Photograph was edited for publication purposes. Jack Dragna was the leader of the Sicilian Mafia who was active in both Italy and the United States. He was involved in bootlegging in California during the Prohibition Era. In 1931, he succeeded Joseph Ardizzone as the boss of the Los Angeles crime family after Ardizzone's mysterious disappearance and death. Dragna was dubbed the "Capone of Los Angeles" and was boss of the Los Angeles crime family from 1931 until his death in 1956. Photograph caption dated June 21, 1951 reads "Portly Jack Dragna, 60, reputed bookie boss with national underworld connections, today tried in court to beat a morals rap by contending what is said and done in an unmarried woman's bedroom is her own business." Police monitored and recorded Dragna for two months before arresting him.
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;26 x 21 cm. Photographic prints
Dragna, Jack Dragna, Jack--Trials, litigation, etc Gangsters--United States Trials--California--Los Angeles Crimes without victims--California--Los Angeles Crime--California--Los Angeles Criminals--California--Los Angeles Criminal investigation--California--Los Angeles Organized crime--United States Men--California--Los Angeles Los Angeles Evening Herald Express photographs Herald-Examiner Collection photographs
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