October 19, 2024

"Shadow Alliances: Meyer Lansky's Secret Deal With The U.S. Navy In WWII

49 minutes

Dive deep into the enigmatic world of Meyer Lansky, the mastermind who maneuvered the shadowy corners of organized crime with a genius rarely matched. "Shadow Alliances: The Meyer Lansky Chronicles" unveils the tumultuous life and secretive dealings of Lansky, from his immigrant roots to his pivotal role in establishing the American Mafia's global reach. Each episode explores Lansky’s clandestine operations, including his little-known collaboration with the U.S. Navy during WWII and his empire-building in the neon-lit nights of Havana. Join us as we strip back the layers of myth and mystery that surround one of the most influential criminal figures of the 20th century, revealing the man behind the mob and the real stories behind the legends.

(00:00) Bugsy Siegel, a charismatic and notorious gangster, is introduced. His unsolved murder in 1947 is hinted to be the work of his best friend, Meyer Lansky, a major but elusive figure in the mafia.
(03:05) Meyer Lansky's background as a Jewish immigrant toughened by early anti-Semitic experiences in New York, where he formed a significant partnership with Bugsy Siegel, combining brains and brawn in criminal endeavors.
(06:06) The duo capitalized on Prohibition, transitioning from street crimes to managing lucrative illegal alcohol distribution, eventually aligning with influential Italian mobster, Lucky Luciano.
(18:09) During WWII, Lansky collaborated with the U.S. Navy to secure American docks and aid the war effort through his underworld connections, hoping to earn respectability.
(33:56) Post-war, Lansky’s ventures into legal and illegal gambling, the establishment of casinos in Havana, and his ultimate financial downfall with the rise of Fidel Castro, marking a significant loss in his quest for legitimacy and wealth.

...more

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By Charlie Outback

77 ratings

October 19, 2024

"Shadow Alliances: Meyer Lansky's Secret Deal With The U.S. Navy In WWII

49 minutes

(00:00) Bugsy Siegel, a charismatic and notorious gangster, is introduced. His unsolved murder in 1947 is hinted to be the work of his best friend, Meyer Lansky, a major but elusive figure in the mafia.
(03:05) Meyer Lansky's background as a Jewish immigrant toughened by early anti-Semitic experiences in New York, where he formed a significant partnership with Bugsy Siegel, combining brains and brawn in criminal endeavors.
(06:06) The duo capitalized on Prohibition, transitioning from street crimes to managing lucrative illegal alcohol distribution, eventually aligning with influential Italian mobster, Lucky Luciano.
(18:09) During WWII, Lansky collaborated with the U.S. Navy to secure American docks and aid the war effort through his underworld connections, hoping to earn respectability.
(33:56) Post-war, Lansky’s ventures into legal and illegal gambling, the establishment of casinos in Havana, and his ultimate financial downfall with the rise of Fidel Castro, marking a significant loss in his quest for legitimacy and wealth.

...more