City Talk: Selwyn Raab, author, Five Families: The Rise...America's Most Powerful Mafia Empires

Investigative journalist Selwyn Raab divulges the details of the ubiquitous mafia presence in New York City over the past fifty years. Raab describes the infiltration of this 'invisible government' into all areas of life. The corruption of school construction, garbage collection, and apparel industries are just some of the topics mentioned when he and Doug Muzzio discuss Raab's book "Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of Americas most powerful Empires." The Mafioso expert gives the shocking answers to your questions. Why did lawmakers shy away from mobster cases? Where was the President hiding? What did the authorities have to say about it? Is the mafia really under control? And Raab shares his thoughts on the image of modern fictional gangsters like Tony Soprano. (Taped 6/20/2006)

City Talk is CUNY TV 's forum for politics and public affairs. City Talk presents lively discussion of New York City issues, with the people that help make this city function.

City Talk is hosted by Professor Doug Muzzio, co-director of the Center for the Study of Leadership in Government and the founder and former director of the Baruch College Survey Research Unit, both at Baruch College's School of Public Affairs.

Watch more at www.tv.cuny.edu/show/citytalk