February 6, 1897 - Louis Buchalter
Among the most powerful organized crime figures of Depression-era New York, he built his influence through systematic control of labor unions and the garment industry, using violence as a business instrument. As head of Murder, Inc., he oversaw a killing operation that functioned essentially as a for-hire enforcement arm of the National Crime Syndicate. His eventual capture followed years as one of the most wanted fugitives in the country, and he remains one of only a handful of major syndicate bosses to have been executed by the state for murder.
From Wikipedia
Louis Buchalter, known as Louis Lepke, Lepke Buchalter or Judge Louie, (February 6, 1897 – March 4, 1944), was a Jewish-American organized crime figure and head of the Mafia hit squad Murder, Inc., during the 1930s. Buchalter was one of the premier labor union racketeers in New York City during that era.
Charles Birger, Dominic Benigno, and Buchalter are the only National Crime Syndicate bosses to be executed after being convicted of murder. Buchalter was executed using the infamous "Old Sparky" electric chair after being sent "up the river" to Sing Sing Correctional Facility.
- Last updated on .