Who Was Meyer Lanksy?

Like Bugsy Siegel and Arnold Rothstein, Meyer Lansky was a powerful member of the mafia during the early to mid 1900's. In fact, he got his start right beside Siegel in New York City's Lower East Side, where the two of them began the Bugs-Meyer Gang as adolescents.

As Lansky's influence grew he eventually became known as the "Mob's Accountant." He managed mafia funds, paid bribes and setup profitable gambling operations in Florida, New Orleans and Cuba, among other places. But Lansky never forgot his Jewish roots and during World War II it is said he would use mafia muscle to break up Nazi rallies in New York.

Learn more about Meyer Lansky in:  Who Was Meyer Lansky?