- For the comic book counterpart, see: Falcone Crime Family
The Falcone Crime Syndicate was an Italian American criminal organization operating in Gotham City. Led by Carmine Falcone, they controlled the city through resources gathered from the Gotham Renewal Program and various associates situated in the city's political structure. During Batman's second year, the Falcone Syndicate and its allies were targeted by the serial killer Riddler, culminating in Carmine's assassination. The organization was later the goal of a power struggle between Falcone's Lieutenant Oswald Cobb and the mobster's daughter Sofia.
History[]
The Falcone Crime Syndicate was presumably founded by Carmine Falcone or a member of his family. Operating within Gotham's East Side, they were stationed in the Shoreline Lofts and operated the secret 44 Below nightclub. The gang was active during Bruce Wayne's childhood and developed a rivalry with the Maroni Organization. Carmine himself was also associated with billionaire Thomas Wayne, even showing up on his doorstep after being shot by a rival for emergency surgery.
The Syndicate were also responsible for a hit on Edward Elliot after he threatened to release sensitive details about Thomas' wife Martha. Though they'd been asked to intimidate him, the group likely murdered him to get Thomas under Falcone's thumb. It was speculated by Alfred Pennyworth that a member of the Syndicate killed both him and Martha after the former threatened to inform the police of the incident.
Over the twenty years after Wayne's death, the Syndicate began taking control of Thomas Wayne's charitable Gotham Renewal Program, using it to launder their money and discretely bribe officials on their payroll. The Syndicate also began to gain further allies in Gotham's political structure, including Mayor Don Mitchell Jr., Police Commissioner Pete Savage and District Attorney Gil Colson, and GCPD Narcotics detective Dt. Kenzie. Falcone had also divided interests with his lieutenants in the Syndicate. These included Oswald "the Penguin" Cobblepot, who ran the Iceberg Lounge as a legitimate front for the 44 Below.
Some years before Riddler's attacks, Falcone grew greedy for more control of the Renewal Corportation and arranged for Sal Maroni's arrest through a drug bust on his Drops operation. Through corrupt officials in his pocket, he informed the GCPD of Maroni's operations, providing enough information to have him arrested and convicted. However, rather than dismantling it, the Syndicate took over Maroni's Drops production and began distributing the narcotic themselves. These were done from the Eastside Depot and managed by the Penguin. By Batman's operations, the Syndicate was the most powerful criminal organization in Gotham.
The Batman[]
Sometime before Halloween of Batman's second year, forensic accountant Edward Nashton discovered their usage of the Renewal Program and Falcone's activities as an information. He began targeting the syndicate's associates, beginning with Mitchell on the night itself. Clues left by Riddler also brought the attention of their activities to Batman.
When Batman arrived to interrogate Penguin on links to Mitchell, several members, including Kenzie and the Twins, fought him as the vigilante forced his way into the club. This resulted in multiple injuries, though was stopped when Penguin met with the vigilante. After this, Falcone and Kenzie murdered Annika Kosolov, a waitress at the 44 Below who'd been seeing Mitchell to cover up involvement in the Maroni Drug Bust. Members of the Syndicate also accompanied Falcone to Michell's funeral to provide protection, some restraining Bruce Wayne after they
After the funeral, Penguin and several members, including Kenzie and the Twins, visited the Eastside Depot. Drops production facility. During it, the thief Catwoman attempted to steal money from them, in retribution for Falcone's involvement. Whilst Batman confronted her, Penguin and other members present took notice of the vigilante, resulting in gunfight. Several members were shot by Lt. Jim Gordon, though it is currently unknown whether any of them received fatal injuries. The gunfight ended when Penguin fled the scene with Batman on his tail, whilst Catwoman escaped with a bag full of the gang's earnings. Members of the Syndicate, including Penguin, were later seen reporting their losses to Falcone.
The following night, an audio recording of Falcone was made public, implicating him in the murder of Kosolov and revealing him as the informant in the Maroni Drug Bust. As it was released, many members were shocked to learn that their own boss had been a police informant. A few members of the Syndicate, including Falcone himself, fought both Batman and Catwoman as they attempted to either arrest or murder him, respectively. The vigilante was able to defeat the group and stop Kyle's attempt on Falcone's life, taking him into police custody with help from clean factions of the GCPD. As he was arrested by the GCPD, Penguin and other members confronted Falcone, giving vague threats that they planned to assassinate him for "ratting".
After Riddler assassinated Falcone and flooded Gotham, the Syndicate was expected to be taken over by Falcone's son Alberto. However, after his murder by Penguin, Falcone's daughter Sofia took charge instead.
Members[]
- Falcone family
- Carmine Falcone - former leader
- Alberto Falcone - temporary leader
- Sofia Falcone
- Luca Falcone - capo
- Johnny Viti - underboss
- Milos Grapa - consigliere
- Oswald Cobb / The Penguin - lieutenant
- William Kenzie - police contact and soldier
- The Twins - soldier
- Vinnie - soldier
- Higgins - soldier
Associates[]
- Dr. Thomas Wayne - possible murder victim
- Don Mitchell Jr.
- Pete Savage
- Gil Colson
- Richard Stone