Meyer Lansky

Meyer Lansky
Al Ravenna, World Telegram staff photographer · Public domain · source
Name	Meyer Lansky
Birth date	July 4, 1902
Birth place	Poland
Death date	January 15, 1983
Death place	Miami
Occupation	Gangster, Businessman

Meyer Lansky was a notorious American gangster and businessman who played a significant role in the development of the National Crime Syndicate alongside Charles Luciano, Bugsy Siegel, and Lucky Luciano. Born in Poland, Lansky immigrated to the United States with his family at a young age and grew up in the Lower East Side of New York City, where he befriended Bugsy Siegel and became involved in organized crime with the Five Points Gang. Lansky's life was marked by his involvement with prominent figures such as Frank Costello, Vito Genovese, and Albert Anastasia, and his role in shaping the American Mafia.

● Early Life

Meyer Lansky was born on July 4, 1902, in Grodnenskaya, Poland, to a Jewish family, and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1911, settling in the Lower East Side of New York City. He attended P.S. 34 and later Seward Park High School, where he met Bugsy Siegel and became involved in street gangs and organized crime with the Five Points Gang, led by Paul Kelly. Lansky's early life was influenced by his relationships with Charles Luciano and Lucky Luciano, who would later become prominent figures in the National Crime Syndicate. Lansky's family moved to Brownsville, Brooklyn, where he attended Thomas Jefferson High School and became friends with Abner Zwillman and Longy Zwillman.

● Career

Meyer Lansky's career in organized crime began in the 1920s, when he became involved in bootlegging and gambling operations with Charles Luciano and Bugsy Siegel. Lansky's business acumen and strategic thinking earned him the respect of his peers, including Frank Costello, Vito Genovese, and Albert Anastasia. He played a key role in the development of the National Crime Syndicate, a powerful crime syndicate that dominated organized crime in the United States during the mid-20th century. Lansky's involvement in Las Vegas casinos, including the Flamingo Hotel and the Desert Inn, helped to establish the city as a major hub for gambling and entertainment. He also had ties to Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista and was involved in gambling and smuggling operations in Havana.

● Personal Life

Meyer Lansky's personal life was marked by his relationships with his family, including his wife, Anna Citron, and his son, Bernard Lansky. He was known for his frugality and business acumen, and was often referred to as the "Mob's Accountant" due to his ability to manage and invest the syndicate's finances. Lansky's relationships with prominent figures, including J. Edgar Hoover and Harry Anslinger, were often complex and influenced by his involvement in organized crime. He was also friends with Moe Dalitz and Morris Kleinman, who were involved in organized crime in Cleveland.

● Later Life and Death

In the 1960s and 1970s, Meyer Lansky's involvement in organized crime began to decline, and he faced increased scrutiny from law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He was indicted on tax evasion charges in 1970, but was acquitted in 1974. Lansky died on January 15, 1983, at the age of 80, in Miami, Florida, due to complications from pneumonia. His death marked the end of an era in organized crime, and he was remembered as one of the most influential and powerful figures in the American Mafia.

● Legacy

Meyer Lansky's legacy is complex and multifaceted, reflecting his involvement in both organized crime and legitimate business ventures. He is often credited with helping to establish Las Vegas as a major hub for gambling and entertainment, and his involvement in the National Crime Syndicate helped to shape the American Mafia. Lansky's life has been the subject of numerous books, films, and documentaries, including Sergio Leone's Once Upon a Time in America and Brian De Palma's The Untouchables. His story has also been referenced in popular culture, including in The Godfather and The Sopranos. Lansky's impact on American history and popular culture continues to be felt, and his legacy remains a topic of fascination and debate among historians, scholars, and the general public. Category:American gangsters