CROSSWORD NYC Organized Crime

In Organized Crime, who were the key leaders and notable members of Murder Inc.?

Murder Inc. was primarily led by two formidable figures:

• Louis “Lepke” Buchalter: Known as the architect and mastermind behind Murder Inc., Lepke was a Jewish mob boss who controlled the assassination squad with ruthless efficiency from the early 1930s until his arrest in 1939. He handpicked his hitmen and was the sole American mob boss to receive the death penalty, executed in 1944.
• Albert “Mad Hatter” Anastasia: Also known as “The Lord High Executioner,” Anastasia was an Italian-American mobster who controlled New York’s waterfront and dockworker unions. He played a pivotal role in executing the Commission’s orders and later took over leadership of Murder Inc. He was known for his explosive temper and propensity for violence.

Notable members of Murder Inc. included:

• Abe “Kid Twist” Reles: A particularly notorious Jewish hitman, known for his cold ruthlessness and preference for using an ice pick. He later became a government informant, leading to the downfall of many Murder Inc. members.
• Harry “Pittsburgh Phil” Strauss: An enigmatic and lethal hitman, known as “The Phantom Killer” for his ability to commit murders without leaving evidence. He was responsible for an estimated 30 to 100 murders.
• Martin “Bugsy” Goldstein: A close friend of Abe Reles, known for his brutality and “crazy as a bed bug” demeanor.
• Harry “Happy” Maione: An Italian gangster from Ocean Hill, known for his perpetually sullen expression and significant involvement in multiple hits.
• Frank “The Dasher” Abandando: A younger, strong, and hotheaded Italian associate of Happy Maione, known for fatally stabbing victims with an ice pick through the heart.
• Mendy Weiss and Charlie “The Bug” Workman: Ruthless and efficient hitmen often assigned high-profile contracts, such as the assassination of Dutch Schultz.

What role did Prohibition play in the formation and operations of Murder Inc. and the wider organized crime syndicate?

Prohibition, the nationwide ban on the production and sale of alcohol from 1920 to 1933, played a critical role in the rise and organization of criminal syndicates like Murder Inc. and the National Crime Syndicate.

• Economic Opportunity: Prohibition created a massive opportunity for organized crime. The black market for illegal alcohol, generating immense profits for gangs involved in bootlegging, smuggling, and selling illicit liquor. This unprecedented economic opportunity incentivized criminal groups to organize and pool resources on a larger scale.
• Cross-Ethnic Cooperation: The lucrative nature of bootlegging and the intense competition and violence between various organized crime groups and / or ethnic gangs (Italian, Jewish, Irish) ultimately encouraged alliances. Leaders like Lucky Luciano (Italian) and Meyer Lansky (Jewish) recognized that unity would bring greater power, profit, and protection from law enforcement and rival gangs. They forged strategic alliances that blended Italian and Jewish criminal enterprises, focusing on practical cooperation rather than ethnic division.
• Need for Enforcement: As these criminal empires grew, a systematic means of enforcement was required to maintain order, settle disputes, and eliminate threats. Murder Inc. emerged as the dedicated, ruthless enforcement arm of this newly formed National Crime Syndicate, ensuring that rules were followed and business interests protected.
• Increased Violence and Corruption: Prohibition contributed significantly to political corruption, with many law enforcement officials and government figures either on the payroll or actively participating in illegal alcohol consumption. The demand for alcohol also led to a surge in organized crime violence, as gangs fought for control over territories and supply chains.

How was Murder Inc. structured and how did it carry out its contract killings?

Murder Inc. was a sophisticated and methodical killing machine, operating with a structured chain of command that distinguished it from earlier, less organized street gangs.

• The Commission/National Crime Syndicate: At the top was the Mafia Commission, a governing body established by Lucky Luciano and his associates to mediate conflicts among crime families and authorize targeted assassinations. This ensured that killings were sanctioned at a high level and served strategic business motives rather than personal grudges.
• Leadership and Coordination: Louis “Lepke” Buchalter and Albert Anastasia were tasked by the Syndicate to lead and coordinate Murder Inc. Lepke typically handled the Jewish members and received the contracts from the Commission, while Anastasia managed the Italian members and dockworker unions.
• Recruitment: Members were largely recruited from working-class Italian and Jewish neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Manhattan, such as Brownsville and the Lower East Side. These “Brownsville boys,” like Abe Reles and Harry Strauss, were seasoned criminals who had built reputations for violence and loyalty.
• Operational Base: The group often operated out of nondescript locations, such as Rosie Gold’s “Midnight Rose” candy store in Brownsville, which served as a front for their clandestine activities. Killers would await assignments there, playing cards and drinking coffee.
• Methodical Process: When a contract was issued, the phone at the candy shop would ring. A killer or a team would be chosen and would meticulously plan the hit, sometimes for weeks or months. Orders were given on a “need-to-know” basis, compartmentalizing tasks to ensure no single member knew the full picture, thus minimizing exposure.
• Payment and Incentives: Killers were paid a regular salary as a retainer, with additional fees typically ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per killing. Their families also received monetary benefits if they were jailed or killed, fostering loyalty and silence.
• Tactics and Weapons: Murder Inc. employed a variety of brutal methods, from firearms (often .32 or .38 caliber pistols) to silent ice picks, garrotes, and even live burials. They prided themselves on efficiency and often sought to leave no traceable evidence. The philosophy of eliminating witnesses, a lesson Albert Anastasia learned early in his criminal career, became a crucial strategy.

What was the “Code of Silence” (Omerta) and how did it eventually break down for Murder Inc.?

The “Code of Silence,” or Omerta governing organized crime, was an unyielding and strict oath that bound the members of Murder Inc. and the wider organized crime world. It was the backbone of their operations, ensuring absolute secrecy, loyalty, and protection from law enforcement infiltration or internal betrayal. The adherence to this code was critical for maintaining the anonymity of the organization’s activities and ensuring that consequences for breaking it were severe and often fatal.

However, the invincibility of Murder Inc. eventually crumbled due to betrayals from within its own ranks, primarily driven by the threat of the electric chair.

• Abe “Kid Twist” Reles’s Betrayal: The most significant crack in the Omerta came from Abe Reles. Implicated in the 1936 murder of Joseph Rosen and facing a likely death sentence, Reles, known as a survivor, chose to turn informant in early 1940. He began “spilling the beans” about virtually every murder he had knowledge of, implicating key figures including Louis “Lepke” Buchalter and Albert Anastasia.
• Domino Effect: Reles’s detailed testimony, which included specific locations of bodies and key evidence, proved invaluable to prosecutors like William O’Dwyer and Burton Turkus. His cooperation led to the conviction and execution of several prominent Murder Inc. members, including Harry “Happy” Maione, Frank “The Dasher” Abandando, Harry “Pittsburgh Phil” Strauss, Martin “Bugsy” Goldstein, and ultimately, Louis “Lepke” Buchalter.
• Anastasia’s Escape (Temporary): While Reles’s testimony was crucial for a case against Albert Anastasia for the murder of Pete Panto, Reles’s mysterious death in November 1941 (officially ruled an accidental fall from a hotel window while under police guard, though widely suspected to be a mob hit) prevented him from testifying against Anastasia in court, allowing Anastasia to evade those charges.
• Disbandment: Reles’s betrayal and the subsequent trials and executions shattered the once impenetrable facade of Murder Inc., leading to its eventual disintegration as an organized, national killing machine. The consequences were too serious—major trials, huge media attention, and the shocking execution of a top mob boss like Lepke.

What was the significance of the “Shapiro Brothers War” in the rise of Murder Inc.?

In the story of organized crime, the violent conflict with the Shapiro Brothers (Meyer, Irving, and William) stands out. It was one of the most important early conflicts that helped shape what would become Murder Inc. It served as a proving ground for the nascent organization and solidified Lepke Buchalter’s power.

• Territorial Dispute: The Shapiro Brothers were well-known Jewish mobsters who ran rackets in areas like Williamsburg and Brownsville. They resisted Lepke Buchalter’s rising influence and refused to cede territory. Lepke viewed this refusal as both bad for business and a personal affront.
• Demonstration of Ruthlessness: Lepke put out lucrative bounties on the Shapiros, entrusting the task to his emerging crew of Jewish killers, including Abe Reles and Martin Goldstein. Irving Shapiro was killed in July 1931, Meyer in September 1931, and William “Willie” Shapiro in July 1934. The elimination of William, who was reportedly buried alive in a sand pit, sent a chilling message throughout the underworld about the extreme lengths Lepke’s group was willing to go.
• Attraction of Violent Talent: The ruthlessly efficient way Reles and his partners handled the Shapiros impressed members of the National Crime Syndicate. This conflict attracted a new wave of young, violent men into Lepke’s and by extension, Albert Anastasia’s circles, swelling the ranks of what would become “The Combination” or Murder Inc.
• Consolidation of Power: With the Shapiro Brothers eliminated, their territory fell under Lepke’s full control, significantly expanding his power and influence in Brooklyn. This victory demonstrated the effectiveness of their systematic approach to violence and their ability to enforce their will.

How did Albert Anastasia’s leadership style and eventual demise reflect the shifting power dynamics within the Mafia?

Albert Anastasia’s leadership style among organized crime leaders was characterized by an explosive temper, paranoia, and a penchant for unchecked violence. This earnt him nicknames like “Mad Hatter” and “Lord High Executioner.” While initially effective in establishing his control over the Brooklyn docks and as a leader of Murder Inc., his volatility eventually led to his downfall, reflecting significant shifts in Mafia power dynamics.

• Rise to Power: Anastasia ascended through ruthless means, including his pivotal role in the Castellammarese War’s conclusion and later taking control of the Mangano crime family after the disappearance/murder of Vincent and Philip Mangano in 1951. He gained this position with the support of powerful allies like Frank Costello.
• Unapproved Violence and Dissent: As a boss, Anastasia’s indiscriminate use of violence, even against ordinary citizens (like Arnold Schuster), and actions that challenged the Commission’s rules (like selling family memberships), created dissent. Other ambitious mobsters, particularly Vito Genovese and Carlo Gambino, viewed his erratic behavior as a liability that drew unwanted law enforcement attention.
• Isolation and Loss of Allies: Anastasia increasingly found himself isolated. His attempts to encroach on Meyer Lansky’s Havana casino operations further alienated a powerful long-time ally. With Genovese and Gambino consolidating power and turning mobsters against him, Anastasia’s position became precarious.
• The Final Act: Anastasia’s assassination on October 27, 1957, in a Park Sheraton Hotel barbershop, symbolized a brutal but calculated power shift in organized crime in New York. While the exact orchestrators are debated, it is widely believed that Carlo Gambino and Vito Genovese plotted his removal to pave the way for Gambino to take over the family. The sparse funeral turnout further highlighted his abandonment by the criminal underworld, a stark contrast to the power he once wielded.
• New Era of Leadership: Anastasia’s death opened the door for a new phase in Mafia history. Carlo Gambino, who succeeded Anastasia, adopted a quieter, more careful leadership style, guiding the rebranded Gambino crime family to prominence and a longer, more stable tenure, demonstrating a move away from Anastasia’s “warlord” approach towards more calculated and discreet governance within organized crime.

What was the ultimate impact of Murder Inc.’s downfall on organized crime in the United States?

The downfall of Murder Inc., primarily triggered by Abe Reles’s betrayal and the subsequent trials and executions in the early 1940s, had a profound and lasting impact on organized crime in the United States, marking a significant turning point.

• Dismantling of a Centralized Killing Machine: The group’s disintegration meant the end of a single, organized crime hit squad working across different crime families and across the country. The severe consequences—major trials, intense media scrutiny, and the unprecedented execution of a top mob boss like Lepke Buchalter—showed the inherent risks of such a centralized, high-profile operation.
• Shift in Operational Tactics: Mafia leaders learned crucial lessons from Murder Inc.’s collapse. The “loose lips sink ships” scenario, exemplified by Reles, taught them the dangers of involving too many hitmen, especially when one might flip. Consequently, mob killings became more private, usually handled within each family, and outside help was sought quietly and only when absolutely necessary. The “killing business” didn’t disappear but went underground, becoming quieter and more careful.
• Weakening but Not Destruction of the Syndicate: While Murder Inc. itself was dismantled and many key members were eliminated or imprisoned, the National Crime Syndicate was weakened but not destroyed. The trials did pull back the curtain on the mob’s deep connections to politics and business, but the underlying structures of organized crime adapted and endured.
• Rise of New Leaders and Structures: The power vacuum created by Murder Inc.’s demise and the imprisonment of figures like Lucky Luciano allowed other ambitious mobsters, like Albert Anastasia (who later fell himself) and later Carlo Gambino and Vito Genovese, to rise and reshape the power dynamics. The model of consensus decision-making and joint ventures within the Commission, established by Luciano and Lansky, continued to shape organized crime’s modern structure, ensuring stability and collaboration despite internal conflicts.
• Increased Law Enforcement Focus: The sensational trials and exposures brought unprecedented public and law enforcement attention to organized crime. This led to the development of new laws and more sophisticated strategies to combat the Mafia, influencing the fight against organized crime for decades to come.