Joseph valachi

Joseph Valachi (1903-1971) ─ American gangster, member of Lucky Luciano's mob family, who turned informer in 1962. (Informer is someone who is involved in a criminal organization, but who secretly tells the police about its activities in return for money.) Valachi held a rank in the Mafia equivalent to that of a sergeant.

In 1959 Valachi was convicted of narcotics violations and sentenced to 20 years in prison. In June 1962, in the federal prison at Atlanta, crime boss Vito Genovese, a fellow inmate, suspecting him (incorrectly) of having become an informer, gave him the kiss of death (a sign that he was to be killed). Valachi panicked, killed a fellow prisoner who he mistakenly thought was his assassin, and, in revenge against the death threat, told all to the U.S. Bureau of Narcotic and Dangerous Drugs, the FBI, and the Justice Department. (Federal Bureau of Investigation is the police department in the US that is controlled by the central government, and is concerned with crimes in more than one state.)

Valachi was the first Mafia's member ever to describe its history, membership, and inner working. Robert Kennedy called his testimony the "biggest breakthrough in fighting against organized crime and racketeering in the United States." (Robert Kennedy is the then U.S. attorney general and adviser during the administration of his brother President John Kennedy. Attorney General is the chief lawyer of the government in the US.) Investigations, indictments, and convictions followed Valachi's testimony. His memoirs were published as The Valachi Papers in 1968.

Task 1. Answer the following questions:

1. Who is an informer?

2. What rank did Valachi hold in the Mafia?

3. What was he convicted of?

4. What happened to Valachi in prison?

5. What did he testify about?

6. What followed Valachi’s testimony?

7. Who is an Attorney General?

8. Were Valachi’s memories published?

Task 2. Agree or disagree with the following statements.

1. Valachi served the Mafia, but secretly told the police about its activities in return for money.

2. Valachi was convicted of traffic offence and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

3. In 1962, Valachi broke the federal jail in Atlanta.

4. His fellow inmate suspected Valachi of having become an informer.

5. Valachi was calm in the presence of danger.

6. Valachi forgave his fellow prisoner who he thought was his assassin.

7. Investigators, indictments and convictions preceded Valachi's testimony.

8. Valachi's testimony failed to help in fighting against organized crime and racketeering in the US.

Mock Trial Background

Last month, 18-year-old Chris Smith was taken into custody by Maryland State Police, and charged with felony possession of drugs. The degree of violation depends on how the drugs were used, i.e. for personal use or for distribution, and the amount confiscated. In this case, the State Police charged Mr. Smith with possessing a pound or more of drugs, which is considered a felony and a jailable offense. The maximum penalty for possessing more than a pound of drugs is 10 years in prison.

The case is being heard in the county where the charge was brought. Because this is a felony case, the trial will be held in a circuit court. If the case were a misdemeanor, the case would be heard in District Court in the county where the charge was filed by police. At the pre-trial hearing, the defense attorney for Mr. Smith, Lee Marshall, notified the judge that his client has requested a jury trial. This is the trial that is to occur today.