How 'Chin' Gigante Built the Genovese Crime Family Into an Empire
Vincent 'Chin' Gigante rose from a troubled youth in New York City to become one of the most powerful mafia bosses in US history. Born on March 29, 1928, he led the Genovese crime family for decades, building it into the country's most profitable criminal organization. His reign ended only after his death in prison in 2005 at the age of 77.
Gigante's criminal career began early. By the time he dropped out of school at 16, he had already been arrested seven times for offences like auto theft and arson. He briefly turned to boxing, winning 21 of 25 fights, but soon shifted to organized crime. By the 1950s, he worked as an enforcer for the Genovese family under Vito Genovese, who became his mentor.
In 1957, Gigante faced trial for his role in an attempted hit on rival mobster Frank Costello. Though acquitted due to weak evidence, his reputation grew. Two years later, he was convicted of heroin trafficking and served five years of a seven-year sentence.
By the early 1980s, Gigante had taken control of the Genovese family. He expanded its operations into construction, waterfront rackets, gambling, and labor unions, stretching from New York to Florida and Las Vegas. At its peak, the family earned over $100 million yearly through extortion, bid-rigging, and infiltrating legitimate businesses.
To evade prosecution, Gigante faked mental illness for decades. Starting in 1969, he wandered Greenwich Village in pajamas, muttering to himself and urinating in public. The act collapsed in 1997 when he was convicted of racketeering and murder conspiracy, receiving a 12-year prison term. He later admitted in a 2003 plea deal that his insanity defense had been a sham.
Gigante's death in 2005 marked the end of an era for the Genovese crime family. His leadership had cemented its dominance in organized crime, with operations spanning multiple states and industries. The family's structure and revenue streams, built under his rule, remained intact long after his imprisonment.
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