Joe Profaci
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| Joe Profaci | |
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| Born | October 2, 1897 Sicily, Italy |
| Died | June 7, 1962 New York City, New York, USA |
Giuseppe "Joe" Profaci (October 2, 1897–June 7, 1962) was a New York Mafia boss who was the founder and head of the Profaci crime family (known today as the Colombo crime family) for over three decades.
He was reportedly despised by many of his underlings because he implemented a "slush" fund, whereby members of the Colombo family had to give him US$25 per month that would supposedly go towards supporting mobsters' families should the mobster go to prison. Those who didn't pay were usually murdered, as was anyone who disagreed with Profaci on any other matters. However, Profaci simply added it to the other huge amounts of money obtained through his criminal enterprise. He lived a life of luxury; at the height of his power, Profaci had a home set in a 328-acre (133-hectare) estate with its own private airport.
Like many mobsters, Profaci had many legitimate businesses, such as importing olive oil, which lead to him being referred to as the "Olive Oil King." However, most of his wealth was through traditional Mafia enterprises of protection rackets and extortion. Most of the Colombo family's activities were based in Brooklyn.
Profaci was a devout Catholic who donated a great deal to Catholic charities. Less admirably, however, he once had two thieves tortured to death for stealing from a local church.
The Colombo family underwent a civil war in 1960 when a trio of siblings from among its members— "Crazy Joe" Gallo and his two brothers—attempted to take it over with the help of other mobsters disenchanted with Profaci's rule. However, Profaci was still in power when he died of cancer two years later. Joe Colombo succeeded him as head of the family.
| Preceded by: N/A(First Boss) |
Colombo Crime Family Boss 1928-1962 |
Succeeded by: Joseph Magliocco |
