Part 3/12:
Records of his violent past are staggering: from shootings in Queens to multiple murders, Genovese displayed a ruthlessness that would become his trademark. An infamous story highlights his lack of conscience—he had a rival thrown off a roof merely to win the love of a woman. As he earned a name for himself in the underworld, he came to serve under Charles "Lucky" Luciano, one of the Mafia's most feared bosses, becoming his right-hand man and hitman.
The Costello Era
In 1936, following Luciano's longtime imprisonment, Genovese saw himself poised to take command of the family he had helped build. However, a murder charge forced him to flee to Italy. During his absence, Frank Costello ascended to power, emerging as the most influential figure within the Mafia.