Mafia groups in the United States first became influential in the New York City area, gradually progressing from small neighborhood operations to citywide and even international organizations. Five families dominated, named for prominent early members - the Bonanno family, the Colombo family, the Gambino family, the Genovese family, and the Lucchese family.Each family was ultimately controlled by a boss, who was insulated from actual operations by several layers of authority. The boss' closest and most trusted advisor was referred to as the consigliere ("counselor" in Italian). An underboss was possible as well. There were then a number of regimes with a varying number of soldiers who conducted actual operations.

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