From Courtrooms to Kingpins: 15 Photos That Reveal the Mafia’s Power in the ’60s

Written by Rachel Schneider on June 6, 2025

A black-and-white police mugshot shows a man in a suit from both side and front views, holding a placard labeled "N.Y.C. Police" with numbers. The background is plain and the man has a serious expression.

By the 1960s, the American Mafia wasn’t just operating in the shadows — it was woven into the fabric of daily life, from neighborhood unions to casinos. While the FBI scrambled to catch up, mob bosses sat in corner booths, strolled the sidewalks, and paid their lawyers top dollar. Here are 15 photos that offer a glimpse into the lives of wiseguys during the ’60s.

1. 152 Mafia Members Packed in a Cage for Trial Since the Courtoom Was Too Small (1967)

Black and white photo of a crowded courtroom with uniformed officers lined up in front of a barred cage holding several men, and an audience of seated, formally dressed men observing the proceedings. — Keystone/Getty Images

2. The Mugshot of Neil Dellacroce, member of NYC’s Gambino Crime Family (1964)

A middle-aged man with short dark hair, wearing a black suit and white shirt, stares directly at the camera with a neutral expression against a plain light background. — Salem1690s

3. ‘Crazy’ Joe Gallo With a Detective, Leaving Court (1961)

A man in a suit gestures while speaking, standing next to another man wearing a suit and police badge. A third person stands in the background. The photo is black and white and appears to be from the mid-20th century. — Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

4. Lucky Luciano’s Body Being Moved to His Tomb at a Cemetery in Queens (1962)

A black-and-white photo shows a group of people gathered near a mausoleum labeled "LUCANIA" in a cemetery. Bare trees surround the scene, and a vintage car is parked on the left. Some people appear to be carrying a casket. — Gsfdirtybandz

5. Mourners for Anthony Anastasio, a Gambino Crime Family Member, on a South Brooklyn Street (1963)

A large crowd of people, many wearing hats and coats, lines a city street and sidewalks near apartment buildings, watching a procession of cars. Some people stand on steps and balconies. A "No Parking" sign is visible. — AxlCobainVedder

6. Bonanno Consigliere, John Tartamella (1966)

A man in a pinstripe suit sits on an ornate chair, holding papers, with legs crossed and looking toward the camera in a vintage black-and-white portrait. — Sad_Measurement3684

7. Mafia Men Dining Out (1966)

Seven men in suits sit around a dinner table, eating, drinking, and talking. The table is set with plates, glasses, bottles, and food. The atmosphere appears formal and lively, suggesting a business or social gathering. — Remarkable_Put_7952

8. Irish Gang Wars Casualties

A vintage magazine page features 20 mugshots of men arranged in a grid. Each photo includes the person's name and age below. The headline above reads “The thugs ‘squash’” with a column of text on the top left. — Cee_Ray

9. Peter Magaddino’s Arrest After the FBI Found $500,000 in His Home (1968)

A man in a dark coat with his hands held together is escorted by two other men in coats down a hallway with wooden doors and bright overhead lights. Another man stands with his back to the camera. — UserDeleted

10. Providence, Rhode Island Police Lineup of Organized Crime Figures (1968)

Eight men stand in a police lineup against a height chart, facing forward. Seven wear suits or jackets; one man at the left holds an ID plaque. A clock and van line sign are above them. — Wdstrvx

11. Philip Genovese, son of Vito Genovese, at His Father’s Funeral (1969)

A black-and-white photo of several men in suits at a funeral. One man in the front wears glasses, and others stand behind him, all with solemn expressions. The image is from a funeral in Red Bank, 1969. — vedinapoliepoimuori

12. Vince DeNiro Car Bombing in Ohio (1961)

A black-and-white photo shows a damaged car crashed into a storefront at night. Debris is scattered on the ground as several people gather around the scene, observing the aftermath. Shop signs and a candy store are visible. — UserDeleted

13. The Mugshot of Greg Scarpa, a Capo for the Colombo Crime Family (1961)

A man with a mustache stands for a mugshot, wearing a plaid blazer, light trousers, and white shoes. A height chart is visible beside him, with measurements marked in feet and inches. — Salem1690s

14. Sonny Franzese (Center), Member of the Colombo Crime Family, Strolling the Streets

Three men in dark overcoats walk side by side on a city sidewalk, with one man in the center flanked by two others who appear to be law enforcement officers. Buildings and parked cars line the street behind them. — xtalaphextwin

15. The Chicago Outfit Who’s Who

A black-and-white collage of seven men, each shown in individual portrait photos, with their names labeled below: Anthony Accardo, Samuel Giancana, Paul DeLucia, Gus Alex, Ross Prio, Frank Ferraro, and Murray Humphreys. — reddcaesarr

Want to read stories about making money like a (mob) boss?

Check out 10 Ways To Make Money Off Your Home — Without Moving, How To Make Money By Selling the Old Electronics You Forgot About, and 10 Classic Boomer-Era Side Hustles. Don’t worry, they actually contain tips that are legal.