Frank Costello

Frank Costello was a notorious Italian-American gangster and bootlegger who rose to prominence during the Prohibition era in the United States. He was a close associate of Charles Luciano, Meyer Lansky, and Benjamin Bugsy Siegel, and played a significant role in the development of the National Crime Syndicate. Costello's life was marked by his involvement in organized crime, including his ties to the Genovese crime family and his rivalry with Vito Genovese. He was also known for his connections to prominent figures such as Albert Anastasia and Lucky Luciano.

● Early Life

Frank Costello was born on January 26, 1891, in Palermo, Sicily, to a family of Sicilian immigrants. He immigrated to the United States with his family at a young age and grew up in New York City, where he became involved in street gangs and organized crime at an early age. Costello's early life was influenced by his associations with gangsters such as Charles Luciano and Meyer Lansky, who would later become prominent figures in the National Crime Syndicate. He was also acquainted with other notable gangsters of the time, including Dutch Schultz and Owney Madden.

● Career

Costello's career in organized crime spanned several decades and included involvement in bootlegging, gambling, and extortion. He was a key figure in the development of the National Crime Syndicate, a loose network of gangsters and crime families that dominated organized crime in the United States during the mid-20th century. Costello's connections to prominent gangsters such as Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, and Benjamin Bugsy Siegel helped to establish him as a major player in the National Crime Syndicate. He was also involved in the Kefauver Committee hearings, which investigated organized crime in the United States and featured testimony from notable gangsters such as Meyer Lansky and Virginia Hill.

● Personal Life

Costello's personal life was marked by his marriage to Laurie Costello, and his associations with prominent socialites and politicians, including Fiorello La Guardia and Thomas Dewey. He was known for his philanthropy and donated to various charities, including the Catholic Church and the Red Cross. Costello's personal life was also influenced by his connections to Hollywood figures such as Bugsy Siegel and George Raft, who were involved in the film industry and nightlife scene. He was also acquainted with other notable celebrities of the time, including Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

● Assassination Attempt

On May 2, 1957, Costello was the target of an assassination attempt by Vinnie Gigante, a hitman hired by Vito Genovese. The attempt failed, but it marked a significant turning point in Costello's life and career. The attempt was likely motivated by Vito Genovese's desire to eliminate Costello and take control of the Genovese crime family. The incident was also linked to the Apalachin Meeting, a gathering of gangsters that was raided by law enforcement and featured attendees such as Vito Genovese and Carlo Gambino.

● Later Life and Death

In the years following the assassination attempt, Costello's influence and power began to decline. He was eventually forced to relinquish control of the Genovese crime family to Vito Genovese, who had been seeking to overthrow him for years. Costello spent the remainder of his life in relative seclusion, although he remained involved in organized crime to some extent. He died on February 18, 1973, in New York City, New York, at the age of 82. Costello's death was noted by gangsters and law enforcement officials alike, including FBI director J. Edgar Hoover and gangster Meyer Lansky.

● Legacy

Frank Costello's legacy is complex and multifaceted, reflecting his involvement in organized crime and his connections to prominent gangsters and politicians. He is remembered as one of the most powerful and influential gangsters of the 20th century, and his name is often mentioned alongside those of Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, and Benjamin Bugsy Siegel. Costello's life and career have been the subject of numerous books, films, and documentaries, including The Godfather and Goodfellas. His story continues to fascinate historians and true crime enthusiasts, who are drawn to the drama and intrigue of his life as a gangster and bootlegger. Category:Gangsters