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Meyer Lansky was called "the mob's accountant" and "the financial genius of organized crime." But was he really the criminal mastermind everyone believed him to be? Or was he just a victim of his own legend?
In this documentary, we uncover the true story of Meyer Lansky - from his childhood escape from anti-Semitic violence in Russia to his rise alongside Lucky Luciano in the American underworld. We explore his role in prohibition, his casino empire in Cuba and Las Vegas, his partnership with Bugsy Siegel, and his controversial collaboration with the U.S. Navy during World War II.
But the most shocking revelation came after his death in 1983, when his will was read and the truth finally emerged...
🔍 What You'll Discover:
• Meyer Lansky's early life and immigration to America
• His friendship with Bugsy Siegel and Lucky Luciano
• The truth about his role in the Mafia
• His secret work with the U.S. government during WWII
• The mystery of Bugsy Siegel's assassination
• His casino empire in Cuba and Las Vegas
• His attempt to flee to Israel
• The shocking truth revealed in his will
Was Meyer Lansky the brilliant criminal mastermind portrayed in movies like The Godfather Part II? Or was he simply a man caught between two worlds, seeking respect in a society that would never accept him?
Watch until the end to discover what his family found when they read his will - the answer will surprise you.
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0:00
Benny Seagull, better known as Bugsy, was a man of charisma and charm with a magnetic allure that captivated many.
0:07
However, beneath his attractive exterior lay a darker side, that of a gangster and murderer who had amassed a
0:14
significant number of adversaries. His life came to a violent end one June
0:19
evening in 1947 when he visited his mistress in Los Angeles. Accompanied by
0:24
a friend, he entered the residence of his absent lover, making themselves at home in her absence. As with many mob
0:32
related crimes, the murder of Bugsy remained shrouded in mystery and was never officially solved. The prime
0:38
suspect associated with this notorious assassination was someone least suspected, his closest friend, Meer
0:45
Lansky. Mayer Lansky, an enigmatic figure within the mafia circles,
0:50
possessed a tough exterior, but wasn't necessarily known for his violent tendencies. Some considered him the
0:56
mastermind behind mafia operations, often referred to as the Jewish brain,
1:01
orchestrating moves from the shadows. He was a financial genius within organized crime, and despite his criminal
1:08
inclinations, managed to evade the spotlight. As a member of the powerful New York Mafia, Meer Lansky held
1:16
considerable sway and seemingly excelled in every endeavor despite his involvement in nefarious activities. He
1:23
operated in a world where power and success intermingled with deceit and violence. The enigmatic duality of
1:30
Meerlansky's character, the brilliant strategist and the ruthless murderer, remained a testament to the complexities
1:36
within the criminal underworld, where alliances could be deceiving and trust was a rare commodity. Meer Lansky, a
1:44
name that sparked controversy and fascination in equal measure. For some,
1:49
he was the mastermind behind the mafia's intricate operations, while for others, he remained nothing more than an
1:56
intermediary manager. The ominous reputation surrounding him was a product of media frenzy and collective hysteria.
2:04
However, solid evidence unveiled a truth contrary to the widespread belief that Lansky was the criminal genius he or
2:11
others imagined him to be. Was he the orchestrator of the mafia or merely a
2:16
victim of his own legend? Today, we embark on a journey to unravel the enigma surrounding this enigmatic
2:23
figure. Maya Lansky arrived in the United States in 1911 at the tender age
2:28
of 8, fleeing the violent anti-semitic pilgrims of Russia along with his family. The harrowing experiences he
2:36
witnessed as a child left an indelible mark on him, shaping his resolve to combat anti-semitism wherever he
2:42
encountered it. His father instilled in him the significance of being Jewish, emphasizing the imperative to resist
2:49
discrimination and stand up for their family. Settling in the Lower East Side of
2:55
Manhattan, a Jewish ghetto in New York, Lansky grew up in the challenging streets of a neighborhood that demanded
3:01
self-defense, resilience, and the ability to hold one's ground regardless of stature. New York, especially in that
3:09
era, required one to be adept at both giving and receiving blows. Lansky
3:15
embodied this principle, a testament to his upbringing in a tough neighborhood where survival often depended on street
3:21
smarts and physical fortitude. Join us as we delve deeper into the life and influences that shaped Meer Lansky.
3:28
From the roots of his family's migration to America to the formative years in the vibrant yet challenging streets of New
3:35
York, we'll uncover the lesserk known facets of this complex figure. Stay
3:40
tuned as we uncover the layers of Meer Lansky's life, transcending the stereotypes and exploring the human
3:47
behind the legend. Follow us on this journey into the past, dissecting the
3:52
intricate web of history and perception. Maya Lansky, standing at a mere 1.62 m
3:58
tall, learned to rely on his fists from a young age. His encounters with the law began early in life due to his
4:05
pugnacious nature. It was during this time that he crossed paths with another Jewish rogue, Bugsy Seagull. Their
4:12
initial encounter took place amid a street brawl where Seagull, known for his charisma, found himself embroiled in
4:18
a violent altercation. Amidst the chaos, Seagull, driven by rage, brandished a
4:24
revolver, seemingly ready to fire indiscriminately at the police. It was a moment that revealed the nature of
4:30
Seagull's temperament, which left an indelible mark on Meer Lansky. Their bond solidified over time, shaping into
4:38
a formidable partnership. Meer Lansky recognized for his strategic acumen and
4:43
Seagull the force joined hands forming the Jewish gang Bugsy and Mi. Despite
4:49
the common perception of the mafia being predominantly Italian, the early 20th century witnessed influential Jewish
4:55
organizations rising to prominence. Members of the gang defended their Jewish neighborhood against attacks by
5:01
Italian and Irish thugs, and they weren't confined to mere defensive actions. Engaging in various criminal
5:08
pursuits, they ventured into lucrative activities, including car theft, userie, and gambling. Their fortunes changed in
5:16
1920 with the advent of prohibition, the ban on alcohol sales, which birthed a
5:21
thriving illegal trade for mafiosos of all backgrounds. Meer, Lansky, and Seagull found their fortunes intertwined
5:29
with the illegal alcohol trade, leveraging the opportunities presented by prohibition. This era marked the
5:35
expansion of their criminal endeavors, allowing them to amass wealth and power within the mafia landscape. The
5:42
prohibition era facilitated a booming illegal trade, creating immense profit
5:47
margins for underworld figures like Meer Lansky and Seagull. It was a time when the boundaries between legality and
5:54
criminality blurred, providing an opportunity for enterprising individuals like them to thrive. Their ascent within
6:01
the criminal hierarchy was propelled by their shrewdness, allowing them to navigate the complexities of the illegal
6:07
alcohol trade. The duo's involvement in what one might consider petty criminal activities evolved into more lucrative
6:14
and expansive enterprises, transforming their standing within the underworld and solidifying their influence within the
6:21
Jewish community. This phase in their criminal trajectory was marked by a shift from minor criminal activities to
6:28
more significant and profitable endeavors. The duo's success lay in their ability to adapt, capitalize on
6:35
opportunities, and exploit the changing landscape of illicit trade during prohibition. The era of prohibition
6:42
served as a transformative period for these once minor delinquents, evolving them into shrewd businessmen. With the
6:49
prohibition on alcohol, they were compelled to adapt, learning to produce, import, distribute, sell, and manage
6:56
legitimate business operations within illegal trade networks. As the gang quickly carved out a prominent place
7:03
among New York's gang scene, Meer Lansky made a pivotal alliance with the Italian mafia figure Charles Lucky Luchiano.
7:11
Their collaboration marked a significant turning point in Meer Lansky's life. Meer Lansky had gained Luciano's respect
7:18
during their teenage years when Luchiano attempted to extort money from him. In a
7:24
response that left a lasting impression, Meer Lansky vehemently rebuffed Luchiano's demands, refusing to yield to
7:31
intimidation based on his Jewish heritage. This defiance laid the foundation for a crucial friendship
7:37
between the two men. This alliance between Meer Lansky, a Jewish figure, and Luchiano, a Sicilian, was
7:44
revolutionary in the organized crime world, marking the beginning of a groundbreaking Judeo Sicilian alliance.
7:50
Luciano, disillusioned with the rigid hierarchy of the old Sicilian mafiosos
7:55
that restricted dealings only within their community, admired Mayer Lansky's disregard for cultural barriers in
8:02
pursuit of building wealth and power. For Luchiano, Maya Lansky's approach
8:07
signified a departure from the traditional ways. He saw the potential of collaborating with individuals beyond
8:14
one's own ethnic boundaries to forge alliances and create profitable criminal enterprises.
8:20
Luchiano, driven more by the prospect of financial gains than cultural heritage,
8:25
aimed to build a gang that transcended ethnic confines, mirroring Meer Lansk's
8:30
inclusive approach to criminal activities. Their shared vision of breaking away from the restrictive
8:36
traditions of the past and leveraging their varied backgrounds to accumulate wealth became the cornerstone of their
8:43
partnership. This transformative period in organized crime history marked a
8:48
shift from rigid ethnic silos to a more inclusive and profit-oriented approach
8:54
where mutual financial goals outweighed cultural differences. Meer Lansky and
8:59
Luciano's collaboration marked a new chapter in the annals of organized crime, heralding a significant departure
9:05
from conventional norms. Their groundbreaking alliance shattered ethnic barriers, setting the stage for a
9:12
progressive era where financial ambitions eclipsed traditional affiliations within the criminal
9:18
underworld. During his rise alongside Lansky, Luchiano strategically navigated
9:23
his way to the summit of the New York underworld. By 1931, only one man stood
9:28
between Luchiano and absolute power. Salvatoreé Marano, an old school
9:33
Sicilian mafia boss. Luchiano sought Lansky's assistance in dealing with Maransano which laid the groundwork for
9:40
a significant shift in the criminal landscape. A common misconception propagated the
9:46
notion that Jews managed financial matters while Italians were known as the muscle in criminal operations. However,
9:53
the reality was far more intricate. Interestingly, during the struggle for control within the Italian mafia, it was
10:00
the Jewish contingent that played a pivotal role. Recognizing the advantage
10:06
of employing Jewish hitmen, Luchiano hatched a plan to exploit the element of surprise, Lansky orchestrated a group of
10:13
Jewish assassins tasked with infiltrating Maransano's offices. Disguised as tax inspectors, they gained
10:20
access to Maransano's stronghold. One of the assassins, an Orthodox Jew known for
10:25
refraining from killing on the Sabbath, found himself in a perplexing situation. Maranzano, holding strict beliefs,
10:33
assumed he couldn't harm a Jewish man in his office, creating an unexpected opportunity. Despite the assassin's
10:39
religious observance, Maranzano's narrow-minded sectarianism worked against him. In an astonishing turn of
10:46
events, they executed Maranzano right in his own office. With Maranzano out of
10:51
the picture, Lutaniano ascended to become the undisputed kingpin of New York's criminal domain, laying the
10:58
groundwork for a modernized mafia structure. Meer Lansky, now established
11:04
as Luchiano's right-hand man, became the trusted lieutenant to the most influential gangster in the United
11:10
States. His partnership with Luchiano solidified their dominance, paving the way for the establishment of a new era
11:17
in organized crime. This epical transformation redefined the mafia,
11:22
setting the stage for a more sophisticated and intricate criminal hierarchy under Luchiano's reign. As
11:27
Meansky continued his ascent in the criminal world alongside Luchiano, he remained acutely aware of the
11:33
constraints on his power. Despite his significance within the operations, Lansky understood that due to his Jewish
11:40
heritage, he couldn't hold the top position. While highly respected by Luciano and valued for his
11:47
entrepreneurial acumen in criminal enterprises, Lansky wasn't an influential figure or someone with
11:52
authority. Instead, he became the overseer of various criminal projects,
11:57
wielding substantial power, but systematically answering to the Sicilian boss. Later in life, Lansky married and
12:04
had three children, one of whom, his eldest son, Buddy, suffered from cerebral palsy. Despite this, Lansky
12:11
aimed to provide a comfortable life for his family. He upgraded his living situation from the Lower East Side to a
12:18
luxurious apartment in the majestic building overlooking Central Park on the Upper West Side of New York. With the
12:25
repeal of Prohibition in 1933, Lansky pivoted into a new business venture that
12:30
would significantly shape his life. Lansky's brilliance in mathematics and his deep interest in gambling was
12:37
evident. His knack for numbers and probability was pivotal in his endeavors. His expertise in calculations
12:43
and understanding probabilities was particularly crucial in games like craps and blackjack where swift calculations
12:50
were essential. He knew the precise odds for craps at 4.5% and the strategies for
12:57
blackjack leveraging his mathematical prowess in his criminal enterprises. Lansk's ventures into gambling, despite
13:04
its illegal status, were widely tolerated. He swiftly assumed control over several casinos in New York,
13:11
Florida, and various other states. Surprisingly, these establishments brought in substantial profits without
13:18
the need for rigging tables or cheating. Lansky's key to success lay in understanding how to generate profits
13:25
legitimately. His philosophy was simple. You don't need dishonesty to win. You
13:31
need volume. As long as people kept betting, losses were inevitable, ensuring profits for the house. By the
13:38
late 1930s, Lansky's casinos had made him a wealthy man. However, wealth alone
13:44
wasn't sufficient for the Jewish immigrant from the Lower East Side. Despite his riches, Lansky yearned for
13:50
respect. Throughout his life, he felt a sense of being a citizen like everyone else in the American populace. He aimed
13:58
for acceptance and acknowledgement in a society where he was viewed as an outsider due to his criminal pursuits.
14:05
Comparatively, the Kennedys, like Joe Kennedy, had also made their fortunes through somewhat controversial means.
14:12
Joe Kennedy engaged in alcohol trafficking and used his resources to finance his son's presidential campaign.
14:20
Interestingly, Lansky found Joe Kennedy's actions morally comparable to his own. Considering Kennedy's dealings
14:27
and maneuvers, Lansky, like Kennedy, had his own values and priorities. He had a
14:32
soft spot for his family, exemplified by enrolling his son, Paul, in the prestigious West Point Military Academy.
14:39
Despite his involvement in organized crime, Lansky's actions were driven by a desire for success and respect, much
14:45
like any other citizen seeking their place within the fabric of society. During the attack on Pearl Harbor in
14:51
1941, Lansky, known for taking meticulous notes, jotted down various
14:57
details, including a note to check the pronunciation of words. As the United
15:02
States entered World War II following this catastrophic event, an unexpected and extraordinary opportunity, the only
15:09
way to uncover what was happening along the New York waterfront was to strike a deal with what was known as the
15:14
Kosanostra, particularly with Luciano. However, there was a significant hurdle.
15:20
Luciano was in prison at that time. In 1936, Luchiano was imprisoned for
15:26
prostitution, receiving a sentence of 30 to 50 years. The government needed help
15:31
and they turned to Maya Lansky, a Jewish man known for his anti-Nazi stance during the 1930s. The Jewish community
15:39
in New York faced threats from pro-German Americans and Jewish leaders sought Lansk's assistance. He was one of
15:45
the few in their community with the courage to confront the Nazis. When the Bund, a pro-Nazi group, held gatherings,
15:52
Lansky and his men confronted them, wielding bats and striking them on the head, instilling terror and defending
15:58
the Jewish members from their aggression. In 1942, the government reached out to Lansky to resolve the
16:05
dock problem. Lansky promptly agreed to help. He arranged for Luchiano to be transferred to a more comfortable prison
16:11
closer to New York and acted as a mediator between the Navy and the Sicilian mafia. It's an incredible tale.
16:19
Lansky facilitated Luchiano's transfer, initiating an official investigation.
16:24
Post war, documents revealed the agreement. Mr. Lansky will come to visit Mr. Luchiano. Do not ask for his
16:31
passport or fingerprints. This deal allowed Luciano to meet his men in
16:36
prison, something he couldn't do before. He effectively instructed them to cooperate with the Navy while retaining
16:43
his rights to continue his operations within the prison. In 1942, the arrest
16:49
of Nazi spies followed a tip off from fishermen connected to the mafia, an event the FBI later boasted about in
16:56
promotional films, although it omitted the mafia's involvement. The following year, the mafia had an even more
17:02
remarkable opportunity to contribute to the invasion of Sicily, their homeland.
17:08
Luchiano and contacts from the Sicilian Mafia were brought to New York to assist the Navy's intelligence services. They
17:15
aided in devising invasion plans, identifying strategic locations, beaches, and Nazi strongholds for the
17:22
forthcoming invasion. When American troops landed in Sicily, the mafia's assistance proved invaluable. However,
17:29
the Navy knew they were playing a dangerous game. The only thing worse than failing the operation underworld,
17:35
as it was called, would be the consequences of success. They would then be permanently linked with the mafia.
17:42
Despite Sicily being conquered in just 6 weeks, the American government chose to keep the mafia's collaboration during
17:49
the war under wraps. Charles Luchiano, upon release from prison, was immediately deported to Italy. Lansky
17:56
realized that in the eyes of the government, he would always be seen as a hoodlm. His patriotism hadn't garnered
18:02
the respect he sought. If he truly wished to leave the streets behind, he needed to rid himself of another burden.
18:08
Sig continued to engage in violent activities, even after distancing himself from the Bugsy gang. He was
18:15
reportedly entirely unhinged, claiming to have personally killed someone. The
18:20
exact number of people he murdered remains unknown, but it could be anywhere between 5 to 20. Eventually,
18:26
Sig moved to California where his cinematic appearance helped him enter the Hollywood scene. However, his
18:32
aspirations lay elsewhere, just a few hours drive away in a desert town called Las Vegas. In Las Vegas, he noticed a
18:40
few run-down gambling halls in this desert town and realized its potential.
18:45
What made Las Vegas so important to him was its location in Nevada, the only state where gambling was legal. He
18:52
ventured into constructing the first luxurious hotel casino in Las Vegas, the Flamingo. Borrowing money from Lansky
18:59
and other mobsters. However, the project encountered numerous difficulties. Sig
19:04
was extravagant in his spending, initially believing resources were limitless. Starting with a million
19:10
dollars, he eventually demanded 3 million only to realize that it wasn't enough and that he required even more
19:17
funds. The challenges faced by the Flamingo Casino project mounted quickly,
19:22
causing financial stress and a demand for additional funding far beyond the initially estimated costs. After Sig's
19:29
death, the situation became increasingly complicated due to the influence of his former dancer, Virginia, who acted as a
19:36
messenger for the mafia. Later, she appeared before a Senate commission on organized crime, denying ever having
19:42
received money from any of these men or involving herself in their affairs. However, she was suspected by some
19:49
mobsters of stealing their money. Despite criticisms and suspicions surrounding Virginia, Sig was not one to
19:55
heed such concerns. He was an arrogant man who disregarded any criticism directed toward him or his partner.
20:03
Instead, he left Lansky to manage issues with the individuals from the coast. Est, another individual close to Sig,
20:10
pleaded with Lansky to resolve the flamingo's problems, show more respect to the investors, and curb excessive
20:16
partying. However, Sig was not one to be easily controlled or guided, especially
20:21
at 41 years old. He was not someone you could simply tell to behave. Frustration
20:27
grew among Sig's associates, and shortly after his death, the Flamingo Hotel received unexpected visitors. a pair of
20:34
men who entered claiming we're the bosses now. Someone responded, "That's Ben's deal." After 40 years following
20:41
Lansky's death, the second wife of Lon Ted was interrogated about the murder. She expressed that she believed he had
20:48
genuine feelings for the family and friends when he was younger, stating that sometimes circumstances can make
20:54
you believe certain things that might not be entirely true. There's speculation surrounding the association
21:01
between two individuals, both associated with Lansky, and their potential involvement in the fate that awaited
21:08
Sig, Sig's friend. The second wife of Lon Ted indicated that there might have been feelings of sorrow, hinting at the
21:15
complexities of the situation. It suggested that Lansky may not have orchestrated Sig's murder, but he might
21:21
have benefited from it. His desire for respect led him into a life he chose, one that seemed to involve a certain
21:28
level of hypocrisy. Throughout various investigations into Lansky, no direct
21:33
evidence was found indicating that he personally ordered someone's murder. However, he profited from such
21:39
situations and operated within an environment where murder was the ultimate punishment, enforcing a code
21:45
that those who did not adhere to it paid for with their lives. Despite not directly ordering killings, Lansky made
21:52
money and navigated an environment where murder was a significant consequence for those who violated the code of conduct.
21:59
Lansky's image as a dangerous gangster was on the verge of widespread notoriety. In 1950, the United States
22:06
Congress organized the Keover Committee, marking the very first investigation into organized crime. The focus
22:14
primarily lay on gambling which consequently elevated Lansky into a central figure of organized crime. This
22:21
newfound attention infuriated him. During a break in the hearing, May addressing Senator Kever pointed out
22:28
that he didn't understand what the issue with gambling was, implying that both of them enjoyed gambling. Kever candidly
22:36
admitted his fondness for the activity, but expressed concern about people like May holding sway. Lansky in his personal
22:43
notes expressed a belief that gambling would become the United States most significant business once figures like
22:50
him, Italians and Jews were removed. This dynamic brought to light Lansk's
22:56
perception of hypocrisy within the ruling class. He believed that the elite considered gambling immoral unless they
23:03
used it for personal pleasure or profit, which he felt was hypocritical. Feeling victimized by anti-semitism, Lansky as a
23:11
Jewish financier working with Italian mobsters found himself conforming to multiple stereotypes. His role as a
23:18
Jewish financier working behind the scenes with Italian mobsters played into various stereotypes which negatively
23:25
impacted his reputation. This portrayal was particularly burdensome for him and
23:31
contributed to the challenges he faced in terms of public perception. Following the kefover committee hearings,
23:37
stringent measures were enforced against illegal casinos owned by individuals like Lansky in New York, Florida, and
23:44
several other states. This crackdown served as a warning to all gangsters and
23:50
people of their ilk that they wouldn't be tolerated in San Francisco. Lansky's
23:55
aspiration for respect seemed more distant than ever. However, just as one door closed, another opened. In the
24:02
1950s, Cuba emerged as the Las Vegas of the beach. It was closer to New York and
24:08
Florida, making it easier to transport their men by air quickly and in large numbers. It attracted artists, and it
24:16
was an open city with various vices, ranging from pornographic material to cockfighting, appealing to men's
24:22
desires. Havana became the epitome of indulgence. Lansky received an
24:28
invitation to Cuba from the Cuban dictator Fulgensio Batista to assist in
24:33
managing the country's casinos. Lansky and his associates were welcomed because they would establish gambling
24:39
enterprises. For Lansky, it was fantastic to be in a country where he wasn't hypocritically denounced and
24:45
their expertise was recognized and valued. This shift to Cuba offered Lansky and his associates a newfound
24:52
opportunity to establish themselves in a country that appreciated their skills and didn't condemn their activities. A
24:59
departure from the crackdown they faced elsewhere. Following the KOVA Commission, severe
25:05
measures were taken against illegal casinos owned by individuals like Lansky in New York, Florida, and several other
25:11
states. This crackdown served as a warning to all gangsters and those of their kind. Their presence would not be
25:19
tolerated in San Francisco. Lansky's hopes of gaining respect seemed farther away than ever. However, as one door
25:26
closed, another opened. In the 1950s, Cuba became the Las Vegas of
25:31
beachfronts. Closer to New York and Florida, it allowed for rapid and mass air transportation of their associates.
25:39
The city attracted artists and was open to all kinds of vices, catering to men's desires from pornography to cockfights.
25:46
Havana became a symbol of indulgence. Lansky received an invitation from Cuba's dictator Fulgensio Batista to
25:53
assist in managing the country's casinos. Lansky and his associates were welcomed as they would establish
25:58
gambling enterprises. For Lansky, it was fantastic to be in a country where they were not hypocritically denounced and
26:05
where their expertise was recognized and valued. This shift to Cuba provided Lansky and his associates with a new
26:12
opportunity to establish themselves in a country that appreciated their skills and did not condemn their activities. A
26:20
departure from the repression they faced elsewhere. After Batista fled Cuba on January 1st, 1959, initially there was a
26:29
calm atmosphere as the crowd celebrated the victory by parading and applauding in the city. However, the mood quickly
26:36
turned. Tempers flared and an angry mob took to the streets, targeting symbols
26:41
of the ousted regime, such as casinos, amusement parks, as well as houses and businesses belonging to Batista's
26:48
associates. The casinos were looted and seized by the new government. Castro's
26:53
rise to power resulted in significant financial losses for Lansky and his associates. Pepsi Cola, Tobacco, and
26:59
other major American corporations suffered considerable financial setbacks. This turn of events had a
27:05
profound impact on Lansky. He permanently relocated to Miami as he approached his 60s and his health was
27:12
declining. His return to the United States coincided with a new offensive against organized crime. Attorney
27:18
General Robert Kennedy painted a bleak picture of the rise of anarchy linked to the mafia, labeling it as a government
27:25
of organized gambling, drug trafficking, extortion, racketeering, and union corruption. With Robert Kennedy at the
27:32
Department of Justice, the mafia was now in the government's crosshairs, directly affecting Lansky and his operations.
27:40
Lansky was consistently considered the mastermind behind the mafia and was perpetually under surveillance. Mayor,
27:47
his associate, stated that they were monitored 24/7 by local police and the FBI. He was familiar with them and even
27:55
joked about reporting them to the FBI if he saw them at the racetrack, teasing them about their prohibition on
28:01
gambling. There were microphones placed in Lansky's house and hotels where he stayed, but these efforts did not yield
28:08
any significant results. He spent a lot of time relaxing at home, according to a
28:14
report dated July 7th, 1962. The report indicated that he spent most
28:19
of his time at the racetrack with friends, watching TV, and reading. Despite the extensive wiretapping and
28:25
surveillance set up by the FBI in the 1960s, Lansky didn't provide any useful
28:31
information for them. The wiretapping system recorded all conversations, including a conversation between Lansky
28:37
and his wife discussing the mafia's size compared to US steel. Although the exact
28:42
words spoken by Lansky were not documented, the report later leaked to the press. Lansky's life was under
28:49
constant observation, yet his interactions and discussions did not necessarily offer substantial
28:55
intelligence to law enforcement agencies despite the extensive efforts made to surveil him. In March 1970, the police
29:03
finally managed to arrest Lansky at Miami airport for drug possession. The drugrelated story of 1970 seemed
29:10
somewhat farcical as the charges against him were centered on him leaving the country for a vacation in Mexico
29:16
carrying medication without a prescription. However, the alleged narcotics were actually medications for
29:22
his heart condition. The charges were eventually dismissed. Lansky for 40
29:28
years sought to be respected and accepted as an American citizen. Disillusioned by his unfulfilled
29:34
aspiration, he eventually decided to turn his back on his country. The portrayal of Lansky in the movie The
29:40
Godfather Part Two has a scene where a character inspired by him named Hyman
29:46
Roth squints and murmurss, "Michael, we're bigger than US Steel."
29:51
While the exact phrase Lansky said wasn't recorded, it became a phrase associated with him, even though it
29:57
might have been a sarcastic or off-hand remark. Throughout his life, Lansky
30:02
remained under constant surveillance with microphones placed in his house and hotels. Yet, these extensive monitoring
30:09
efforts didn't yield significant results. Despite this, certain remarks or moments associated with him, even
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those possibly taken out of context, lingered as a part of his legacy. In July 1974, Lansky moved to Israel and
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applied for naturalization. Throughout his life, he felt proud of being Jewish, and for him, the creation
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of the state of Israel was an embodiment of the strength of character and courage he had observed in his youth. Residing
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in a luxury hotel called the Arcadia in northern Tel Aviv, Lansky attempted to avoid media attention. Although he was
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pursued by American media, he granted Lansky. She agreed to his citizenship
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without objection until one of her advisers mentioned his alleged mafia association, prompting her surprised
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response. The situation escalated, and Lansky's application for citizenship became a topic of controversy.
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Ultimately, this unexpected turn cast doubts and raised concerns about his possible connections to organized crime
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within the political sphere. Lansky's application for naturalization in Israel was rejected, leading to his expulsion
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from the country. Lansk's wife, angry about the situation, returned to the United States, expressing her
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frustration. Following this, Lansky was immediately arrested. The government
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finally succeeded in compiling a case against him largely based on the testimony of an informant, a former
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small-time gangster turned federal witness known as Fado Ta. Fod Ta, a
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Massachusetts thug who had been involved in theft and extortion, had become a federal witness for 38 trials related to
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the mafia. In his testimony, Tester claimed that in 1968, he made two cash
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deliveries to Mayor Lansky, totaling $150,000, which corresponded to the revenue from
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the Colony Club Casino in London. This revelation served as a crucial piece of evidence the government had been waiting
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for. Subsequently, Lansky was charged with tax evasion, much like Al Capone
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four decades earlier. However, on the day of the trial, he was released without any comment. During the trial,
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the prosecutor's assistant found Lansky to be a very different man than he had imagined, leaving him surprised by the
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disparity between the Lansky he had anticipated and the one he encountered. He was a gentleman, not a mobster. It
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was evident that Lansky was well read and expressed himself eloquently. His demeanor was welcoming, and if you
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didn't know him, you might mistake him for a corporate executive. The legal proceedings were led by a young Justice
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Department prosecutor named Robert Cumbell. He believed that if Lansky took
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the stand, they could genuinely bring him down because of the wealth of evidence they had. However, Lansky never
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testified. Instead, he had his wife, Teddy Lansky, present receipts from hotels to prove that he was in Boston at
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the time Fo Ta claimed to have given him money in Miami. The case hinged on a
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delicate balance as once a witness lies about one thing. The case can be jeopardized. The prosecutor admitted
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that they had almost nothing substantial and suggested that perhaps it would have been better to leave Lansky in Israel.
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Ultimately, Lansky was acquitted. Some viewed this as evidence of his incredible intellect, while others began
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to believe that perhaps he was as rich and powerful as the government and the press claimed.
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Despite accusations of being immensely wealthy and influential, Lansky lived modestly. There were no extravagant
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displays of spending, he owned suits, but a suit in essence doesn't cost much.
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He maintained a humble lifestyle which contradicted the perception of lavish wealth. Ultimately, was he the
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mastermind behind the mafia, or as he himself claimed, simply a retired investor living off a modest pension?
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The truth only surfaced in 1983 when Lansky lay on his deathbed succumbing to
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cancer. His relatives gathered for the reading of the will, hopeful for revelations about a hidden fortune.
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However, they would be disappointed. It's been a realization. We realized that reality was very different from
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what we had imagined. To my knowledge, nobody in this family had a lot of money. It's not because he kept it
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secret and was intelligent. It's just that he didn't spend much time with his disabled son. After the era of making
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all that money, he avoided it, but couldn't leave enough for his beloved son to live. I think it would defy human
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behavior to deny such comfort. And to prove the point, Meer Lansky was never the all powerful godfather that some had
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imagined. He lost most of his fortune in Havana in 1959 under constant government
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surveillance. He effectively retired from 1960 and spent almost everything left in various legal battles.
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Describing himself as a human being, Lansky saw himself as a victim of a hypocritical and even anti-Semitic
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government. However, despite his perception, Lansky was never the genius that the American public imagined. He
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only shown in comparison to other gangsters. Most mobsters aren't educated, so they don't start from a
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very high level. Therefore, when a guy skilled with numbers like Lansky comes along, he stands out. He was certainly
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gifted compared to those around him, but was definitely not a Bill Gates or a Warren Buffett. Solid evidence revealed
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that Lansky, the businessman, wasn't the mastermind that everyone thought he was, including himself. However, the American
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public wasn't prepared to let go of the myth. The irony lies in the belief that the proof of one's genius is that nobody
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can find any proof. In the vast game of money and power, he found nothing. The
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money and the pawns in this vast game, he found nothing. So people thought this guy is very smart, especially in the
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United States, believing in the mystic power of the mafia. Hence, when LSK
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walked his dog, people would say he's walking his dog. It's part of his secret dog walking strategy. No, he's just
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walking his dog. Thank you for joining us on Survival Horror Channel as we explored the enigmatic life of a man
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often seen through the lens of mystery and intrigue. Mayer Lansky's story,
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marked by a blend of perception and reality, sheds light on the complexity of perception and public fascination.
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From organized crime to the corridors of power, Lansky's tale echoes the shades
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of a character living amidst a fog of myth and misconception. As we conclude, we invite you to ponder
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the duality of perception, the mysteries that remain unsolved and the intriguing aspects of the human mind. Join us in
36:50
our next exploration into the depths of suspense and uncovering the lesserk known stories in our history. Remember
36:56
to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments below. This is Survival Horror Channel signing off
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until our next spine tingling exploration into the unknown. Stay tuned. Stay horrified and keep
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surviving.