Santo Trafficante, Jr. (November 15, 1914 - March 17, 1987) was one of the last of the old-time
MafiaThe Mafia is a Sicilian criminal society which is believed to have emerged in late 19th century Sicily, and the first such society to be referred to as a mafia . It is a loose association of criminal groups that share a common organizational structure and code of conduct...
bosses in the
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He allegedly controlled
organized criminalOrganized crime or criminal organizations can be defined as a transnational grouping of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity, most commonly for the purpose of generating a monetary profit...
operations in
FloridaFlorida is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the north. It was the 27th state admitted to the United States...
, which had previously been consolidated from several rival
gangA gang is a group of people who, through the organization, formation, and establishment of an assemblage, share a common identity. In current usage it typically denotes a criminal organization or else a criminal affiliation. In early usage, the word gang referred to a group of workmen...
s by his father,
Santo Trafficante, Sr.Santo Trafficante, Sr. was a Sicilian-born mobster, and father of the powerful mobster Santo Trafficante, Jr....
Reputedly the most powerful
mafiosoMafioso may refer to:* Mafioso , a 1962 Italian crime comedy film* Mafioso , a member of an Italian mafia clan.* Mafioso rap, a hip hop sub-genre...
in
BatistaFulgencio Batista y Zaldívar was a Cuban general, President, and U.S.-backed dictator. He served as the leader of Cuba from 1933-1944, and 1952-1959, before being overthrown as a result of the Cuban Revolution.-Early life:...
-era
CubaThe Republic of Cuba is an island country in the Caribbean. It consists of the island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city. Cuba is home to over 11 million people and is...
, he never served time in a United States
prisonA prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Other terms are penitentiary, correctional facility, and jail , although in the United States "jail" and "prison" refer to different subtypes of correctional facility...
.
Trafficante maintained links to the Bonanno family, in
New York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States, and the center of the New York metropolitan area, which is among the most populous urban areas in the world. A leading global city, New York exerts a powerful influence over worldwide commerce, finance, culture, fashion and entertainment...
, but was more closely allied with
Salvatore "Sam," "Mooney" GiancanaSalvatore "Momo" Giancana was an Italian-American mobster and boss of the Chicago Outfit 1957–66. Among his other nicknames were, "Mooney," "Sam the Cigar," "Sam Flood" and "Sam Gold."...
, in
ChicagoChicago is the largest city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and with more than 2.8 million people, the 3rd largest city in the United States...
.
Santo Trafficante, Jr. (November 15, 1914 - March 17, 1987) was one of the last of the old-time
MafiaThe Mafia is a Sicilian criminal society which is believed to have emerged in late 19th century Sicily, and the first such society to be referred to as a mafia . It is a loose association of criminal groups that share a common organizational structure and code of conduct...
bosses in the
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He allegedly controlled
organized criminalOrganized crime or criminal organizations can be defined as a transnational grouping of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity, most commonly for the purpose of generating a monetary profit...
operations in
FloridaFlorida is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the north. It was the 27th state admitted to the United States...
, which had previously been consolidated from several rival
gangA gang is a group of people who, through the organization, formation, and establishment of an assemblage, share a common identity. In current usage it typically denotes a criminal organization or else a criminal affiliation. In early usage, the word gang referred to a group of workmen...
s by his father,
Santo Trafficante, Sr.Santo Trafficante, Sr. was a Sicilian-born mobster, and father of the powerful mobster Santo Trafficante, Jr....
Reputedly the most powerful
mafiosoMafioso may refer to:* Mafioso , a 1962 Italian crime comedy film* Mafioso , a member of an Italian mafia clan.* Mafioso rap, a hip hop sub-genre...
in
BatistaFulgencio Batista y Zaldívar was a Cuban general, President, and U.S.-backed dictator. He served as the leader of Cuba from 1933-1944, and 1952-1959, before being overthrown as a result of the Cuban Revolution.-Early life:...
-era
CubaThe Republic of Cuba is an island country in the Caribbean. It consists of the island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city. Cuba is home to over 11 million people and is...
, he never served time in a United States
prisonA prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Other terms are penitentiary, correctional facility, and jail , although in the United States "jail" and "prison" refer to different subtypes of correctional facility...
.
Trafficante maintained links to the Bonanno family, in
New York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States, and the center of the New York metropolitan area, which is among the most populous urban areas in the world. A leading global city, New York exerts a powerful influence over worldwide commerce, finance, culture, fashion and entertainment...
, but was more closely allied with
Salvatore "Sam," "Mooney" GiancanaSalvatore "Momo" Giancana was an Italian-American mobster and boss of the Chicago Outfit 1957–66. Among his other nicknames were, "Mooney," "Sam the Cigar," "Sam Flood" and "Sam Gold."...
, in
ChicagoChicago is the largest city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and with more than 2.8 million people, the 3rd largest city in the United States...
. Subsequently, while generally recognized as the most powerful organized crime figure in
FloridaFlorida is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the north. It was the 27th state admitted to the United States...
, throughout much of the 20th century, Trafficante was not believed to have total control over Miami, Miami Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, and
Palm Beach, FloridaThe Town of Palm Beach is an affluent incorporated town in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The Intracoastal Waterway separates it from the neighboring cities of West Palm Beach and Lake Worth...
. The east coast of Florida was a loosely knit conglomerate of
New YorkNew York is the most populous city in the United States, and the center of the New York metropolitan area, which is among the most populous urban areas in the world. A leading global city, New York exerts a powerful influence over worldwide commerce, finance, culture, fashion and entertainment...
family interests with obvious links to
Meyer LanskyMeyer Lansky was a Jewish-American organized crime figure who, along with his associate Charles "Lucky" Luciano, was instrumental in the development of the "National Crime Syndicate" in the United States.Lansky developed a gambling empire which stretched from Saratoga, New York to Miami...
,
Benjamin "Bugsy" SiegelBenjamin "Bugsy" Siegel was an American gangster who was involved with the Jewish Mafia, and a major driving force behind large-scale development of Las Vegas.-Early life :...
,
Calogero "Carlos Marcello" MinacoreCarlos "The Little Man" Marcello was an Italian-American mobster who became the boss of the New Orleans crime family, during the 1940s.-Early life:...
, Leo Stein and
Frank RaganoFrank Ragano was a self-styled "mob lawyer" from Florida, who made his name representing organized crime figures such as Santo Trafficante, Jr. and Carlos Marcello, and also served as lawyer for Teamsters leader Jimmy Hoffa...
. To this day, control of Florida by organized crime is likely divided between Chicago, New Orleans, New York, and
internationalInternational or internationally most often describes interaction between nations, or encompassing two or more nations, constituting a group or association having members in two or more nations, or generally reaching beyond national boundaries...
organized crimeOrganized crime or criminal organizations can be defined as a transnational grouping of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity, most commonly for the purpose of generating a monetary profit...
interests.
Early life
Trafficante was born in
Tampa, FloridaTampa is a Gulf Coast city in Hillsborough County, on the west coast of the state of Florida in the United States. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. The population of Tampa in 2000 was 303,447...
to
SicilianSicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is an autonomous region of Italy. Several much smaller islands surrounding it are considered to be part of Sicily....
parents Santo Trafficante, Sr. and his wife Maria Giuseppa Cacciatore in 1914. He maintained several houses in Tampa and Miami, and also frequented
HavanaHavana is the capital city, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city is one of the 14 Cuban provinces. The city/province has 2.4 million inhabitants, and the urban area over 3.7 million, making Havana the largest city in both Cuba and the Caribbean region...
,
CubaThe Republic of Cuba is an island country in the Caribbean. It consists of the island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city. Cuba is home to over 11 million people and is...
(while
Fulgencio BatistaFulgencio Batista y Zaldívar was a Cuban general, President, and U.S.-backed dictator. He served as the leader of Cuba from 1933-1944, and 1952-1959, before being overthrown as a result of the Cuban Revolution.-Early life:...
was in power), and New York City.
Treasury Department documents indicate that law enforcement believed Trafficante's legitimate business interests to include several legal
casinoA casino is a facility that houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships and other tourist attractions...
s in Cuba; a
HavanaHavana is the capital city, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city is one of the 14 Cuban provinces. The city/province has 2.4 million inhabitants, and the urban area over 3.7 million, making Havana the largest city in both Cuba and the Caribbean region...
drive-in movie theater; and shares in the
Columbia RestaurantThe original Columbia Restaurant is the oldest Spanish restaurant in the United States and one of the largest in the world...
and several other restaurants and bars in Tampa. He was rumored to be part of a
MafiaThe Mafia is a Sicilian criminal society which is believed to have emerged in late 19th century Sicily, and the first such society to be referred to as a mafia . It is a loose association of criminal groups that share a common organizational structure and code of conduct...
syndicate which owned many other Cuban hotels and casinos. As one of the most powerful
mobstersMobsters is a 1991 crime-drama film detailing the creation of the National Crime Syndicate/The Commission. Set in New York City, taking place from 1917 to 1931...
in the U.S., Trafficante was invited to the
Havana ConferenceThe Havana Conference of 1946 was a historic of meeting of American mafia and Cosa Nostra leaders in Havana, Cuba. Supposedly arranged by Charles "Lucky" Luciano, the conference was held to discuss important mob policies, rules, and business interests. The Havana Conference was attended by...
in December, 1946.
Trafficante was
arrestAn arrest is the act of depriving a person of his or her liberty usually in relation to the investigation and prevention of crime. The term is Anglo-Norman in origin and is related to the French word arrêt, meaning "stop".-United States:...
ed frequently throughout the 1950s on various
charge-In mathematics, science, and technology:* Charge , the air and/or fuel mixture being fed to an internal combustion engine* Charge , the susceptibility of a body to one of the fundamental forces...
s of
briberyBribery, a form of pecuniary corruption, is an act implying money or gift given that alters the behavior of the recipient. Bribery constitutes a crime and is defined by Black's Law Dictionary as the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an...
and of running illegal
bolitaBolita , is a type of lottery which was popular in the latter 19th and early 20th centuries in Cuba and among Florida's working class Hispanic, Italian, and black population. Bolita was brought to Tampa, Florida in the 1880s, and flourished in Ybor City's many Latin saloons...
lotteries in Tampa's Ybor City district. He escaped
convictionIn law, a conviction is the verdict that results when a court of law finds a defendant guilty of a crime.The opposite of a conviction is an acquittal...
all but once, receiving a five-year sentence, in 1954, for bribery, but his conviction was overturned by the
Florida Supreme CourtThe Supreme Court of the State of Florida is the state supreme court of the U.S. state of Florida. Established upon statehood in 1845, the court is headquartered in the state capitol of Tallahassee....
before he entered
prisonA prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Other terms are penitentiary, correctional facility, and jail , although in the United States "jail" and "prison" refer to different subtypes of correctional facility...
.
Cuba
During the rule of Cuba's ex-dictator Batista he openly operated the Sans Souci and the Casino International gambling establishments in Havana. As a leading member of the syndicate, it was suspected that he also had behind-the-scenes interests in other syndicate owned Cuban gambling casinos namely, The
Hotel Habana RivieraThe Hotel Habana Riviera, or Havana Rivera as it is otherwise known, is located on the Malecón waterfront boulevard in Havana, Cuba. The hotel has over 350 rooms.- History :...
, The
Tropicana ClubTropicana is a world known cabaret and club in Havana, Cuba. It was launched in 1939 at Villa Mina, a six-acre suburban estate with lush tropical gardens in Havana's Marianao neighborhood.-Influence:...
, The Sevilla-Biltmore, The Capri Hotel Casino, The Commodoro, The Deauville and the Havana Hilton. Nightly, Batista's "bagman" would collect 10 percent of the profits at Trafficante's casinos.
Trafficante was arrested in 1957, along with 56 other mobsters, at an apparent
underworldCrime is the breach of one or more rules or laws for which some governing authority, via mechanisms such as police power, may ultimately prescribe a conviction...
convention, the
Apalachin MeetingThe Apalachin Meeting was a historic summit of the American Mafia held on November 14, 1957 at the home of mobster Joseph "Joe the Barber" Barbara in Apalachin, New York....
in New York. Charges were later dropped, though authorities believe the meeting was set up, among other things, to fill the power vacuum created by the recent assassination of
Murder, Inc.Murder, Inc. — or Murder Incorporated, or the Brownsville Boys — was the name given by the press to organized crime activities in the 1920s, '30s and '40s that resulted in hundreds of murders on behalf of the American mafia. The name "Murder Incorporated" was a journalistic invention...
head
Albert AnastasiaAlbert Anastasia , born Umberto Anastasio, was boss of what is now called the Gambino Crime Family, one of New York City's Five Families, from 1951-1957. He also ran a gang of contract killers called Murder Inc. which enforced the decisions of the Commission, the ruling council of the American Mafia...
. Trafficante later denied knowledge of the circumstances of Anastasia's death.
In January 1958 Trafficante was questioned by the Cuban National police regarding the Apalachin meeting. A full report was made by the Cuban police dated January 23, 1958 that includes transcripts of long distance telephone calls made from the Sans Souci during the period August-December 1957. This report was given to the District Attorney’s office. In addition, “on January 23, 1958 the Cuban Department of Investigation, Havana, Cuba notified the Bureau of Narcotics that Santo Trafficante was registered in their Alien Office under No. 93461.”
After
Fidel CastroFidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban politician, one of the primary leaders of the Cuban Revolution, the Prime Minister of Cuba from February 1959 to December 1976, and then the President of the Council of State of Cuba until his resignation from the office in February 2008...
's
revolutionary governmentThe Cuban Revolution was an armed revolt that led to the overthrow of U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista of Cuba on January 1, 1959 by the 26th of July Movement led by Fidel Castro....
seized the assets of Trafficante's Cuban businesses and expelled him from the country as an "undesirable alien", Trafficante came into contact with various U.S. intelligence operatives, and was involved in several unsuccessful plans to assassinate Castro. Allusions to these historic connections were confirmed by the
Central Intelligence AgencyThe Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States government.It is an independent agency responsible for providing national security intelligence to senior United States policymakers....
's 2007 declassification of the "
Family JewelsThe Family Jewels is the informal name used to refer to a set of reports that detail activities conducted by the United States Central Intelligence Agency. Considered illegal or inappropriate, these actions were conducted over the span of decades, from the 1950s to the mid-1970s...
" documents.
Later Years
Suspicions that Trafficante, along with Marcello, mob boss of New Orleans in the 1950s and '60s,
TeamsterThe term "teamster" originally referred to a person who drove a team of draft animals, usually a wagon drawn by oxen, horses, or mules. This term was commonly used during the Mexican-American War and the Indian Wars throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries on the American frontier.A teamster...
president
Jimmy HoffaJames Riddle Hoffa was an American trade unionist.Hoffa served as the General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters from 1958–1971 despite being incarcerated during the latter four years of his tenure...
, and Chicago boss
Sam GiancanaSalvatore "Momo" Giancana was an Italian-American mobster and boss of the Chicago Outfit 1957–66. Among his other nicknames were, "Mooney," "Sam the Cigar," "Sam Flood" and "Sam Gold."...
, were involved in some way with the
John F. Kennedy assassinationThe assassination of John F. Kennedy, the thirty-fifth President of the United States, took place on Friday, November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, at 12:30 p.m. Central Standard Time in Dealey Plaza. Kennedy was fatally shot while riding with his wife Jacqueline in a Presidential motorcade...
have been alleged repeatedly but have not been proven.
Trafficante was summoned to
courtA court is a body, often a governmental institution, with the authority to adjudicate legal disputes and dispense civil, criminal, or administrative justice in accordance with rules of law....
in 1986 and questioned about his involvement with the King's Court nightclub operated by members of the Bonanno family from New York, including undercover FBI agent Joseph D. "Joe" Pistone, alias,
"Donnie Brasco". Trafficante again escaped conviction.
Trafficante's health had declined in his older years, and he died in
Houston, TexasHouston is the fourth-largest city in the United States and the largest city within the state of Texas. As of the 2008 U.S. Census estimate, the city has a population of 2.2 million within an area of 600 square miles . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of...
, where he had gone for heart surgery, in 1987.
Books
- Cigar City Mafia : A Complete History of the Tampa Underworld (2004), Scott M. Deitche, Barricade Books
Barricade Books is a New York, NY publishing house specializing in non-fiction books. Among its most famous publications is The Last Party, the memoir of Adele Morales about her marriage to author-playwright Norman Mailer....
ISBN 1-56980-266-1
- The Silent Don: The Criminal Underworld of Santo Trafficante Jr (2007), Scott M. Deitche, Barricade Books
Barricade Books is a New York, NY publishing house specializing in non-fiction books. Among its most famous publications is The Last Party, the memoir of Adele Morales about her marriage to author-playwright Norman Mailer....
ISBN 1-56980-322-6
- "White Shadow", (2006) Ace Atkins, (G.P. Putnam) ISBN 0-399-15355-1
- Donnie Brasco: My Life Undercover in the Mafia. Joseph D. Pistone
Joseph Dominick Pistone , alias Donnie Brasco, is a former Federal Bureau of Investigation agent who worked undercover for six years infiltrating the Bonanno crime family and to a lesser extent the Colombo crime family, two of the Five Families of the Mafia in New York City.Pistone has stated that...
(1987)
External links