The Valachi Papers

About “The Valachi Papers”

In the 1960s, Joseph Valachi, a soldier in New York's Genovese Crime Family, broke the Mob's code of silence and revealed the structure of organized crime. He provided detailed information about the organization, including the roles of capos, hit men, and the locations of bodies. His knowledge of names, dates, and addresses led to the arrest and conviction of major crime figures. Valachi's testimony marked a turning point, ending the Mob's protection through secrecy. His exposé weakened the Mafia and became a classic account of America's organized crime, highlighting power, money, and violence.