MOST FEARED MAFIA
Summary
TLDRAlbert 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.
Outlines
🔪 Albert Anastasia: The Lord High Executioner
Albert Anastasia, born Umberto Anastasio in Calabria, Italy, was a feared figure in the Mafia. He co-founded 'Murder Incorporated,' a notorious contract killing crew. After immigrating to New York illegally, Anastasia worked as a longshoreman and quickly became involved in the mob. His ruthless reputation grew after several violent incidents, including the murder of George Torino. Despite facing the death penalty for this crime, he was released due to witness disappearances during a retrial. Anastasia's association with mob bosses like Lucky Luciano led to his involvement in the Castellammarese War and the assassination of Joe 'The Boss' Masseria. His loyalty to Luciano and violent tendencies made him a prominent figure in the Mafia, eventually leading to his role as underboss of the Mangano crime family, which later became the Gambino Clan.
🗡 The Downfall of a Mafia Titan
Albert Anastasia's life was marked by a series of violent acts and legal evasions. Despite multiple murder charges, he managed to escape conviction due to the fear he instilled in witnesses. Anastasia's leadership in 'Murder Incorporated' solidified his status as a ruthless enforcer within the national crime syndicate. His influence grew as he became underboss of the Mangano family, a position he allegedly secured through the disappearance and murder of Vincent Mangano. However, Anastasia's reign was not without challenges. The government targeted him for tax evasion, and internal Mafia dynamics began to shift against him. His downfall came on October 25, 1957, when he was assassinated in a barber's chair, a death that mirrored the violence of his life. The identity of his killers remains unknown, and his story is a testament to the brutal era of Mafia dominance.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Mafia
💡Albert Anastasia
💡Murder Incorporated
💡Castellamarese War
💡Lucky Luciano
💡Longshoremen's Union
💡Mob Boss
💡Underboss
💡Carlo Gambino
💡Vito Genovese
Highlights
Albert Anastasia, known as the 'Lord High Executioner,' was one of the most feared figures in Mafia history.
Anastasia co-founded 'Murder Incorporated,' a notorious contract killing crew.
He was born Umberto Anastasio in Calabria, Italy, and immigrated to New York as an illegal immigrant at age 15.
Anastasia's family struggled financially, leading him to seek opportunities in the U.S.
He quickly became involved in illegal activities after finding work on the Brooklyn docks.
Anastasia's violent nature was evident early in his life, as he murdered a fellow longshoreman in 1921.
He was sentenced to death for murder but was released after a retrial due to witness disappearances.
Anastasia's time in Sing Sing prison solidified his criminal identity and connections within the Mafia.
He was involved in the assassination of mob boss Joe the Boss Masseria during the Castellamaris War.
Anastasia's loyalty was with Lucky Luciano, who he helped rise to power within the Mafia.
He was known for his unpredictability and the dire consequences of crossing him.
Anastasia was charged with multiple murders but often had charges dropped due to lack of witnesses.
He became the head of 'Murder Incorporated,' an enforcement arm of the national crime syndicate.
The group was responsible for an estimated thousands of murders, most of which were never solved.
Anastasia's rise to power included becoming the underboss of the Mangano crime family, later the Gambino Clan.
He was suspected of orchestrating the disappearance and murder of Vincent Mangano and his brother.
Anastasia was a prime target for the government, facing charges of tax evasion.
His downfall began with internal plotting from within the Genovese crime family and Carlo Gambino.
Anastasia was assassinated in 1957, with his killers never identified, marking the end of a violent Mafia era.
Transcripts
the history of the mafia is full of
terrifying Mobsters the likes of Lucky
luano Frank Castillo Carlo Gambino and
even Al Capone but none of them was as
dreaded among Mafia circles as Albert
the Lord High executioner Anastasia
Albert was the co-founder of the
infamous kill for hire crew murder
Incorporated he was a short-tempered
ruthless and coldblooded killer in his
days even top Mafia bosses would rather
not get on his bad side because he was
unpredictable and pissing him off could
result in dire consequences he was even
rumored to be among the group of four
men who in 1931 assassinated powerful
mob boss jpe Joe the Boss Masia in the
bloody gang rivalry that was known as
the castal lamaris war however the
mystery was never solved and no arrests
were made born Umberto Anastasio in
paralia Calabria Italy in
1902 his father bartomeo was a railway
worker who died after World War I life
for the family was tough as they
struggled to make ends meet also
Calabria Italy at the time presented
very few opportunities so the older
children agreed that they had to go
somewhere else in search of work in in
1919 at the age of 15 Anastasia and
three of his brothers took a job on an
Italian freighter ship headed to New
York when the ship docked at the
Brooklyn Waterfront the brothers Slipped
Away quietly entering New York City as
illegal immigrants in search of
opportunities
soon they found work as long shoremen on
the Brooklyn docks that were mostly
controlled by the mob Anastasia while
working as a long shoreman quickly got
involved in illegal activities and
became a member of the long shoreman's
union for more than a year Anastasia
kept a relatively low profile until he
had an argument with George Torino a
fellow long shoran in
1921 the argument was so intense that it
resulted in anatasia killing Torino for
the murder Anastasia was arrested and
sentenced to death to await his
execution Anastasia was sent to the
notorious Sing Sing prison in ausing New
York while in prison he changed his
surname from Anastasio which was Italian
to Anastasia to save his family from the
shame of having a criminal in the family
one year into his stay in prison in 1992
his lawyer managed to secure a retrial
which he won due to a legal technicality
mysteriously four of the original
prosecution witnesses disappeared and
Anastasia was released from custody
however some believe that Anastasia's
cool demeanor and his eagerness in
prison for violence attracted the
attention of Jimmy the shiv
Deano the Death House barber of sing
Singh DeStefano sent word to upand
cominging mob boss lucky luchano who
also picked interest in
Anastasia despite his narrow Escape from
Death Row Anastasia had picked up a
taste for illegal activities and
violence in prison on his release he
quickly Rose through the ranks to become
a prominent figure in the long
shoreman's Union but in 1923 he was back
in prison this time for illegal
possession of firearms when he returned
from prison he joined the mafia under
jepe Joe the Boss Mia whom he would
allegedly later murder meanwhile in 192
8 Anastasia was charged with another
murder in Brooklyn but during the trial
all the witnesses either refused to
testify in court or disappeared although
Anastasia was under Joe the Boss his
loyalty was clearly with Lucky Luciano
who at the time was a hungry upcoming
boss with plans to overthrow the old
order in favor of a more inclusive Mafia
one that had no problems partnering with
Irish and Jewish syndicates for larger
scale operations when in 1931 the the
castella mar war broke out between Mia
and salvator maranzano Anastasia
approached Luciano and presented himself
as an assassin who could help him rise
to the top in a secret deal Luciano
agrees to plot the death of his boss Mia
in exchange for maser's Racket and to
become second in command to mazan
Rano as you have already figured out his
executioner was none other than
Anastasia so on April 15th 1931 Lu
Luciano lured Joe to a meeting at the
noova Villa tomoro Restaurant on Cony
Island where he was killed while they
were playing cards Luciano excused
himself to the bathroom and then the
team of four gunmen comprising Anastasia
Adonis genovesi and Benjamin Bugsy
seagull stormed the building and
murdered
Mia Luciano took over masseria's family
and genovesi as his under boss Anastasia
got away with the murder of jepe as no
one was arrested and the police
struggled for both Witnesses and
evidence in 1932 Anastasia was once
again indicted for another murder this
time for using an ice pick to kill a man
but like the previous two cases the
charges were dropped due to a lack of
witnesses the next year he was charged
with killing a man who worked in a
laundry but yet again no witness was
willing to testify clearly people were
scared of Anastasia and what the Mafia
would do to anyone who snitched
meanwhile as a reward for Anastasia's
loyalty luano placed him in Louie lepka
buchalter the leading labor racketeer in
the country as head of murder
Incorporated the enforcement arm of the
national crime syndicate the group also
known as the Brownsville boys was a mix
of Jewish and Italian Contract Killers
that operated out of the back room of
midnight roses a candy store in the
Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn
owned by mobster Lou Capone murder
encountered evolved to become one of the
most notorious crews in the history of
the American Mafia the group which
lasted for only a decade is estimated to
be behind thousands of murders most of
which were never solved a proof of how
efficient they were as a killer squad
some of the implements the squad used
were rope ice picks knives and sometimes
Firearms due to his leadership in Murder
incin Anastasia
who had risen to be a dreaded Mafia
figure was nicknamed the madh hatter and
the Lord High
executioner in time with the support of
luchano Anastasia became under boss of
the Mangano crime family which later
became the notorious Gambino Clan
Anastasia was initially the underboss of
the Mangano crime family under Vincent
Mangano but Mangano resented Anastasia's
close ties to Luciano and Costello
especially because they obtained
Anastasia's services without first
seeking his permission however on April
19th
1951 Mangano went missing and his body
was never found the same day the body of
his brother Philip was discovered in
Jamaica Bay no one was ever arrested in
the Mangano murders but it was widely
assumed that Anastasia was behind the
killings gradually others around him
fell including Luciano who was arrested
and convicted members of Mur Murder Inc
were prosecuted and several prominent
Mobsters fled to Italy but Anastasia
remained anyone who could have
challenged him or who posed a threat
mysteriously ended up including Close
Associates like gang leader ab reles and
Anthony Romeo who on separate occasions
had been arrested and questioned by the
police scared of being implicated and
prosecuted Anastasia ordered the deaths
of both men with Anastasia there were
never loose ends and even friends who
became liabilities had to be taken care
of but in 1952 things started to fall
apart for Albert he was a prime target
for the government and was even facing
charges of tax evasion while battling it
out in court the genevi crime family
began to plot against him enticing his
Capo Carlo
Gambino the tide was turning against him
but Anastasia missed the warning
signs on the morning of October 25th
1957 anast a visited his Barber at the
park Sheran hotel in Midtown Manhattan
his driver parked the car in an
underground garage and took a walk
outside leaving him
unprotected immediately after Anastasia
relaxed in the barber's chair two men
with their faces covered rushed in
pushed away the barber and fired shots
at Anastasia in shock Anastasia
reportedly attacked his Killers but
ended up charging at their reflection in
the mirror
the gunman fired until Anastasia finally
fell on the floor dead the image of
Anastasia's lifeless body covered in
towels on the barber shop floor became
iconic in mob history proof of how
violent the mafia was at its peak his
murderers were never identified and the
case remained
unsolved many pointed at veto genovesi
and Carlo Gambino but it's unclear who
ordered the hit till today Anastasia
remains one of the most dreaded
characters in Mafia history the
short-tempered coldblooded killer who
was responsible for the death of
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