Abner “Longie” Zwillman FBI Files, Congressional Material & Newspaper Coverage

Description

Zwillman’s Reign: A Criminal Timeline and Cast

1930:

• Various Dates: Newspaper coverage regarding Abner “Longie” Zwillman begins, as evidenced by the collection including full-sheet newspaper pages from this year.

1935:

• Various Dates: FBI files concerning Abner “Longie” Zwillman commence, initiating the period of “Top Hoodlum Coverage” by the FBI. These files detail his activities related to illegal liquor, racketeering, and more.

1950:

• May 2: The Senate’s Special Committee on Organized Crime in Interstate Commerce, also known as the Kefauver Committee, begins its operations.

1950-1951 (Specific dates within this range are not provided, but events occurred during this period):

• Various Dates: The Kefauver Committee conducts its 15-month investigation, meeting in 14 major U.S. cities and interviewing hundreds of witnesses. Information connected to Zwillman is part of these hearings and reports.

1951:

• March: An estimated 30 million Americans tune in to watch the live proceedings of the Kefauver Committee hearings, making it the most widely viewed congressional investigation to that date.
• September 1: The Kefauver Committee concludes its operations.

1959:

• Various Dates: Abner “Longie” Zwillman commits suicide. This event marks the end of his reign as the established boss of New Jersey’s underworld.
• Various Dates: Newspaper coverage related to Zwillman ceases, coinciding with his death.

1960:

• Various Dates: FBI files concerning Abner “Longie” Zwillman conclude, following his death in 1959.

Cast of Characters

• Abner “Longie” Zwillman: Often called the “Al Capone of New Jersey,” Zwillman was a prominent figure in organized crime. He was one of six bosses of Murder, Incorporated, and the established boss of New Jersey’s underworld. His criminal activities included illegal liquor, racketeering, New York City waterfront extortion, income tax evasion, jury tampering, obstruction of justice, contempt of court, and corruption of public officials, which earned him “Top Hoodlum Coverage” by the FBI. He was also known for his associates Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky, and his interest in Hollywood film actress Jean Harlow. Zwillman committed suicide in 1959.
• Lucky Luciano: An associate of Abner “Longie” Zwillman, and a significant figure in American organized crime.
• Meyer Lansky: An associate of Abner “Longie” Zwillman, and a notable figure in American organized crime.
• Jean Harlow: A Hollywood film actress in whom Abner “Longie” Zwillman had an interest.
• Kefauver Committee (Senate’s Special Committee on Organized Crime in Interstate Commerce): A congressional committee that operated from May 2, 1950, to September 1, 1951. It investigated organized crime in interstate commerce, holding hearings in 14 major U.S. cities and interviewing hundreds of witnesses. Its proceedings in March 1951 were widely viewed. Information connected to Zwillman was part of their investigation.

Abner “Longie” Zwillman FBI Files, Congressional Material & Newspaper Coverage

2,587 pages of FBI files, newspaper articles and Congressional hearings and reports covering Abner “Longie” Zwillman, often called the Al Capone of New Jersey, he was one of six bosses of Murder, Incorporated, and the established boss of New Jersey’s underworld, until his suicide in 1959. He counted among his friends and associates Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky.

The collection includes:

FBI Files

775 pages of files copied from FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C., covering Abner “Longie” Zwillman.

Files date from 1935 to 1960 compiling information concerning Abner Zwillman’s activities involving, illegal liquor, racketeering, New York City waterfront extortion, income tax evasion, jury tampering, obstruction of justice, contempt of court, and corruption of public officials. All of which earned him “Top Hoodlum Coverage” by the FBI.

Files chronicles Zwillman’s personal history, background criminal record, associates, legitimate enterprises, informants, FBI trouble in securing informants, information gathered through phone taps and listening devices, and his interest in Hollywood film actress Jean Harlow.
 
Newspapers

61 full-sheet newspaper pages dating from 1930 to 1959 with content covering Zwillman. Includes Washington D.C.’S The Evening Star, Detroit Evening Times and regional newspapers from Indiana, North Dakota, North Carolina, Ohio and Florida.

Kefauver Committee – Congressional Hearings & Reports 

1,707 pages of reports and excerpts from congressional committees on organized crime connected to Zwillman.

The Senate’s Special Committee on Organized Crime in Interstate Commerce also known as the Kefauver Committee, operated from May 2, 1950 to September 1, 1951.  During the 15-month investigation, the committee met in 14 major U.S. cities and interviewed hundreds of witnesses in open and executive sessions.  The Kefauver Committee hearings became the most widely viewed congressional investigation to that date. An estimated 30 million Americans tuned in to watch the live proceedings in March 1951.