underboss

criminal

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July 14, 2026

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An underboss is a criminal who holds the second-highest rank within a crime syndicate, directly below the boss. This position is akin to a vice president or deputy director. The underboss assists the boss in leading the organization and often takes charge in the boss's absence. In the context of the Gambino crime family, the underboss has historically played a crucial role in leadership transitions and internal power dynamics. The term "Mafia" specifically refers to the Sicilian Mafia and its counterpart in the United States, both of which are characterized by hierarchical structures with bosses and underbosses.1234

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Mafia
The 20th century and the Five Families
Each don had an underboss, who functioned as a vice president or deputy director, and a consigliere, or counselor, who had considerable power and influence. Below the underboss were the caporegime, or lieutenants, who, acting as buffers between the lower echelon workers and the don himself, protected him from…
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Each don had an underboss, who functioned as a vice president or deputy director, and a consigliere, or counselor, who had considerable power and influence. Below the underboss were the caporegime, or lieutenants, who, acting as buffers between the lower echelon workers and the don himself, protected him from…
Read More