Jack Dragna
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jack Dragna (April 18, 1891 – February 23, 1956), born Antonio Rizzoti, was an organized crime figure from Chicago, active in Los Angeles, California. He succeeded Joe Ardizonne as a capo after Ardizonne disappeared in 1931.
Dragna operated gambling ships off the California coastline until the United States Government shut them down in 1939. His enemies included Bugsy Siegel and Siegel bodyguard Mickey Cohen. Although Dragna was reputed by reliable sources to have called the hit on "Bugsy", through "dumb luck" Cohen survived numerous attempts by Dragna's forces to kill him.
Dragna participated in the Havana Conference of 1946. Frank DeSimone took over after his death.
Dragna was a very private boss who eschewed flashiness and attention, and died a free man of heart attack.
[edit] References
- Lewis, Brad, Hollywood's Celebrity Gangster. The Incredible Life and Times of Mickey Cohen, Enigma Books: New York, 2007. ISBN 978-1-929631-65-0
