Carlo Gambino's name is synonymous with organized crime, a legacy deeply rooted in his Sicilian upbringing and subsequent ascent to power in the tumultuous world of the Mafia. Born and raised in Passo di Rigano, Sicily, Italy, Carlo was immersed in the culture of the Sicilian Mafia from an early age, with his family deeply involved in its operations.
In the 1930s, Carlo's path intertwined with that of Joe Masseria, the head of the Masseria Family, later renamed the Genovese Family. It was during this period that Carlo began to make his mark in the criminal underworld, laying the foundation for his rise to power.
Carlo's defining moment came in the 1950s when he conspired with Vito Genovese to eliminate Albert Anastasia, the boss of the Anastasia Family. Orchestrating Anastasia's assassination, Carlo ascended to the position of boss of the Mangano Family, subsequently renaming it the Gambino Family. With Vito Genovese's imprisonment, Carlo assumed leadership of the Commission, the governing body of the Mafia, solidifying his control over the criminal empire.
Despite his formidable power, Carlo Gambino was a man of principle, staunchly opposing the proliferation of narcotics as a means of wealth within the Mafia ranks. For Carlo, indulging in narcotics was not only a betrayal of the Mafia's code but also a direct threat to its existence. Those who dared to defy his edict faced swift and merciless retribution, often paying with their lives.
Carlo's disdain for narcotics extended to outsiders who posed a threat to the Mafia's dominance, such as Frank Matthews, a rising figure in New York City's criminal underworld. Matthews' independent streak and his ties to the French Connection, a major narcotics trafficking operation, drew the ire of Carlo and the Commission. Concerned that Matthews' independence could undermine the Mafia's control, Carlo took decisive action, covertly supplying the FBI with license plate numbers from Matthews' extravagant parties in Todt Hill, Staten Island. This information sparked an investigation into Matthews, ultimately leading to his downfall.
Carlo Gambino's reign as boss of the Gambino Family was characterized by unparalleled power, influence, and a reputation for ruthlessness. Despite serving a brief stint in prison for tax evasion in 1937, Carlo's grip on the criminal underworld remained unshakable until his death. His legacy as a Mafia titan endures, a testament to his cunning, ambition, and unwavering commitment to the code of omertà.