June Mob Calendar of Events
June is one of the most event-packed months in mob history. The death of John Gotti, the murder of Bugsy Siegel, the killing of Sam Giancana the night before his Senate testimony — June has seen some of the most dramatic moments in organised crime history. Click any date below to read the full account.
Key dates this month: June 10 — John Gotti dies | June 11 — Henry Hill dies | June 19 — Sam Giancana murdered | June 20 — Bugsy Siegel shot dead | June 26 — Paul Castellano born
No Entry
No Entry
No Entry
June in Mob History — Key Events
June 1947 delivered one of the most iconic murders in American mob history. Bugsy Siegel — the visionary gangster who had dreamed Las Vegas into existence — was shot dead through the window of his girlfriend’s Beverly Hills home on June 20. The Flamingo Hotel had haemorrhaged money and the mob’s patience had run out. Within minutes of his death, associates of Meyer Lansky walked into the Flamingo and took over.
June 1975 brought another landmark killing. Sam Giancana — the boss of the Chicago Outfit who had allegedly worked with the CIA on plots to assassinate Fidel Castro — was shot seven times in his Oak Park kitchen on June 19, the night before he was due to testify before a Senate committee. The timing was unmistakable. His murder was never officially solved.
June 2002 marked the end of an era. John Gotti — the Dapper Don, the last great public mob boss — died in federal prison on June 10, aged 61, from throat cancer. His death came a decade after his landmark conviction secured largely through the testimony of his own underboss, Sammy Gravano. The same month, June 12, saw the death of Henry Hill — the informant whose story became Goodfellas.
June 26 marks the birthday of Paul Castellano, born in Brooklyn in 1915. Big Paul would go on to become the most powerful mob boss in America before being shot dead outside Sparks Steak House on Gotti’s orders in December 1985.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did John Gotti die?
John Gotti died on June 10, 2002, in federal prison aged 61, from throat cancer. He had been serving a life sentence since his 1992 conviction on murder and racketeering charges.
When was Bugsy Siegel killed?
Bugsy Siegel was shot dead on June 20, 1947, at the home of his girlfriend Virginia Hill in Beverly Hills. He was hit by multiple rifle shots fired through the living room window. The murder was never officially solved but is widely attributed to the mob over cost overruns at the Flamingo Hotel.
When was Sam Giancana killed?
Sam Giancana was shot dead on June 19, 1975, in the basement kitchen of his Oak Park, Illinois home. He was shot seven times, the night before he was due to testify before a Senate committee. His murder was never officially solved.
When did Henry Hill die?
Henry Hill died on June 12, 2012, aged 69, from complications following heart surgery. He had lived under witness protection for decades after testifying against his former mob associates in 1980.
When was Paul Castellano born?
Paul Castellano was born on June 26, 1915, in Brooklyn, New York. He became boss of the Gambino crime family before being shot dead outside Sparks Steak House in December 1985 on the orders of John Gotti.
Further Reading — Mob History
Want to go deeper into the stories behind these dates? These are the essential books on organised crime history.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.