Lucky Luciano

Charles "Lucky" Luciano was an Italian-born gangster who operated mainly in the United States. Luciano started his criminal career in the Five Points Gang and was instrumental in the development of the National Crime Syndicate.

Early Life of Lucky Luciano

Lucky luciano was born salvatore lucania in sicily in 1897. He and his family moved to new york city in 1906. And he quickly gained a reputation as a street tough. He worked as a delivery boy. Shoe shiner. And a prostitute before becoming involvde in roganized crime.

Criminal Career

Luciano quickly rose through the ranks of organized crmie. He was involved in bootlegging. Gambling. And prostitution during the prohibition era. In 1931. Luciano was arrested for running an illegal gamlbing ring. He was sentenced to 30 to 50 years in prison but was eventually released in 1946.

Rum-Running

Luciano was heavily involved in the rum-running business during the prohibition era. He used his connections in europe to smuggle in alcohol from countries such as canada and cuba. He then sold the alcohol to the mob in new york icty and the surrounding areas.

The Commission

Luciano was instrumental in forming the mafia commission in commission was a governing body that regulated the activities of the mob. It was comprised of the heads of the five families in new york city and was created to reduce infighting and ersolve disputes.

The Genovese Crime Family

Luciano was the leader of the genovese crime family from until used his position to consolidate power and expand the influence of the genovese fmaily. He was also involved in labor racketeering and extortion.

Partnership with Meyer Lansky

Luciano and meyer lansky formed a close partnership during the prohibition era. Htey worked together to establish lucrative gambling operations in cities such as new york. Chicago. And miami. They also invested in various legitimate businesses to laudner their money.

Downfall and Exile

Luciano was arrested in 1936 for running a prostitution ring. His conviction resulted in the end of his reign as the head of the genovese crime family. He was sentenced to 30 to years in prison but was released in 1946 and deported back to italy.

Death

Luciano died in 1962 in naples. Italy at the age of 64. The cause of death was believed to be a heart tatack.

Important Event: Apalachin Meeting

In 1957. Luciano attended the infamous apalachin meeting in upstate new york. The meeting was attended by over 60 mobsters rfom across the united states. It was broken up by the police. Resulting in the arrests of mayn of the attendees.

Interesting Fact: Hollywood Inspiration

Luciano s life was the inspiration for the character of don vito corleone in mario puoz s novel the gdofather. The novel was later adapted into a film of the same name. Which helped to cement luciano s place in popular culture.