Evsei Agron
Encyclopedia
Evsei Agron was a thief in law
and boss of New York City
's Russian Mafia
during the 1970s and '80s.
Born in Leningrad
, Agron immigrated to the United States
under the Jackson-Vanik Amendment
in 1975. He swiftly gained control of criminal operations among the Soviet Jews living in Brighton Beach
. Agron organized a motor fuel racket which would earn millions, if not billions, through fuel tax fraud. This type of fraud, which involved selling tax-free home heating oil as diesel fuel, eventually cost the state of New Jersey alone an estimated $1 billion annually in lost tax revenues.
Around the early 1980s, Boris Nayfeld
would come to work for Agron as his chauffeur and bodyguard.
However, as other mobsters closed in on the operation, a rival organization began expanding its own criminal operations under Boris Goldberg (who, in 1989, would be charged under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
(RICO) for drug trafficking, armed robbery, extortion, arms dealing and attempted murder). Agron was murdered while waiting for the elevator on the sixth floor of his building early in the morning by a gunman who shot him in the back of the head. The gunman approached Agron from behind, coming from a stairwell directly opposite the elevator. Prior to his murder, there were two other attempts on his life, in which he was wounded but survived. The first attempt was on the boardwalk in Brighton beach, the second was in the parking garage of his building on his birthday.
In the aftermath of Agron's murder, the neighborhood rackets were taken over by Marat Balagula
, a former black marketeer, who soon took the remnants of Agron's crew in gasoline bootlegging. Boris Nayfeld, Agron's old bodyguard, joined Balagula. During Goldberg's trial, he had denied conspiracy charges for Agron's death. Agron's final resting place is in a cemetery in Brooklyn, NY.
Thief in law
Thief in law is a criminal who is respected, has authority and a high ranking status within the...
and boss of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
's Russian Mafia
Russian Mafia
The Russian Mafia is a name applied to organized crime syndicates in Russia and Ukraine. The mafia in various countries take the name of the country, as for example the Ukrainian mafia....
during the 1970s and '80s.
Born in Leningrad
Leningrad
Leningrad is the former name of Saint Petersburg, Russia.Leningrad may also refer to:- Places :* Leningrad Oblast, a federal subject of Russia, around Saint Petersburg* Leningrad, Tajikistan, capital of Muminobod district in Khatlon Province...
, Agron immigrated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
under the Jackson-Vanik Amendment
Jackson-Vanik amendment
The Jackson–Vanik amendment is a 1974 provision in United States federal law, intended to affect U.S. trade relations with countries with non-market economies that restrict freedom of emigration and other human rights...
in 1975. He swiftly gained control of criminal operations among the Soviet Jews living in Brighton Beach
Brighton Beach
Brighton Beach is an oceanside neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. As of 2000, it has a population of 75,692 with a total of 31,228 households.-Location:...
. Agron organized a motor fuel racket which would earn millions, if not billions, through fuel tax fraud. This type of fraud, which involved selling tax-free home heating oil as diesel fuel, eventually cost the state of New Jersey alone an estimated $1 billion annually in lost tax revenues.
Around the early 1980s, Boris Nayfeld
Boris Nayfeld
Boris Nayfeld, alias Biba, was a Belarusian mob boss and heroin trafficker, who operated out of Brighton Beach, New York City.- Arrival to America and rise to power :...
would come to work for Agron as his chauffeur and bodyguard.
However, as other mobsters closed in on the operation, a rival organization began expanding its own criminal operations under Boris Goldberg (who, in 1989, would be charged under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly referred to as the RICO Act or simply RICO, is a United States federal law that provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization...
(RICO) for drug trafficking, armed robbery, extortion, arms dealing and attempted murder). Agron was murdered while waiting for the elevator on the sixth floor of his building early in the morning by a gunman who shot him in the back of the head. The gunman approached Agron from behind, coming from a stairwell directly opposite the elevator. Prior to his murder, there were two other attempts on his life, in which he was wounded but survived. The first attempt was on the boardwalk in Brighton beach, the second was in the parking garage of his building on his birthday.
In the aftermath of Agron's murder, the neighborhood rackets were taken over by Marat Balagula
Marat Balagula
Marat Balagula is a Russian - Ukrainian Jewish immigrant, former mob boss, and associate of the Lucchese crime family. He has often been referred to as "the Russian Tony Soprano."-Early life:...
, a former black marketeer, who soon took the remnants of Agron's crew in gasoline bootlegging. Boris Nayfeld, Agron's old bodyguard, joined Balagula. During Goldberg's trial, he had denied conspiracy charges for Agron's death. Agron's final resting place is in a cemetery in Brooklyn, NY.
Further reading
- Robert I. Friedman, Red Mafia; How the Russian Mob Infiltrated America.
- Sifakis, Carl. The crap Encyclopedia. New York: Da Capo Press, 2005. ISBN 0-8160-5694-3