Leonardo “Leo the Lawyer” Rizzuto, the current boss of the Montreal Mafia, leaves court in 2008

Embattled Montreal Mafia clings to underworld power amid setbacks

After nearly two decades of intermittent unrest in the Montreal Mafia, the Rizzuto dynasty is once again on the ropes….


Colombia approves plan to euthanize ‘cocaine hippos’ introduced by Pablo Escobar

More than 30 years after his death, Colombia is still struggling with the consequences of Pablo Escobar’s reign. This week,…


‘Ketamine Queen’ conviction over Matthew Perry’s death highlights evolving drug trade

Cartels have held a monopoly on the drug trade for decades, but there’s a new supplier in town. Medical professionals…


Twenty years ago, a federal jury convicted “Mafia Cops” Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa on eight counts of murder and other racketeering-related charges. Three years later, they were sentenced to life in prison. ZUMA Press inc./Alamy Stock Photo / Alchetron

New York’s ‘Mafia Cops’ faked arrests, leaked information to aid Mob killings

In March 2005, two retired New York City detectives were arrested without much fanfare outside of Piero’s, a restaurant near the Las…


Virginia Hill testifies in New York City before the Senate’s Kefauver Committee in 1951. The Mob Museum Collection

Virginia Hill, reputed ‘Queen of the Mob,’ died in Austria 60 years ago

On March 24, 1966, Virginia Hill died far from the life that made her famous. Sixty years later, she has…


Killing of cartel boss ‘El Mencho’ triggers violent backlash across Mexico

One by one, Mexico’s most notorious drug lords are being brought to justice. In each case, Mexican and U.S. law…


Los Angeles kingpin Jack Dragna was no ‘Mickey Mouse’ boss

In 1984, when Los Angeles Mob boss Peter Milano was arrested along with 19 others, LAPD Chief Daryl Gates announced…


Organized crime has been involved in point shaving for decades. During this game against Harvard on December 16, 1978, Boston College player Rick Kuhn, right, conspired with Lucchese crime family associate Henry Hill to ensure that Boston won, but not by too much. Janet Knott/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Recent NBA, NCAA point-shaving scandals follow the Mob’s playbook

When Antonio Blakeney ventured into international basketball, he became a star. He had been Louisiana State University’s top scorer in…


Eighty years ago, Lucky Luciano traded prison for exile

When New York Governor Thomas Dewey commuted the sentence of imprisoned Mafia boss Charles “Lucky” Luciano 80 years ago, it was widely…


Paul Castellano’s mugshot was taken after a federal indictment in 1984, one year before his murder. Federal Bureau of Investigation

Gambino crime family boss Paul Castellano murdered outside Manhattan steakhouse 40 years ago

Forty years ago, a faction of Gambino crime family members orchestrated and executed a brazen coup to permanently remove their…