Synopsis

This series is based upon exceptional access to the FBI’s previously secret files on the Mafia. The FBI in Washington has offered this access to World Media Rights based on their handling of the material which they released to WMR for the series about forensic analysis; The Science of Crime. The Mafia’s Greatest Hits uncovers the extraordinary truth behind some of the Mafia’s most notorious killers.

Now, for the first time, the FBI wants to reveal how:

• They didn’t realise the extent and scope of the Mafia and its organisation until 1963 – and then started to try and actively combat it.
• They realised that many of the crimes which they were trying to solve before that date (and thought of as ‘racketeering’) were all interlinked – and they opened new investigations into them and finally uncovered the full story of what had happened.
• They realised that killing is an essential element of Mafia culture as it is the way in which the Mafia establishes territory and also establishes hierarchy. If you want to lower murder statistics in an area you firstly rid it of Mafia.
• Combating the Mafia, once the Mafia has taken hold, becomes a continuous process and is happening right now. It is unlikely to ever cease as the Mafia’s culture is so potent and persistent.

To illustrate the FBI’s battle against the Mafia – both now and in the past the programmes will feature the following stories, which are defined by the killing sprees through which the successful Mafiosa established their territory. In other words, the Mafia’s Greatest Hits:

• How Joe Valachi knew there was a ‘hit order’ out on him – and lived in so much fear that, in the end, he revealed both the existence of and the whole structure of the Mafia for the first time.
• How “Whitey” Bulger, multiple killer and racketeer, was able to disappear with millions of dollars. The FBI itself protected him and now they can’t find him.
• How Joey “Doves” Aiuppa took out Sammy Giancana, but was eventually caught by the FBI.
• Why Roy DeMeo, the Gambino family hit man, ended up dead in the back of a car.
• How “Squint” Lombardo evaded the FBI but only by helping put two notorious mobster chiefs behind bars.

This is ultimate series on the fight against the Mafia, told by the people who tried to stop them - the FBI. The stories involve many twists and turns – as the Mafia tried to combat the FBI by recruiting FBI agents into their pay. It will feature dramatic reconstruction, archive and exclusive testimony from witnesses and special agents.

Date:2011

Duration:13 x 50 min programmes

Rights:All Media Rights

Territories:Worldwide

Availability Date:January 2012

Format / Aspect Ratio:16:9

High Definition:Available

Production Company:a World Media Rights production for UKTV