Meyer Lansky (born Meyer Suchowljansky; July 4, 1902 – January 15, 1983), known as the "Mob's Accountant," was a Russian-born American organized crime figure who, along with his associate Charles "Lucky" Luciano, was instrumental in the development of the "National Crime Syndicate" in the United States. For decades he was thought to be one of the most powerful people in the country.
Lansky developed a gambling empire which stretched from Saratoga, New York to Miami to Council Bluffs, Iowa and Las Vegas; it is also said that he oversaw gambling concessions in Cuba. Although a member of the Jewish Mob, Lansky undoubtedly had strong influence with the Italian Mafia and played a large role in the consolidation of the criminal underworld (although the full extent of this role has been the subject of some debate).
Read more about Meyer Lansky: Early Life, Gambling Operations, War Work, The Flamingo, Cuba, Later Years, Death
Famous quotes containing the words meyer and/or lansky:
“The world is not merely the world. It is our world. It is not merely an industrial world. It is, above all things, a human world.”
—Agnes E. Meyer (1887–1970)
“I call the years when our children are between six and twelve the “golden years,” not because everything’s perfect . . . but because the kids are capable and independent. . . . They’re becoming fascinating human beings who continually astound us and make us laugh. And they build our self-esteem. They still adore us for the most part, not yet having reached that age of thinking everything we do is dumb, old-fashioned and irrelevant.”
—Vicki Lansky (20th century)