Vito Rizzuto was born on the 21st of Feb 1946 and posses a very elegant personality with a medium built. Grayish hair color well trimmed and properly combed and dressed gracefully. He has command on English, Spanish, Italian as well as French languages and is also closely relations in many parts of Canada.

The Theory of Organized Crimes

Organized crime is basically related to earning profits via conducting an illegitimate business. However, smuggling of illegal drugs, extortion, sex gambling, loan sharking, pornography and conducting business through threat includes in the category of organized crime. (Sable, 1994-2003) Furthermore, organized crime is principally related to the concept of Italian Mafia. However, Mafia is a group of criminals that work collectively in organized crime. Therefore, it is officially assumed by USA that the criminal society of Mafia is originated from Sicily, which dominated the political and social life of Sicily. On the other hand, there are many criminologists who do not believe on the existence of a criminal society called as Mafia.

The official view of the "Mafia" begins with an assumption that violent crime is organized ruthlessly in Sicily, and was transplanted to the United States from Sicily. There is considerable dispute about the basic structure of organized crime from a historical perspective in Sicilian society. The official version of organized crime rests on an argument that the Mafia in Sicily was and is a more or less unified group of families operating within a highly organized structure, which has dominated the political and social life in Sicily, for at least the last century. The contrary view is that the Mafia as a criminal society never really existed at all, but rather is an apparition created to explain the persistent corruption and inequity in Sicilian political and social life (Blok, 1974).

Presently, the concept of organized crime based on the characteristics of individual behavior. These individuals are organized criminals. However, these self motivating criminal groups, their organizational behavior and networking, their dominating power structure with in illegal markets and underworld as well as the relationship between legal and illegal structure of that very society determines the concept of organized crime. (Lang 1999)

Biography of Vito Rizzuto

Vito Rizzuto is an Italian Mafia leader popularly known as “The Canadian Godfather” or “ The Boss of Mafia in Canada”, by the Police officers, Mafia turncoats, law enforcement reports from many countries, The Revenue Canada, organized crime specialists as well as by the underworld sources. He is a 55-years old man and a resident of Montreal. Though Rizzutto has twice faced serious drug charges and repeatedly been named in police investigations and court proceedings but he was never convicted of any criminal offence since 1972. (Adrian, 2001)

The leader of the Montreal Mafia, Vito Rizzuto was charged 3-4 times on different events since 1981 till 2001. For the first time he was charged during a drug investigation but in the next year he was falsely alleged to initiate the Bonanno organization on the basis of supposition to support the murder of three captains of the family. Prior to this he was also sentenced for two years against conspiracy to commit arsons. However, recently he was arrested at his Montreal home against a charge of conspiracy to commit a murder. (CBC News, April 8, 2004) On the other hand, the Federal Revenue Department of Montreal has charged Rizzuto due to the failure to declare a charge against $ 1.5 million on his taxes. Therefore, Canada Customs and Revenue Agency became interested in his case as Rizzuto was listed on the Alberta stock exchange.

However, after investigating for three years the Revenue Agency charged Rizzuto for concealing revenues of $ 1.5 million during three years of tax i.e.1986-1988. Interestingly upon further Court investigation, it was observed that his allegations for stock investments are linking to the seizure of 13 tons of hashish in Newfoundland during the year 1987. (National Post, p. A05August 18, 2001) Furthermore, according to the RCMP and court documents, the Ontario police for illegal gambling and illicit drugs in Quebec also charges Rizzuto.

Rizzuto’ s Current Situation and Legal Proceedings

Though the two decades of FBI, RCAMP and Montreal Police surveillance, Vito Rizzuto was not convicted of any other crime except arson in 197. It is believed that Rizzuto is the one who has drew the map of organized crime on Canada. However, it is also believed that Rizzuto is not a fighter of an organized crime but is a partner to it. On the other hand, the Montreal police believe that Vito Rizzuto is not only a Mob boss but also liable for murders, drug trafficking and loan sharking.

Though presently both the US and Canadian legislations are coordinating to conclude a just decision, other people related to legal studies and professional legislation are also providing information and opinions to the case of Rizzuto. For instance, Alan who is a high profile attorney at USA and a law professor at Harvard remind the Quebec Court that Rizzuto was not really charged for the murder in the shootings of 1981.

(Blue, Reporting with Eileen, Oct. 18, 2004) Therefore, since Rizzuto was charged against a murder in Canada, which is yet not proved, the statutes of limitation for murder provided by the New York State law does not apply to the case of Rizzuto. Consequently the USA Jury decided not to interpret the USA law against Rizzuto regarding extradition. However, the FBI and other crime investigating organizations are asked to investigate more while Rizzuto is in jail.

Future of Rizzuto Case

However, the Quebec Court of Appeal refused to grant bail to Rizzuto, as he was not able to convince the jury for his release. Moreover, Justice Francois Doyon did not considered the argument of Rizzuto lawyer that the allegations against murder has been two years old which has no place in the current case of Rizzuto. (RAKOBOWCHUK, Aug. 6, 2004) On the other hand, the USA legislation posses Statutes relating to “Limitations For Murder”, Rizzuto is also facing extradition at USA where he expected to alleged for the two decades old murder by the federal law of USA. At the same time, the Quebec Court of Appeal is confused with the risk of interpreting foreign laws to the case of Rizzuto. However, it is expected that Justice Irwin Cotler will decide extradition of Rizzuto in the coming weeks of this year. (RAKOBOWCHUK, Aug. 6, 2004)

Expected Results and the Effect of Rizzuto Extradition on Mafia

The case of Vito Rizzuto is on the hot list of both the Canadian as well the New York Courts. However, the debate of extradition of Vito is the issue of concern among the legislative authorities, scholars, and common public as well as the members of the Mafia. Though the final judgment of Vito is pending since a long time, yet no result is concluded thus he is still behind the bars. On the other hand many discussions regarding the expected result is heard from all corners.

The most important issue talked about is the impact of Rizzuto extradition over the Mafia. Majority of the people believe that it is not easy to find some one capable as Rizzuto in Canada to lead the Mafia. This is because Rizzuto is a civilized and intelligent person with an elegant personality. At the same time his command on 4 languages at a time makes him the most suitable person to fit as the Godfather of the Mafia. Similarly the way Rizzuto organizes the mafia and deals various issues related to it, no other leader can prove to be as fit as he is. So it is expected that if Rizzuto were extradited, then there would be a great mess in the underworld. (Cherry Jan.22, 2004)

However, I believe, if Rizzuto is extradited, any other person will take his place and one never knows the mafia gets a leader as compatible as Rizzuto. Another important thing related to the impact of Rizzuto extradition is opening doors to catch more criminals and more people related to organized crimes. After Rizzuto, there will be disorganization and anarchy for some time in the underworld, this will help the federal and crime investigation authorities to get a hand over the other active criminals in the Mafia. Yet the organizational skills and language skills along the impressive personality of Rizzuto cannot be ignored.

Should Rizzuto be extradited?

Since Canadian legislation does not possess any law regarding the Limits for murder, the higher authorities of USA and Canada are under the process of deciding to extradite Rizzuto to the Federal Legislation of USA. It is therefore, very important to know that whether these two countries are into some agreement regarding extradition? In case there is no agreement between USA and Canada for extradition, then Rizzuto should not be handed over to USA for any decision.

Though Canada and USA has agreed to enhance sharing intelligence between two countries but there is no such agreement signed by Canada regarding extradition with USA. (Maddocks, Dec. 6, 2003) Therefore, in my opinion since the offences alleged to Rizzuto are related to Canada, USA should not intervene as Canada has its own courts and works under a complete legislative setup of its own. The Canadian legislative authorities are not dependent on USA and as Canada is a sovereign and developed country. So it should manage to decide the case according to the evidences regarding the allegations on Rizzuto.

The case of Rizzuto is a slippery slope as it has initiated much debate regarding the evidence against the various allegations on him as well as the expected result in regard to the decision to extradite him. However, observing the current situation while keeping in mind the historical development of the case, it comes to our understanding that various points that are used against Rizzuto during prosecution, seems to be illogical in the eyes of law. For instance, taking a judgment on behalf of the claims of few criminals that Rizzuto is there boss does not mean that the allegations are proved or Rizzuto is proved guilty.

Even if Rizzuto is there boss but what is the evidence to prove that Rizzuto is responsible for the criminal offences of those people or what is the evidence that Rizzuto has committed the alleged offences? Similarly sitting or playing sports or attending any public ceremony of a criminal or murderer or any other criminal does not prove that the allegations against Rizzuto are just and he needs to be extradite. Therefore, the issues that are taken into consideration to extradite Rizzuto are vague. Law follows strong evidences prior to take any decision. So in my opinion, Rizzuto should not be extradited nor USA should intervene in the federal legislation of Canada to decide the destiny of Rizzuto. Moreover, keeping bad company is not a crime according to law neither it proves hearsay despite submitting it as an official document to the court. Therefore, to prove Rizzuto guilty, strong evidences need to be submitted to the court against the various allegations on him.

Works Cited

Sable Burns, Kari “Organized Crime” (1994-2003) Available at http://www.karisable.com/crmob.htm Accessed on 10-22-04
Blok, Anton 'The Peasant and the Brigand: Social Banditry Reconsidered”, Comparative Studies in Society and History 14 (4) (1972)
Lang, Peter, (Klaus von Lampe) “Organized Crime: Begriff und Theorie organisierter Kriminalität in den USA” (1999.)
Humphreys, Adrian “The man they call the Canadian Godfather” “National Post” (2001) Available at http://www.nicaso.com/pages/doc_page50.html accessed on 10-20-04
CBC News Online, “Vito Rizzuto: Canadian 'godfather’” April 8, 2004) Available at http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/rizzuto/ Accessed on 10-21-04

National Post, (Toronto edition). “Alleged Mafioso settles income tax case out of court: Nicknamed Teflon Don.” August 18, 2001: p. A05
Blue, Laura “The Dirt on the Don” in (TIME) Reported by Eileen, (Travers/Montreal and Simon Crittle/New York) Oct. 18, 2004.

RAKOBOWCHUK, PETER, “Alleged Mafia boss denied bail”.

Cherry, Paul “Extradition of Vito Rizzuto might 'mess up' underworld”
“The Gazette.” .

Maddocks, Ralph “Open Government In The New Age” Montreal (Dec. 6, 2003.) Available at http://www.quebecoislibre.org/031206-6.htm Accessed on 10-22-04