Since the American Civil War, Louisiana underworld organizations have exhibited the ability to project their influence far beyond the state’s borders. Mafiosi from the Pelican State have left their marks on the criminal histories of Florida’s Gulf coast, central and eastern Texas and southern California. In this issue of Informer, we illustrate this point through three very different feature articles: DiGiorgio - the First Crime Boss of Los Angeles by Richard Warner; The Mafia of Dallas by Thomas Hunt; and America's First Mafia War by Thomas Hunt and Martha Macheca Sheldon. The issue also includes New Orleans and Dallas Mafia Membership Charts by Bill Feather, book reviews and current events.
A new book by Arthur Nash features many never-before-seen photographs of New York crime figures. Images include a candid photo of Giuseppe "Joe the Boss" Masseria relaxing in Florida in 1930 and a 1919 mugshot of a teenage Dutch Schultz. The book, entitled "New York City Gangland," goes on sale Aug. 2. A preview is offered on the NewYorkCityGangland.com website.
