Organized Crime: Anthony "Little Pussy" Russo (9/9/24)

Beyond The Horizon

Anthony "Little Pussy" Russo was a key figure in the Genovese crime family, with extensive influence in New Jersey, particularly over the waterfront unions. His criminal activities spanned loan sharking, extortion, illegal gambling, and labor racketeering, making him a powerful capo within the organization. Russo's control of the International Longshoremen’s Association allowed the Mafia to manipulate shipping operations and unions, extracting money and maintaining a stronghold over New Jersey’s economy. His ambition and violent enforcement tactics earned him both respect and suspicion within the Mafia, leading to internal power struggles and tension with rival families, particularly the Gambino family. Russo’s role in organized crime also inspired the character Gennaro "Little Pussy" Malanga in The Sopranos, cementing his cultural legacy.
In 1979, as federal authorities intensified their crackdown on organized crime, Russo was indicted on charges of labor racketeering and conspiracy to commit murder. However, before he could serve his sentence, he was assassinated in Long Branch, New Jersey, in what was widely believed to be an internal Mafia hit. His death, like many mob killings, remains unsolved, though it was likely part of a power shift within the Genovese family. Despite his violent end, Russo’s life continues to resonate, both in historical accounts of Mafia activity and in popular culture, reflecting the brutal and often short-lived careers of organized crime figures.
(commercial at 8:18)
to contact me:
[e-mail]