Frank Costello

Epic card · No. 10703

Frank Costello (Italian: [koˈstɛllo]; born Francesco Castiglia [franˈtʃesko kaˈstiʎʎa]; January 26, 1891 – February 18, 1973) was an Italian-American mafioso and boss of the Luciano crime family (later known as the Genovese crime family) in New York City from 1938 to 1957. Known as the “Prime Minister of the Underworld”, Costello was noted for his political connections and for a leadership style that emphasized diplomacy and business dealings. His televised testimony at the 1951 Kefauver Committee hearings caught nationwide attention and brought public awareness to the extent of organized crime in the United States. Born in Calabria, Italy, he moved with his family to the United States as a child. As a youth he joined gangs in New York City. Working with Charlie “Lucky” Luciano, Costello was involved in bootlegging operations during Prohibition. In 1929 they joined the National Crime Syndicate. After Luciano was imprisoned in 1936, he continued to run the family from prison through acting...

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