Peter
Licavoli was
born on 7th June, 1902. His parents were from Sicily.
The family settled in St. Louis. He eventually
became involved in organized crime and became a significant figure
in supplying illegal alcohol. In 1932 he was sentenced to two years
in prison for bribing a federal agent.
Licavoli
was rumoured to have taken part in the St.
Valentine's Day Massacre. An
effective contract killer, in 1935 Licavoli is believed to have killed
Jerry
Buckly, a journalist investigating organized crime. Other victims
included Milton Jones from St. Louis
and Jackie Kennedy, a leading crime figure in Toledo. Licavoli moved
to Detroit
and supplied men to Henry
Ford to help him break strikes during the 1930s.
After the Second
World War Licavoli was one of the five ruling Dons of Detroit.
Between them they controlled several casinos, racetracks and hotels.
He also owned Grace Ranch where he bred racehorses.
Chauncey
Holt claimed that Licavoli was involved in organizing the assassination
of President John
F. Kennedy. Holt
suggest that the gunman, including Charlie
Nicoletti met
at Licavoli's Grace Ranch on the way to Dallas.
In 1976 Licavoli was convicted
of buying a stolen 16th century painting. He eventually served a 13
month sentence for the crime.
Peter
Licavoli
died of a heart attack in Tucson, Arizona on 11th January, 1984.
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