1981 in organized crime

Events

• January 31 – John Stanfa, a Philadelphia crime family member and former driver of slain boss Angelo Bruno, is convicted in Federal District Court of lying to a grand jury investigating Bruno's murder.

Arts and literature

• American Pop
• Easy Street by Susan Berman.
• Gangster Wars starring Michael Nouri, Joe Penny, Jonathan Banks, Robert Davi and Richard S. Castellano.
• Thief starring James Caan.

Deaths

• March 15 – Philip C. Testa "Chicken Man", Philadelphia crime family Boss
• April 23 – Stefano Bontade "The Prince", Palermo mafia Capo-Boss
• May 5 – Philip "Phil Lucky" Giaccone, Bonanno crime family Capo
• May 5 – Alphonse Indelicato "Sonny Red", Bonanno crime family caporegime
• May 5 – Dominick "Big Trin" Trinchera, Bonanno crime family Capo
• May 11 – Salvatore "The Heroin King" Inzerillo, Sicilian mafioso, Passo di Rigano Clan capo
• May 27 – Chelsais Bouras "Steve", Philadelphia mobster and leader of the "Greek Mob"