Barzini Crime Family

From The Godfather Wiki

The Barzini crime family (1921-1979) is one of the most powerful of the Five Families, second only to the Corleones. It was run by Don Emilio Barzini and operates out of Midtown, the richest district of New York. They were also known to have toeholds in Wall Street, Sicily and even Hollywood, where it was rumoured they often supported movie mogul Jack Woltz, whose mansion was mimicked by Emilio Barzini, who had a similar one built to use as his compound. In New York itself, the Barzini Family owned a total of three warehouses in Midtown and Hell's Kitchen, which enabled them to do business in one of the five districts of New York.

The Barzinis were known to keep to themselves and were never openly hostile to the other Families. However, in the 1940s, Don Barzini plotted with rival Don Phillip Tattaglia to destroy the Corleone Family and gain dominance of New York. Barzini almost suceeded, pushing Vito Corleone to call for peace after the death of his eldest son, Sonny. They then began moving in on Corleone's territories, so much so that Salvatore Tessio, Vito's most savvy capo, made a secret deal with Barzini. They also assisted the FBI in building a case against the Corleones.

However, the wily Don Vito discovered Barzini's plot and his son Michael took revenge, killing Barzini who was replaced by Paulie Fortunato. In the film/novel, Al Neri was Don Barzini's killer, but in the game, Aldo Trapani did the job.

Fortunato resented the Corleone Family's hypocrisy by getting into the drug business, but later became their ally, defending Michael Corleone against Carlo Tramonti's accusations at a Commission meeting. Fortunato was killed in Joey Zasa's helicopter attack in 1979.

[edit] The Family

• Don - Emilio Barzini
• Underboss - Emilio Barzini Jr
• Consigliere - Domenico Mazza
• Caporegimes - Pietro Testa, Big Bobby Toro, Giovanni Armanno
• Soldatis - Crazy Horse Vialli, Joe Vesuvius, Sonny-Boy Granzella, 'Songbird' Finch

[edit] Dons

• 1921 - 1955 — Emilio "The Wolf" Barzini

• 1955 - 1979 — "Fat" Paulie Fortunato