Mickey Cohen was born in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in Los Angeles. After a troubled childhood, Cohen's first connections with top Jewish and Italian mobsters came during his teenage years, through his involvement in the boxing game. In his early 20s, he began working for legendary mobster Bugsy Siegel. By the early 1940s, Cohen was allied with Siegel's partners Meyer Lansky and Frank Costello; approved by Lucky Luciano; and sponsored by his old Cleveland supporters, the Milano family, along with other prominent nationally ranked mobsters. In 1947, Siegel was assassinated and Cohen, subsequently, became the West Coast crime boss. His connections were so wide and deep that although he was brought to trial for all types of offenses, including murder, he was convicted just twice, for income tax evasion.
Offered is this This is an original associated press photo measuring approximately 9” x 7”. Original paper slug pasted to the back of the photo reads, “Former West Coast Gambling figure Mickey Cohen, right, talks to a newsman after checking out of the Hampshire House to move to another hotel in New York City May 20. Cohen appeared on the Mike Wallace "Night Beat" program (WABC-TV) the night of May 19 and made a number of caustic remarks about Los Angeles Police. In one of them he referred to Captain Hamilton, head of the Intelligence Division of the Los Angeles Police Force. Hamilton, in New York City on vacation, went to District Attorney Frank S. Hogan's office in Manhattan to find out if he had been libeled.” Photo is dated 05-20-1957.
Item: 12643
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