Havana Conference

The Havana Conference was a meeting of all the major figures of U.S. organized crime, held during the week of 22 December, 1946 at the Hotel Nacional in Havana, Cuba. Decisions made at the conference would have a notable bearing on American organized criminal activity in the ensuing decades.

Background

The head of the National Crime Syndicate, Lucky Luciano, had been serving a 30-to-50-year prison term for prostitution when he was asked to assist the U.S. government during World War II in 1942. After the war ended, New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey agreed to release Luciano on condition that the mobster was deported to his native Sicily and never again allowed to set foot on American soil. Lucky complied and set sail in February 1946, settling in Lercara Friddi, Sicily (his hometown), then moving to Palermo, Naples, and Rome. However, he never lost hope of someday returning to America, and planned to that end constantly.

Related Topics:
National Crime Syndicate - Lucky Luciano - Prostitution - World War II - 1942 - New York - Thomas E. Dewey - Sicily - February - 1946 - Lercara Friddi - Palermo - Naples - Rome

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In October, Luciano went to Caracas, Venezuela, and from there flew to Mexico City. He then boarded a private plane to Havana, where he was greeted by close friend and fellow crime lord Meyer Lansky. Lansky had organized a major mob summit for the week of 22 December, and suggested that Luciano purchase a $150,000 interest in a casino jointly operated by Meyer and Cuban political leader Fulgencio Batista. Lucky proposed that all the conference invitees bring him envelopes full of cash to welcome him back to the New World in order to finance the move. These "Christmas presents" were in excess of $200,000, and were given to Luciano on a first-night dinner hosted by Lansky, Frank Costello, and Joe Adonis.

Related Topics:
Caracas, Venezuela - Mexico City - Havana - Meyer Lansky - 22 December - Fulgencio Batista - Frank Costello - Joe Adonis

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~