MOST FEARED MAFIA

Summary

Albert Anastasia, known as the 'Lord High Executioner,' was a feared figure in Mafia history. Co-founder of the notorious 'Murder, Inc.,' he rose through the ranks to become an underboss, with a reputation for ruthlessness and unpredictability. From his early days as an immigrant to his violent end, Anastasia's life was marked by crime and power struggles within the mob. His involvement in the assassination of Joe the Boss Masseria and his eventual downfall at the hands of rivals like Carlo Gambino highlight the brutal reality of the Mafia during its peak.

Takeaways

• 😨 Albert Anastasia was a feared figure in the Mafia, known as the 'Lord High Executioner' for his ruthless and cold-blooded nature.
• 🔪 Anastasia co-founded 'Murder, Incorporated,' a notorious contract killing crew that was highly efficient and responsible for thousands of unsolved murders.
• 🇮🇹 Born in Calabria, Italy, Anastasia immigrated to the U.S. at 15, eventually becoming involved in the criminal underworld of New York City.
• 🚢 Anastasia and his brothers entered the U.S. as illegal immigrants, seeking opportunities in New York's tough labor market.
• 🏭 Initially working as a longshoreman, Anastasia's involvement in the mob began on the Brooklyn docks, a hub of mob-controlled activity.
• 🤺 His violent tendencies were evident early on, as seen in the murder of George Torino, which led to a death sentence later overturned due to witness disappearances.
• 🔝 Anastasia's rise in the Mafia was rapid, with close ties to influential bosses like Lucky Luciano, who he allegedly helped to overthrow the old order.
• 🗡 His role in the assassination of Joe the Boss Masseria during the Castellammarese War was pivotal, though it remained shrouded in mystery.
• 💀 Despite multiple murder charges, Anastasia evaded conviction due to the fear and influence he wielded, often causing witnesses to disappear or refuse to testify.
• 🛡️ Anastasia's leadership in 'Murder, Incorporated' earned him the nickname 'the Mad Hatter,' highlighting his notoriety and the group's deadly efficiency.
• ⚰️ His violent end in 1957, in a barber's chair, marked the culmination of a life filled with crime and bloodshed, with his murderers never identified.

Q & A

Who was Albert Anastasia, and why was he feared among the Mafia circles?

Albert Anastasia, also known as 'the Lord High Executioner,' was a co-founder of the infamous 'Murder, Incorporated.' He was a short-tempered, ruthless, and cold-blooded killer, feared even by top Mafia bosses due to his unpredictability and the dire consequences of crossing him.

What was the significance of the Castellammarese War in the context of Albert Anastasia's life?

The Castellammarese War was a bloody gang rivalry that took place in 1931. It is rumored that Albert Anastasia was among the four men who assassinated powerful mob boss Joe the Boss Masseria, which significantly impacted his reputation and standing within the Mafia.

What led to Albert Anastasia's arrest and subsequent death sentence in 1921?

Albert Anastasia was arrested and sentenced to death for killing George Torino, a fellow longshoreman, after an intense argument in 1921.

How did Albert Anastasia manage to avoid execution and what role did his lawyer play in this?

Albert Anastasia's lawyer managed to secure a retrial for him in 1922 due to a legal technicality. Mysteriously, four of the original prosecution witnesses disappeared, leading to Anastasia's release from custody.

What was the significance of Albert Anastasia changing his surname from Anastasio to Anastasia?

Anastasia changed his surname to avoid bringing shame to his family due to his criminal activities and the notoriety associated with his name.

How did Albert Anastasia's involvement with the longshoreman's union and the Mafia contribute to his rise in the criminal underworld?

Working as a longshoreman, Anastasia quickly got involved in illegal activities and joined the longshoreman's union. His involvement with the Mafia, particularly under Joe the Boss Masseria, and later Lucky Luciano, allowed him to rise through the ranks and become a prominent figure in organized crime.

What was the role of 'Murder, Incorporated' in the American Mafia, and how did Anastasia contribute to its notoriety?

'Murder, Incorporated' was an enforcement arm of the national crime syndicate, known for being highly efficient in carrying out contract killings. Anastasia, as its leader, was nicknamed 'the Mad Hatter' and 'the Lord High Executioner,' making the group one of the most notorious in Mafia history.

Why was Albert Anastasia's loyalty with Lucky Luciano rather than Joe the Boss Masseria, despite being under Masseria?

Anastasia's loyalty was with Lucky Luciano because Luciano was an upcoming boss with plans to overthrow the old order and establish a more inclusive Mafia that would partner with Irish and Jewish syndicates for larger-scale operations.

What was the significance of the disappearance of Vincent Mangano and his brother Philip, and how was Anastasia implicated in their deaths?

Vincent Mangano's disappearance and the discovery of his brother Philip's body in Jamaica Bay on April 19, 1951, were significant events that marked a power shift within the Mangano crime family. It was widely assumed that Anastasia was behind the killings, although no one was ever arrested for the crime.

How did Albert Anastasia's life end, and what is the significance of his death in Mafia history?

Albert Anastasia was assassinated on October 25, 1957, in the barber's chair at the Park Sheraton Hotel. His death marked a violent end to a life filled with crime and violence, and the image of his lifeless body became iconic in Mafia history.