On January 10, 1952, an event steeped in grandeur and divine reverence unfolded in Rome. Pope Pius XII blessed two gold crowns encrusted with 500 diamonds and other precious stones. These opulent symbols of faith, destined for the Regina Pacis Votive Shrine in Brooklyn, were not merely artifacts; they were beacons of hope and devotion […]
The Dark Tale of the Regina Pacis Robbery and the Shadows of Joe Profaci Read More »
On a grim autumn night in October 1954, the shadow of judgment loomed over Albert Anastasia as the Newark courtroom pulsed with tension. Presided over by the stern Honorable Alfred E. Modarelli, the trial began, cloaked in the dry technicalities of tax law. Assistant U.S. Attorney Frederick B. Lacey delivered a mechanical dissection of finances—gross
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48th Street In the shadowy world of Prohibition-era New York, Owney “The Killer” Madden reigned as a kingpin of nightlife, his fingers in more clubs than anyone could count. Fresh out of Sing Sing in 1923, Madden carved out a niche far above the city’s lower criminal circles, distancing himself from the likes of the
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Address: Somewhere in Gramercy Park Nestled in the Gramercy Park Historical District, Pete’s Tavern is a living relic of New York City’s storied past, proudly wearing its title as “the Tavern that O. Henry made famous.” This iconic establishment, dating back to 1829, has seen more than its fair share of history, including a Civil
Address: W. 52nd Street Place Piqualie, nestled on West 52nd Street, was a curious gem of New York City during the Prohibition era. Unlike the bustling speakeasies of the time, this bar operated with a rare license, but paradoxically, it often found itself short on liquor. Perhaps it was the limited supply of booze, or
Address: 58th Street Near Broadway Step into the Park Avenue Club at 128 E. 58th Street, a glittering jewel in the heart of Manhattan’s nightlife. Owned by the infamous Owney “The Killer” Madden and fronted by the ever-charming George LaMaze, this is where high society mingles with the underworld, all under the glow of a
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Address: ??? The Trocadero was the epitome of glamour during New York City’s Prohibition era, a speakeasy where the illicit thrill of forbidden liquor mingled with the dazzle of high society. The air hummed with the smooth melodies of Emil Coleman’s orchestra, a soundtrack that perfectly complemented the grace and elegance of Fred and Adele
Carlos Marcello / The Little Man Carlos Marcello was the silent but deadly kingpin of the New Orleans mob, born in Tunisia in 1910 and raised in Louisiana. This guy knew how to run things quietly but effectively, ruling his empire with a mix of charm and intimidation. Marcello wasn’t just some street thug; he
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Carmine “The Cigar” Galante Carmine “The Cigar” Galante was a stone-cold killer with a lust for power, born in East Harlem in 1910. This guy was ruthless, rising through the ranks of the Bonanno crime family with a trail of bodies behind him. Galante had a vision for controlling the drug trade, especially heroin, and
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Frank Costello / The Prime Minister Frank “The Prime Minister” Costello was the smooth-talking diplomat of the mob world, born in Italy in 1891 and raised in New York’s tough streets. This guy was the brains behind the operation, wielding power not through brute force but through political connections and sheer cunning. Costello ran the
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Harry “Pittsburgh Phil” Strauss Harry “Pittsburgh Phil” Strauss, he was one of the meanest hitters in Murder, Inc. Born in Brooklyn, he ain’t never been to Pittsburgh, but the name stuck like a bad alibi. This guy was a real psycho, took out more than a hundred folks, and did it with anything he could
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Joey Gallo Joey “Crazy Joe” Gallo was a real wild card in the world of organized crime, born in Brooklyn in 1929. This cat had a flair for the dramatic and a taste for chaos, always lookin’ to shake things up. As a key player in the Profaci crime family, he wasn’t afraid to ruffle
Louis “Lepke” Buchalter Louis “Lepke” Buchalter was the big boss of Murder, Inc., a real mastermind of mayhem. Born in the mean streets of the Lower East Side, he climbed the criminal ladder with brains and brutality. Lepke was no ordinary thug; he was a businessman in the underworld, running labor rackets and extortion schemes
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Louis Capone Louis Capone wasn’t related to Al, but he was every bit as dangerous. Born in Italy and raised in Brooklyn, Louis was a key player in Murder, Inc., the enforcement arm of the mob. He was a cold-blooded killer and a trusted lieutenant, known for his smooth demeanor and deadly efficiency. Capone was
Mickey Cohen Check this out. Mickey Cohen, the flashy kingpin of the West Coast, was a real piece of work. Born in Brooklyn, raised in the streets, he started as a boxer before finding his true calling in the world of crime. Cohen was loud, brash, and loved the spotlight—always dressed to the nines and
