The Detroit Mafia: The Most Successful America Mafia

Like most America Mafias, the Detroit mafia started out with a couple criminal minded Sicilians, thieving their way through life.  But unknown too many people, the Detroit mafia would actually grow to be one of the most successful mobs that existed in the United States.


Far from how it started, a few bucks here and there, Detroit would go into prohibition two years before the rest of the United States, giving the small Sicilian thieves a chance to make some real money. Only being separated from Canada by a river, which was home to one of the largest liquor distillers in the world, getting illegal booze into Detroit, was not that hard. The Detroit mob like in almost every big city would thrive financially on the illegal sales of alcohol until the government did away with prohibition in January 1933.

The Boss Giacomo “Black Jack” Tocco

Just like every mob family the end of prohibition world hurt the Detroit mafia in the pocket book. Down but not out, the Family ran by Giacomo “Black Jack” Tocco, got involved with extrusion, robbery and Las Vegas rackets, but by far their most lucrative rackets would be bookmaking and gaining control of the unions.

Jimmy Hoffa

Their rackets would lead to one of the most infamous mysterious disappearances in the mafia history; Jimmy Hoffa. Jimmy Hoffa was the president of the Teamsters union before he was sent to prison for illegal activity. He would eventually be released early with a ten year suspension of having any power positions in union activities. Of course he didn’t listen; he wanted his power back and was attempting to make a power play against his predecessor Frank Fitzsimmons. The mob did not like the ideal and was happy with the current leadership. Despite the stern warnings to step aside by the mafia, Hoffa continued pushing he’s political agendas, gaining plenty of enemies and making himself a target, which eventually lead to his disappearance. The mob has always been the number one suspect in the disappearance but no one was ever found guilty and Hoffa was never found.

Eventually, the Detroit mob just like many other mob families would lose their influence in the unions and would be forced to find some other big money tickets. It wasn’t too hard, book making eventually would become their biggest money making ticket. With degenerate gambling athletes, party store owner, lawyers etc. in Detroit, the mob cashed in. Even player’s like Isaiah Thomson, during Detroit Piston’s back-to-back Championship run was involved in the high stake gambling.

But what made the Detroit mob so successful? For one thing, how often did they make the National news? There were no John Gotti’s or Al Capone’s, they also didn’t have any power struggle for leadership as Giacomo “Black Jack” Tocco stayed boss for more than 30 years before he died. Also, unlike a lot of mobs they were the most educated. Many Capo’s and powerful people in the higher archery of the mob sent their sons off to college. This is not uncommon for a mafia family to do, but it is uncommon for a mafia family to send their kids off to school with the intent to use their education in criminal activity.

I would have to say their biggest reason for success is working within an already corrupt city and the ability to fly under the radar.