Gotti was ambitious and saw himself as a future family boss.

Prosecutors say John Gotti, who is now charged in the killing, then became the family boss.

Accardo in turn paid a tax to the family boss.

He had reached the pinnacle of America's underworld, directing criminal rules, policies and activities along with the other family bosses.

Luciano preferred to quietly maintain control through unofficial alliances with other family bosses.

In turn, the family bosses use their political sway to assist and protect their clients against the local authorities.

The family bosses believed that the violence was interfering with business and bringing public attention to their activities.

The prosecutors said the commission coordinated criminal activities, resolved disputes and sometimes ordered "the execution of family bosses."

Smaller conflicts within the same 'Ndrangheta group are still left to the jurisdiction of the local family boss.

Luciano became one of the family bosses, with Genovese as his underboss.