Carmine “The Snake” Persico, the unpredictable boss of one of the nation’s most powerful Mafia families, died Thursday in a North Carolina prison, The New York Times reported. He was 85.

DURHAM, N.C. — Carmine "The Snake" Persico, the unpredictable boss of one of the nation's most powerful Mafia families, died Thursday in a North Carolina prison, The New York Times reported.

In 1931, the Five Families were established among New York City’s mafia. They included the Genovese, Gambino, Lucchese, Bonanno, and Colombo crime families.

Carmine "The Snake" Persico, the unpredictable boss of one of the nation's most powerful Mafia families, died Thursday in a North Carolina prison, The New York Times reported. He was 85.

DURHAM, N.C. — Carmine "The Snake" Persico, the unpredictable boss of one of the nation's most powerful Mafia families, died Thursday in a North Carolina prison, The New York Times reported. He ...

DURHAM, N.C. — Carmine "The Snake" Persico, the unpredictable boss of one of the nation's most powerful Mafia families, died Thursday in a North Carolina prison, The New York Times reported. He ...