One thing I find really interesting about this topic is that the rise of the Russian mob in New York followed the decline of the Gambinos after the Gotti bust, which also shifted the balance of power to the Genoveses. I have wondered if these things are related, either by opportunism or by design, and how this shift in power relates to the political balance of power in New York politics.
Genoveses 'top of five Mafia families'
The FBI considers the Genoveses to be the biggest and most powerful of New York's five Mafia gangs. The four other families have seen their leaderships undermined by a relentless campaign against organised crime in the United States over the past 20 years, detectives say. That has led to a new underworld order. The Genoveses - once seen as the second most powerful family after the Gambinos - have now moved up to the number one slot, the FBI believes. The Gambinos were crippled by the arrests of their boss John Gotti and other leading figures.
Mmmmmmm....interesting theory.
It appears the Russian crooks have little or no compunction about using our sacrosanct political system to further their underhanded goals. They keep the pols in obeisance with plenty of dirty money. This creep Kislin boldly held fund-raisers for politicans.
Also these Russian types come from a culture where the government is totally corrupt.
Should also remember, these are not the well-to-do Russians of a generation ago who fled carrying small items---jewelry and Faberge eggs---to sell for their sustenance.
After the recent disintegration of the USSR, the current crop of Russians plundered the Russian government of assets it held under Communism.
The Gottis and Genoveses and all their rackets do not have access to the kind of ready money in huge amounts.
And I don't recall John Gotti being on a campaign donor's list.
I don't know how much is truth vs. legended; but I remember the conversations always going to drugs when the Genoveses family was brought up vs. the Gambinos.
I was much younger when my Great Uncles were alive; but I know I first heard about drugs in reference to the discusions when the Genovese family was discussed.