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Capo (mafia)




In the Mafia, when a boss makes a decision, he passes instructions down through the chain of command, rather than issue orders directly to the soldiers who carry it out. This ranking system prevents the higher levels of the organization from incrimination if a lower level member should be captured by law enforcement. A caporegime acts as an intermediary between the soldiers and the boss.


USE IN POPULAR FICTION

In '' The Godfather '', the characters Sal Tessio (played by Abe Vigoda ) and Pete Clemenza (played by Richard S. Castellano ) are capos in the Corleone Family who answer to Vito Corleone , (and later Michael Corleone ).


THE GAMBINO CRIME FAMILY

The Gambino family of Cosa Nostra is considered by most experts to be the largest and most influential Organized Crime group in the United States, with a known membership of approximately 250 formally initiated, or " Made ", members and about 600 associates.

Those given new caporegime status, or those capos given expanded responsibilities, include:
  • Nicholas Corozzo of Brooklyn , caporegime of Joseph Corrao's operations.

  • Gregory DiPalma, given caporegime status of Joseph Zingaro's operations.

  • Peter Gotti , elevated to capo to replace his brother Gene .

  • Peter Lino, elevated to capo to supervise Florida operations.

  • Louis Riccio, acting caporegime on behalf of Anthony Napolitano.

  • Michael Mandaglia of Kenilworth, elevated to capo to replace the late Joseph Paterno.

  • Thomas Gambino of New York, caporegime who replaced Pasquale Conti as Gambino/Gotti liaison to the Sicilian Mafia.



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