1. The Mob Controls Hollywood
A long-standing theory suggests Mafia influence still reaches deep into the entertainment industry — from film financing and union control to influencing iconic mob films like The Godfather.
2. Paul Castellano Was Killed to Prevent Mob Exposure
Some believe John Gotti had Castellano murdered in 1985 not just to seize power, but to stop him from testifying or cooperating with authorities about the inner workings of the Mafia.
3. The Vatican Bank Was Laundering Mafia Money
The 1982 collapse of Banco Ambrosiano exposed suspicious links between the Vatican Bank and Mafia money laundering, fuelling speculation of secretive financial ties between organised crime and the Church.
4. The Mafia Infiltrated the CIA
During the Cold War, the CIA allegedly collaborated with Mafia figures on covert operations — most notably, plots to assassinate Cuban leader Fidel Castro — blurring the lines between espionage and organised crime.
5. The Mob Helped Elect JFK
According to this theory, Mafia bosses used voter fraud and political influence in key states like Illinois to swing the 1960 presidential election in favour of John F. Kennedy, hoping for political protection in return.
6. Frank Sinatra’s Mob Ties Helped His Career
Rumours have long claimed that Frank Sinatra’s success was boosted by Mafia connections — who may have fixed deals, secured venues, and dealt with rivals on his behalf.
7. Las Vegas Was a Mob Front
Many assert that Las Vegas, particularly during its mid-20th-century boom, was largely controlled by the Mafia — using the casinos to skim profits and launder money on a massive scale.
8. Jimmy Hoffa Was Whacked by the Mafia
The 1975 disappearance of Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa is one of the most enduring mysteries in American history — with the leading theory being that he was murdered by the Mafia to silence or punish him.
9. The Mob Was Behind JFK’s Assassination
Some theorists believe the Mafia orchestrated JFK’s 1963 assassination, either in revenge for the Kennedy administration’s crackdown on organised crime or due to betrayal after helping him win the presidency.
10. The Mafia Killed Marilyn Monroe
This theory posits that Monroe’s death was not suicide but a hit — carried out to prevent her from revealing damaging information about the Kennedys’ connections to organised crime.