Notable Mob Homicides in Las Vegas
In the turbulent 1960s and 1970s, Las Vegas was a hotbed of organized crime, with key figures in the development and operation of casinos leaving a lasting impact on the city's underworld. While the details of many mob-related murders during this period remain shrouded in mystery, several intriguing cases have come to light, shedding light on the complex web of crime and its impact on the city.
One such case is the murder of "Fat Herbie," a mob associate who was acting as the bodyguard for Tony "the Ant" Spilotro, a notorious gangster known for his role in the city's anarchy during the 1970s. On January 6, 1977, "Fat Herbie" was found dead in his Las Vegas home, having been shot with a shotgun and suffering a bullet wound to the head. Despite investigations, Spilotro, who was infamously known as "The Hole In The Wall Gang" by the Las Vegas media, was never charged with the murder.
Another intriguing case is the murder of Al Bramlet, an influential labor leader who had a reputation for launching bombing campaigns against establishments that refused to comply with his Local 226 organization. On February 22, 1977, Bramlet was kidnapped, robbed, and killed in the Nevada desert. The Hanleys, who were angry with Bramlet due to unpaid fees for an unsuccessful restaurant bombing, were charged and sentenced to life in prison for the murder.
Yet another case that stirred controversy was the murder of Marvin Shumate, a Las Vegas cab driver who had planned to kidnap Benny Binion's son, Ted, for a quick fortune. Despite suspicions falling on Binion, no charges were brought forward, leading to speculation that Binion had ordered the murder. Shumate was found dead in the Nevada desert on December 2, 1967.
These cases, along with the murder of Joseph "The Red" Klimm, a casino pit boss, and the demise of Ted Binion in 1998, serve as a stark reminder of the dark underbelly of Las Vegas's history. Figures like Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel, Moe Dalitz, Sam Giancana, and Frank Rosenthal played significant roles in the city's organized crime landscape, contributing to the complex web of crime and its impact on Las Vegas during the mid-20th century.
The legacy of these events continues to resonate, with many of these cases inspiring scenes in movies like Casino, a testament to the enduring fascination with Las Vegas's criminal past. However, the true stories behind these cases remain shrouded in mystery, leaving many questions unanswered and the city's history forever entwined with the tales of organized crime.
- The casino-and-gambling industry in Las Vegas has a rich history intertwined with crime and justice, as illustrated by the unsolved murder of "Fat Herbie," a mob associate, in 1977.
- General news outlets often cover the intriguing cases of organized crime in Las Vegas, such as the murder of Al Bramlet, an influential labor leader linked to bombings, in 1977.
- Blogs and movies, like the film Casino, often delve into the complex web of crime and justice in Las Vegas, thanks to infamous figures like Meyer Lansky, Moe Dalitz, and Frank Rosenthal, whose roles in the city's organized crime landscape are still debated today.
