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The authorities hope the new bosses who will emerge will be younger, less experienced and more likely to make the kinds of mistakes that will make them vulnerable to prosecution and discourage followers. As seen by New York and federal investigators, these are the most probable heirs to leadership in the five families:
Gambino. Traditionalists expect Thomas Gambino, 57, son of former Boss Carlo Gambino, the Mafia's last true godfather (he died of natural causes in 1976) to reclaim his family's leadership. A low-profile capo, or captain, Gambino avoids the flamboyant dress and behavior that so quickly drew attention to current Boss John Gotti. Gambino has been making good money from the rackets, and some experts think he may prefer to remain a contented capo rather than become the boss.
Genovese. Vincent ("the Chin") Gigante, 58, a former prizefighter, is capo in the family and considered by some to be just as tough as, if not tougher than, convicted Boss Salerno. One of the few veterans not under indictment, he was acquitted of trying to kill Mob Boss Frank Costello in 1957 when Costello, who retired after the rub-out attempt, refused to identify him as one of his attackers.
Lucchese. Corallo may be succeeded by Neil Migliore, 53, whom Franceschini describes as a hothead capable of starting a gang war for control. A climber in the family for a decade, he runs a marble business, including the sale of tombstones, but specializes in illegal gambling.
Bonanno. Joseph Messina, 43, is already acting as boss of the family, according to Franceschini. He had been a capo for only four years, when his superior, Philip Rastelli, 68, was indicted in the commission case. (Rastelli has a heart condition and will stand trial alone when his health permits.) Messina promptly took over Rastelli's role.
Colombo. With Persico and Langella both facing prison for long terms, no clear-cut successor can be named. Law-enforcement officials are divided on whether Joseph Brancato, 69, Vincent Aloi, 63, or Aloi's younger brother Benny, 51, will move up. Brancato served mainly as an errand boy for Persico, according to New York investigators, and seems to lack real clout. The Aloi brothers, on the other hand, appear to have the Mob smarts to run the family -- if they want to take the risk of doing so.