In a market that is flooded by mob-related pop culture, Netflix’s new documentary “Fear City: New York vs The Mafia” takes a different approach by breaking down the investigations and infiltration into the “Five Families” and giving a voice to the FBI agents who worked the case, according to TIME.
What to expect:
- The three-part documentary will focus on the takedown of the five Mafia families who ruled New York City during the 1970s, which was a turning point in the FBI’s investigation.
- Episodes will consist of archival footage, FBI surveillance evidence, interviews with former Mafia members, and filmed reconstructions.
- According to Esquire, President Donald Trump is mentioned in the documentary for when he was a young man first starting out in business in New York, although it does not connect him to the mob.
Background of ‘Fear City’
- There were five families who made up “The Commission” that ran all illegal activity in the five boroughs of New York throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s, according to TIME.
- The five families included the Bonanno, Colombo, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese.
- According to PEOPLE magazine, the Mafia controlled the business of New York through intimidation and threats.
- The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) was put into effect in 1970 and allowed for crimes committed apart of a criminal organization to be prosecuted which was vital into the investigation:
- In a statement to PEOPLE magazine, FBI Special Agent Joe Cantamessa said, “We were able to focus our work in a way that targeted the upper echelon. RICO laws allowed the FBI to identify upper management, and [recognize] what this is all about.”
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“Fear City” will be available on Netflix starting July 22.