Giuseppe Mariposa was a Sicilian gangster and head of the Mariposa family in New York City.

BiographyEdit

A Sicilian immigrant, Mariposa used his connections with Al Capone to become head of the largest criminal group in New York. Among his close associates were Emilio Barzini and his brother Ettore and the Rosato Brothers.

He proclaimed himself capo di tutti capi after dismantling Rosario LaConti's organization.

Olive Oil WarEdit

In 1933, he became involved in a dispute with Vito Corleone and Luca Brasi, which eventually led to the Olive Oil War. Mariposa was eventually overcome and betrayed by his own lieutenants, causing him to be garotted by Salvatore Tessio and Tomasino Cinquemani during a meeting at a restaurant in Brooklyn.

Behind the scenesEdit

Mariposa replaces Salvatore Maranzano of the original novel in order to settle indiscrepancies about his date of death in The Family Corleone.

However, the character is mostly based on Joe Masseria, who shares a similar name and who's death in a Brooklyn restaurant, after being betrayed by his top lieutenant Lucky Luciano, is identical to Mariposa's death in The Family Corleone. Just as Mariposa, Masseria also agressively sought to unite all the New York families under his control.

TrivaEdit

• Mariposa means 'Butterfly' in Spanish.

Notes and referencesEdit