Close
FBI Retired Signature Directories

FBI Organized Crime


FBI Organized CrimeOnly because of an alert New York State Police [NYSP] trooper, did authorities discover Organized Crime figures and mobsters were meeting at the rural estate of JOSEPH BARBARA, in Appalachian, New York in November 1957 which included Mafiosi figures JOSEPH BONANNO, CARLO GAMBINO, VITO GENOVESE, JOSEPH PROFACE, SANTOS TRAFICANTE and fifty-seven [57] other known professional hoodlums.  When BARBARA’s guests realized police were recording license plate numbers, wanting to remain anonymous, mobsters scrambled, some running into the woods.  Setting up road blocks, authorities identified many of the hoodlums, thinking they interrupted a mini-convention involving Organized Crime.  Accordingly, members whose background also includes FBI Organized Crime can be a great asset to someone looking for an investigator and/or needing an expert concerning Organized Crime.

Exchanging intelligence with the FBI, police determined of the 60-plus gangsters identified 53-suspects had FBI files with 40-individuals having known criminal records.  Concerned about the Appalachian meeting and Organized Crime, the FBI decided to re-examine its efforts prosecuting gangsters, having initiated it’s “Top Hoodlum Program,” in August 1953.

While mobsters meeting at BARBARA’s estate proved to be a Mafiosi’s Who’s Who, the FBI quickly realized it lacked jurisdiction for agents to effectively investigate Organized Crime, telling Congress they needed new laws.  Not wanting to pass up an opportunity to be tough on crime, in 1961, after ROBERT KENNEDY became Attorney General [AG], Congress passed the Federal Wire Wager and Travel Act and Interstate Transportation of Wagering Paraphernalia Act, enabling agents to target illegal bookmaking operations and conduct investigations involving individuals traveling in interstate or foreign commerce for the purposes of conducting illegal activity.  The law also targeted facilities used to conduct illegal activity.  While some Organized Crime figures took notice, most were not worried …yet.  But Congress had only just begun.

Seeking more resources, in 1963, the FBI convinced mob “button” man JOSEPH VALACHI, also known as [aka] JOE CARGO to testify before a specially “televised” Senate subcommittee investigating Organized Crime that rocked the nation. Providing “inside” information, VALACHI shocked the public hearing stories about mob crime families, hit-men, and extortion rackets. Believing Organized Crime posed a serious threat to the nation’s security, KENNEDY put prosecutors and investigators together creating a new unit at the Justice Department called the Organized Crime and Racketeering Section to better coordinate the FBI’s activities, and other law enforcement agencies charged with investigating the broad spectrum of criminal activities being committed by crime figures.

But some argued, the Bureau still lacked the necessary tools needed to combat Organized Crime.  Not wanting to appear soft, in 1968, Congress passed the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act, giving the FBI its broadest authority yet, allowing agents to use court authorized wiretaps and “bugs” to investigate and lockup mobsters.  And as part of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970, passed the Illegal Gambling Business Act, targeting syndicated gambling and enacted the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations [RICO] Act, giving prosecutors authority to attack criminal organizations and seize assets. The latter provision enabling the Justice Department to levy penalties for criminal and civil violations, including treble damages, costs, and attorney fees.  Targeting assets and taking mobsters’ money, Justice Department officials finally felt confident they had the tools needed to disrupt and dismantle the crime family networks that officials thought had threatened the nation’s security.

Members listing FBI Organized Crime as a skillset can be very helpful to law firms, security professionals and journalists, trying to understand an ongoing Organized Crime case, needing an investigator and/or wanting an expert looking to locate/interview witnesses, obtain a professional opinion and/or provide media commentary.  Asked to review evidence concerning an Organized Crime suspect, members whose skills include FBI Organized Crime can analyze digital evidence, provide testimony and/or when solicited produce an affidavit documenting policies and procedures.  Besides having an expertise concerning FBI Organized Crime, these members also have important organizational, analytical and reporting skills, necessary to examine evidence and/or interview witnesses.

Worried about security having become involved with a suspected Organized Crime figure, members listing FBI Organized Crime can provide valuable insight and guidance improving a security plan.  Specifying FBI Organized Crime as a skillset, these members also have the training, expertise and contacts to analyze evidence in an Organized Crime case, “not” only at the federal level, but state and local level as well.

Likewise, many members whose backgrounds include FBI Organized Crime also have media experience, and can provide journalists and news outlets with media commentary and/or case analysis when solicited.  Able to cite policy manuals and regulations, presented with a criminal complaint and/or an indictment, members listing FBI Organized Crime can provide viewers and listeners with color and background information.   Need more information about a member whose background includes FBI Organized Crime just make contact with the member and make inquiry.

______________________________________________

Looking for an FBI Organized Crime expert—website visitors need only use the search feature, entering the appropriate skill, as well as the geographical area of preference and make contact with an FBI Organized Crime expert using the information provided.

______________________________________________

Retired FBI Agents and Analysts, interested in securing a Directory listing and/or a personal email address who have a background that includes FBI Organized Crime, need only submit a brief online application to join the website.

[NOTE: Information contained herein about Organized Crime was obtained from the FBI’s official website www.FBI.gov].

Agents with FBI Organized Crime skillset