Originally Posted By: Turnbull
 Originally Posted By: Lilo


I think that Roth did have an organization. The character was based on Lansky, who also had an organization. It wasn't as flashy as some of the other families but it was , at least during the fifties and sixties, as powerful as some of the better known families.


Lansky never had an organization of any substance because he didn't need one. He had partnerships with the most powerful men in organized crime. As long as they made money together, their organizations supplied Lansky with capital, protection--and muscle when needed. He and Charlie Luciano were like brothers throught their lifetimes. Though Lansky didn't sit on the Commission, he sat with the Commission, advising and making allies of the other Dons. For example, when he wanted to move slot machines into New Orleans, he brought Frank Costello on as a partner. Costello's presence helped smooth things over with Carlos Marcello, the Mafia boss of Louisiana. And while Batista put Lansky in charge of Havana gaming, he made sure to bring Santos Trafficante, the Mafia boss of Florida, as his partner. Trafficante, in turn, protected Lansky's gaming empire in Broward County, FL.

Lansky had a Mafia partner who was at his side for many years--Vincent (Jimmy Blue Eyes) Alo, the model for Johnny Ola (the name is an anagram). But Alo wasn't a toady like Ola--he was a real partner. Alo's closeness to Lansky was a physical reminder to independents and wayward Mob types that Lansky was protected by the Mafia.

According to Lansky's biographer, Robert Lacey, Lansky's modus operandi contributed to his longevity (81) and peaceful death: he never held the physical assets or army of gunsels that would have engendered fear and jealousy among Mob bosses--and that would have made them want to whack him.


I agree and disagree TB...
Certainly I agree with all you wrote about Lanksy's tendency to seek partnerships with various Mob bosses. His willingness to let others grab the spotlight certainly contributed to his longevity and general avoidance of law enforecement.

But....he definitely had a group of his own. Initially this would have been the Bug and Meyer mob of the twenties, part of which later morphed into what would be called Murder Inc. But Lanksy also had his own personal gambling casinos, horsetracks and nightclubs in Florida, Kentucky and upstate NY. Then of course all the other business and interests which you mention. He was in partnerships, to be sure. But he was more than just an investor.

There were differences between Jewish OC and the Italian versions, the most relevant here being that post WW2 we just don't see new young Jewish influx into OC. So Lansky's group gradually shrunk and/or went legit.

As Jack Dragna said "Meyer's got a Jewish family built along the same lines as our thing. But his family's all over the country. He's got guys like Lou Rhody and Dalitz, Doc Stacher, Gus Greenbaum,, sharp ******** guys, good businessmen, and they know better than to try to ******** with us."

"When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives."
Winter is Coming

Now this is the Law of the Jungle—as old and as true as the sky; And the wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the wolf that shall break it must die.
As the creeper that girdles the tree-trunk, the Law runneth forward and back; For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.