THIS DOCUMENT DETAILS WITH NUMEROUS CASE HISTORIES THE MANNER IN WHICH LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN CORRUPTED. MUCH OF THE INFORMATION IS BASED ON THE AUTHOR'S INTERVIEWS WITH TOP GANGSTERS. THE DOCUMENT SHOWS HOW THE MAFIA'S INFILTRATION OF LEGITIMATE BUSINESS FITS IN WITH ITS POLITICAL OPERATIONS. THE AUTHOR ALSO DISCUSSES THE USE OF SUCH TACTICS AS BRIBES, CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS, THREATS, BLACKMAIL, BALLOT-BOX MANIPULATION, AND THE DELIVERY OF LARGE VOTING BLOCS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)