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An observation: As best I can tell, Francesco Cali (call him Frank) never appeared in a story in the New York Times until he was assassinated last night, at which point it was revealed to readers that he is the “reputed” boss of the Gambino mafia family. 
This is also true of the Daily Beast, btw, which doesn’t bother with the word “reputed.” I can only find one story it’s run about Cali and it ran the night of his death: thedailybeast.com/gambino-crime-…
What is the source of Frank Cali’s repute to the New York Times as the head of the Gambino family, or The Daily Beast’s certain knowledge of his role? Police officials, apparently, but an affirmative statement like “this was the Gambino boss” is never directly attributed to them.
Which leaves me with questions: Do reporters only learn who runs mafia families if they get indicted or happen to die, at which point investigators loosen their tongues? Or is there some existing body of knowledge about who runs the mob in New York that doesn’t get published?
Oh right, the other possibility is the knowledge of who runs the mob in New York is hard-won by the diligent and courageous efforts of local tabloid reporters and it was lifted by other outlets without credit. But that seems... unlikely?
