The Gambinos: First Family of Crime

Overview

Trace the rise of the Gambino crime family, one of America’s most notorious organized‑crime dynasties. It begins with Carlo Gambino, born in Palermo and later a key figure in U.S. organized crime, who built his first fortune selling counterfeit ration stamps during World War II. The program follows the family’s evolution through Prohibition, its expansion into construction and labor racketeering, and the eventual decline of its financial empire. It also profiles Carlo’s successor Paul Castellano and the dramatic, high‑profile reign of John Gotti, whose flamboyant leadership reshaped the family’s public image. Through archival footage and historical analysis, the episode explores how the Gambinos became synonymous with American organized crime and why their legacy endures.