The Most Notorious Mob Crimes Of All Time

Ever since they first rose to prominence at the start of the 20th century, the American Mafia has been linked to organized crime. They first started to make their mark during the Prohibition Era and have remained in the underbelly of the nation ever since.

From the famous faces at the start of it all - including Lucky Luciano and Al Capone - to the later Mafia names - John Gottis and Whitey Bulger - there is never a shortage of power. Still, the most notorious mob crimes of all time go to show just how far some Mafia members are willing to go when they’re crossed.

Bugsy Siegel’s failed casino might have added to the end of his life

The Mafia took a real turn when they turned their attention to Las Vegas casinos, with Bugsy Siegel helping to lead the takeover. He had been making a name for himself in New York, but the mob knew he needed to flee to California in 1936 when Bugsy was accused of ending two infamous mobsters’ lives. By 1945, Bugsy was struggling to get his casino, The Flamingo, off the ground, even though it was funded by mob money. It eventually opened its doors in December 1946 but closed shortly after and didn’t reopen until March 1947. Three months later, Bugsy was at the Hollywood home of actress Virginia Hill when an assassin crept up to one of her windows and fired at the mobster. No one knows to date who pulled the trigger.

The Valentine’s Day Massacre saw Al Capone reach new levels

When it comes to the most famous mob crimes ever, the Valentine’s Day Massacre is certainly up there. It all went down on February 14, 1929, and saw seven Chicago gangsters end their lives in one of the biggest crimes of the century. All of them belonged to Dean O’Banion and George “Bugs” Moran’s North Side Gang, with the crime taking place in an illegal drinks warehouse in the middle of Prohibition. It turns out Bugs was fighting with Al Capone, with both sides looking to control the largest portion of Chicago’s illegal drinks scene. Although no one knows the entire story, it’s believed Al Capone hired several mobsters dressed as police officers to line up the rivals against the wall. Instead of arresting them, they open fired, with Bugs just escaping with his life as he was running late. Although Jack McGurn was initially charged, the case was dropped, and the case has never been officially solved.

Machine Gun Jack McGurn could never escape the Valentine’s Day Massacre

Machine Gun Jack McGurn earned his nickname for a very good reason and was one of the leading Italian mobsters ruling the streets of Chicago throughout Prohibition. He was closely linked to Johnny Torrio and Al Capone, with the gangster being accused of several crimes throughout his time at the top. Jack was even accused of being the one behind the Valentine’s Day Massacre, there was no case, and everything was dropped. Instead, the police focused on some Mann Act charges to get him behind bars. Still, on the seventh anniversary of the Valentine’s Day Massacre, in February 1936, Jack’s life was ended when he was shot at a bowling alley. It’s believed Frank Nitti - Jack’s former associate and leader of Outfit - was behind the crime, but no one was ever charged.

Albert Anastasia had no idea one day would be his final haircut

For years, Albert Anastasia was one of the biggest names in the game. He worked closely with Charlie “Lucky” Luciano and was accused of ending several lives, with some stating Albert would end the lives of key witnesses in his cases before they got to court. Whatever the case, it’s believed Lucky ordered Albert and three others to end the life of Salvatore Maranzano in 1931, with the mobster eventually settling in the Gambino Crime Family. By 1957, things were looking good for Albert, but he had no idea how everything would change. He headed for a usual haircut when two unknown assassins allegedly covered their faces with scarves and stormed the barbers. Here, Albert’s life was ended in front of 11 other customers, with Carlo Gambino believed to be the one behind ordering the hit.

The most notorious mob crimes of all time have long been lost to the history books, but there are several reasons the American Mafia was once one of the most powerful forces across the nation. If one thing’s for sure, crossing anyone within the world was almost guaranteed to see your name next up on the chopping block.