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Meyer Lansky (1902-1983) known as the "Mob's Accountant," who along with Charles "Lucky" Luciano helped formed the "National Crime Syndicate," also sometimes know as the "Jewish Mob". Lansky owned interests in casinos in Las Vegas, Cuba, the Bahamas, and London.
Lansky persuaded crime bosses to invest in the construction and operation of the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. Ben "Bugsy" Siegel, an associate, was in charge of construction and daily operation. It continued to loose money, and in spite of Lansky's intervention Bugsy was murdered June 20,1947. As a result, the National Crime Syndicate took control of the casino.
The telegram was sent to Sydney Wyman (1910-1978). Sid was a professional poker player and part owner of several Las Vegas Casinos. In 1979 Wyman was made a charter member of "The Poker Hall of Fame". The US Justice Department identified him as the Mafia's banker and boss of the National Crime Syndicate.
Sid Wyman was estimated to be worth $300 million when he retired. Lansky however was eventually imprisoned for tax evasion. He was paroled after WW2 on the condition that he permanently return to Sicily. It seems surprising when you consider he was born in Russia. He might have been surprised as well because he secretly moved to Cuba. From Havana he continued to run syndicate operations through Miami Beach Florida.
Telegram is not typed but printed on "Telco" water marked paper. See photo. Other telegraph companies of that period used the same paper. I am not sure what printing process was used to generate the telegram, but included is another telegram from the same era, of no consequence and purchased on Ebay that shows the same printing process. Also included are some copies of telegrams from the same era that are similar but not the same font. This telegram came from a gambling collection owned by a former undercover vice detective. He showed me newspaper headlines where a Las Vegas Casino was closed when he discovered they were tampering with the dice. The movie "Bugsy" was released in1991 and was a partially accurate depiction of the event. I have no verification if this is authentic. The article by Jim Murray (attached) says that Wyman came to Las vegas in 1949. The telegram indicates Wyman was working in Las Vegas in 1947.
However another person clearly indicated indicated that Wyman did have some dealings with Lansky over another hotel deal. This is confidential information.
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