
Lucky Luciano: FBI Files, Newspapers & Books
$19.50
Category: Criminals Files
Tags: fbi, FBI Files, Lucky Luciano
Description
Lucky Luciano: Life and Times
1929:
- Lucky Luciano survives a gangland “ride”: Charles “Lucky” Luciano is severely beaten, stabbed repeatedly with an ice pick, has his throat slashed, is thrown from a car, and left for dead. This event earns him the nickname “Lucky.”
1931:
- Luciano becomes head of the Unione Siciliana: Charles “Lucky” Luciano assumes leadership of the Unione Siciliana in New York.
- Establishment of national underworld sway: In alliance with other significant gangsters, Luciano establishes a broad influence over the underworld in cities across the United States.
October 24, 1935 – June 1936:
- Luciano’s trial and conviction: Newspaper coverage begins regarding Lucky Luciano. In June 1936, Luciano is convicted on 62 of 90 counts of compulsory prostitution.
June 1936:
- Luciano sentenced to prison: Charles “Lucky” Luciano receives a sentence of 30 to 50 years imprisonment following his conviction.
1939:
- “Ninety Times Guilty” published: Hickman Powell’s book detailing Luciano’s trial, from its inception to the jury verdict, is published. Powell, a close friend of District Attorney Thomas E. Dewey, had a front-row seat at the trial.
1946:
- Luciano paroled and deported: Charles “Lucky” Luciano is paroled on the condition that he will be deported to his native Italy.
Late 1940s – Early 1950s:
- FBI monitors Luciano: The FBI receives periodic allegations that Luciano continues to direct criminal activities in the United States from his exile in Italy. Most of the FBI file material covers this period.
1954:
- “I Worked for Lucky Luciano” published: An anonymous novel based on a newspaperman’s experiences working in New York during Tom Dewey’s efforts to dismantle the Luciano mob is published.
- First version of “The Luciano Story” published: Sid Feder’s book, often called “the definitive biography” of Luciano, is released.
1960:
- Second version of “The Luciano Story” published: A revised version of “The Luciano Story” by Sid Feder and Joachim Joesten is released. For this version, Joesten interviewed Lucky Luciano, narcotics agents, and police officials in Italy.
February 13, 1962:
- Lucky Luciano’s death: Charles “Lucky” Luciano suffers a fatal heart attack in Italy. This marks the end of newspaper coverage included in the collection.
Cast of Characters
- Charles “Lucky” Luciano: (1897-1962) An infamous gangster and central figure in American organized crime. He earned his nickname “Lucky” after surviving a brutal attack in 1929. In 1931, he became head of the Unione Siciliana in New York and established a nationwide criminal network. Convicted of compulsory prostitution in 1936 and sentenced to 30-50 years, he was paroled and deported to Italy in 1946. Despite exile, he was often alleged to continue directing criminal activities in the U.S. He died of a heart attack in Italy in 1962.
- Thomas E. Dewey: The District Attorney who prosecuted Charles “Lucky” Luciano. He was instrumental in “smashing the Luciano mob.” He was a close friend of newspaper journalist Hickman Powell.
- Hickman Powell: A newspaper journalist and author of the 1939 book “Ninety Times Guilty,” which chronicled Luciano’s trial. He was a close friend of District Attorney Thomas E. Dewey and had privileged access to the courtroom proceedings.
- Anonymous (Author of “I Worked for Lucky Luciano”): A former newspaperman in New York who witnessed Tom Dewey’s efforts against the Luciano mob. The author based the novel on personal experiences and insider details from the Luciano trial, aiming to provide understanding about why girls became involved with the Vice Syndicate.
- Sid Feder: A veteran crime reporter and authority on American organized crime. He co-authored “The Luciano Story” (1954 and 1960 versions), which is considered a definitive biography of Luciano. He also co-authored the book “Murder, Inc.”
- Joachim Joesten: An expert on drug traffic and the European underworld. He co-authored the 1960 version of “The Luciano Story” with Sid Feder, having conducted interviews with Lucky Luciano, narcotics agents, and police officials in Italy for the book.
- Albert Anastasia: Mentioned in the FBI files as having cross-references to Luciano. (Presumably a prominent organized crime figure).
- Bugsy Siegel: Mentioned in the FBI files as having cross-references to Luciano. (Presumably a prominent organized crime figure).
- Carlo Gambino: Mentioned in the FBI files as having cross-references to Luciano. (Presumably a prominent organized crime figure).
- Carmine Galante: Mentioned in the FBI files as having cross-references to Luciano. (Presumably a prominent organized crime figure).
- Frank Sinatra: Mentioned in the FBI files as having cross-references to Luciano. (A famous entertainer, his connection to Luciano is only noted as a cross-reference in FBI files).
- Frank Wortman: Mentioned in the FBI files as having cross-references to Luciano. (Presumably an organized crime figure).
- Fred G. Randaccio: Mentioned in the FBI files as having cross-references to Luciano. (Presumably an organized crime figure).
- Joseph Bonanno: Mentioned in the FBI files as having cross-references to Luciano. (Presumably a prominent organized crime figure).
- Louis Lepke Buchalter: Mentioned in the FBI files as having cross-references to Luciano. (Presumably a prominent organized crime figure, head of Murder, Inc.).
- Meyer Lansky: Mentioned in the FBI files as having cross-references to Luciano. (A prominent organized crime figure, known for his close association with Luciano).
- Walter Winchell: Mentioned in the FBI files as having cross-references to Luciano. (A famous American newspaper and radio gossip columnist).
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