American Justice Season 1997 Episode 8 Rise and Fall of the Jewish Mobster

Rise and Fall of the Jewish Mobster is an episode from season 1997 of the American Justice series. The episode delves deep into the history of Jewish organized crime in America, tracing its rise from the early 20th century to its eventual decline in the 1950s and 60s. Viewers are taken through the lives of the most notorious Jewish mobsters in American history, including Arnold Rothstein, Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel, and Dutch Schultz.

The episode begins by examining the origins of Jewish organized crime in America, which date back to the early 1900s when waves of Jewish immigrants were arriving in the country. These immigrants, many of whom were poor and facing discrimination, turned to crime as a means to survive and thrive in their new homeland. The first Jewish gangsters established themselves in New York's Lower East Side, where they engaged in activities such as extortion, bootlegging, and gambling.

One of the most prominent figures in early Jewish organized crime was Arnold Rothstein. Rothstein was a kingpin of the illegal gambling world, and he earned a reputation as a mastermind of criminal schemes. He was responsible for fixing the 1919 World Series, which earned him a fortune and cemented his place in the annals of American crime history. However, his involvement in the scandal ultimately led to his downfall, as he was murdered in 1928.

Another major player in the Jewish underworld was Meyer Lansky. Lansky was a brilliant organizer and a financial wizard. He was a key figure in the establishment of the National Crime Syndicate, a confederation of organized crime groups that dominated American crime for decades. Lansky was deeply involved in a number of illegal activities, including gambling, bootlegging, and racketeering.

The episode also explores the life and crimes of Bugsy Siegel, who is perhaps the most famous Jewish mobster. Siegel was a ruthless and violent gangster who made a fortune operating illegal gambling establishments in Los Angeles. He also played a key role in the development of Las Vegas as a gambling mecca, but his ambitions ultimately led to his downfall. Siegel was assassinated in 1947, reportedly on the orders of his own associates.

Dutch Schultz was another prominent Jewish gangster who rose to power in the 1930s. Schultz was a vicious and cold-blooded killer who controlled much of the bootlegging in New York City during Prohibition. However, he made enemies within his own organization and was ultimately killed in a gangland hit in 1935.

As the episode progresses, viewers see how Jewish organized crime began to decline in the postwar years. The introduction of new federal laws, such as the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), made it much more difficult for organized crime to operate. Additionally, the development of new technologies, such as wiretapping and surveillance cameras, made it easier for law enforcement to crack down on criminal activities.

Overall, Rise and Fall of the Jewish Mobster offers a fascinating look at a little-known chapter in American crime history. The episode is filled with interviews with historians, law enforcement officials, and former gangsters themselves, offering a comprehensive and engaging exploration of this dark and fascinating world.