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The more you know: Mob Adjacent brings you stories about the people whose names are synonymous with organized crime. ARNOLD ROTHSTEIN (1882-1928) is considered the godfather of American organized crime. There are several theories about where, when, and under what circumstances “organized crime” came into existence in America, and who brought it. But it’s undisputed that Rothstein first looked at crime like a business and tried to bring the top-down corporate management style to crime. He was called the “J.P. Morgan of the underworld,” the man who financed America’s criminal empire, a pioneer in truly organizing crime. Unlike many gangsters who grew up on the hard streets, Rothstein was born into comfortable circumstances on January 17, 1882, in New York City. He began his gambling career early, some say around the age of nine, shooting dice. The thrill never left him. And unlike the street hoods and thugs with whom he associated, Rothstein was a cultured, dignified gentleman. But his personal refinement didn’t prevent him from sending his tugs to take out anyone who failed to pay his debt. He would become famous first as a loan shark and gambler, and then moved into liquor during Prohibition and later narcotics. By age 28, he was on his own and started his first casino. His casinos and high-end whore houses were known for their quality and courtesy. “Treat the customer right” was Rothstein’s hallmark. His investments eventually grew to include horse-racing and part ownership in Maryland’s Havre de Grace Race Track. Most famously, Rothstein is credited with helping to rig the 1919 World Series. His vast wealth allowed him to buy judges, mayors, senators, cops, and other authorities by the barrel and used them as necessary. Rothstein is said to have financed the beginnings of the careers of Jack “Legs” Diamond, Waxey Gordon, Owney Madden, Frank Costello, Meyer Lansky, Charles “Lucky” Luciano, and the future head of Murder, Inc., Louis “Lepke” Buchalter. On November 4, 1928, Rothstein was shot during a business meeting at Manhattan's Park Central Hotel. He died two days later 6. The shooting was reportedly linked to debts owed from a 3-day long, high-stakes poker game in October. Rothstein hit a cold streak and ended up owing $320,000 ($4.5 million in today’s dollars). He claimed the game was fixed and refused to pay his debt. The hit was intended to punish Rothstein for failing to pay his debt. The gambler George "Hump" McManus was arrested for the murder, but later acquitted for lack of evidence.
From 2010-2014, actor Michael Stuhlbarg portrayed Rothestein in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire as a milk-swilling, cake-eating dandy. Fun fact: In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald based his bootlegger character, Meyer Wolfsheim, on Rothstein. Next up: Louis "Lepke" Buchalter and Murder, Inc. |
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