Ep 17. Target: Mafia: Empire of Crime
- October 6, 1993
- 45 min
In "Target: Mafia: Empire of Crime," the seventeenth episode of the second season of American Justice, viewers are presented with a look into the world of organized crime and the legal system's efforts to dismantle the mafia's criminal empires. The episode delves into the intricate web of organized crime, detailing how the mafia operates and how it manages to evade the law.
The show begins with an overview of the mafia's history in America, starting with its roots in Sicily and tracing its rise to power in the United States. The mafia's influence in American society was vast, as it managed to infiltrate everything from labor unions to government agencies. The episode explains that the mafia's power was rooted in its ability to use violence and intimidation to control those who opposed it.
The show then moves on to highlight some of the law enforcement agencies' efforts to take down the mafia. The episode profiles some of the key individuals involved in dismantling the mafia's criminal empire, including law enforcement officials and prosecutors. The show also shines a light on the difficulties that these officials had in getting prosecutions, as the mafia was often very good at hiding its illegal activities and putting up a united front against any outside threats.
Throughout the episode, viewers are presented with real-life examples of the mafia's criminal activities and the efforts to prosecute its members. The episode covers topics such as racketeering, extortion, and organized crime's involvement in the drug trade. Viewers are also presented with some of the challenges that witnesses face when testifying against the mafia in court, as the mafia would often use threats and violence to intimidate those who were brave enough to speak out.
The show concludes with an exploration of where the mafia is today and whether it still poses a significant threat to American society. The episode notes that while the mafia's power has declined in recent years, it is by no means gone. The episode highlights some of the recent cases involving the mafia and shows how law enforcement officials are still working to dismantle its criminal activities.
Overall, "Target: Mafia: Empire of Crime" is a fascinating look at the struggles between law enforcement and organized crime. The episode is a reminder of how difficult it can be to bring criminal organizations to justice and how important it is for society to remain vigilant against these threats. The show successfully examines the complex issue of organized crime without glorifying or romanticizing it, which is a refreshing change from some of the other media representations of the topic. If you are a fan of true crime or interested in the history of American crime, "Target: Mafia: Empire of Crime" is an episode that you will not want to miss.