Peter Licavoli
 Peter Licavoli     (mobster, assassin) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 7th June, 1902. |
| Died | January 11, 1984 (Age 81) |
| Nationality | US |
| Ethnicity | Italian |
Mobster boss who may have had a hand in organizing the JFK assassination. | |
Peter Joseph Licavoli was an American organized crime figure in St. Louis, Missouri before moving to Detroit, Michigan. He controlled criminal operations in Detroit and Toledo, Ohio, throughout the Prohibition era.[1]
In the 1930s, Licavoli was convicted of bribing a federal official and spent two years at Leavenworth Penitentiary. He was arrested, tried, or suspected of murder seven times, and released seven times. His brother Dominic married Rosalie Zerilli, the eldest daughter of the Detroit Partnership boss Joseph Zerilli.[2] In 1944, Licavoli left the Toledo-Detroit area for Arizona, living on Grace Ranch near Tucson, Arizona until his death in 1984.
Gangster
Licavoli's parents were from Sicily. The family settled in St. Louis. He eventually became involved in organized crime and became a significant figure in supplying illegal alcohol. In 1932 he was sentenced to two years in prison for bribing a federal agent. Licavoli was rumoured to have taken part in the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, as an effective contract killer.[3]
After the Second World War Licavoli was one of the five ruling Dons of Detroit. Between them they controlled several casinos, racetracks and hotels.[3]
In his last few decades, Pete moved to Tucson, Arizona, becoming one of Arizona's wealthiest men. Licavoli purchased large amounts of land and commercial property in Tucson, including the Grace Ranch in honor of his wife Grace Bommarito. Grace Ranch served as the Licavoli family headquarters and became a safe haven for the mob for over 35 years. From Tucson, Licavoli set up the southwest gambling wire and supervised his Detroit rackets.
JFK Assassination
Chauncey Holt stated that Licavoli was involved in organizing the JFK assassination. Holt suggested that the gunman, including Charlie Nicoletti met at Licavoli's Grace Ranch on the way to Dallas.[3]
References
- ↑ http://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/jfk/NARA-Oct2017/2018/docid-32293470-1.pdf
- ↑ But he was good to his mother: the lives and crimes of Jewish gangsters By Robert A. Rockaway pg.192
- ↑ a b c http://spartacus-educational.com/JFKlicavoli.htm
