Meyer Lansky originally known as Meyer Suchowljansky was a prolific pioneer as becoming the National crime syndicate of the United States in the mid 1900’s. Lansky a powerful figure, in the eye of many, and was so skill full at what he does. Some referred to Lansky as the “Mobs accountant”. His skill of work would push him to a plateau which many could not or might not think of becoming, which was involvement with two different mafia parties and successfully keeping it in tact with one another. The Italian and Jewish mafia, with so much trust within one man the underground crime world would be ready to be under his guidance and leadership. Lansky unlike others was successful and being one of a few that would make the transition of illegal cash crops into legal cash crops. Meyer Lansky an immigrant living in the U.S, Lansky was able to conquer and become a powerful figure of the black market from a youthful age all the way leading to his final days as chief of his enterprise. Some may not agree with his methods but he was a heroic figure in many eyes. He was a crime syndicate which made him powerful and wealthy.
Born July 4th 1902 in Russia, he was the son of Jewish parents that emigrated into the United States of America by 1911. By 1918, at the age of 16; Lansky grew a reputation and character for himself at a very young age. At that time he met Bugsy Siegel that would become a long time friend and business partner. In the beginning of their relationship, the two would get into physical altercations with one another. Lansky was familiar with physical disputes, due to his underdog size, but what he lack in size he made up for with his words and fist. Siegel and Lansky came across what would make them join forces and become a prosperous relationship, the involvement of illegal activities that would bring them wealth. Bugsy, who also would play a major role mob history, was also Jewish. Alongside the two would start series of organize crimes such as petty larceny activities or auto theft anything that would earn them fast cash, the two would occasionally do there runs in the local neighborhood, and surrounding regions, that would gradually lead into a organization of a criminal empire. In the early years Lansky was not familiar with illegal activities, Bugsy Siegel already had his own illegal operation going on in the neighborhood, from mostly gambling. Lansky was enthusiastic at the illegal activities Bugsy introduce him to; he fell in love and decided the lucrative earnings from illegal gambling were the route for him. Lansky was known for handling the floating crap games, and other gambling schemes that he and Siegel were able to grow a gang known as the Bugs and Meyer Mob that would expand their gambling empire into high rankings and lead them into the bootlegging days. This proves that even if you’re at a disadvantage there a way to overcome the obstacle at hand.
At the peak of their rise they would draw the attention of many crime figures, but one associate that would join them is Lucky Luciano. At the height of the prohibition era which was known as a goldmine for many. Would become the rise of respect for Lansky, after several success in gambling, prostitution, drug smuggling, they became very wealthy. One term of event that would shoot Lansky above all and conglomerate both the Italian and Jewish mafia, was the assignation of the Sicilian crime boss Joe Massiera in 1931, which Lansky had a major influence and felt Luciano should carry out the death of Massiera who was a enemy of Luciano and in that murder four hit men were behind the murder and Bugsy and Luciano were two of four murders. This would prove to Luciano that Lansky has earned his respect and he was genius for his brand of work. And he appointed Lansky part of board of directors. Lansky would perform and oversee all financial matters and banking ventures or any financial ventures, basically full control of the empires income. During this incredible period of time where money was at reach for the mafia and having many politicians, officials’ connection through bribery, Luciano appointed Lansky as one of the head of directors of the mafia. His position would include full control of the financial revenue and all banking, and investments for the mob. This would show and prove yet again with Lansky having the knowledge of mathematics and knowing how to launder money through various accounts, he was nickname the “Mob Accountant”, by top mob associates who were profound in his works. And despite all of his adversities, it was enough to get him full control of all funds and an overseer, which allow him to give a say in all mob activities.
After the formation of the National crime syndicate In 1936 Luciano was sent away to prison, Lansky would become more empowered as one of the directors would be unavailable. This would open the door for Lansky, by building his own pathway in the gambling life. Instead of the routine neighborhood bootlegging, or crap games, he invested his way into the casinos, managing illegal and legal money laundering schemes. Lansky manages to open 3 casinos one upstate New York and one in Florida and New Orleans. While Luciano is away, Lansky convinces head officials to release Luciano early. Methods of bribery, and when it was said done Luciano would have to quickly be in exile back to Italy. As this would be true, Lansky was able to convince the mob to appoint his long time friend Bugsy as man in charge of operations in Las Vegas. Where he would make an investment into the Flamingo Hotel, which would be the first venue for a casino in Las Vegas. After failure to open the Flamingo hotel on many try, the mob bosses were becoming impatient with Bugsy and ordered a hit for losing a lot of funding for the casino. After several delays, and pleads by Lansky, in 1947 he was left with no choice but to allow the murder to happen. This is the code of conduct in the mob world and Lansky was a man that stood by his words and dignity and he too had a share of investment in the Flamingo Hotel Casino. This would prove although Lansky lost his friends he gain a great deal of respect from his prolific committee of bosses.
During the late 1940’s to late 1950’s Meyer look towards another route beside the U.S, he involves himself in a lucrative market that would continue rising his wealth, and demonstrate why he is a genius at accounting. With bribery, and several payoffs, Lansky found himself cutting deals with then dictator Fulgencio Batista. With this partnership it would open the gate for many, including exile mobster Lucky Luciano, who move of to Cuba after being release from prison. And with him being there he would run the day to day operation of any all mob businesses in Cuba. In 1946 with involvement in Cuba Lansky was able to open the first casino in Cuba named “Hotel Nacional”. After a great reign in Cuba the rise of Castro, U.S pressured Cuba government to oust Lucky Luciano and in 1947 he was obtained and deported back to Italy, which is the same year the murder of Bugsy Siegel happened. At this time Lansky decided it would be best to venture off into the Caribbean islands. So in 1960 Lansky’s properties and business’s were nationalize by Castro and determined to be left with the estates of Cuba. Although his reign in Cuba came to an end Lansky was able to leave behind a legacy many would love to profit off of and that’s what he accomplish in Cuba.
After a lavish setting in the Caribbean islands Meyer came back to the states facing trouble. With all odds set against him Lansky was manage to run the Flamingo hotel. This is where he manages to stay up float minus his troubles with the U.S government. One major influence Meyer was able to conquer upon was the skimming of the casinos, which made him wealthy more than ever; he even began the first legal sport gambling operation, from Nevada to New York. In effort to diminish the pressure of the U.S government, Meyer would purchase golf courses, and hotels. In the 1970’s Lanky was facing trail by the U.S government, where he attempted to go to Israel in order to avoid trial. After fleeing to Israel because of a loophole within their law Okays all Jews except for those with prior conviction or run in with the law that would be able to benefit from the naturalization. And after hide out Meyer was captured and sent back to the United States. This prove that although Lansky was great at being successful and having connections he could not buy his freedom like he thought he could and make matters worse the culture where he is from rejected him.
After previously being charge for tax evasion, and intimidating a grand jury, the U.s government decided to toss out all charges from Lansky, they deem he was too old and ill to with stand trial. One particular quote that made Lansky famous and states on Israeli T.V, why he wanted to exile himself to Israel. “I was singled out and they wanted a image”. ("Meyer Lansky Interview 1971." YouTube. YouTube, 9 Mar. 1971. Web. 09 June 2014.) Lansky talks about how America made him the big target and poses him to be a threat on the nation. Another quote which includes Lansky to be prolific and confident at what he is doing that he says “organized crime was bigger than US Steel.” (Lacey, Robert. N.P.: n.p., n.d. Web. 09 June 2014.
Lansky was a pioneer in organize crime. His particular role plays a major role in our society today. Where casinos welcome everyone and not just the wealthy, that casinos bring in a great source of revenue into our country. And to end of Lansky showed us that it does not matter what’s your social background, or cultural background, as long as you stand behind your words and actions people will respect you. Lansky also prove that some time it’s okay to go bad in order to make something good out of it.

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