Nevada marks 90th anniversary of legal gambling
Ninety years ago today, Nevada legalized gambling. It changed everything — eventually. When Governor Fred Balzar signed Assembly Bill 98…
Year: 2021
Embattled ‘maxi-trial’ prosecutor takes on ’Ndrangheta
Nicola Gratteri has not been to a restaurant in 20 years. The 62-year-old lawyer eats in his office. His home,…
El Chapo’s wife arrested in U.S., faces federal charges
Emma Coronel Aispuro may not be a household name, but the U.S. Justice Department believes she was a key accomplice…
The Mafia boss who flipped
Behind bars and abandoned by his men, Ralph Natale of Philadelphia became the first official American Mafia boss to flip…
The mystery of Lucky Luciano’s ‘invaluable service’ to the country
Seventy-five years ago, Charles Luciano caught a Lucky break . . . sort of. Following several years of negotiations (and…
Geri Rosenthal’s ‘life on the edge’
In September 1980, during an argument with her husband, Geri Rosenthal waved a gun around outside their house in the…
The biggest Mafia sweep in American history
The morning of January 20, 2011, was a particularly early one for many in law enforcement. Before dawn, more than…
Ten alternative products made by breweries during Prohibition
American businesses have become adept at producing alternative products during the global Covid-19 pandemic. Distilleries have been producing hand sanitizer…
Phyllis McGuire, singing star and Sam Giancana paramour, dies at age 89
Phyllis McGuire, the last of the popular McGuire Sisters singing trio and onetime girlfriend of Chicago Outfit boss Sam Giancana,…