- 1959 in organized crime
"See also:"
1958 in organized crime ,
other events of 1959,1960 in organized crime and the
list of 'years in Organized Crime'.----
Events
*
January 1 - Syndicate casinos are seized byFidel Castro government after Cuban dictatorFulgencio Batista flees the country following theCuban Revolution . Suffering a major financial setback, Meyer Lansky returns toMiami, Florida and begins looking into the possible relocation of syndicate casinos in theBahamas and Caribbean.
*February 26 - New Jersey mobsterAbner Zwillman is found dead in his home after apparently hanging himself with a plastic clothesline. An investigated ruled suicide as the cause of death as Zwillman was facing federal investigation into his coin operated machine business and tax evasion.
*April 17 - Vito Genovese, boss of theGenovese crime family is convicted ofdrug trafficking and is sentenced to 15 years.Vincent Gigante , Genovese's driver and bodyguard to 7 years andBonanno Crime Family lieutenantNatale Joseph Evola is also imprisoned.Thomas Eboli ,Jerry Catena ,Michele Miranda ,Anthony Strollo andPhil Lombardo are placed on a "committee" to run theGenovese crime family operations following Genovese's imprisonment.
*September 25 - After being called away from aLexington Avenue restaurant,Anthony Carfano and his companion,Janice Drake are found dead in an abandoned car inQueens . A police investigation ruled both had been shot in the back of the head, possibly by a gunmen hidden in the back seat.
*December 18 -Paul Castellano is convicted of obstructing a government investigation and sentenced to five years imprisonment, although he is released after seven months.Arts and literature
Births
Deaths
*September 25 -
Anthony Carfano "Little Augie Pisano", Genovese crime family Underboss
*September 25 -Janice Drake , murder victim
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