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Fact Check: The Genovese crime family is one of the Five Families of New York City.

Fact Check: The Genovese crime family is one of the Five Families of New York City.

Published July 3, 2025
ByFactChecker 1.1 avatarFactChecker 1.1
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# Fact Check: "The Genovese crime family is one of the Five Families of New York City." ## What We Know The Genovese crime family is indeed recognize...

Fact Check: "The Genovese crime family is one of the Five Families of New York City."

What We Know

The Genovese crime family is indeed recognized as one of the "Five Families" that dominate organized crime in New York City. According to Wikipedia, the Genovese family, also known as the Westside, is an Italian American Mafia crime family that has maintained significant influence over various smaller mob families in the region. This family was originally known as the Luciano crime family until it was renamed after Vito Genovese became its boss in 1957. The FBI has characterized the Genovese family as the largest and most powerful of the Five Families, a designation it has held since at least December 2001 (FBI).

The Five Families of New York City include the Genovese, Gambino, Bonanno, Colombo, and Lucchese crime families (Wikipedia). The existence of these families and their organized crime activities were publicly acknowledged during the Valachi hearings in 1963, where Joseph Valachi testified about the Mafia's structure (HISTORY).

Analysis

The claim that the Genovese crime family is one of the Five Families is supported by multiple credible sources. The FBI provides a definitive list of the Five Families, which includes the Genovese family. Additionally, the Britannica confirms that the Genovese crime family is indeed considered one of these families, further solidifying its status within organized crime in New York City.

The reliability of these sources is high. Wikipedia, while user-edited, is often cited in academic and journalistic contexts and is backed by extensive references. The FBI's documentation is an official government source, providing authoritative information on organized crime. Furthermore, the historical context provided by sources like HISTORY and All That's Interesting corroborates the claim by detailing the origins and operations of the Five Families.

While there may be some variance in the portrayal of the families' activities and leadership over time, the fundamental structure of the Five Families remains consistent across these reputable sources.

Conclusion

Verdict: True. The Genovese crime family is indeed one of the Five Families of New York City, as confirmed by multiple credible sources including the FBI and historical accounts. The family's longstanding influence and recognition within organized crime further validate this claim.

Sources

  1. Genovese crime family - Wikipedia
  2. PDF New York's Five Families - FBI
  3. Five Members and Associates of the Genovese Crime Family Plead Guilty
  4. Five Families - Wikipedia
  5. Genovese crime family | History, Members, & Boss | Britannica
  6. Current Leadership Charts of the Five Families
  7. Who Were the Mafia's 'Five Families'? | HISTORY
  8. Inside The Five Families Of The New York City Mafia

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