Vito Genevese is a notorious figure in the history of organized crime. Born in Italy in 1897, he later immigrated to the United States and became a key member of the Genovese crime family. His involvement in various criminal activities, including extortion, racketeering, and murder, solidified his position within the family. However, his criminal career also resulted in his exile to Italy in 1937 when he was a member of the Luciano crime family.
Despite being exiled, Vito Genevese eventually returned to the US and became the boss of the Genovese crime family in 1957. However, this was short-lived as he was arrested at the Apalachin Meeting, a gathering of high-level mobsters, in the same year. Vito Genevese was later convicted and sentenced to life in prison, where he died in 1969. Nevertheless, his legacy lives on, and his name is often used as a reference in mafia-related pop culture.
Early Life
Vito Genevese was born on November 27, 1897, in Risigliano, a small commune in Italy. He grew up in poverty, and as a teenager, he became involved in petty crime. In 1913, he boarded a ship to the United States, where he settled in New York City’s Little Italy neighborhood.
Genevese continued his criminal activities in New York, working as a low-level enforcer for the Morello crime family. In 1922, he was convicted of assault and began a three-year prison sentence.
After his release in 1925, Genevese became a member of the powerful and violent Castellammarese clan, led by Salvatore Maranzano. He quickly rose through the ranks and became one of Maranzano’s most trusted lieutenants.
However, Genevese’s ambition led to his downfall. In 1930, he conspired with Lucky Luciano to kill Maranzano and take control of the Castellammarese clan. The plan succeeded, and Luciano became the new boss, with Genevese as one of his top advisors.
From there, Genevese’s criminal career only continued to grow, leading to his ultimate downfall and legacy in the world of organized crime.
Criminal Career
Vito Genevese’s criminal career was shaped by his involvement in the Genovese crime family. He was known for his role in various criminal activities, including extortion, racketeering, and murder. Genevese was a key member of the organization and held significant power within the hierarchy. He was involved in several high-profile crimes and was considered a ruthless enforcer. Genevese was also known for his connections with other powerful crime families, which helped him expand his criminal empire. His criminal career was marked by violence and corruption, and his legacy continues to influence organized crime to this day.
Luciano Crime Family
Vito Genevese’s criminal career began when he became a member of the Luciano crime family, one of the most prominent organized crime syndicates of the time. As a member of the Luciano crime family, Genevese gained experience in various criminal activities, including extortion and racketeering. However, Genevese’s association with the Luciano crime family was short-lived, and in 1937, he was exiled to Italy for his alleged involvement in a murder.
- Genevese’s time with the Luciano crime family was instrumental in shaping his criminal career.
- During his time with the Luciano crime family, Genevese gained valuable experience in various criminal activities.
- However, his association with the family was cut short, and he was exiled to Italy in 1937.
Despite being exiled, Genevese’s criminal activities continued to make headlines, and he soon rose to prominence as a key member of the Genovese crime family.
Return to the US
After serving his exile sentence in Italy, Vito Genevese returned to the US in the late 1940s and resumed his involvement in the underworld. In 1957, he became the boss of the powerful Genovese crime family, one of New York’s Five Families. As the leader, he expanded the family’s criminal enterprises, including illegal gambling, loan sharking, and drug trafficking.
Under his leadership, the Genovese crime family became the largest criminal organization in the US and one of the most powerful in the world. Despite his success, Vito Genevese was not immune to law enforcement and was arrested several times.
In 1957, he was detained at the notorious Apalachin Meeting, a gathering of high-ranking mobsters that was raided by the FBI. This event marked the beginning of Vito Genevese’s downfall. He was later convicted for drug trafficking and sentenced to life imprisonment. He died of a heart attack in prison in 1969, one of the most infamous Mafia bosses in history.
Apalachin Meeting
Vito Genevese’s involvement in organized crime brought him to the Apalachin Meeting, a gathering of high-level mobsters in 1957, where he was arrested. The meeting was organized by Joseph “Joe the Barber” Barbara and attended by over 100 known mafia members from across the country, including Genevese.
The meeting was suspected to be about the future of organized crime, including the control of illegal activities and the formation of alliances. However, the meeting was disrupted by a police raid, and over 60 attendees, including Genevese, were arrested.
The raid was a significant event in the history of the United States’ struggle against organized crime and led to the exposure of the mafia’s national reach and influence. Genevese was eventually convicted for his crimes, including his involvement in the Apalachin Meeting, and sentenced to life in prison, where he died in 1969.
The Apalachin Meeting is still considered a turning point in the fight against the mafia in the United States. The raid led to increased surveillance and investigation of organized crime and helped contribute to the downfall of many high-level mafia members, including Vito Genevese.
Conviction and Death
Vito Genevese’s criminal activities eventually caught up with him, and he was arrested and later convicted of various crimes, including conspiracy to commit murder and narcotics trafficking. He was sentenced to life in prison and was sent to the United States Penitentiary in Atlanta, Georgia.
While in prison, Vito Genevese suffered from poor health, including heart and lung problems. In February 1969, he died in his cell at the age of 71.
Vito Genevese’s legacy lives on in organized crime history, and his story has been portrayed in numerous books, movies, and TV shows. He is remembered as a ruthless and cunning criminal who rose to power in the mafia underworld but ultimately met his downfall.
Legacy
Vito Genevese’s leadership and involvement in organized crime have made him a significant figure in the history of organized crime. His activities, including extortion, racketeering, and murder, have left a lasting mark on the criminal underworld. Even after his death in 1969, his name continues to be referenced in mafia-related pop culture, such as movies, television shows, and books. Furthermore, his legacy lives on through the Genovese crime family, which he led for several years. Despite his criminal activities, Vito Genevese remains a legendary figure in the history of organized crime, and his name is likely to continue to be remembered for years to come.
