Lucky_Luciano

On January 3, 1946, as a reward for his wartime cooperation, Governor Thomas E. Dewey commuted Charles "Lucky" Luciano's pandering sentence on the condition that he did not resist deportation to Italy. From the article:

"Charles "Lucky" Luciano (/ˌluːtʃiˈɑːnoʊ/ LOO-chee-AH-noh,[1] Italian: [luˈtʃaːno]; born Salvatore Lucania[2] [salvaˈtoːre lukaˈniːa];[3] November 24, 1897 – January 26, 1962) was an influential Italian-born mobster, criminal mastermind, and crime boss who operated mainly in the United States. Along with his associates, he was instrumental in the development of the National Crime Syndicate. Luciano is considered the father of modern organized crime in the United States for the establishment of The Commission in 1931. He was also the first official boss of the modern Genovese crime family...

...World War II, freedom, and deportation Edit
During World War II, the US government struck a secret deal with the imprisoned Luciano. In 1942, the Office of Naval Intelligence was concerned about German and Italian agents entering the US through the New York waterfront. They also worried about sabotage in these facilities. Knowing that the Mafia controlled the waterfront, the US Navy contacted Lansky about a deal with Luciano. To facilitate negotiations, Luciano was transferred to Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Comstock, New York, which was much closer to New York City.[63]

The Navy, the State of New York and Luciano reached a deal: in exchange for a commutation of his sentence, Luciano promised the complete assistance of his organization in providing intelligence to the Navy. Anastasia, a Luciano ally who controlled the docks, allegedly promised no dockworker strikes during war. In preparation for the 1943 allied invasion of Sicily, Luciano allegedly provided the US military with Sicilian Mafia contacts. This collaboration between the Navy and the Mafia became known as Operation Underworld.[61]

The value of Luciano's contribution to the war effort is highly debated. In 1947, the naval officer in charge of Operation Underworld discounted the value of his wartime aid.[64] A 1954 report ordered by now-Governor Dewey stated that Luciano provided many valuable services to Naval Intelligence.[65] The enemy threat to the docks, Luciano allegedly said, was manufactured by the sinking of the SS Normandie in New York harbor, supposedly directed by Anastasia's brother, Anthony Anastasio.[66][67] However, the official investigation of the ship sinking found no evidence of sabotage.[68]

On January 3, 1946, as a presumed reward for his alleged wartime cooperation, Dewey reluctantly commuted Luciano's pandering sentence on condition that he did not resist deportation to Italy.[69] Luciano accepted the deal, although he still maintained that he was a US citizen and not subject to deportation. On February 2, 1946, two federal immigration agents transported Luciano from Sing Sing prison to Ellis Island in New York Harbor for deportation proceedings.[70] On February 9, the night before his departure, Luciano shared a spaghetti dinner on his freighter with Anastasia and five other guests.[71]

On February 10, Luciano's ship sailed from Brooklyn harbor for Italy.[71] This was the last time he would see the US. On February 28, after a 17-day voyage, Luciano's ship arrived in Naples. On arrival, Luciano told reporters he would probably reside in Sicily.[72] Luciano was deeply hurt about having to leave the US, a country he had considered his home ever since his arrival at age 9. During his exile, Luciano frequently encountered US soldiers and American tourists during train trips in Italy. Luciano enjoyed these meetings and gladly posed for photographs and signed autographs."