Lucky Luciano: Mobster & Founder of Modern Organized Crime | Mini Bio | Biography

Summary

Salvatore 'Lucky' Luciano, born in Sicily in 1897, transformed American organized crime, creating a criminal empire that operated like a business. Rising to power in New York's underworld, he masterminded the murders of rival bosses and formed the 'Commission,' uniting major crime families across the U.S. Luciano’s influence extended to bootlegging, prostitution, and more, before a conviction in 1936 ended his reign. He later cooperated with U.S. intelligence during WWII, but was exiled to Italy and Cuba. He died in 1962, leaving a legacy as one of the most notorious mobsters in history.

Takeaways

• 😀 Lucky Luciano, born Salvatore Lucania in 1897, is credited with being the father of organized crime in America.
• 😀 He moved to New York from Sicily in 1906, where he began engaging in criminal activities as a schoolboy, extorting lunch money from younger kids.
• 😀 Luciano formed key alliances with criminals Meyer Lansky and Bugsy Siegel, and worked with mob boss Joe Masseria, engaging in prostitution, extortion, blackmail, and bootlegging.
• 😀 By 1931, Luciano became one of the six most influential figures in bootlegging on the East Coast.
• 😀 Luciano orchestrated the murders of mob bosses Joe Masseria and Salvatore Maranzano, removing his rivals and consolidating his power in New York's criminal world.
• 😀 Luciano founded 'The Commission' in 1931, a groundbreaking organizational structure that brought together the five major New York crime families and other national crime syndicates like Capone's in Chicago.
• 😀 The Commission functioned like a corporate board of directors, resolving disputes, quelling turf wars, and overseeing criminal activities across the country.
• 😀 Luciano’s stylish image and high-profile lifestyle, complete with expensive suits and celebrity connections, embodied 'gangster chic'.
• 😀 In 1936, Luciano was convicted on fabricated prostitution charges, resulting in a 30-50 year prison sentence, but continued to exert influence even from behind bars.
• 😀 During World War II, Luciano cooperated with U.S. naval intelligence, facilitating communication between the Navy and New York dock workers, earning his release from prison in 1946.
• 😀 After being deported to Italy in 1946, Luciano briefly tried to set up a global drug smuggling operation in Cuba but was forced to leave under U.S. government pressure.
• 😀 Luciano spent his final years in Naples, Italy, where he died from a heart attack in 1962 at the age of 64, leaving behind a legacy as the architect of modern organized crime.

Q & A

Who was Lucky Luciano and what is his significance in American organized crime?

Lucky Luciano, born Salvatore Lucania, is considered the father of organized crime in America. He revolutionized the mob by transforming it from unorganized crime into a structured, business-like operation, and he founded the Commission, a governing body for the five New York crime families.

What early behaviors indicated Luciano's future involvement in organized crime?

As a schoolboy, Luciano exhibited mob-like behavior by extorting lunch money from younger kids, a sign of his early inclination towards criminal activity.

What were some of the criminal activities Luciano was involved in before becoming the top mob boss?

Before becoming the top mob boss, Luciano was involved in various criminal activities including prostitution rings, extortion, blackmail, and bootlegging, particularly during Prohibition.

How did Luciano gain control of the New York mob?

Luciano gained control of the New York mob in 1931 by orchestrating the killings of rival mob bosses Joe Masseria and Salvatore Maranzano, thus eliminating his competition.

What was the Commission, and how did it change organized crime?

The Commission was a body formed by Luciano that brought together the five New York crime families and extended its influence to other cities. It functioned like a board of directors, mediating disputes and preventing turf wars, thus organizing the crime syndicates in a more structured way.

How did Luciano's lifestyle reflect his power and influence?

Luciano embodied 'gangster chic,' wearing elegant suits, silk shirts, and handmade shoes. He frequently surrounded himself with beautiful women and mingled with celebrities, living in luxurious places like the Waldorf Towers.

What led to Luciano's downfall in 1936?

Luciano's downfall came in 1936 when Special Prosecutor Thomas Dewey convicted him on fabricated prostitution charges, sentencing him to 30 to 50 years in prison.

How did Luciano contribute to the U.S. during World War II?

During World War II, Luciano assisted U.S. naval intelligence by allowing his dock workers to serve as informants, providing valuable intelligence on waterfront activities.

What was the result of Luciano's cooperation with U.S. authorities during the war?

In return for his wartime cooperation, Luciano was released from prison in 1946 on the condition that he leave the U.S. and never return.

What did Luciano attempt to do after being released from prison?

After his release, Luciano attempted to set up a global drug smuggling operation in Cuba, but U.S. government pressure led to his expulsion from the country.