Talk with Frank Nitti

Frank Nitti, born Francesco Raffaele Nitto on January 27, 1886, in Angri, Italy, was a notorious American gangster and one of the top figures of organized crime in Chicago during the Prohibition era. He is famously known as the frontman and one of the key successors of Al Capone in the Chicago Outfit.

Nitti emigrated to the United States from Italy in the early 1900s and settled in Chicago, where he began his life in crime by engaging in small-time illegal activities such as smuggling and fencing stolen goods. He eventually joined forces with Al Capone and rapidly rose in the ranks of Capone's organization, becoming a top enforcer and an expert in smuggling and bootlegging operations.

After Capone's conviction for tax evasion in 1931, Nitti ostensibly took leadership of the Chicago Outfit. However, it is often believed that he was more of a front for the organization, handling day-to-day operations while others, such as Paul Ricca and Tony Accardo, held significant power behind the scenes.

Frank Nitti's reign was marked by his ability to maintain control through both violent means and political connections. Nonetheless, he faced his own legal challenges and, faced with an indictment for extorting Hollywood movie studios, he tragically committed suicide on March 19, 1943.

Nitti's life and career have been depicted in numerous films and television shows, contributing to his enduring infamy as a quintessential American gangster figure.

Frank Nitti, who became the head of the Chicago Outfit after Al Capone's imprisonment for tax evasion in 1931, was involved in several major events during his tenure as boss:

1. Continuation of Organized Crime Activities: Under Nitti's leadership, the Chicago Outfit continued to engage in various illegal activities, including bootlegging, gambling, and extortion. Nitti was particularly adept at maintaining the organization's financial networks and operations.

2. St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Follow-Up: Although the infamous 1929 massacre occurred before Nitti took over, its repercussions in terms of law enforcement focus and public scrutiny affected his early years as leader. Nitti had to maneuver through the increased attention and pressure from authorities.

3. Expansion into Labor and Business Rackets: Nitti significantly expanded the Outfit's control over labor unions and legitimate businesses. This included extorting Hollywood film studios, which involved sending Outfit members to Los Angeles to oversee operations and ensure compliance from the studios under the threat of labor strikes.

4. Tax Fraud Conviction and Imprisonment: In 1939, Nitti was convicted of tax evasion, a fate similar to his predecessor, Al Capone. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison, and his leadership was briefly interrupted during his incarceration.

5. Relations with Other Mob Leaders: Nitti managed relationships with other prominent figures in the American Mafia, maintaining alliances and negotiating conflicts. This period saw the solidification of the national crime syndicate, with organized crime leaders from different cities collaborating and dividing territories and interests.

6. Suicide: Frank Nitti's tenure as boss ended with his suicide in 1943. Facing an indictment with potentially serious consequences, and suffering from severe claustrophobia, which purportedly made him dread the prospect of a prolonged imprisonment, Nitti shot himself near a railway track.

These events illustrate Nitti's efforts to preserve and expand the Chicago Outfit's power, despite operating under the constant threat of legal repercussions and internal challenges.

Frank Nitti, born Francesco Raffaele Nitto, was a notorious American gangster and one of the top figures in the Chicago Outfit, a criminal organization famously led by Al Capone. Nitti's criminal activities were primarily focused on bootlegging, gambling, and extortion. During Prohibition, he was heavily involved in the smuggling and distribution of illegal alcohol. Following the imprisonment of Capone, Nitti effectively took over the day-to-day operations of the Outfit.

Additionally, under Nitti's leadership, the Chicago Outfit expanded into new territories, including labor and business racketeering, and he was particularly known for extorting money from Hollywood by controlling the Hollywood labor unions. This scheme involved forcing movie studios to pay large sums to ensure that their productions ran smoothly without labor troubles, which were often instigated by the mob itself.

Nitti was also implicated in several instances of bribery, corruption, and influence over political figures to protect his and the Outfit's illegal operations. Despite his numerous criminal activities, he was known for being less flamboyant than some of his contemporaries, focusing on the financial and business aspects of the mob's endeavors.

Frank Nitti, as a prominent figure in the Chicago Outfit during the Prohibition era, developed various strategies to handle law enforcement and legal threats. His approach included a mix of bribery, intimidation, and leveraging political connections to either mitigate legal challenges or avoid them altogether.

Bribery was a common tactic, involving payments to police officers, judges, and other officials to ensure they remained favorable or turned a blind eye to the Outfit's activities. This method was not unique to Nitti but was a standard practice within organized crime groups of the time to maintain their operations with minimal legal interference.

Intimidation and violence were also tools Nitti sometimes employed against those who posed a threat to his operations. This could mean threatening potential witnesses or others who might cooperate with law enforcement.

Additionally, Nitti capitalized on extensive political connections. By nurturing relationships with influential political figures, the Outfit could gain protection and inside information on legal maneuvers, further cushioning themselves against significant legal repercussions.

Nevertheless, despite these strategies, Nitti and the Outfit did face legal challenges and investigations, notably during the era when Eliot Ness and the Untouchables targeted the illegal activities of the Chicago mob, including bootlegging operations controlled by Nitti and Al Capone.

Frank Nitti was not directly involved in the planning or execution of the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre. The massacre, which occurred on February 14, 1929, was the assassination of seven members of Chicago's North Side Gang that was plotted by members of the Chicago Outfit to eliminate George "Bugs" Moran, the leader of the North Side Gang. The primary orchestrator of the massacre is widely believed to have been Al Capone, the leader of the Chicago Outfit at the time, potentially with the help of some of his key associates. Frank Nitti, a key member of Capone's organization, mainly handled other aspects of the Outfit's operations, particularly in areas related to business and finance.

Frank Nitti's leadership style significantly impacted the operations and development of the Chicago Outfit. After taking over as the head following Al Capone's imprisonment, Nitti demonstrated a different style of management compared to his predecessor. Capone was known for his flamboyant, high-profile approach, while Nitti was more subdued and preferred to operate behind the scenes.

One of the key aspects of Nitti's leadership was his focus on maintaining a lower profile to avoid law enforcement scrutiny. This was partly due to his own aversion to imprisonment; Nitti had previously served time in jail and did not wish to return. This led him to delegate many of the Outfit's violent operations to other members, while he focused more on the financial aspects of the syndicate.

Under Nitti’s guidance, the Chicago Outfit expanded its involvement in labor racketeering, controlling various labor unions which provided a lucrative source of revenue, largely through extortion. This diversification helped the Outfit stabilize its financial base, even through the difficult years of the Great Depression.

Moreover, Nitti was pivotal in forging alliances with other crime families across the United States, including those in New York. This collaboration was instrumental in the development of a national crime syndicate, which coordinated activities and reduced conflicts among the various groups.

However, Nitti's tenure was not without its challenges. His rule saw increasing pressure from law enforcement, particularly the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover, which began targeting organized crime more aggressively. The strain of such pressures would eventually take a toll on Nitti, impacting his health and contributing to the circumstances leading to his suicide in 1943.

Overall, Frank Nitti's leadership brought a more cautious, business-focused approach to the Chicago Outfit that helped it navigate through increased legal scrutiny and economic challenges, even though it also, eventually, contributed to his personal downfall.

Frank Nitti, born Francesco Raffaele Nitto in Italy on January 27, 1886, emigrated to the United States with his mother and siblings in the early 20th century, around 1893. They joined his father, who had already moved to the U.S.

Yes, Frank Nitti was married twice and had a son named Joseph Nitti with his first wife, Rosa Levitt. Joseph was born in 1917.

Yes, Frank Nitti did indeed die. He passed away on March 19, 1943. His death was ruled a suicide, as he died from gunshot wounds, which were self-inflicted according to the official reports. At the time of his death, Nitti was under considerable pressure due to various legal issues and health problems.

Discover and learn about people that are similar to Frank Nitti.