Gang Related Cases and Applied Theories
Popular movies have portrayed images of gangs and mobs scouring the city and committing crimes of all sorts. One example of that is the critically acclaimed movie “The Godfather” it is indeed an exact depiction of crimes groups in the society. John Gotti is no different from the mafia boss in the movies. He is one of the most recognized mafia leaders in downtown New York in the 90’s. He leads the Gambino organized crime group that startd in 1985. Gotti was the boss of all bosses in American mafia after Paul Castello was slain in 1985 in Manhattan; Gotti took over the group until he was arrested and convicted in 1992. Gotti died of cancer while in prison in 2002.
John Gotti or also known as “Teflon Don” is no ordinary mafia boss; his case was one of the most publicized because of his smart appearance and for several times able to successfully evade prosecution. Gotti did not deny the fact that he was a big boss, but during his trial and was asked by the media if he is indeed a mafia super boss, Gotti replied he is a boss of his family. He always claims that his fortune came from his salary as a salesman for a plumbing supply along with a job in garments firm. But his questionable wealth leading his family to a celebrity like lifestyle created contradictions to his claim. The public sees John Gotti as a hard working family guy and was very transparent.
On his trial, the verdict was tainted with controversy because the prosecutors who handled the case were not experienced in the field of complex mafia cases. He got an acquittal on all his racketeering cases because he bribed the jury foreman of $60,000 to ensure none unanimous vote. It was a bitter defeat for the Justice Department despite of the overwhelming evidences pointing out to John Gotti, he was still able to dodge several convictions and achieve legal victories making him an invincible force of crime (Raab, Selwyn. June 11, 2002).
John Gotti’s case is a great example to define the theories of Edwin Sutherland about differential association. Sutherland is a known sociologist who developed differentia theory in 1939. The theory explains how the criminals commit acts of defiant behavior. The theory is now a common criminology term referring to acts of criminals as behavior learned from observation and social interaction. By being around or associated with criminals, the behaviors, motives and behaviors detrimental to committing crime can be learned (Jblearning.com. 15April 7, 2006). This theory can be associated to John Gotti’s case because first of all, before he became the leader of the mob he was considered as the right hand of the former boss. Even if a person was born on a conservatively good family and environment, once he was exposed to the elements of the crime there is a possibility that he will eventually engaged to the same act after a period of time. That is because of the learning process assimilated from being associated with a group of criminals.
On the other hand Robert K. Merton introduces another theory that suggests evidence how and why John Gotti developed into a mafia super boss and how his criminal acts evolved through time. On Merton’s theory of anomie, individuals who pose talents are able to obtain wealth power and status trough illegitimate means for the reason that the way to legal means are not possible. Merton strongly believes that the upper and lower class individuals are subject to materialism and wealth (Jblearning.com. 15April 7, 2006). Upper class people does not have difficulties of achieving wealth through legal means, but the lower class who in this world has the most motive to get away from poverty are most likely to grab opportunities that offers their desired wealth even through illegitimate means.
In John Gotti’s case, Sutherland’s theory is more appropriate because the trend in the family is evident. After he was convicted his brother took over his place in the mafia which means that the criminal business is being passed over within the family because of their long term exposure to the mafia operations. About the contradictions whether a criminal’s behavior is associated to the cultural aspirations of the offender, there is still a strong element of failure in social control (Wellford, Charles R., Triplett, Ruth A. (1993).
In common knowledge mafia is group or colloquially known as gangs, there are two types of gangs as Jerome Skolnick distinguished. Jerome Skolnick is a Co-Director for research for crime and justice at University of California. According to him there are two types of gangs, one is street gangs and the other is drug gangs. The difference between the two is the kind of operation they perform according to their characteristics.
Street gangs are more engaged in protecting the neighborhood from intruders or gangs from another neighborhood. The goal is to socialized and be known in the community as a powerful group who will either do acts beneficial in keeping the neighborhood at peace. Some may commit crimes but they are classified as petty and very versatile. A reason for them to commit petty crime is for the group’s own sustenance for supplies needed during socializing activities. This group is has characteristics as less cohesive, territorial, unstable leadership structure, follows code of loyalty to the group in general and has age variety (PHD. Carlie, Mike. N.D.). Street gangs are also known as traditional because of its nature to be easily organized; most of its members are not employed because of capability but of personal attachment to another. Often times they call their group brotherhood because they see their members as brothers who can rely on at any given situation.
On the other hand there is a so called entrepreneurial gangs, they are more engaged towards commission for the sake of organization profit and often times more organized and structured on a larger scale. The characteristics are the opposite of street gangs because they are more organized and follow a centralized profit with a hierarchy type of system in which the chain of command is at full effect. They can control competition, more cohesive, has older and more mature members, entrepreneurial focused, territorial in terms of trade area and has a more defined role in the market.
A good example of that is the mafia, it is an organized group originally named from Sicilian brigands back in the 19th and 20th century. Before, mafia’s does not have a hierarchic system for which a big boss acts as the king of he group with subordinates that are also called boss. In older times, they operate per singe group, creating feudal situations between competitor mafias (The Columbia Encyclopedia 2008). The most common issues faced by mafia are the overlapping trading areas. Since entrepreneurial gangs are more focused on profit making, they cannot afford to loose their trade areas, whether it’s about dug distribution area or gambling hot spot, each one of the group desires to take control on these areas of revenue.
In the modern mafia, the group is far more organized; they act as different groups but works under a single umbrella and answers to a super boss. The boss of all bosses delivers orders and the one that makes the decision concerning the welfare of the organization. One known gang that evolved to a massive organization is the Gangster Disciples. The group originated in Chicago, IL in 1974 with only 60 members. Nowadays they have stretched their operations to 35 other states in the Unite States with 30,000 members from the home city alone. The group can be classified as entrepreneurial gang because of their involvement in drug sales and narcotics trading. Their main focus is to penetrate other states and increase profit by disseminating their influence in the government, social services, penal system and media. GD reached out further by being involved in political internships, jobs service on government agencies and even socializing with national leaders (Knox, George W. 2001).
References
Raab, Selwyn (June 11, 2002) FAMILY John Gotti Dies in Prison at 61; Mafia Boss Relished the Spotlight. Web Retrieved on February 4, 2012 from http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/11/nyregion/john-gotti-dies-in-prison-at-61-mafia-boss-relished-the-spotlight.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm
Jblearning.com (April 7, 2006) rimes of the Powerful: Organized and White-Collar Crime Web Retrieved on February 4, 2012 from http://www.jblearning.com/samples/0763730017/30017_CH15_398_431.pdf
Wellford, Charles R. Triplett, Ruth A. (1993) New Directions in Criminal Theory New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903. Transaction Publishers
PHD Carlie, Mike nto The Abyss: A Personal Journey into the World of Street Gangs (N.D.) Part 5: Kinds and Names of Gangs, EVA Web Retrieved on February 4, 2012 from http://people.missouristate.edu/michaelcarlie/what_i_learned_about/gangs/kinds_of_gangs.htm
"Mafia." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. (2001) Web Retrieved from Encyclopedia.com on February 4, 2012 http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Mafia.html
Knox, George W.nto (2001) The GANGSTER DISCIPLES:A Gang Profile Web Retrieved on February 4, 2012 from http://people.missouristate.edu/michaelcarlie/what_i_learned_about/gangs/kinds_of_gangs.htm
