15 Mafia Photos From the 1970s That Feel Like a Movie Scene
The 1970s were a time of power, excess, and bloodshed for the Mafia. The Five Families ruled New York with an iron fist, while casinos (and even storefronts) in major cities like Las Vegas and Chicago served as money laundering operations for the Mob. But beneath the fancy suits and wads of cash, the decade wasn’t all blazes of glory like “The Sopranos” might have you believe. It also brought relentless police crackdowns, internal betrayals, and dead bodies found in trunks.
From the rise of John Gotti to the dramatic downfall of “Crazy Joe Gallo,” here are 15 photos that capture the Mafia in the 1970s — before its grip began to slip.
1. Joseph ‘Joey the Clown’ Lombardo Hides Behind a Newspaper to Avoid Cameras During a Court Appearance
2. ‘Mafia Dinner in Prison, Circa 1970’
3. Slain Mafia Don Carmine Galante’s Coffin Being Carried to St. John’s Cemetery in Queens, New York, After a Funeral Mass Was Denied, 1979
4. Mafia Turncoat Joseph ‘The Baron’ Barboza Testifies Before the US House Crime Committee, 1972
5. Mugshot of Tommy DeSimone, the Real-Life Mobster Portrayed by Joe Pesci in ‘Goodfellas.’ DeSimone Mysteriously Vanished in 1979
6. Chicago Mobster Paul ‘The Waiter’ Ricca, Ignores a Reporter, 1970
7. Mobster Mickey Cohen Inspects His Home Following a Bombing Attempt in Brentwood, California
8. ‘Sonny Black Napolitano & John Gotti at Greenhaven, Early 1970s’
9. Surveillance Photo of Phil Leonetti (left), Nicodemo ‘Nicky’ Scarfo, and Lawrence Merlino in Philadelphia
10. Gennaro ‘Tony’ Sirico, an Associate for the Colombo Crime Family, Pictured Alongside His Mother, Circa 1970s
11. Michael Franzese, Mobster and Son of Colombo Underboss John Franzese, Is Escorted in Handcuffs Following His Arrest
12. FBI Mugshot of Colombo Mobster Gregory Scarpa in New York, 1974
13. Early Mugshot of Future Gambino Boss John Gotti, Flashing a Smile
14. Mob Associates Pictured With a Tuxedo-Clad Chimpanzee, 1970s
15. Colorized Image of Joseph ‘Crazy Joe’ Gallo in New York City Before He Was Shot and Killed in 1972
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