Bugsy Siegel

Bugsy Siegel was one of the most feared hit men during the early part of the century. He teamed with his close friend Meyer Lansky to form Murder Inc., a band of assassins for hire who worked closely with “Lucky” Luciano. Siegel was one of the assassins of Joe Masseria during Luciano's takeover of the New York mob in 1931. In 1937 he was sent to California to oversee the national crime syndicate's interests there, and became involved in gambling, drug trafficing, and blackmailing. He is known as the “Father of Las Vegas,” having built the first multimillion-dollar hotel and casino there in 1946, the Flamingo. Unfortunately for him, to fund the project he skimmed off profits belonging to Luciano and Lansky. Bugsy was found dead from five gun shot wounds to the head at his Beverly Hills home in 1947. His life is portrayed by Warren Beatty in Bugsy (1991).