News: Apalachin convention

The sprawling Apalachin, NY, home of Joseph Barbara was the site of a large Mafia convention on Nov. 14, 1957. It was attended by mob bigshots from various U.S. regions. When state and federal law enforcement officers crashed the party, links between underworld clans around the country were firmly established. Apalachin-related revelations prompted the federal government to address racketeering issues and eventually compelled the FBI to acknowledge that a nationwide crime Syndicate existed. FBI head J. Edgar Hoover had previously denied the existence of such a criminal network.

The purpose of the convention continues to be debated today. Some insist that the gathering was held to redistrict underworld "territories" in the wake of the assassination of powerful gang boss Albert Anastasia. Others believe it was to be a sort of coronation for Vito Genovese, who had become the most powerful gangland chief, or a recognition of Carlo Gambino's replacement of the late Anastasia. Crime boss Joseph Bonanno (who claimed that he was not present despite law enforcement records showing he was there) suggested the meeting was held so Genovese could consolidate his power and explain his recent moves against Anastasia and Frank Costello. Bonanno said his relative and rival, Buffalo-area boss Stefano Magaddino, was manipulated by Genovese into organizing the convention.

Other possible purposes for the meeting include plans to mobilize a number of Mafia units in the international smuggling of heroin (law enforcement saw the first hints of the French Connection around 1960), and coordination of Cuban gambling rackets.

Questioned by authorities, the attending gangsters gave different reasons for showing up at Barbara's home. A number of them said they just happened to stop by to look in on Barbara, who had been ailing with a heart problem. At least one reported that he was merely passing through the community when he developed car trouble. An enormous meat order placed by the Barbaras about a week earlier was evidence that the gathering was more than a coincidence. The mobsters clearly were hiding the true purpose of the convention.

Prosecutors were able to win convictions against some of the underworld conventioneers for their obvious conspiracy of silence. However, the convictions were later overturned. Conspiracy without proof of criminal activity or intent was deemed insufficient grounds for imprisonment.