Category:Barzini crime family

The Barzini crime family is one of the most powerful crime families of New York, second only to the Corleones. It was founded by Don Emilio Barzini and operates mainly out of Manhattan and Staten Island. They were also known to have business interests in Wall Street, Sicily, Cleveland, Miami, Cuba, Las Vegas and even Hollywood, where it was rumoured they often supported movie mogul Jack Woltz. In New York itself, the Barzini family owned a total of three warehouses in Midtown and Hell's Kitchen, which enabled them to do business in one of the five districts of New York.

In the 1940s, Don Barzini plotted with rival Don Phillip Tattaglia to destroy the Corleone family and gain dominance over New York. Barzini almost succeeded, pushing Vito Corleone to call for peace after the death of his eldest son, Sonny. During this time till the mid 1950s the Barzini family was at the height of it's power and overtook the position as the most powerful crime family in New York. They then began moving in on Corleone's territories, so much so that Salvatore Tessio, Vito's most savvy capo, made a secret deal with Barzini. They also assisted the FBI in building a case against the Corleones.

However, the wily Don Vito discovered Barzini's plot and his son Michael took revenge, killing Barzini, who was replaced by Paul Fortunato. Under the leadership of Fortunato the family expanded their narcotics operation and became also heavily involved in the garment sector in Manhattan. Fortunato resented the Corleone family's hypocrisy by getting into the drug business, but later became their ally, defending Michael Corleone against Carlo Tramonti's accusations at a Commission meeting.

Members Edit

 * Don - Emilio Barzini, Paul Fortunato
 * Underboss - Francesco Barzini, Emilio Barzini, Jr.
 * Consigliere - Domenico Mazza
 * Caporegimes - Pietro Testa, Big Bobby Toro, Giovanni Armanno
 * Soldati - Crazy Horse Vialli, Joe Vesuvius, Sonny-Boy Granzella

Dons Edit

 * 1931-1955 — Emilio Barzini
 * 1955-1970s — Paul Fortunato