Since the late 19th century, the Mafia has been a presence in North America using intimidation and worse to exert its control over organized crime in the major cities and beyond--anything from loansharking to bootlegging during Prohibition to extortion, kidnapping and racketeering. For the Mob (as they are also known), crime was big business. Feuds between Mafia families and their associates led to Lucky Luciano, the preeminent Mob boss, creating the Commission which rules over Mob activity and disputes to this day.