The Fulton Fish Market opened operations in 1833 and by the 1930’s the Mafia was entrenched in the market. In the 1980’s, the Genovese family was still the principal, unforeseen force in a $1 billion-a-year enterprise. The Mafia’s iron grip over the market was derived from the rapid unloading of quickly perishable seafood brought into New York five days a week.

More than 100 trucking companies and 50 wholesalers depending on the rapid unloading of quickly perishable seafood brought into New York five days a week. Only 6 companies were authorized by Vincent “Chin” Gigante to unpack the trucks into the market. Merchants and trucking companies alike had to bribe the unloaders; otherwise the seafood was left to spoil on the pavement and become worthless, even though the merchant’s stalls were literally only a few feet away from the trucks.