re: What does the mafia look like in this day and age?

The Italian American Mafia—often referred to as La Cosa Nostra—still exists today, but it is a shadow of its former self. Here's a concise breakdown of its current state:

1. Scale and Influence

The Mafia's national power has declined significantly since its peak in the mid-20th century.

Law enforcement crackdowns, especially since the 1980s (e.g., RICO Act prosecutions), have severely weakened its ranks and financial power.

The organization still operates, but more quietly and with less violence.


2. Active Families

New York City remains the main hub, with five families (Gambino, Genovese, Lucchese, Bonanno, Colombo) still operating.

Other cities like Philadelphia, Chicago, Boston, Buffalo, and parts of New Jersey still have Mafia activity, but on a smaller scale.

In many other cities, former families are now defunct or operate only minimally.


3. Criminal Activities

Modern Mafia operations tend to focus on:

Illegal gambling

Loan sharking

Labor and construction racketeering

Extortion

Healthcare and insurance fraud

Counterfeit goods


Drug trafficking is still involved, but with more caution due to law enforcement focus.


4. Current Structure

Hierarchical structure (boss, underboss, consigliere, capos, soldiers) remains.

Leadership changes are more discreet.

Some former Mafia families now run like loose criminal networks, lacking centralized control.


5. Cultural Shifts

Younger generations are less interested in "the life."

Italian American communities have largely moved away from the culture that once incubated the Mafia.

Organized crime is now more international and diverse (e.g., Russian, Albanian, and Latin American groups are more prominent in many areas).


In short, the Mafia is still around—but it's quieter, smaller, and far less powerful than it once was. Let me know if you want info on a specific family or city.