[dfwgator]

He denied the existence of the Mob as long as it suited his purpose.

He secretly used the Mob to guard our Eastern seaports during WWII.

[Brad from Tennessee]

Hoover's arrangement with the Mafia was to allow them to operate as long as he was briefed and updated on their activities. The philosophy was that even if you could bust the entire hierarchy it would be quickly replaced. And if somehow the whole national crime syndicate could be eradicated their rackets and territories would be fought over then consolidated by emerging criminal groups. Hoover worried about the devil he didn't know.