In 1940, the Profaci crime family was an established New York organized crime organization led by founder Joe Profaci, operating primarily in Brooklyn.
Leadership and Structure
Boss: Joe Profaci ruled the family, having solidified his power after the Castellammarese War and the formation of the Mafia Commission in the early 1930s.
Key Figures: His inner circle included underboss Joseph Magliocco and consigliere Salvatore Profaci.
The Commission: Joe Profaci held a seat on the national governing board of the American Mafia, maintaining strong alliances with fellow bosses like Joseph Bonanno.
Criminal Operations
Rackets: By 1940, the family controlled illicit enterprises in Brooklyn, including illegal gambling, numbers running, extortion, loansharking, and labor racketeering.
Legitimate Fronts: Profaci balanced his criminal status with a prominent legal enterprise as a major importer of olive oil and tomato paste, earning him the nickname the "Olive Oil King".