Chicago Outfit mobster Tony Spilotro and brother Michael murdered 40 years ago this month
Forty years ago, Tony Spilotro’s neon excesses gave way to the cold reality of Midwestern soil. In June 1986, a shallow grave in a remote Indiana cornfield closed the book on one of the most volatile chapters of the Las Vegas Strip. The discovery of the beaten bodies of Spilotro and his brother Michael marked the beginning of the end of the Chicago Outfit’s tenure in Las Vegas. His legacy remains a grim example of what happens when a mobster begins drawing too much unwanted attention. Mob killer to Las Vegas enforcer Born May 19, 1938, in Chicago, Spilotro became involved in crime ...
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Colombia approves plan to euthanize ‘cocaine hippos’ introduced by Pablo Escobar
More than 30 years after his death, Colombia is still struggling with the consequences of Pablo Escobar’s reign. This week,…
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‘Ketamine Queen’ conviction over Matthew Perry’s death highlights evolving drug trade
Cartels have held a monopoly on the drug trade for decades, but there’s a new supplier in town. Medical professionals…
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New York’s ‘Mafia Cops’ faked arrests, leaked information to aid Mob killings
In March 2005, two retired New York City detectives were arrested without much fanfare outside of Piero’s, a restaurant near the Las…
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Benny Binion’s colorful life story slated for television series
Years ago in Las Vegas, a friend of professional poker player Doyle Brunson relayed an alarming message: If Brunson didn’t…
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Virginia Hill, reputed ‘Queen of the Mob,’ died in Austria 60 years ago
On March 24, 1966, Virginia Hill died far from the life that made her famous. Sixty years later, she has…
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New memoir ‘The Bookie’ highlights the mobsters and characters in Las Vegas sportsbooks
Early in his career at Las Vegas casino sportsbooks, when mobsters were an intimidating presence around town, Art Manteris confronted…
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Killing of cartel boss ‘El Mencho’ triggers violent backlash across Mexico
One by one, Mexico’s most notorious drug lords are being brought to justice. In each case, Mexican and U.S. law…
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