Thread: Mobster Lucky Luciano Teams Up With The FBI To Beat Germans In WWII????????

How can this be? A convicted mobster with a violent and long history of crime, sitting in "Little Siberia Federal Prison" in New York teams up with Herbert Hoover to beat the Nazi spies in the New York Shipyards during WWII and also in Siciliy prior and during the Allied Invasion of Italy and the pccupation thereafter.

No kidding, I am a fan of The Military Channel and there was an expose' on Luciano and how his influence and ownership of the New York City Docks helped deter sabotage on Lucky's orders and he also sent Mafia personnel to Sicily to broker a deal with the Scicilian Mob to hel the allies route out Nazi, Gestapo and Italian commanders and their covert informers and agents.

Lucky was sentenced to 60 years in prison. He served 6 and released as long as he left the United States where he relocated to Cuba after a stay in Sicily. He had written an autobiography where he indicated he had served the US governement after the sinking of the US captured Italian cruise liner Europa and refitted it. Shortly thereafter it caught fire and sunk under the pressure and weight of the water used to snuff the fire. It was initially termed sabotage but later found to be classified as a negligent accident when a welders torch ignited some rags near his working station.

The federal government initially denied any relationship with Luciano but in government files declassified in 2005, (as I recall, maybe earlier) the proof was in the pudding where Secretary of War and The FBI Director agreed to ask the mob for their cooperation and service to America. Many of Lucianos top lieutenants were of Jewish descent and thus were very willing to help fight the Nazis. Any suspected Nazi agents were reported to the FBI through a dockworkers informant network and no more losses ever ocurred at the shipyard.

A sting operation between Nazi agents and Mafia personnel said to be Nazi spy handlers was filmed and showed more than one American turning over detailed documents of war ship designs, new plans in the stud stage and lists of Nazi spies operating in the US.

I was amazed and in a weird sort of way proud that even our own criminal element put down their hate of law enforcement to protect a nation that extorted daily but yet felt a loyalty to help defend. Hope friends get to see the documentary.

I am going to look on Amazon for it thanks Blueneck!

Originally Posted by Koios

LL was a real bright and resourceful guy, who brought peace and smart business practices to organized crime, that was anything but organized before he rose to the top of the ranks.

I am not surprised that in wartime, he was seen as having value.

Jeez.... with that logic, some of our local street gangs will come out smelling like a rose. All they have to do is start a real war instead of a street war. Oy.