Frank Nitti, born on January 27, 1886, in Italy, was destined for a life of crime. As a young boy, he immigrated to the United States with his family, settling in Chicago. Growing up in the rough neighborhoods of the Windy City, Nitti quickly learned the ins and outs of the criminal underworld.
Known as 'The Enforcer,' Nitti was a trusted associate of Al Capone, the notorious gangster who ruled Chicago during the Prohibition era. When Capone was sent to prison, Nitti took over as the leader of the crime empire. Despite his tough nickname, Nitti rarely got his hands dirty, preferring to delegate the dirty work to his subordinates.
During Prohibition, Nitti and his crew made a fortune through bootlegging and other illegal activities. However, after the end of Prohibition, Nitti saw an opportunity to expand his empire beyond Chicago. He turned his sights to Hollywood, where he extorted money from the biggest studios and became a subject of fascination for directors.
Despite his criminal activities, Nitti had a complicated personal life. He was married four times, with one of his wives meeting a tragic end at the hands of the police. Nitti's reputation as a ruthless mob boss extended beyond his criminal enterprises, with rumors of his involvement in various illicit activities.
As Nitti grew older, his grip on the Chicago Outfit began to wane. The law enforcement crackdown on organized crime in the 1940s and 1950s made it increasingly difficult for Nitti to operate with impunity. In 1943, facing a possible prison sentence, Nitti took his own life.
Frank Nitti's legacy as a crime boss lives on in the annals of American history. Despite his violent and illegal activities, Nitti remains a controversial figure, with some viewing him as a ruthless mobster and others as a product of his environment.
His story has been immortalized in popular culture, with actor Billy Drago portraying him in the film 'The Untouchables.' Nitti's life and career continue to fascinate historians, criminologists, and fans of true crime alike.
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