The long time civil war between the Sicilian mafiosi comes to an end as the bloody violence and savage warfare cause massive public opposition, many of whom breaking "omerta", as Sicilian authorities are pressured to investigate the centuries-old secret society.
Judge John L. Coffey's "John Doe" inquiry into corruption in Milwaukee city police and the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department includes gambling, prostitution and bribery, results in more than 30 police officers (including the head of the city vice squad) and deputy sheriffs losing their jobs; but fails to touch Frank Balistrieri's control of local crime.
January 19 – Santo Perrone, Capo-Faction Leader in Detroit crime family, is severely wounded by a car bomb and later loses his right leg.
October 21 – Joseph Bonanno, scheduled to testify before a federal grand jury, is abducted by unknown assailants from his Park Avenue apartment building. Bonanno's brother-in-law, Frank LaBruzzo, assumes leadership of the crime family but is voted out by the Mafia Ruling Commission in favor of Gaspar DiGregorio. Consigliere John Tartamella's health would force him to resign as Salvatore Bonanno, son of Joseph Bonanno, assumes position of consigliere of the Bonanno crime family.
