Meyer Lansky (born Maier Suchowljansky on July 4, 1902, in Grodno, Belarus, then the Russian Empire; died January 15, 1983, in Miami Beach, Florida) was a pivotal figure in the development of organized crime in the United States during the 20th century. Known as the "Mob's Accountant" and "Secretary of the Treasury," he was instrumental in forming interethnic criminal cooperation, including the National Crime Syndicate. Lansky immigrated to the U.S. in 1911 and rose from New York City's Jewish underworld, partnering early on with Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel.
Lansky was primarily associated with gambling and illicit finance, rather than narcotics. After Prohibition, he parlayed his wealth into gambling interests in the U.S. and internationally, encouraging investment in Cuba, where he controlled casinos. He also invested in Las Vegas casinos, assigning Siegel to oversee the Flamingo Hotel's construction. Lansky laundered money through a Swiss bank and later bought an offshore bank in Switzerland. His gambling operations suffered a setback with the Cuban Revolution in 1959, when Fidel Castro nationalized casino interests. In 1970, facing tax evasion charges, Lansky fled to Israel but was ultimately deported back to the U.S. Despite being scrutinized by authorities for decades, his most serious conviction was for illegal gambling.
Meyer Lansky II, his grandson, co-authored "The Lansky Legacy," released in July 2026, aiming to provide the truth about his grandfather and dispel misconceptions. In late 2025, Meyer Lansky II discussed mafia ties to sports, including a rigged poker scheme involving former NBA players.
