Mike Heitler
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Michael "The Pike" Heitler (d. April 30, 1931) was a Prohibition gangster involved in prostitution for the Chicago Outfit.
Heitler began operating brothels in Chicago during the early 1900s based out of West Madison Avenue. By 1911 he had become a leading crime figure as a top lieutenant to Chicago racketeer Jacob "Mont" Tennes, later driving rival Jack Zuta out of business with then ally Jake "Greasy Thumb" Guzik. Although arrested briefly for white slavery, Heitler continued to run independently of James "Big Jim" Colosimo, and later Johnny "The Fox" Torrio, until the early 1920s after the formation of the Chicago Outfit.
Reluctantly joining Capone's organization, Heitler began informing Chicago police of criminal activities after rival Jake Guzik gained control of the organizations prostitution operations informing Judge John H. Lyle of extortion and other illegal activities in the Four Deuces nightclub. Heitler was soon found out by Capone after receiving a letter to the state's attorney office detailing Capone's prostitution operations and subsequently fired. Heitler continued to send information to police later claiming Capone's involvement in the death of Chicago Tribune reporter Jake Lingle which was received by Capone. Heitler may have also been involved in the conviction of Jack Guzik and Ralph "Bottles" Capone for tax evasion in 1930. Heitler, last seen with Capone associate Lawrence "Dago" Mangano, was later found dead after a fire in his home on April 30, 1931.
[edit] Further reading
- Binda, Lawrence. The Big, Bad Book of Mike: Rogues, Rascals and Rapscallions Named Michael, Mike and Mickey. Lincoln, Nebraska: iUniverse, 2003. ISBN 0-595-28772-7
- Schoenberg, Robert J. Mr. Capone. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1992. ISBN 0-68812-838-6
[edit] References
- Kelly, Robert J. Encyclopedia of Organized Crime in the United States. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 2000. ISBN 0-313-30653-2
- Sifakis, Carl. The Mafia Encyclopedia. New York: Da Capo Press, 2005. ISBN 0-8160-5694-3
- Sifakis, Carl. The Encyclopedia of American Crime. New York: Facts on File Inc., 2001. ISBN 0-8160-4040-0
