Frank Costello..."The Prime Minister" of the Mafia

For the most unique video production ever created about the life, times, and unparalleled underworld career of Frank Costello, visit "Mob Fireside Chat" now playing on YouTube...It's truly a must see!

Arguably one of the world's most unique and successful mafiosi and racketeers ever born, if not the most unique and successful, Francesco (Frank Costello) Castiglia lived a storied life like no other.

Born to a level of poverty reserved for few. He would rise up from the gritty streets of East Harlem and a life of squalor to the very zenith of both the American underworld and upper-world.

This FREE video is truly an eye-opener and a very enjoyable experience....only at ButtonGuys of The New York Mafia!

One of my all-time favorite hoodlums....in fact my favorite!

my compliments to NYMAFIA and LISA for 2 outstanding productions of RANDACCIO, and COSTELLO.I agree with you NYM about COSTELLO being my favorite as well.

Thanks Faffy.

Batter up!....next on deck?

A top figure in the old Gagliano/Lucchese crew...

Thank you. Truly appreciate the kind comments.

I watched that Chicago episode last night with the kid they exploited for his business...

I missed the fist half hour previously...Saying how much more powerful they were then NY because they controlled local politicians...

Not only did Costello own all the NY politicians but he owned Huey Long, a governor in another state

Back during the 1930s-1960s era, there we're a lot of mafiosi who had political influence in their respective cities. But few wailed the power of a Costello.

I wonder how much better off the Luciano family/Costello family would have been had Costello not retired, was not hit by Chin, but stayed in power for another decade or 2? With his connections and power, you would have to think things would have been better than what it was under Vito. Not that the Genovese family turned out bad after Vito compared to some others, but Frank held such power it could have meant greater things for all the families.

100%

How could it not?

--
Yes he did. Carlos Marcello and Tommy Lucchese were two more tremendous corruptors and power brokers in their respective territories of NO and NYC who had dozens of top politicians and law enforcement officials in their hip pockets for years.

For that matter, there were many top mafiosi who controlled their respective little towns and cities like puppeteers for many years in a low key and shadow way, never being revealed for the puppet masters they really were. It allowed for Cosa Nostra to flourish the way they did for nearly a century in this country.

But for sure Costello, Lucchese, and Marcello were "next level" masters at it.

“This is for you, Frank!” – Profile of Mafia boss Frank Costello https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/this-is-for-you-frank-profile-of-mafia-boss-frank-costello

The one and only Francesco Castiglia...The consummate "Racketeer!"

Tropicana Las Vegas

3801 Las Vegas Blvd. South

Who could’ve guessed that when someone known as “Dandy” Phil Kastel wanted to open a casino, it would have ties to the mob? Kastel, a longtime associate of Luciano family crime boss Frank Costello, insisted his friend had nothing to do with the Tropicana. Then, on May 2, 1957, less than a month after its opening, Costello survived an assassination attempt. Police found notes in his coat pockets that contained numbers matching the Tropicana’s winnings for its first few weeks — to the penny. “That sort of confirmed a lot of rumors about the mob’s involvement in Las Vegas".

Gambling Leader Philip Kastel Shot Fatally in Body Is Found In Apartment Preliminary Report of Suicide Issued.
NEW ORLEANS, Aug." 17 (UPI) Philip (Dandy Phil) Kastel, an underworld gambling leader since prohibition days, was found shot to death with a bullet through his head in his apartment yesterday. He was 68 years old. Officials Issued a preliminary report of suicide. Kastel, a slot machine operator and reputedly one of Frank Costello's chief henchmen in the South, had been ill for several months and was said to have been going blind.

Kastel's nurse heard a shot, rushed into his room in the Clai- borne Towers apartments on Canal street and found him dead. First reports had said his wife found him. No note was found. He was convicted of mail fraud in 1926 and grand larceny in 1930. Aaron Kohn, New Orleans Crime Commission managing director, called Kastel one of the principal figures in slot machine operations in New Orleans.

He said a series of corporations was formed to operate the slot machines, and Kastel was one of the principals. A major crackdown on slot machines began in New Orleans in the early 1940s, and they were practically wiped out when Lesseps S. Morrison was elected New Orleans mayor.

Morrison is now United States representative to the Organization of American States. Kastel later joined with Costel-lo in opening the Beverly Country Club, a suburban gambling spot which became one of the principal points of controversy when the Kefauver Committee visited tfk; New Orleans area. After tfie hearings, the club was closed by the sheriff. It reopened in 1959 as a restaurant, but remained in business only a few months. Of Kastel's death, Kohn said it represented "the passing of one of the most nefarious members of the organized" American underworld.".

Who do you think ordered the murder of Kastel? Vito or Marcello? Or maybe both?

Good question TD, Kastel was a longtime associate of both the Genovese and New Orleans crime family, as Costello was replaced by new acting boss Vito Genovese, Kastel was forced to hand over control of his illegal gambling operations in Louisiana.

Right away the conspiracy theories come about. It says in the report:

he had been ill for several months and was said to have been going blind.

Kastel's nurse heard a shot, rushed into his room

He was old, going bind, and sick. Plus he was close to dying. He had a nurse with him, right outside his room. Yet people jump in with Costello or others killing him.

I’m with you on Costello. He knew how to conduct business.

Great video! Well done!!!

Apparent suicides are always tricky even if he was sick to commit suicide you don't see a way out, but not many people who are ill commit suicide.

I didn't realize Kastel died that way. Thanks Hollander, thats a good piece of info.

Yep. 100% JTT, 100%. Frank was a classy guy as far as these types of guys go.

Here's another Costello story that's rich in irony:

William O'Dwyer made a nationwide reputation for himself when, as Brooklyn DA in 1940-42, he smashed "Murder Inc.," the Brownsville-based gang of hired killers who were used by the Commission and other OC customers. But O'Dwyer didin't hesitate to ask Uncle Frank to use his vast political clout to get O'Dwyer elected Mayor of New York in '45. The quid pro quo: Mayor O'Dwyer allegedly ordered police to go easy on gambling, Costello's bread and butter. Meanwhile, a new Brooklyn DA, the incorruptable Miles McDonand, began investigating corruption among police and politicos, a trail that led to Harry Gross, a bookie doing $20 million in 1950 (equal to $253 million today). More than 70 police were indicted, and 500 more resigned or retired. McDonald allegedly was closing in on O'Dwyer's connection with Costello. Mayor O'Dwyer, just months into his second term, abruptly resigned. President Harry Truman immediately appointed him Ambassador to Mexico, where he stayed until 1960

Thats exactly right TB.

Uncle Frank also inadvertently cost a Las Vegas Rabbi his job:

Las Vegas synagogues in the Fifties had difficulty recruiting and holding Rabbis because the seminaries that graduated and placed them disapproved of Sin City. Rabbi Arthur Liebowitz of Temple Beth Shalom had his contract up for renewal in May '57. Many of his supporters on the Temple's Board were owners or managers of casinos. After Costello was shot by The Chin, police searched him and found notes containing the exact amount of a skim from a Vegas casino. The Temple Board members were so panicked by this news that they forgot all about the Board meeting on the Rabbi''s contract while they figured out what to do. The remaining members of the Temple Board voted to end the Rabbi's contract.

Thank you very much Jimmy. We appreciate your kind words and encouragement. And as always, you conduct yourself like the gentleman that you obviously are!

(and I'm sorry for the late response)

Jimmy, one things for sure. Frank was one of the most accomplished racketeers, of any ethnic background, in history. Especially in the field of legitimate business and industry.

+1

Interesting thing is that when we do some thorough research and we manage to find some conflicting infos, we are instantly labelled as "conspiracy theorists" lol

"Kastel's nurse heard a shot, rushed into his room in the Clai- borne Towers apartments on Canal street and found him dead. First reports had said his wife found him. No note was found."....so is it me or thats some conflicting info?!

....dont get me wrong, there used to be mobsters who took their own lives because they were sick such Alex's brother Sam "RIP" Alex. Gus Alex found the best surgeons in the country and submitted Sam for a surgery. They cleared Sam from every possible cancerogenous part on his larynx but it was too late because the cancer already started spreading. So on February 11, 1987, Gus phoned his older brother just to ask him if he was alright or if he needed something, but no one was answering the phone. So Gus jumped in his car and went to his brother’s apartment in Oak Brook. When he entered the apartment at 10 a.m. Gus found the lifeless body of his 78 year old brother Sam in the bedroom were a .38-caliber revolver laid nearby and a note that said simply, "I am Sam Alex", obviously because Sam used the alias "Sam Taylor" his whole life.

But we also have examples in which important mobsters were also sick and waited their last moment, but before they died, some decided to go out either "gangster style" or decided to talk to the feds, depending on the individual's situation.

He was one of a kind...and a very unique fella, in both modus operandi and style.

True that my friend!

+1