INVESTIGATIONS: Method Acting

They played their roles perfectly: dockland toughs, racketeers, underworld fixers. So completely did they work their way into the confidence of the Mafia-backed labor groups in the harbors that they ended up as bagmen, carrying payoff money back to the mob. Last week there was no mention of the actors when 400 subpoenas were served for two federal grand jury investigations of an extortion ring that has preyed on at least a dozen shipping companies in New York City and other Atlantic and Gulf ports. TIME has learned that the trusted men who worked so closely with the Mafia and...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!