The Gangster Of Hollywood

     There are probably some who don't know this but Hollywood had its gangsters beside actors, theaters, etc. One in particular was Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegal. He was born in Brooklyn, New York on February 28, 1906. He was a vicious gangster. No one dared to called Siegal "Bugsy" to his face if they wanted to live a long life. Siegal hated that nickname. Not even his friends called him "Bugsy" to his face. This was how vicious Siegal was. But then again, being in the Mafia it was rare for a gangster to die of natural causes any way. Why by trouble though?

     Siegal's violent method of doing business struck terror in the heart of his enemies and the public. His infamy was acknowledged by a journalist working for the Time as "the most famous mobster of his era". J. Edgar Hoover acknowledged Siegal as "America's most dangerous criminal". The Mafia called Siegal valuable.

     In 1937, Siegal moved west to Los Angeles to find new markets to further his career in the Mafia. At that time, California was booming economically. There was surely businesses to get involve in and extort, some people to blackmail.

     While living in California in 1946, Siegal began work on a multi-million dollar casino called The Flamingo in Las Vegas with William Wilkerson. When Wilkerson ran out of money to finish The Flamingo, Siegal took over. In taking over the additional financing Siegal used 5 million dollars of mob money, which belong to Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky. One does not take money from Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky without asking.

     On June 20, 1947 before midnight, Siegal was walking by the front window at his mistress's home. Gunshots rang out. Siegal was killed. He didn't get the chance to react, which is usually the case during a mob hit back then.

     Unfortunately for the Mafia, they should of brought an exorcist of some kind after the hit to make sure the deed was done. Rumor has it, Siegal's ghost haunts his mistress's house to this day. So if you ever go by the house don't call out "Hey, Bugsy", you might have more trouble than you bargain for.