Question 1

The Chicago criminal gang headed by Al "Scarface" Capone consisted of more than ______ gunmen at its most prosperous heights.

Accepted Answer

According to historical sources, Al Capone's criminal gang at its peak had around 700 gunmen under its command.

Question 2

In the 1920s, the passage of which of the following prompted a rise in crime, violence, and political corruption related to organized crime?

Accepted Answer

The Volstead Act, also known as the National Prohibition Act, was passed in 1920 and prohibited the sale, manufacture, and transport of alcohol in the United States. This led to the rise of organized crime as bootleggers and speakeasies became prevalent, and corruption in law enforcement and politics increased as officials took bribes to look the other way or actively participated in the illegal alcohol trade. Thus, the Volstead Act in the 1920s prompted a rise in crime, violence, and political corruption related to organized crime.

Question 3

Albanese (2000) identifies criminal opportunities created by motivated offenders, including:

Accepted Answer

C

Question 4

La Cosa Nostra membership is restricted to males of ______ descent.

Accepted Answer

La Cosa Nostra is an Italian-American organized crime syndicate, and its membership is restricted to males of Italian descent.

Question 5

Memoirs of the members of La Cosa Nostra show that they had

Accepted Answer

The memoirs of members of La Cosa Nostra reveal that they had come from involved and intact families, received good educations, and viewed crime as more lucrative than legitimate opportunities. Therefore, option D, all of these, is the best choice for this question.

Question 6

Most of organized crime's income is derived from all the following goods and services not available in the legitimate market EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

While prostitution, gambling, and drugs are all illegal and therefore provide significant sources of income for organized crime, strip clubs are a legal business and their income is not exclusively derived from illegal activities.

Question 7

______ is committed by structured criminal enterprises that maintain their activities over time by violence and/or corruption.

Accepted Answer

Organized crime is committed by groups or organizations that have a structured hierarchy and engage in criminal activities for financial gain. These groups often use violence and corruption to maintain their power and control over their illegal operations. Corporate crime and white-collar crime refer to illegal activities committed by individuals within business or professional settings, while occupational crime involves illegal activities committed by employees in their workplace.

Question 8

What is not a major element important to predicting the incidence of organized crime?

Accepted Answer

Strong cohesion or hierarchy is more a characteristic of organized crime groups themselves rather than a factor in predicting the incidence of organized crime. The other options (opportunity factors, criminal environment, and skills required) are more directly related to the conditions that facilitate or predict the occurrence of organized crime.

Question 9

A promising criminal who is not of Italian descent, but who has qualities useful to the organization, may become a(n) ______ of La Cosa Nostra.

Accepted Answer

An individual who is not of Italian descent but has useful skills or traits may become an associate member of La Cosa Nostra. This allows the organization to benefit from these skills without violating its strict rules of membership. The other options (counselor, lieutenant, soldier) are reserved for Italian-American members who have climbed higher in the organization's ranks.

Question 10

______ crime groups are probably the oldest and largest in the world.

Accepted Answer

Japanese crime groups, known as Yakuza, are among the oldest and largest organized crime groups in the world, with a history that dates back several centuries.

Question 11

Intelligence agencies in the United States feel that because of their higher level of criminal sophistication, ______ will present a greater threat to American society than the traditional Italian-American crime families ever have.

Accepted Answer

Intelligence agencies in the United States have identified Russian organized crime groups as being highly sophisticated and technologically advanced, which presents a greater threat to American society than the traditional Italian-American crime families. Japanese organized crime groups (A) do exist in the U.S. but do not pose as great a threat. While La Cosa Nostra (B) was once a significant organized crime group, it has declined in power and influence. The Tammany Society (D) was a political organization in 19th century New York, not an organized crime group.

Question 12

Criteria for involvement in La Cosa Nostra includes which of the following?

Accepted Answer

All of these criteria are necessary for involvement in La Cosa Nostra. The organization is exclusively made up of Italian-American men who have demonstrated criminal skills and can contribute to the group.

Question 13

The view of La Cosa Nostra as a loose connection of criminal groups held together by kinship and patronage is known as the ______ model.

Accepted Answer

The feudal model views La Cosa Nostra as a loose connection of criminal groups held together by kinship and patronage, similar to the feudalism of the Middle Ages. The organizational model, on the other hand, views La Cosa Nostra as a highly structured organization with a hierarchical leadership and formal rules and regulations. The corporate model sees La Cosa Nostra as a business enterprise, operating for profit and with a division of labor and specialization. The hierarchical model simply emphasizes the vertical power structure within La Cosa Nostra.

Question 14

Which of the following is considered the most serious organized crime threat in the world today?

Accepted Answer

The Russian "Mafiya" is considered the most serious organized crime threat in the world today due to their involvement in various criminal activities such as human trafficking, drug trafficking, and financial crimes. They are also known for their high level of organization and sophistication in carrying out their illegal operations. The Japanese Yakuza and La Cosa Nostra are also powerful organized crime groups, but their influence and operations are more localized. The Tammany Society was a political organization in the 19th and early 20th century and is no longer active.

Question 15

The Morielitos organized crime group specializes primarily in

Accepted Answer

The Morielitos organized crime group is known for its involvement in drug trafficking, particularly for its distribution of methamphetamine in the United States. While they may have some involvement in other illegal activities, drug trafficking is their primary focus.

Question 16

______ was a corrupt political machine associated with the Democratic Party that ran New York City well into the twentieth century from the "Hall."

Accepted Answer

Tammany Society, also known as Tammany Hall, was a corrupt political machine associated with the Democratic Party that ran New York City well into the twentieth century from the "Hall."

Question 17

Al "Scarface" Capone was brought down by

Accepted Answer

Al Capone was ultimately brought down by tax evasion charges. Despite being a notorious gangster involved in illegal activities such as bootlegging and gambling, it was his failure to pay income tax that resulted in his conviction in 1931. The government had been building a case against him for years and was ultimately able to successfully prosecute him for tax evasion.

Question 18

The national ruling body of the La Cosa Nostra consists of five ________ families and four bosses from other important families located in other cities.

Accepted Answer

The five families of the La Cosa Nostra are based in New York, specifically the boroughs of Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island. Therefore, the best choice is B - New York.

Question 19

The ______ of La Cosa Nostra is groomed for succession to the top position.

Accepted Answer

The Underboss of La Cosa Nostra is the second in command and is groomed to become the Boss or Don, who is the top position. The Counselor is an advisor to the Boss, and a Soldier is a lower-ranking member who carries out orders.

Question 20

There are alleged to be ______ La Cosa Nostra families.

Accepted Answer

According to various sources, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), there are 24 La Cosa Nostra families in the United States. These families are involved in organized crime activities such as racketeering, extortion, and drug trafficking. Each family operates independently and has its hierarchy, leaders, and members.

Quiz 17: Organized Crime