Harry Sagansky
Encyclopedia
Harry J. "Doc" Sagansky (January 6, 1898-January 28, 1997) was a Jewish organized crime figure in Boston who controlled one of city's largest bookmaking operations during the 1950s. He is also the oldest organized crime figure to serve a federal prison sentence at the age of 91.
, Sagansky sold newspapers while working his way through school and eventually graduating in dentistry
from Tufts University
in 1918. Opening a practice at a liquor store at Scollay Square, he would become involved in illegal gambling during Prohibition
.
By 1931, he began investing in several businesses including part ownership of two Boston nightclubs and operated a loan agency, which authorities suspected was worth an estimated $90 million. In 1943, he was arrested during a police raid on one of his gambling dens. He would later be charged with his role in the gambling syndicate and served a prison sentence for attempting to bribe a city official for political protection for a "Beano game". He was a business partner of Michael Redstone
, the father of Sumner Redstone
who is currently the CEO of Viacom
.
During the 1950s, his involvement in illegal gambling operations was investigated by the Kefauver hearings
which authorities would claim was "the largest racket kingdom in existence in the city of Boston." By the 1970s he had a close physical resemblance to an elderly United States Senator Barry Goldwater
.
Throughout his life, Sagansky was a philanthropist
whose donations towards Beth Israel Hospital would help contribute a nursing station and an observation unit as well as his alma mater Tufts Dental School. He later died of natural causes while at Brandeis University
's Beth Israel Hospital
at the age of 99.
"Doc" was survived by three sons, a daughter, eight grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Biography
Growing up in Boston, Massachusetts to first generation Jewish-American immigrants from LithuaniaLithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
, Sagansky sold newspapers while working his way through school and eventually graduating in dentistry
Dentistry
Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is widely considered...
from Tufts University
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
in 1918. Opening a practice at a liquor store at Scollay Square, he would become involved in illegal gambling during Prohibition
Prohibition in the United States
Prohibition in the United States was a national ban on the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol, in place from 1920 to 1933. The ban was mandated by the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution, and the Volstead Act set down the rules for enforcing the ban, as well as defining which...
.
By 1931, he began investing in several businesses including part ownership of two Boston nightclubs and operated a loan agency, which authorities suspected was worth an estimated $90 million. In 1943, he was arrested during a police raid on one of his gambling dens. He would later be charged with his role in the gambling syndicate and served a prison sentence for attempting to bribe a city official for political protection for a "Beano game". He was a business partner of Michael Redstone
Michael Redstone
Michael Redstone, born Michael Rothstein, was the founder of the Northeast Theater Corporation which has become National Amusements, Inc., which owns CBS Corporation, Viacom, music networks MTV Networks, and BET, with movie production and distribution Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks movie...
, the father of Sumner Redstone
Sumner Redstone
Sumner Murray Redstone is an American media magnate. He is the majority owner and Chairman of the Board of the National Amusements theater chain...
who is currently the CEO of Viacom
Viacom
Viacom Inc. , short for "Video & Audio Communications", is an American media conglomerate with interests primarily in, but not limited to, cinema and cable television...
.
During the 1950s, his involvement in illegal gambling operations was investigated by the Kefauver hearings
Kefauver hearings
The United States Senate Special Committee to Investigate Crime in Interstate Commerce was a special committee of the United States Senate which existed from 1950 to 1951 and which investigated organized crime which crossed state borders in the United States...
which authorities would claim was "the largest racket kingdom in existence in the city of Boston." By the 1970s he had a close physical resemblance to an elderly United States Senator Barry Goldwater
Barry Goldwater
Barry Morris Goldwater was a five-term United States Senator from Arizona and the Republican Party's nominee for President in the 1964 election. An articulate and charismatic figure during the first half of the 1960s, he was known as "Mr...
.
Throughout his life, Sagansky was a philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
whose donations towards Beth Israel Hospital would help contribute a nursing station and an observation unit as well as his alma mater Tufts Dental School. He later died of natural causes while at Brandeis University
Brandeis University
Brandeis University is an American private research university with a liberal arts focus. It is located in the southwestern corner of Waltham, Massachusetts, nine miles west of Boston. The University has an enrollment of approximately 3,200 undergraduate and 2,100 graduate students. In 2011, it...
's Beth Israel Hospital
Beth Israel Hospital
Beth Israel Hospital may refer to:*Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston*Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan*Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark...
at the age of 99.
"Doc" was survived by three sons, a daughter, eight grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Further reading
- Hersh, Seymour M. The Dark Side of Camelot. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 1997. ISBN 0-316-35955-6
External links
- South Coast Today - Obituaries: Harry Sagansky, 99
- Harry Sagansky v. United States of America, on Petition For A Writ Of Certiorari To The United States Court Of Appeals For the First Circuit