| Francesco Castiglia | |
 Mugshot of Frank Costello
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| Born | January 26, 1891 Lauropoli, Calabria, Italy |
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| Died | February 18, 1973 (aged 82) Manhattan, New York, U.S. |
Frank Costello, born Francesco Castiglia, or Castilla (January 26, 1891 - February 18, 1973) was a New York gangster who rose to the top of America's underworld, controlled a vast gambling empire across the United States and enjoyed political influence like no other La Cosa Nostra boss. Events 1340 - King Edward III of England is declared King of France. Year 1891 ( MDCCCXCI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Cassano allo Ionio is a small town in Province of Cosenza of Calabria, Italy, known in Roman times as Cassanum. Calabria ( Latin: Brutium) is a region in southern Italy, south of Naples, located at the "toe" of Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Events 3102 BC - Epoch (origin of the Kali Yuga. 1229 - The Sixth Crusade: Frederick II Holy Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. Manhattan Island, in New York Harbor, is much the largest part of the Borough of Manhattan, one of the Five Boroughs which form the City of New York New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 1340 - King Edward III of England is declared King of France. Year 1891 ( MDCCCXCI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 3102 BC - Epoch (origin of the Kali Yuga. 1229 - The Sixth Crusade: Frederick II Holy Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. The City of New York The Mafia (also known as Cosa Nostra) is a Sicilian Criminal Secret society which is believed to have first developed in the mid-19th century Nicknamed the "Prime Minister of the Underworld" he became one of the most powerful and influential Mafia bosses in American history, eventually leading a criminal organization dubbed by law enforcement as the "Rolls-Royce of organized crime", the Luciano crime family (later called the Genovese crime family). The Mafia (also known as Cosa Nostra) is a Sicilian Criminal Secret society which is believed to have first developed in the mid-19th century The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A Rolls-Royce car may refer to vehicles produced by Rolls-Royce Limited (1906-1973 Rolls-Royce Motors (1973-2003 which was owned The Genovese crime family is one of the " Five Families " that controls Organized crime activities in New York City, within the nationwide The Genovese crime family is one of the " Five Families " that controls Organized crime activities in New York City, within the nationwide
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Early years
Frank Costello was born Francesco Castiglia in Lauropoli, Calabria, Italy in 1891. Cassano allo Ionio is a small town in Province of Cosenza of Calabria, Italy, known in Roman times as Cassanum. Calabria ( Latin: Brutium) is a region in southern Italy, south of Naples, located at the "toe" of Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest In 1900, at age 9, he boarded a ship to the United States with his mother and brother Edward. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The family was eager to join their father who had immigrated to the United States several years earlier. Living in New York's East Harlem, Francesco's older brother Eddie introduced him to gang activities. The City of New York Spanish Harlem, also known as El Barrio and East Harlem, is a low income neighborhood in Harlem area of New York City, By age 13, Francesco had become a member of a local gang and started using the name of Frankie. Gangsters redirects here For the computer game see Gangsters (video game. He continued to commit petty crimes, and went to jail for assault and robbery in 1908 and 1912. A misdemeanor, or misdemeanour, in many common law legal systems is a "lesser" criminal act A prison, penitentiary, or correctional facility is a place in which individuals are physically confined or interned and usually deprived of a range of In 1915, at age 24, Frank again went to jail, 10 months for carrying a concealed weapon. Just before his 1915 prison sentence, Frank Castiglia married Lauretta Giegerman, a Jewish girl who was the sister of a close friend. After his release from prison, young Frank decided to stay out of prison and use his brains to get by in the underworld. Forgoing the use of violence as a road to success and wealth, Frank did not see the inside of a jail cell for the next 37 years.
Crime as a business
After his release from prison in 1916, Frank Castiglia began working with Ciro "The Artichoke King" Terranova, a powerful East Harlem mafioso. Ciro "The Artichoke King" Terranova ( 1889 - February 20, 1938) was a New York City Gangster and one time leader of the Terranova was the underboss of the Morello crime family of Manhattan and the leader of the 107th Street gang. The Morello crime family was one of the earliest crime families to be established in the United States and New York City Frank became the member of a gang that controlled gambling and loansharking in one part of Manhattan and a section the Bronx. His associates included well known mafiosi such as Michael "Trigger Mike" Coppola, Joseph "Joe the Baker" Catania Jr. Michael "Trigger Mike" Coppola ( 1904 - October 1, 1966) was a New York mobster involved in narcotics who headed many Luciano-Genovese family and Stefano "Steve" LaSalle. Frank became known for his smarts and toughness, always rising to the occasion when handed a job to do.
While working for the Terranova gang, Castiglia met and then teamed up with Charlie "Lucky" Luciano then known as Salvatore Lucania, the Sicilian leader of Manhattan's Lower East Side gang. Charles "Lucky" Luciano (born Salvatore Lucania; November 24 1897 – January 26 1962 was a Sicilian Mobster. The Lower East Side is a Neighborhood in the southeastern part of the New York City borough of Manhattan. The two Italians hit it off immediately. Together with other young Italians such as Vito Genovese and Gaetano "Tommy" Lucchese, and Jewish associates Meyer Lansky and Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, the gang became involved in robbery, theft, extortion, gambling and narcotics. Vito "Don Vito" Genovese ( November 27, 1897 – February 14, 1969) was a Mafioso who rose to power in America during Gaetano "Tommy Gunn" Lucchese aka Three-Fingers Brown or Three Fingers and Tommy Brown ( December 1, 1899 Palermo Meyer Lansky (born Majer Suchowliński, July 4, 1902 &ndash January 15, 1983) was a gangster who with Charles Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel The Lucania-Castiglia-Lansky alliance prospered and with the passage of Prohibition in 1920, the gang went into bootlegging. Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, also known as Noble Experiment, refers to a Sumptuary law which prohibits Alcohol
The success of the young Italians let them branch out and make business deals with the leading Jewish and Irish criminals of the era, including Arnold "The Brain" Rothstein, Arthur "Dutch Schultz" Flegenheimer, Owney "The Killer" Madden and William "Big Bill" Dwyer. Arnold "The Brain" Rothstein ( January 17, 1882 - November 4, 1928) was a New York businessman and gambler who Dutch Schultz ( August 6, 1902 &ndash October 24, 1935) was a New York City -area gangster of the 1920s and 1930s Owney "The Killer" Madden ( December 18, 1891 - April 24, 1965) was a leading underworld figure in Manhattan, most notable William Vincent Dwyer (1883-1946 known as "Big Bill" Dwyer, was an early Prohibition gangster and bootlegger in New York Rothstein became a mentor to Castiglia, Luciano, Lansky and Seigel while they conducted bootlegging business with Bronx beer baron Schultz. In 1922, Castiglia, Luciano, and their closest Italian associates joined the Sicilian mafia crime family led by Giuseppe "Joe the Boss" Masseria, a top Italian underworld boss. Giuseppe "Joe The Boss" Masseria (c 1887&ndash April 15, 1931) was an early Mafia don in the United States. By 1924, Frank Castiglia had become a close associate of Hell's Kitchen's Irish crime bosses Dwyer and Madden. Hell's Kitchen, also known as Clinton and Midtown West, is a neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City that includes roughly the area between Frank became deeply involved in their rum-running operations, known as "The Combine,". This move motivated Castiglia to change his last name to the more Irish sounding "Costello".
In 1926, Combine boss Bill Dwyer was convicted of bribing a United States Coast Guard official and was sentenced to two years in jail. After Dwyer was imprisoned, Costello took over the Combine's operations with Owney Madden. This caused friction between Madden and top Dwyer lieutenant, Charles "Vannie" Higgins. Charles "Vannie" Higgins (1897 – June 19, 1932) was a New York mobster and one of the most prominent bootleggers during the Prohibition era Higgins, referred to as Brooklyn's "Last Irish Crime Boss," believed he should be running the Combine, not Costello. Thus, the "Manhattan Beer Wars" began between Higgins on one side, and Costello, Madden, and Schultz on the other. At this particular time, Schultz was also having problems with gangsters Jack "Legs" Diamond and Vincent "Mad Dog" Coll. Jack "Legs" Diamond ( July 10, 1897 - December 18, 1931) aka Gentleman Jack, was a famous Irish-American gangster Vincent "Mad Dog" Coll (born Uinseann Ó Colla, July 20, 1908 &mdash February 8, 1932) was an Irish mob hitman With Higgins' help, these two hoodlums had begun to rival Schultz and his partners. Eventually, the Costello-Madden-Schultz alliance was destroyed by New York's underworld.
In spite of losing the gang war, Frank continued to be a very influential gangster throughout the 1920s. Frank kept close associates Luciano, Lansky and Siegel involved in most of his gambling rackets, which included punch cards, slot machines, bookmaking and floating casinos. Frank eventually became known as the "Prime Minister of the Underworld" for his cultivation of associations and business relationships with New York's criminals, politicians, businessmen, judges, and police officials. As he followed the "Big Three" ideology of mixing crime, business and politics, Costello's underworld influence grew. His fellow gangsters considered Frank to be an important link between the Mafia and the politicians of Tammany Hall, New York's Democratic Party organization. The Mafia (also known as Cosa Nostra) is a Sicilian Criminal Secret society which is believed to have first developed in the mid-19th century Tammany Hall was the Democratic Party Political machine that played a major role in controlling New York City politics and helping immigrants (most notably The Democratic Party is one of two major Political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. This relationship gave Costello and his associates, including Luciano, the opportunity to buy the favors of politicians, judges, district attorneys, cops, city officials and whoever else they needed to bribe in order to freely run their criminal operations.
In 1927, Costello, Luciano, and former Chicago gangster John "Johnny the Fox" Torrio organized a group of top East Coast rumrunners into a large bootlegging operation. John "Papa Johnny" Torrio, aka "The Fox" (born Giovanni Torrio) (February 1882 &ndash April 16 1957 was an Italian-American This gang was able to pool their Canadian and European liquor sources, maximize profits, minimize overhead, and gain a leg over their competition. It was known as the "Big Seven Group", the first concrete move in organizing the American underworld into a national crime syndicate. In May 1929 Costello, Luciano, Torrio, Lansky, and Atlantic City/South Jersey crime boss, Enoch "Nucky" Johnson hosted a crime convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This is about a region in the United States For the island of Jersey see Jersey. Enoch Lewis "Nucky" Johnson ( January 20, 1883 &ndash December 9, 1968) was an Atlantic City New Jersey political boss This convention included the members of the "Big Seven Group" and the top crime leaders from across the nation. This was the first true underworld meeting and the biggest step in forming a National Crime Syndicate that would control criminal operations, dictate policy, enforce rules, and maintain authority in the national underworld. The National Crime Syndicate was the name given by the press to a loosely-organized multi-ethnic Organized crime Syndicate, started in the 1930s by Charlie Joe Masseria and Salvatore Maranzano were not invited because their Old World ideology and philosophy ran counter to the convention's goals. Salvatore Maranzano ( July 31, 1886 - September 10, 1931) was an Organized crime figure from the town of Castellammare del
The Castellammarese War
By 1928, Costello and Luciano were considered to be two young, ambitious, and powerful gangsters on the rise. However, an internal conflict in the Italian underworld would sidetrack Costello and associates. Costello's and Luciano's immediate superior, Giuseppe "Joe the Boss" Masseria was coming into conflict with Salvatore Maranzano, a recent arrival from Palermo, Sicily who was born in Castellammare del Golfo, Sicily. Giuseppe "Joe The Boss" Masseria (c 1887&ndash April 15, 1931) was an early Mafia don in the United States. Salvatore Maranzano ( July 31, 1886 - September 10, 1931) was an Organized crime figure from the town of Castellammare del Palermo ( Sicilian: Palermu, Greek: Panormus, al-Madinah during Muslim rule is a historic City in Castellammare del Golfo ( Casteddammari in sicilian) is a town in the Trapani Province of Sicily. When Maranzano arrived in New York in 1925, his access to money and manpower let him quickly set up rumrunning, bootlegging, extortion and gambling operations that directly competed with Masseria, Costello's boss. On October 10, 1928, Joe Masseria eliminated his top rival for the coveted "boss of bosses" title, Brooklyn boss, Salvatore "Tata" D'Aquila. Events 680 - Battle of Karbala: Shia Imam Husayn bin Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, is decapitated Year 1928 ( MCMXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Salvatore "Toto" D'Aquila ( c 1878–October 10/28 1928 was a Mustache Pete -era Mobster, olive oil and cheese Importer, and early However, Masseria still had to deal with the powerful and influential Maranzano and his Castellammarese Clan. The Castellammarese War (1929 - 1931 was a bloody power struggle for control of the Italian-American Mafia between two factions
Joe Masseria became an underworld dictator, requiring absolute loyalty and obedience from the other four New York families. The Five Families are the five major Italian-American Mafia crime families which have dominated Organized crime in New York City since the 1930s In 1930, Masseria demanded a $10,000 tribute from the leader of Maranzano's crime family and got it. The Castellammarese Clan leader, Nicola "Cola" Schiro fled New York in fear, leaving Maranzano as the new leader. By 1931, a series of killings in Detroit, Chicago and New York involving Castellammarese clan members and associates caused Maranzano and his family to declare war against Joe Masseria and his allies. These allies included Costello and his associates, Luciano, Vito Genovese and Joe Adonis. Vito "Don Vito" Genovese ( November 27, 1897 – February 14, 1969) was a Mafioso who rose to power in America during Joe Adonis ( November 22 1902 - November 26 1971) was a New York mobster who was an important participant in the formation of the modern Another Masseria ally was the large Mineo crime family (formerly D'Aquila), whose members included Costello associates Albert "The Mad Hatter" Anastasia, Carlo Gambino, and Frank Scalice. Albert Anastasia (born Umberto Anastasio) ( September 26, 1902 &ndash October 25, 1957) aka the Mad Hatter and Carlo "Don Carlo" Gambino, ( August 24, 1902 - October 15, 1976) was a Mafioso who became Boss of the Francesco Scalice (also known as Don Cheech and Wacky (as he was called by Albert Anastasia; 1893 - June 17, 1957) was an The Castellammarese clan included Joseph "Joe Bananas" Bonanno and Stefano Magaddino, the Profaci crime family which included Joseph Profaci and Joseph Magliocco, along with former Masseria allies the Riena family, which included Gaetano "Tom" Riena, Gaetano "Tommy" Gagliano and Gaetano "Tommy" Lucchese. Giuseppe "Joe Bananas" Bonanno ( January 18, 1905 &ndash May 12, 2002) was a Sicilian-born American Mafioso who became Stefano Magaddino ( October 10, 1891 – July 19, 1974) was a New York mobster who became the boss of the Buffalo crime family in Giuseppe "Joe" Profaci ( October 2, 1897 &ndash June 7, 1962) was a New York Mafia boss who was the founder and Joseph Magliocco aka " Joe Malayak " ( June 29, 1898 - December 28, 1963) was a New York mobster and the Gaetano "Tom" Reina (1889 – February 26, 1930) was a New York mobster who was a close lieutenant to powerful gang boss Giuseppe "Joe the Boss" Gaetano Gagliano may refer to Tommy Gagliano, real name Gaetano Gagliano American gangster Gaetano Gagliano (businessman, Canadian Gaetano "Tommy Gunn" Lucchese aka Three-Fingers Brown or Three Fingers and Tommy Brown ( December 1, 1899 Palermo
The Castellammarese war raged on between the Masseria and Maranzano factions for almost two years. This internal war devastated the Prohibition era operations and street rackets that the five New York families controlled with the Irish crime groups. The Castellammarese war cut into gang profits and in some cases completely destroyed the underworld rackets of crime family members. Gang members started realizing that if the war did not stop soon, the Italian crime families could be left on the fringe of New York's criminal underworld while the Irish crime bosses became dominant. The war and the Old World crime bosses, Masseria and Maranzano, were counter productive to the aspirations of the Atlantic City delegates, Costello, Luciano and their group of "Young Turks".
Costello, Luciano, Vito Genovese, Anastasia, Adonis, Lucchese, Lansky, and Seigel decided to end the Castellammarese War and form a National Syndicate. Vito "Don Vito" Genovese ( November 27, 1897 – February 14, 1969) was a Mafioso who rose to power in America during On April 15, 1931, Giuseppe "Joe the Boss" Masseria was gunned down at Scarpato's restaurant in Coney Island by Luciano associates and gunmen, Albert Anastasia, Vito Genovese, Joe Adonis and Bugsy Seigel. Events 1450 - Battle of Formigny: Toward the end of the Hundred Years' War, the French attack and nearly annihilate English Year 1931 ( MCMXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Giuseppe "Joe The Boss" Masseria (c 1887&ndash April 15, 1931) was an early Mafia don in the United States. Salvatore Maranzano served as boss of bosses until September 10, 1931, when he was killed in his 9th floor Helmsley Building office in Manhattan by gunmen posing as IRS agents. Salvatore Maranzano ( July 31, 1886 - September 10, 1931) was an Organized crime figure from the town of Castellammare del Events 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul meet in the Council of Agde. Year 1931 ( MCMXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Hired by Lansky and Luciano, the shooters allegedly included Schultz gang lieutenant, Abraham "Bo" Weinberg and Murder Inc. Abraham "Bo" Weinberg ( 1897 - September 9, 1935 ? was a Russian-born Jewish New York mobster who became a hitman and chief lieutenant for gunman, Samuel "Red" Levine. It has been estimated that the Castellammarese War led to about 60 deaths among gangsters. [1]
Years as Consigliere
In 1931, after the killings of mafia bosses Joe Masseria and Salvatore Maranzano, Charles "Lucky" Luciano became the leader of the new Luciano crime family, with Vito Genovese as underboss and Frank Costello as Capo. Salvatore Maranzano ( July 31, 1886 - September 10, 1931) was an Organized crime figure from the town of Castellammare del Charles "Lucky" Luciano (born Salvatore Lucania; November 24 1897 – January 26 1962 was a Sicilian Mobster. The Genovese crime family is one of the " Five Families " that controls Organized crime activities in New York City, within the nationwide Vito "Don Vito" Genovese ( November 27, 1897 – February 14, 1969) was a Mafioso who rose to power in America during Costello quickly became one of the biggest earners for the Luciano family and began to carve his own niche in the underworld. Costello controlled the slot machine and bookmaking operations for the Luciano crime family with associates Philip "Dandy Phil" Kastel and Frank Erickson. The Genovese crime family is one of the " Five Families " that controls Organized crime activities in New York City, within the nationwide Phillip "Dandy Phil" Kastel ( April 2, 1893 - August 16, 1962) was a New York gambler swindler associatated with Arnold Rothstein Background Frank Erickson was born in New York in 1896 to parents of Swedish and Irish descent Costello placed approximately 25,000 slot machines in the bars, restaurants, cafes, drug stores, gas stations, and bus stops throughout New York. However,in 1934, Mayor Fiorello La Guardia confiscated thousands of Costello's slot machines, loaded them on a barge, and dumped them into the river. LaGuardia redirects here For the airport see LaGuardia Airport. Costello's next move was to accept Louisiana governor, Huey Long's proposal to put slot machines throughout Louisiana for 10% of the take. Huey Pierce Long Jr ( August 30, 1893 September 10, 1935) nicknamed The Kingfish, was an American Politician Frank Costello placed Kastel as the overseer of the Louisiana slot operation. Kastel had the assistance of New Orleans mafioso Carlos "Little Man" Marcello, who knew every place in New Orleans that could take one of Costello's "one-arm bandits". Carlos Marcello (b February 6, 1910 &ndash March 3, 1993) was a New Orleans Mobster who became the boss of the A slot machine ( American) fruit machine ( British) or poker machine ( Australian) is a Casino gambling machine with three Frank Costello brought in millions of dollars in profit from slot machines and bookmaking to the Luciano Family. In fact, Costello and Frank Erickson, the overseer of Costello's bookmaking operations, are credited with starting the layoff and odds systems used by bookies and gamblers all across North America. Background Frank Erickson was born in New York in 1896 to parents of Swedish and Irish descent
In 1936, Luciano was convicted, in one of the biggest frame-ups of the times, of running a prostitution ring and sent to Dannemora prison, known as "Siberia" in Upstate New York for 30 to 50 years. Dannemora is a Town in Clinton County, New York, United States. Siberia (Сиби́рь Sibir) is the name given to the vast region constituting almost all of Northern Asia and for the most part currently serving Upstate New York is the region of New York State north of the core of the New York metropolitan area. Luciano attempted to rule the crime family from prison with the help of Costello and Lansky, but it was difficult to do far away from the streets of New York. A crime family is a term used to describe a unit of an Organized crime syndicate often operating within a specific geographic territory Luciano finally named underboss, Vito Genovese as the acting boss of the Luciano family. Vito "Don Vito" Genovese ( November 27, 1897 – February 14, 1969) was a Mafioso who rose to power in America during However, Genovese was himself indicted for murder in 1937 and had to flee to his hometown of Naples, Italy. Genovese ingratiated himself with Benito Mussolini and the Fascists by donating $250,000 to them from a cash hoard of $750,000 carried in a suitcase. Luciano then appointed Frank Costello acting boss.
Boss
The departure of Vito Genovese to Italy left Frank Costello in firm control of the Luciano crime family. The Genovese crime family is one of the " Five Families " that controls Organized crime activities in New York City, within the nationwide With the help of his top capos, Joe Adonis, Anthony "Little Augie Pisano" Carfano and Michael "Trigger Mike" Coppola, the crime family ran smoothly and undeterred. Anthony Carfano (c 1898 - September 25, 1959) aka "Little Augie Pisano" was a New York gangster who became a caporegime Michael "Trigger Mike" Coppola ( 1904 - October 1, 1966) was a New York mobster involved in narcotics who headed many Luciano-Genovese family Costello's rule was very profitable, with rackets going from coast to coast: slots in New Orleans with Carlos Marcello, gambling in Florida with Meyer Lansky, illegal race wires with Bugsy Siegel in Los Angeles, and national bookmaking with Frank Erickson. New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana Carlos Marcello (b February 6, 1910 &ndash March 3, 1993) was a New Orleans Mobster who became the boss of the Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the Meyer Lansky (born Majer Suchowliński, July 4, 1902 &ndash January 15, 1983) was a gangster who with Charles Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West Background Frank Erickson was born in New York in 1896 to parents of Swedish and Irish descent Costello also enjoyed more political strength than any other mobster in the US. " Mobster " is a slang term for a person who participates in Organized crime, which is known as belonging to "the Mob" Costello was a popular and well-liked boss; he equitably shared the profits from family operations, and did not demand a large cut of his underlings criminal earnings. Costello was making close to a million dollars a year from his rackets and legitimate investments, which included real estate and stocks. He apparently was the owner of New York's third biggest poultry meat supply firms and a chain of MeatMarts; he did not need to be greedy. Costello also expanded the family's operations to include casinos in Las Vegas and Cuba. A casino is in the modern sense of the word a facility that houses and accommodates certain types of Gambling activities Las Vegas ( Spanish: "The Meadows" is the most populous City in the state of Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally The Republic of Cuba (ˈkjuːbə or) consists of the island of Cuba (the largest and second-most populous island of the Greater Antilles) Isla de la However, Costello always stayed clear of drug trafficking; he believed that the mafia did not need narcotics to make money. The term narcotic (ναρκωτικός is believed to have been coined by the Greek physician Galen to refer to agents that benumb or deaden causing loss This aversion to selling drugs was not shared by his associate Vito Genovese, a known drug dealer throughout his criminal career. Vito "Don Vito" Genovese ( November 27, 1897 – February 14, 1969) was a Mafioso who rose to power in America during
During World War II, Lucky Luciano, while still in prison, allegedly helped the US military protect the New York waterfront from sabotage through his control of the docks. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Luciano is also said to have helped the Allied invasion of Sicily by contacting Sicilian mafia boss, Calogero "Don Calo" Vizzini and procuring his help. Sicily ( Italian and Sicilian: Sicilia) is an autonomous region of Italy. Calogero Don Calò Vizzini ( July 24, 1877 – July 10, 1954) was the Mafia boss of Villalba in the For assisting the war effort, Luciano's prison sentence was commuted (it was said to be a frame up) and he was deported to Italy in 1946. Frank Costello then became undisputed boss of the Luciano crime family.
Genovese and Kefauver
After returning to the US and beating a murder charge, Vito Genovese began a campaign to regain the family leadership from Frank Costello. Vito "Don Vito" Genovese ( November 27, 1897 – February 14, 1969) was a Mafioso who rose to power in America during Genovese started building loyalty among crime family soldiers by lending them money or by doing them favors that they someday would have to reciprocate. The resentment Vito Genovese felt for Costello was multiplied by the fact that Genovese was no longer a top boss in the family; he was just a "capo" (caporegime), a street boss in charge of a crew (decine) of soldiers. A caporegime (or Capodecina) (sometimes shortened to capo) is a term used in the Mafia for a high ranking member of a crime family who heads However, Genovese was treated as a "don" by the capos and street soldiers who committed most of the violent crimes (i. e. , murder, robbery, etc. ). In contrast, Frank Costello controlled the support of the capos and soldiers who ran the white collar crime rackets (i. e. gambling, loansharking, construction, etc. ) and the family's many legitimate investments. Costello's position as a Commission member and his popularity as a top boss kept him safe from any assassination attempt or power move by Vito Genovese. Genovese needed more support from the Luciano crime family and other Commission members. The Genovese crime family is one of the " Five Families " that controls Organized crime activities in New York City, within the nationwide Vito Genovese was also dissuaded from a direct attack on Costello by the strength of Luciano crime family Underboss, Guarino "Willie Moore" Moretti, a Costello cousin and staunch ally who commanded a small army of soldiers in New Jersey. The Genovese crime family is one of the " Five Families " that controls Organized crime activities in New York City, within the nationwide Guarino "Willie" Moretti ( 1894 - October 4, 1951) was an Underboss of the Genovese crime family and a cousin of family
From May 1950 - May 1951, the US Senate conducted a large scale investigation of organized crime, commonly known as the Kefauver Hearings. Between 1950 and 1951 the Kefauver Committee, officially the Senate Special Committee to Investigate Crime in Interstate Commerce, held all of America's attention The entire country was held in awe by the parade of over 600 gangsters, pimps, bookies, politicians and shady lawyers testifying before congress while being show cased on America's newest fascination, television. The hearings were called by a Special Committee of the United States Senate chaired by Senator Estes Kefauver of Tennessee, who had been appointed to investigate Organized Crime in Interstate Commerce. The United States Senate is the Upper house of the bicameral United States Congress, the Lower house being the House of Representatives Carey Estes Kefauver ( July 26, 1903 – August 10, 1963) was an American Politician from Tennessee who Tennessee ( is a state located in the Southern United States. "Crime syndicate" redirects here For the DC Comics group of villains see Crime Syndicate. "
By this time, Frank Costello had become a powerful and respected underworld figure; however, Costello stilled craved the respectability of high society. Costello allegedly consulted a psychiatrist on achieving this goal, but ultimately failed to gain legitimate respectability. During the Kefauver hearings, Frank Costello became the star attraction, being billed as America's #1 gangster and the de facto leader of Tammany Hall. Tammany Hall was the Democratic Party Political machine that played a major role in controlling New York City politics and helping immigrants (most notably As the underworld grapevine put it, "Nobody in New York City can be made a judge without Costello's consent. "
Costello agreed to testify at the hearings and not take the Fifth Amendment, in contrast to all the previous underworld figures to take the stand. The Fifth Amendment ( Amendment V) of the United States Constitution, which is part of the Bill of Rights, is related to legal procedure The Special Committee and the TV networks had agreed not to broadcast Frank Costello's face, only his hands. During the questioning, Costello nervously refused to answer certain questions and skirted around others. When asked by the committee, "What have you done for your country Mr. Costello?", his reply was, "Paid my tax!" Costello eventually walked out of the hearings.
Costello found the 1950s to be very trying, as the high visibility he received during the Kefauver Hearings brought additional law enforcement and media scrutiny. However, Costello's greatest troubles began with the assassination of Willie Moretti, his right hand man. His mental condition had prompted Moretti to reveal some embarrassing details at the Kefauver hearings. Between 1950 and 1951 the Kefauver Committee, officially the Senate Special Committee to Investigate Crime in Interstate Commerce, held all of America's attention As a result, the Commission ordered Moretti's elimination, which happened October 4, 1951 in a New Jersey restaurant. In addition to Moretti's death, Costello was convicted on contempt of Senate charges in August 1952 for the hearings walkout, and went to jail for 18 months. Released after 14 months, Costello was charged with tax evasion in 1954 and sentenced to five years imprisonment. Tax avoidance is the legal utilization of the Tax regime to one's own advantage in order to reduce the amount of tax that is payable by means that are within the law Costello served 11 months of this sentence before it was overturned on appeal. In 1956, Costello was again convicted and sent to prison. In early 1957, he was again released on appeal.
Assassination attempt
Vito Genovese finally made his move on the embattled Frank Costello. It started in 1956 when Joe Adonis, a powerful Costello ally, chose voluntary deportation to Italy, instead of a long prison sentence. Joe Adonis ( November 22 1902 - November 26 1971) was a New York mobster who was an important participant in the formation of the modern Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Adonis' departure had left Costello weakened, but Genovese still had to neutralize one more powerful Costello ally, Albert Anastasia. Albert Anastasia (born Umberto Anastasio) ( September 26, 1902 &ndash October 25, 1957) aka the Mad Hatter and Anastasia, the Brooklyn waterfront boss, had taken over the second largest family in the US after the disappearance of boss Vincenzo "Vincent" Mangano and the murder of brother Philip Mangano on April 14, 1951. Vincent Mangano (born Vincenzo Giovanni Mangano) also known as The Executioner as he was named in a Brooklyn newspaper Events 43 BC - Battle of Forum Gallorum: Mark Antony, besieging Julius Caesar 's assassin Decimus Junius Brutus in Year 1951 ( MCMLI) was a Common year starting on Monday. Events of 1951 January With the addition of Albert Anastasia to the Commission in 1951, the so-called "Liberal faction", which included Costello, began to get stronger. In 1953, another Liberal ally, former boss Tommy Lucchese, was added to the Commission. Gaetano "Tommy Gunn" Lucchese aka Three-Fingers Brown or Three Fingers and Tommy Brown ( December 1, 1899 Palermo As a result, the "Conservative faction" that controlled the Commission from 1936-53, was now rivaled by the Liberal Costello-Anastasia-Lucchese alliance. However, Genovese converted this reversal into an opportunity of conflict by approaching Lucchese and Underboss Carlo Gambino about switching sides. Carlo "Don Carlo" Gambino, ( August 24, 1902 - October 15, 1976) was a Mafioso who became Boss of the The potential reward in eliminating Costello and Anastasia was control of the Luciano and Anastasia crime families by Genovese and Gambino.
Vito Genovese had patiently waited 10 years after his deportation from Italy to make his final move against Frank Costello, and time had finally arrived. On May 2, 1957, soon after Costello's release from prison, an attempt was made on his life. Events 1194 - King Richard I of England gives Portsmouth its first Royal Charter. Year 1957 ( MCMLVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar) As Costello was walking to the elevator in the lobby of his Manhattan apartment building, he was shot in the head by Genovese driver and protege, Vincente "The Chin" Gigante. Vincent "The Chin" Gigante ( March 29, 1928 &ndash December 19, 2005) was a New York mobster who headed the Genovese crime Before making the shot, Gigante called out "This is for you Frank!". On hearing this, Costello turned his head and the bullet entered the right side of his scalp, traveled around his head, and stopped over his left ear. Gigante fled the scene thinking the fallen Costello was dead. However, Gigante's unintentional warning had saved Costello and left him with only a scalp wound. After the abortive hit, Gigante went on the lam and lost a great deal of weight from his 6'2, 300 pound frame to conceal his identity. However, Gigante finally turned himself in to face mob trial, hoping that Costello would adhere to the mafia code of secrecy, "Omerta". Gigante was eventually acquitted.
Vito Genovese now ordered all the Luciano crime family members loyal to him to show their support by attending a meeting at his New Jersey mansion. The Genovese crime family is one of the " Five Families " that controls Organized crime activities in New York City, within the nationwide All the family's capos showed up except Costello loyalist Anthony Carfano (who was murdered for this insult on September 25, 1959). Events 303 - On a voyage preaching the Gospel, Saint Fermin of Pamplona is beheaded in Amiens, France The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Even though the attempt on Costello's life had failed, Vito Genovese went on to appoint himself boss of the Luciano crime family. The Genovese crime family is one of the " Five Families " that controls Organized crime activities in New York City, within the nationwide He then called for a national Commission meeting to discuss mafia affairs in New York and other important issues. The Luciano crime family, the most powerful, influential and wealthy crime family in America, was now officially renamed the Genovese crime family. The Genovese crime family is one of the " Five Families " that controls Organized crime activities in New York City, within the nationwide The Genovese crime family is one of the " Five Families " that controls Organized crime activities in New York City, within the nationwide
After recovering from the assassination attempt, Frank Costello and Vito Genovese made peace before the 1957 Appalachin meeting. Costello abdicated as family boss in favor of Genovese. In return, Genovese let Costello keep all of his gambling operations in Louisiana and Florida, and his legitimate business interests. The State of Louisiana ( or, État de Louisiane, pronounced) is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the Officially, Costello was demoted to the rank of soldier within the crime family, but he was never looked at as less than a top level boss in the criminal organization he helped build, "La Cosa Nostra" or "This Thing of Ours. The Mafia (also known as Cosa Nostra) is a Sicilian Criminal Secret society which is believed to have first developed in the mid-19th century "
At this time, Vito Genovese was leery of the murderous Albert Anastasia, who was still furious over the Costello assassination attempt. Albert Anastasia (born Umberto Anastasio) ( September 26, 1902 &ndash October 25, 1957) aka the Mad Hatter and Vito Genovese called upon Lucchese crime family Boss, Tommy Lucchese and his close ally, Anastasia crime family Underboss, Carlo Gambino to eliminate Anastasia. The Lucchese crime family is one of the " Five Families " that controls Organized crime activities in New York City, USA, within Carlo "Don Carlo" Gambino, ( August 24, 1902 - October 15, 1976) was a Mafioso who became Boss of the Anastasia's death would give Genovese majority control of the New York mafia and Gambino the status of boss and Commission member. On October 25, 1957, Albert Anastasia, New York mafia Boss and the former chieftain of Murder, Inc. Events 1147 - The Portuguese, under Afonso I, and Crusaders from England and Flanders conquer Lisbon after a Year 1957 ( MCMLVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar) was shot and killed in the barber shop of the Park Sheraton Hotel. The gunmen allegedly were the Gallo brothers, members of the Profaci crime family working under orders from Carlo Gambino. The Colombo crime family is one of the " Five Families " that controls Organized crime activities in New York City, USA, within Carlo "Don Carlo" Gambino, ( August 24, 1902 - October 15, 1976) was a Mafioso who became Boss of the
After the Anastasia murder, Vito Genovese and Carlo Gambino took control of their crime families and began to recover from the publicity and law enforcement scrutiny from the ill-fated Apalachin Meeting. However, peace for Genovese was short-lived. A new conspiracy was reportedly hatched by Costello, Luciano, Carlo Gambino and Meyer Lansky to avenge the Costello and Anastasia hits, and to eliminate Genovese. Meyer Lansky (born Majer Suchowliński, July 4, 1902 &ndash January 15, 1983) was a gangster who with Charles The resulting power structure would make Gambino the new boss of bosses, just as Luciano had once predicted.
In 1959, the conspirators arranged the framing of Genovese, Vincent Gigante, and future Bonanno Family boss Carmine Galante on a drug charge. Carmine Galante aka Lilo and Cigar ( February 21, 1910 – July 12, 1979) was the ranking Capo/ de facto street boss of Vito Genovese was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison, where he died in 1969. Carmine Galante received 20 years in 1962, was paroled in 1974, and assassinated in 1979.
Retirement
During his retirement, Frank Costello was known as "The Prime Minister of the Underworld". He still retained power and influence in New York's mafia and remained busy throughout final years. La Cosa Nostra bosses and old associates such as Carlo Gambino and Tommy Lucchese still paid visits to Costello at the Waldorf Astoria penthouse seeking advice on important mafia affairs. The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel is a famously luxurious hotel in New York In 1973, at the age of 82, Frank Costello died of a heart attack at a Manhattan hospital. Myocardial infarction ( MI or AMI for acute myocardial infarction) also known as a heart attack, occurs when the blood supply Manhattan Island, in New York Harbor, is much the largest part of the Borough of Manhattan, one of the Five Boroughs which form the City of New York
As a testament to Frank Costello's fame and influence, Carmine Galante ordered the bombing of Frank Costello's burial site soon after his release from prison in 1974. Carmine Galante aka Lilo and Cigar ( February 21, 1910 – July 12, 1979) was the ranking Capo/ de facto street boss of By blasting the bronze doors off Costello's mausoleum, Galante announced his return to the New York mafia scene and finally achieved revenge on his old nemesis.
In popular culture
- Costello has been portrayed in several movies by actors James Andronica in Gangster Wars (1981), Carmine Caridi in Bugsy (1991), Costas Mandylor in Mobsters (1991), and by Kirk Baltz in the television movie Kingfish: A Story of Huey P. Gangster Wars is a 1981 crime drama directed by Richard Sarafian Synopsis The film tells the story of three teenagers based on real life gangsters Carmine Caridi (born January 23, 1934) is an American television and film actor Bugsy is a 1991 film which tells the story of mobster Bugsy Siegel. Costas Mandylor (born 3 September 1965 Costas is also an avid Soccer fan and plays occasionally with Hollywood United F Mobsters is a 1991 crime drama detailing the creation of the National Crime Syndicate / The Commission. Kirk Baltz (born September 14, 1959) is an American Actor who has starred in film and on television Long (1995).
- The character of "Vito Corleone" in the 1972 film The Godfather is based on Costello. Vito Andolini "The Godfather" Corleone (December 7 1891 - August 14 1955 is a Fictional character in Mario Puzo 's novel The Godfather The Godfather is a 1972 Crime drama film based on the 1969 novel of the same name by Mario Puzo and directed The Corleone character featured similar mannerisms (including a raspy voice) and political connections, as well as many events from his real life. (Like Costello, Don Corleone voices disapproval of the drug traffic, which he labels a "dirty business". ) Marlon Brando, who played Corleone, apparently used tapes of Costello from the Kefauver hearings as the basis for his accent. Between 1950 and 1951 the Kefauver Committee, officially the Senate Special Committee to Investigate Crime in Interstate Commerce, held all of America's attention
- Jack Nicholson plays a character with the same name in the 2006 film The Departed. John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson (born April 22 1937) is an American Actor, internationally renowned for his often dark-themed portrayals The Departed is a 2006 crime thriller Film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, However, the fictional "Frank Costello" is based on the Irish-American mob boss from South Boston, James J. Bulger. James Joseph " Whitey " Bulger Jr (born September 3 1929) is a wanted fugitive and alleged leader of the Winter Hill Gang
- Costello was the godfather to ABC News reporter and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Assistant Director for the Office of Public Affairs John Miller. A godparent, in many denominations of Christianity, is someone who sponsors a child's Baptism. This article is about the American news organization See also ABC News (disambiguation ABC News is a division of American John Miller is the Assistant Director of Public Affairs for the FBI. Miller's father and Costello were close friends.
- Referenced in Allen Ginsberg's poem, Hadda Be Playin on the Jukebox. Irwin Allen Ginsberg (ˈgɪnzbɝg (June 3 1926 &ndash April 5 1997 was an American Poet. The line is written, "It had to be FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover / and Frank Costello syndicate mouthpiece / meeting in Central Park, New York weekends, / reported Time magazine". The poem was later performed live (with music) by the band Rage Against The Machine on the album Live & Rare. Rage Against the Machine (sometimes shortened to RATM or Rage) is This article is about the Rage Against the Machine album for albums of the same name see Live and Rare.
- Frank Costello was no relation to comedian Lou Costello; Lou's birth surname was Cristillo. Lou Costello (born Louis Francis Cristillo; March 6, 1906 - March 3, 1959) was an American Actor and Comedian
References
- Brennan, Bill. The Frank Costello Story. Derby, CT: Monarch Books Inc. , 1962.
- Katz, Leonard. Uncle Frank: The Biography of Frank Costello. New York: Drake Publishers Inc. , 1973.
- Wolf, George. Frank Costello: Prime Minister of the Underworld. New York: William Morrow & Company Inc. , 1974.
External links
- Frank Costello at Rotten.com
- Seize The Night: Frank Costello
- MurderInc.com - Frank Costello
- The Free Information Society: Frank Costello Biography
- American Organized Crime - Genovese Crime Family - Francesco "Frank 'the Prime Minister' Costello" Castiglia
| Preceded by Charlie Luciano |
Luciano Crime Family Boss 1946-1957 |
Succeeded by Vito Genovese |
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