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. Mickey Cohen was part of the Jewish mafia with ties to the American mafia. He became the West Coast crime boss after the assassination of Bugsy Siegel in 1947. On July 20, 1949, Cohen and 3 others were ambushed on in front of a restaurant on the Sunset Strip. Mickey's car drove up to the curb and gunmen hiding opened fire with shotguns. Mickey was the least seriously wounded. Dragna and Cohen were warring for control of bookmaking and other Southern California rackets. Photograph caption dated July 30, 1949 reads "Hoodlum Jack Dragna laughs when asked 'Where were you on the morning of July 20?' (when Cohen was shot)."
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;26 x 21 cm. Photographic prints
Dragna, Jack Dragna, Jack--Trials, litigation, etc Cohen, Mickey,--1914-1976--Assassination attempt, 1949 Gangsters--United States 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 and Express photographs Herald-Examiner Collection photographs
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