Underboss

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Underboss (Consiligneri) is a rank in the American and Italian Mafia. The Underboss is usually a family member, such as a son, that will take over the family if the don is sick or killed. In the American mafia, it is the second highest rank a member can achieve, the highest being boss. The Italian Mafia has an additional rank above boss known as the capo di tutti capi(This position was filled in the U.S. by Salvatore Maranzano in the 1930s, but is non-existent today in the American Cosa Nostra. The position is debated for the Sicilian Cosa Nostra).

The power of an underboss greatly varies; some are marginal figures, while others are the most powerful individuals in the family. Traditionally they run day to day affairs of the family. In some crime families, the appointment is for life. If a new boss takes over a family already with a underboss, he may marginalize or even murder him. On other hand, if a boss receives a prison term, the underboss may become acting boss. As bosses often can expect to serve large periods of time in prison, an acting boss will often become the effective don. Even with the boss not in prison, sometimes the underboss will gain so much power that they will be the effective head of the organization, and the boss will become a figurehead. This occurred most notably in the mid 1980's with longtime underboss Aniello Dellacroce in the Gambino crime family, widely regarded among the American public and law enforcement as the most powerful criminal organization in the United States in the 1970's and 1980's. An underboss is likely to have incriminating information about the boss, and so bosses often appoint close relatives to the underboss position to protect themselves.

[edit] Famous Underbosses

[edit] American Cosa Nostra

Aniello Dellacroce, longtime underboss of the Gambino crime family. He served under Carlo Gambino from 1957 to 1976 and, from 1976 to 1985 under Paul Castellano. He gained enormous power and the respect of most members of the family. Future Gambino boss John Gotti was closely aligned with Dellacroce.

Sammy Gravano, John Gotti's underboss after the murder of Frank DeCicco. He later turned informant when he learned that John Gotti had make degrading comments behind his back and may have wanted to use him as a scapegoat.

Anthony "Gas Pipe" Casso, underboss of the Lucchese crime family. When captured in 1994, he became an informant.

Vito Genovese, appointed underboss by Lucky Luciano to serve under Frank Costello. Genovese eventually plotted to murder Costello in 1957, having gained the support of Joe Bonanno. The assassin was none other than Vincent Gigante, the future longtime boss of the Genovese Crime Family. The attempt failed, but Genovese still became the boss when Costello, shaken by the attempt, left the mob.