Buzz
Fans of mob films and Sopranos are probably familiar with the mafia's ties to industries like waste management and construction (especially concrete—think cement shoes). However, the mafia's influence in the U.S. has stretched into areas far more surprising than most would expect.
To quietly infiltrate various sectors, crime syndicates developed innovative strategies to launder money and establish control in unlikely places.
1. Cheese
Gavin Schmitt, author of The Milwaukee Mafia: Mobsters in the Heartland, reveals that organized crime had ties to the dairy industry. “The Milwaukee mob operated Grande Cheese, a major producer and distributor of cheese. The company served as a front for money laundering and was heavily suspected of facilitating heroin imports from the 1950s to the 1980s, though no charges were ever filed,” he explained. “The Mafia established the business around 1940, and several shareholders were killed during its early days. Even today, some owners identified by the FBI as mob affiliates remain involved, though the business appears legitimate.”
2. Jukeboxes
Meyer Lansky II—the grandson of the notorious Meyer Lansky, a pivotal figure in the Mafia during the 1930s and beyond—acknowledges his grandfather’s involvement in unexpected ventures. In AMC’s docuseries The Making of the Mob, Lansky II shared that his grandfather ventured into the jukebox business in the 1940s. “He ran a Wurlitzer distribution company based in New York City,” Lansky stated. “He operated it for about a year, supplying jukeboxes to various neighborhoods. They leased the machines to bars and other venues, establishing routes and expanding their network.”
3. Records
What’s essential for any jukebox? Records, naturally. Lansky II noted that his grandfather also entered the record industry, supplying LPs for the jukeboxes and maintaining the machines. It was a comprehensive service. Other mobsters joined the trade in the 1980s, acquiring record-pressing plants to produce and sell copies of recordings at discounted prices.
4. Chemicals
Schmitt explained, “The Milwaukee mob controlled Del Chemical, a company that supplied chemicals to municipalities in Wisconsin, Nevada, and other regions. They executed a straightforward scheme: they overcharged by 10 percent, and Del Chemical returned this amount to mayors as kickbacks. This not only violated the law but also incentivized mayors to purchase more chemicals than necessary, as larger orders meant bigger kickbacks.”
5. Hollywood
Chicago’s Mafia, famously known as The Outfit, primarily operated in the Windy City but extended its influence to Hollywood. They acquired stakes in movie studios and infiltrated labor unions, such as the stagehands’ union. In 1943, The Outfit was caught red-handed attempting to extort the film industry. Several members, including boss Paul “The Waiter” Ricca, were imprisoned, though Ricca was released after only three years.
6. Gay Bars and Clubs
While Mafia-owned bars and restaurants were common, they notably dominated New York City’s gay bar scene in the 1960s. At the time, establishments serving gay patrons were labeled “disorderly houses,” and the State Liquor Authority denied licenses to gay bars or revoked those serving gay customers. The Genovese crime family capitalized on this, bribing officials to turn a blind eye to their operations, including the iconic Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village. These underground venues were often poorly maintained, serving diluted drinks and neglecting basic hygiene standards.
7. Fishing
Schmitt reveals that the Milwaukee Mafia, arguably the most resourceful in organized crime, owned the Margaret L, the largest tuna fishing vessel in the 1970s. The boat was reportedly bought with embezzled Teamsters funds, adding a sinister edge to their infamous “swimming with the fishes” threats.
