Luciano left New York City when he learned of Thomas E. Dewey's plan to indict him. He fled to Hot Springs, Arkansas, an underworld haven at the time. On April 1, 1936, New York Detectives arrested him in Hot Springs. A tug of war ensued as Dewey's district attorneys wrestled with Hot Springs authorities to keep the gangster in custody. On April 18, 1936, Arkansas Governor J. Marion Futrell signed the extradition papers that forced Luciano back to New York.
Florence Brown testified to having taken part in conversations with Lucky about the prostitution bonding scheme, which would unite the madams "like chain stores" under the domination of his racketeering enterprise. This photo believed taken after Brown fled to California.
Luciano was accused of consorting with prostitutes. Luciano denied the charges, claiming he spent his time with showgirl Gay Orlova.
The 1930s Lower East Side racketeers were protected by Tammany Hall politicians. At 98 Kenmare Street, NYC, District Leader Al Marinelli hung out with Luciano, along with Tommy the Bull Pennochio and Little Davie Betillo. Both men stood trial as Luciano's co-defendants. Thomas Dewey placed Marinelli on trial for racketeering in 1938.
Guiseppe "Joe The Boss" Masseria was head of the Curbside Liquor Exchange in 1921-1922.
Note Police Headquarters in background.
Co-defendant Thomas "The Bull" Pennochio was active in this bootlegging junction.
On December 3, 1945, the New York State Board of Parole recommended commutation of Luciano's life sentence. On January 3, 1946, then Governor Thomas E. Dewey, of New York State, granted Luciano a commutation as payment for Luciano's assistance to the U.S. Navy during Wartime.
He was deported on February 10th, 1946, arriving in Naples, Italy on February 28, 1946. During 1947 he operated gambling operations in Havana, but was barred from the U.S. for life. He died of a heart attack in the Capodicino Airport in Naples on January 26, 1962. He was buried on February 7, 1962, in St. Johns Cemetery, Queens, New York.
Luciano's Biography & Arrest Record - Pre 1936
Born Salvatore Lucania, November 24, 1897, in Lercara, Palermo, Sicily. Arrived in U.S. in 1907.Lived at 183 E. Tenth Street until late 1920s.
Lived at 265 E., 10th Street in 1931.
Arrested January 17, 1916 for drug possession.
Sentenced June 1916 to six months.
Arrested December 15, 1921, Jersey City, for possession of concealed weapon. Charges dismissed.
Became an associate of Frank Costello (real name Francesco Castiglia) in early 1920s.
Arrested 1923 for drug possession. Charges dropped.
Arrested 1926 for violation of Sullivan law and felonious assault, NYC. Charges dismissed.
Arrested 1928 for assault and robbery. Charges dismissed.
Taken for a ride on October 16, 1929. Survived and thereafter called "Charlie Lucky."
Arrested 1929, Richmond, Virginia, for grand larceny. Charges dismissed.
May, 1929, helped coordinate organized crime convention in Atlantic City, NJ.
Arrested in 1931 for felonious assault, NYC. Alias "Charles Lucania." Dismissed.
Overthrew partners Guiseppe "Joe the Boss" Masseria and Salvatore Maranzano, 1931.
One-time partner of Dominick Didato, alias Terry Burns, killed August, 1936.
Associate of Johnny Torrio. Fled New York in late 1935, reputedly to visit Torrio in Miami before fleeing to Hot Springs, Arkansas to avoid standing trial in New York for compulsory prostitution.