He might adorn a pinstriped suit, he may fire a Tommy gun, and he may make you an offer you can’t refuse, but he’s not a mobster without a cool nickname. Dons, made men and associates, all are known for their violent deeds, as well as their distinctive nicknames.
Jake “Greasy Thumb” Guzik
In the 1920’s, Jake Guzik was a high-ranking member in the Chicago Outfit, second only to Al Capone. He was Capone’s chief accountant. Guzik used to take care of the bribes, so if a judge was required to be bribed or a police commissioner required some extra bucks, Guzik would count out some bills, which got him the nickname of “Greasy Thumb.” In the year 1930, Guzik went to jail with Capone on charges of income tax evasion.
Carmine “The Cigar” Galante
Carmine “The Cigar” Galante got his nickname, because there was always a cigar set firmly between his teeth. He never went anywhere without a cigar.
Galante became involved in the narcotics business and and ultimately got greedy with the profits. He wished to be the only mobster to sell drugs, and excluded the other families. Naturally, the other families were not happy with Galante.
As a result, Galante was relaxing in his favorite restaurant when three men made their way to the back of the restaurant, and shot Galante. When police arrived, Galante was dead, but he was still holding a Zippo lighter in his hand and a cigar clasped amid his teeth.
Jack “Legs” Diamond
When the government restricted the sale of alcohol, Diamond opened up some speakeasies. To provide his bars with alcohol, Diamond and his team held up booze trucks, and he was known for making rapid getaways, which got him the nickname of “Legs.”
He got his other nickname, “Clay Pigeon,” as he was shot numerous times. Between 1927 and 1931, Diamond was shot on three separate occasions. In the year 1931, Diamond was gunned down by in a hit, while he was in his bed. The mystery remains unsolved on Diamond’s murder.
“Jimmy The Gent” Burke
Burke had a panache for murder, but his preferred pastime was stealing. Whenever he used to loot a truck, he used to keep a $50 bill in the driver’s wallet, which got him the him the nickname of “Jimmy the Gent.”
He was convicted when Henry Hill testified against him for a murder, and he spent his remaining life in prison, till he died in 1996.
“Pistol Pete” Rollack
In the year 1987, Rollack formed a gang which went by the name of “Sex, Money, Murder” and set up himself as a power across New York.
Rollack’s flair for plugging away got him a frightening rep and the nickname of “Pistol Pete.”
Pete was taken into custody and charged with conspiracy and drug trafficking, but he operated from behind his jail cell. While in a North Carolina cell, he gave his girlfriend a coded letter that ordered the killing of two enemies on Thanksgiving. In the end, Rollack ended up in solitary confinement for life. Now he is writing a novel to caution young men away from the mob life.
Tommy “The Butcher” Pitera
Growing up, Tommy Pitera’s was bullied, fed up of this Pitera started learning martial arts, and he even moved to Japan. When he returned back, he started killing people, which got him the name of “Tommy Karate.”
When Pitera was at last taken into custody, police raided his house and discovered a disquieting literary collection. He was finally found culpable in 6 murders and is at present kept in a penitentiary in Pennsylvania.
Kazuo “The Bear” Taoka
Kazuo Taoka was an orphan who was raised by gangsters. He rose to recognition as a street fighter where he used to gouge out his rival’ eyes with his fingers. This method got Taoka the nickname of “Kuma,” Japanese for “The Bear.”
Ultimately, Tokyo’s most influential gang, the Inagawa-kai, made a decision that it was better to befriend the Bear. This gave Taoka power on four of Japan’s regions.
Tony “Big Tuna” Accardo
Prior to his rise to power, Tony Accardo was Al Capone’s bodyguard. It was Accardo’s hitting skills with a baseball bat that got him the name of “Joe Batters”.
Accardo got his other nickname, “Big Tuna”, while on a fishing trip. He had his picture taken after reeling in a tuna, and soon everybody started calling him “Big Tuna.” He was investigated many times in his criminal career, but he never was actually put in jail. He also ran the whole of Chicago for decades.
John “White Devil” Willis
John Willis was raised by a Chinese family, and as a teen entered Boston’s Asian underworld and joined the Ping Ons.
Because of his white-ish skin color, he was nicknamed “Bac Guai,” which is Cantonese for “White Devil.”
While the Ping On gang finally died away, White Devil John remained a powerful mobster in Chinatown’s drug scene. In the year 2011, FBI knocked on his door and he was pleaded culpable to a long list of crimes, earning himself 20 years behind bars.
Leroy “Nicky” Barnes, Mr. Untouchable
In the year 1966, Crazy Joe Gallo took Nicky under his wing. He taught him how to appropriately arrange his organization.
Nicky was arrested many times, but always managed to come out, because of which he got the nickname of “Mr. Untouchable.”
When Barnes was arrested he agreed to give evidence against his associates. His statement put 14 mobsters behind bars, and he was placed into a witness protection program in the year 1998.
- Standing with Our Veterans Affected by AFFF in their Ongoing Battle - November 22, 2024
- How to Gain More from Filing a Personal Injury Claim - November 18, 2024
- How Jackpot Drops Change Online Casino Dynamics - November 13, 2024
