State Police, who, alerted by suspicious activity, surrounded the property. Although many attendees escaped into the surrounding woods, dozens were apprehended, leading to widespread public exposure of the Mafia's clandestine operations. The Apalachin raid was a monumental embarrassment for organized crime and inadvertently provided law enforcement with invaluable intelligence, marking a significant turning point in the fight against the Mafia.

Genovese’s reign as the undisputed boss was short-lived. In 1959, he was convicted on narcotics conspiracy charges, a direct consequence of increased law enforcement pressure following Apalachin, and sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. This conviction effectively cut short his direct control over the Genovese family, though he continued to exert influence from behind bars.

The Valachi Revelations and Death in Prison

While incarcerated at Atlanta Federal Penitentiary, Genovese encountered one of his underlings, Joseph "Joe Cargo" Valachi. Fearing Genovese's retaliation after a misunderstanding in which Valachi mistakenly killed another inmate he believed to be a hitman sent by Genovese, Valachi became convinced his life was in danger. In a landmark decision that broke the Mafia's sacred code of silence, known as "omertà," Valachi became a government witness.

Valachi's public testimony before the McClellan Committee in 1963 was unprecedented. He provided the first extensive insider account of the American Mafia's structure, rituals, and operations, revealing the existence of the "Five Families" and their inner workings to an astonished public and a previously skeptical FBI. His revelations were invaluable to law enforcement, fundamentally changing how the government understood and combated organized crime.

Vito Genovese died of a heart attack in the United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri, on February 14, 1969, at the age of 71, concluding a life marked by violence, ambition, and an enduring legacy in the annals of organized crime.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vito Genovese

Who was Vito Genovese?

Vito Genovese was a powerful Italian-born American mobster who rose to prominence during Prohibition and eventually became the boss of one of New York City's Five Families, which was later named the Genovese crime family in his honor. He was known for his ruthlessness, strategic acumen, and his role in shaping the modern American Mafia.

What was Genovese's role in the Castellammarese War?

Genovese was a key participant in the Castellammarese War, fighting alongside Lucky Luciano against the old-guard bosses. He was instrumental in the assassinations that ended the conflict, which led to the establishment of The Commission, a governing body that restructured and centralized American organized crime.

How did Genovese become the head of his crime family?

Genovese gained full control of the Luciano crime family (which became the Genovese family) through a violent power grab in 1957. This involved ordering the murder of Albert Anastasia, the then-head of another powerful family, and a botched assassination attempt on Frank Costello, the acting boss of his own family, thereby consolidating his power.

What was the significance of the Apalachin Meeting for Genovese?

The Apalachin Meeting was a summit called by Genovese in 1957 to affirm his leadership and discuss Mafia business. However, it was raided by police, leading to the arrest of many top mobsters and unprecedented public exposure of the Mafia. This event inadvertently contributed to the increased law enforcement pressure that led to Genovese's 1959 conviction for narcotics conspiracy.

Who was Joe Valachi and what was his connection to Genovese?

Joe Valachi was an underling of Vito Genovese who, while in prison, feared Genovese was attempting to kill him. In an unprecedented move, Valachi broke the Mafia's code of silence ("omertà") and became a government witness, providing invaluable testimony about the inner workings of the American Mafia to the public and law enforcement in 1963.