Vito
Genovese was
born in Rosiglino, Italy on 2th November,
1897. He arrived in the United States in 1913 and by the late 1920s
was a leading member of the Lucky Luciano
gang. About to be arrested for murder, Genovese returned to Italy
in 1937 where he soon became a close friend of Benito
Mussolini.
After the Second World War, Genovese was brought
back to the United States and charged with murder. However, the main
witness against him, Peter La Tempa, was murdered while in protective
custody and the authorities were forced to release him. After arranging
the murder of several gang leaders, including Albert
Anastasia in 1957, Genovese established himself as the most important
criminal boss in the New York area.
In 1958 Genovese was arrested by the police and charged with smuggling
and distributing drugs. The following year he was found guilty and
sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. Vito Genovese died of a heart
attack in the Springfield prison hospital, on 14th February, 1969.
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