Industrial Racketeering

Paper Summary:

This paper states that the Mafia's industrial racketeering is the most extensive in New York City. The author writes that corruption was rampant in nearly every public works project mounted by the City. The author explains that, in addition to using more traditional criminal pursuits in the construction industry, the Mafia is involved in the labor unions and controls cartels, which provide building materials.

From the Paper:

"Mob exploitation of construction and other industries often began with the use of mob personnel in the 1920s and 1930s as strikebreakers, hired by management. The unions responded by hiring Cosa Nostra members and associates to help them retaliate and once the mob was inside the unions it did not leave. Using intimidation and manipulation, mobsters gained control of key union jobs and offices, hired their associates, family members, and friends for the choicest positions, and got them appointed to influential spots such as business agents and job stewards. From this vantage point the mob was in the best position for 'infiltrating legitimate businesses and establishing cartels" (Jacobs 122). In addition, their new status gave them access to politicians and to even more jobs that could be allocated to their associates."

More papers on Industrial Racketeering:

• Book Review # 139007 : "War is a Racket" by Smedley Butler"
• Essay # 17962 : "Organized Crime & Unions"
• Research Paper # 9599 : "The Effects of Narcotics on La Cosa Nostra"

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