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3 unusual facts about Protection racket


Protection racket

In "A Short History of Progress," Ronald Wright notes on p.49, "The warrior caste, supposedly society's protectors, often become protection racketeers. In times of war or crisis, power is easily stolen from the many by the few on a promise of security. The more elusive or imaginary the foe, the better for manufacturing consent."

Certain scholars, such as Diego Gambetta, classify criminal organizations engaged in protection racketeering as mafia.

Rob Roy MacGregor

Rob Roy became a well-known and respected cattleman — this was a time when cattle rustling and selling protection against theft was a commonplace means of earning a living.


Brodie's Law

He runs a legitimate chain of Bars, pool halls and a boxing gym in Bethnal Green, but these are only fronts for his real business, which are extortion, prostitution, protection and money laundering.

Don Fanucci

Fanucci demands protection money from neighborhood businesses, but does not confine his demands to non-Italians, which is considered a sign of disrespect in the Mafia.

Francesco Madonia

Francesco Madonia has been convicted for ordering the killing of Libero Grassi in 1991, the Palermo businessman who refused to pay protection money (the so-called pizzo) and went on national television to denounce the practice.

Lady from Louisiana

Unknown to General Mirbeau is his assistant Blackie's (Ray Middleton) protection rackets and murders of lottery winners through his army of thugs led by Cuffy Brown (Jack Pennick).


see also