Bootlegging soon brought the Italian gang into cahoots with the Irish mob, including mobster Bill Dwyer, who had been operating a rum-running operation by this point. Following Masserias death, Luciano hired two Murder Inc. hitmen to dress as IRS members and gun down Salvatore Maranzano in his New York Central Building office. During their time on ABC the duo also hosted a 30-minute children's radio program (The Abbott and Costello Children's Show), on Saturday mornings. and he never did! Updates? [26], On October 25, 1957, Anastasia was murdered at the barber shop of the Park Sheraton Hotel at 56th Street and 7th Avenue in Manhattan. He dealt in liquor to earn some quick money. Costello was convicted of contempt of the Senate and sentenced to 18 months in prison. In February 1973, he was admitted to a Manhattan hospital after a heart attack. In his forthcoming book, Top Hoodlum: Frank Costello, Prime Minister of the Mafia, Pulitzer Prize-winning scribe and noted Mafia historian Anthony M. DeStefano recounts the life and times of . After his release in 1954, he was sentenced to another 5 year term for tax evasion. Little wonder, the young man named after him allegedly stabbed an innocent kid in a rage. Such was the reputation of Frank Costello, to think that the mere mention of his name was enough to purge the track of undesirables. It would come out years later that the full hit team consisted of Vincent (Chin) Gigante, Thomas (Tommy Ryan) Eboli, and Dominick (Cokie Dom) Alongi. 15 Frank Costello. He became involved in their rum-running operations, known as "The Combine"; this might have prompted him to change his last name to the Irish "Costello. Vito Genovese in prison, not long before his death in 1969. In 1918 he officially changed his name to Frank Costello, and the following year, he married his childhood sweetheart and sister of his close friend. Victor Twyman/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images. Her reaction . Uniswap and MakerDAO will be the last projects to support other chains. Arriving in New York City at the age of four with his immigrant Calabrian parents, Costello grew up in East Harlem and became head of the 104th Street Gang, a group of young Italian hoodlums. Toward the end of Costellos time on the stand, the committee asked, What have you done for your country, Mr. Costello?. Leonard Mccombe/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images. Button Guys of The New York Mafia. In 1951 He was sentenced to jail for 18 months, released after 14 months, charged again in 1954 with tax evasion, sentenced to five years but released in 1957. Gianni Russo poses with a picture of him and Marilyn Monroe. Genovese called to discuss the future of Cosa Nostra in light of his takeover. Masseria was killed in April, 1931, and Luciano took over as the head of the family, changing its name to Luciano Family. Later, Maranzano, who declared himself as the Boss of all bosses, was also shot dead in September, 1931. Costello, who was known as "the Prime Minister of the Underworld" was one of the most powerful and influential mafia bosses in American history. In September 1931, Luciano and Genovese planned the murder of Maranzano. On February 20, 1961, the United States Supreme Court upheld a lower court order that stripped Costello of his US citizenship. Omissions? The old crew hated violence unless it was absolutely necessary, Detective Remo Franchesini, a top mob-catcher, said at the time. He opened up the Pelican Novelty Company, taking in Phil Kastel as a junior partner to keep watch over their operation. Maranzano fought against Masseria and formed an alliance with the Young Turks, the younger faction of the Mafia led by Luciano and Costello. As far as mob bosses go, there were three things that set Frank Costello apart: he never carried a gun, he testified at a Senate hearing on organized crime without the protection of the Fifth Amendment, and despite his multiple arrests and assassination attempt, he died a free man at age 82. These operations were financed by Arnold Rothstein. When the "Castellamarese War" between gang bosses Giuseppe Masseria and Salvatore Maranzano ended, Costello was one of the few who were held in high respect. He was buried at St. Michaels Cemetery in Queens. March 2, 2019 3:42pm. Lol. He was given the coveted position of being the Family Consigliere. In 1929, Costello, Luciano, and Chicago gangster Johnny Torio, organized a meeting of all the American crime bosses. Frank Costello was born Francisco Castiglia in Cosenza, Italy, in 1891. Here's what you need to know: 1 . [27] Carlo Gambino was expected to be proclaimed boss of Anastasia's family at the November 14, 1957, Apalachin Meeting. and he condemns the priests who cover up the harassment of children. he fell in love with a close friend's sister, Lauretta Giegerman, and married her in 1918. [28] When police raided the meeting, to the detriment of Genovese's reputation, Gambino's appointment was postponed to a later meeting in New York City. After his marriage in 1918, he began working for the Morello crime familys boss, Ciro Terranova. Costello brought in millions of dollars in profit from slot machines and bookmaking to the Luciano family. Throughout the hearing, Costello chose his answers carefully and psychologists noted that he seemed nervous. He still retained power and influence in New York's Mafia and remained busy throughout his final years. In 1931, after the death of crime bosses Giuseppe Masseria and Salvatore Maranzano, Costello became the syndicates political link and Lucianos closest aide, quietly taking over his syndicate interests when the boss of bosses was deported to Italy in 1946. He is currently single. This story has been shared 172,752 times. According to our Database, He has no children. CARMINE GALANTE, the old man, always looked more like a grandfather than a godfather but under that cuddly bald head raged a man whose temper made O.J. Costello committed petty crimes and went to jail for assault and robbery in 1908, 1912, and 1917. His father had moved to New York several years before the rest of his family, and opened a small Italian grocery store in East Harlem. Sister of Ruth Mehrman; Harold Giegerman; Jessie Geigerman; Jerome Giegerman; Sidney Giegerman and 2 others. Together the Italians and the Irish formed what is now known as the Combine, a deeply rooted bootlegging system with a fleet of ships that could transport 20,000 crates of liquor at a time. He always wore the finest of clothes and enjoyed the finer things this life had to offer. Costello was the only mobster who agreed to testify during the hearings and forewent taking the Fifth, which would have protected him against incriminating himself. Costello was known to frequent the finest restaurants, nightspots, and hotels. The Director of Public Works The Sheriff of Jefferson Parish A top official of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (to cover up any income tax violations or improprieties). Lou Costello, the other half of the classic comedy duo Abbott and Costello, appeared lively and fun in his comedy bits, but behind the laughter was a life marred by tragedy.. Costello, born Lou Francis Cristillo, found fame in 1936 when his comedy act with Bud Abbott took off, according to the official Abbott and Costello website. He was also well known for his sharp intelligence and always comporting himself as a gentleman, and he had a penchant for smoking English Oval brand cigarettes. We've received your submission. He was, he relates, to carry a sealed envelope, hand it to "Little Man" a.k.a. [5] Costello's sedate memorial service at a Manhattan funeral home was attended by 50 relatives, friends, and law enforcement agents. According to Katz, his voice began to change and he was suffering from chronic sore throat, so he sought a . Costello made his initial fortune from the bootlegging of liquor. Genovese ordered Vincent Gigante to murder Costello, and on May 2, 1957, Gigante shot and wounded Costello outside his apartment building. They set up Galante for his hit. Upon arriving in New York, Costellos brother became involved in local street gangs who engaged in petty theft and local small crimes. After ordering the elimination of a gangster who had revealed embarrassing information at the hearings, Costello was charged with his murder, in addition to contempt of Senate for walking out of the hearing. Together they started running crime operations, such as extortion, gambling, theft, and narcotics. You dont kill innocent people. . Elvis, whose real name is Declan Patrick McManus, has released hits after hits. At the height of their power, it seemed that the Combine couldnt be stopped. All rights reserved. (Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage) WireImage. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, What's next for Buster Murdaugh after dad's murder conviction, life sentence, Patrick Mahomes' brother accused of assault, forcibly kissing owner at bar, Allison Holker pens touching note to kids after Stephen tWitch Boss death, Heather Dubrows youngest child, 12, comes out as transgender, Tom Sandoval drops out of interview amid backlash from Raquel Leviss scandal, March 4, 1984: Martina Navratilova defeats Chris Evert at MSG, Tom Sizemore And The Dangerous Burden of Desperation, Tom Sandoval breaks silence on Ariana Madix split amid cheating claims. There were times he would have a driver, and there were times that he did indeed travel with what youd call bodyguard or assistant. The Luciano-Costello-Lansky-Siegel alliance prospered even further with the passage of Prohibition in 1920. And they made sure to tighten the penal system thereafter so that anyone attempting to do the same as they had done earlier would be jailed as a racketeer so as to keep the balance of power they had achieved..what a life this is huh? Maranzano feared the young men who survived the gang bloodbath, however, so he put together a hit list that included Costello, Al Capone, Lucky Luciano and many others. Nick Petersen/NY Daily News via Getty Images. On September 10, 1931, when Maranzano summoned Luciano, Genovese, and Costello to a meeting at his office, they knew Maranzano would kill them there. Through this, they connected with several other gangs, including that of Vito Genovese, Tommy Lucchese, and Jewish gang leaders Meyer Lansky and Benjamin Bugsy Siegel. But his was also a wealth of culture and spirit to have self-educated himself to be able to more than hold his own with the best of them, whether they be college professors or socialites, or the most important of underworld Mafia bosses. [1] In 1895, he boarded a ship to the United States with his mother and his brother Edward to join their father, who had moved to New York City's East Harlem several years earlier and opened a small neighborhood Italian grocery store. His family moved to New York, and as a young man he joined the local Mafia gang. 26 de enero de 1891. Frank Costello was born in Cassano allo Ionio, Calabria, Italy in January 1891 and passed away in February 1973. Their feud lasted some 10 years until one day in 1957. Frank Costello was a New York City gangster who rose to the top of America's underworld, controlled a vast gambling empire across the United States and enjoyed political influence. He Escaped Death Many Times. When Vito Genovese finally returned to the states in 1945 and was acquitted of his charges, he intended to resume control of the Luciano crime family. Arriving in New York City at the age of four with his immigrant Calabrian parents, Costello grew up in East Harlem and became head of the 104th Street . When the "Castellamarese War" between gang bosses Giuseppe Masseria and Salvatore Maranzano ended, Costello was one of the few who were held in high respect. His official status as a mere soldier meant little in the eyes of all who had known him in The Life! The title belied his true status. In 1922, Costello, Luciano, and their closest Italian associates joined the Sicilian crime family led by Joe "the Boss" Masseria, a top Italian underworld crime boss. All of the men named below were said to be on Costellos payroll: Judge Odeman of Baton Rouge, chairman of the State Democratic Committee accepted a $100,000 bribe from Costello and company. [5], On November 19, 1926, Costello and Dwyer were indicted on federal bootlegging charges. The largest boat in the Combine fleet could carry 20,000 cases of liquor. [24], In early 1957, Genovese decided to move on Costello. . Born August 30 . Costello died on February 18, 1973. Mafia member known as the Prime Minister of the Underworld because of all the cops and politicians he owned. Known as the Big Seven Group, the meeting was the first step in organizing an American National Crime Syndicate, a way to keep tabs on all criminal activity, and maintain some semblance of order in the underground community. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. Though the event was televised, the cameramen showed only Costellos hands, keeping his identity as secret as possible. His activities included liquor bootlegging, slot machines, bookmaking, shylocking,diamond smuggling, bribery-official corruption, and business infiltration. Frank Costello, original name Francesco Castiglia, (born Jan. 26, 1891, Cosenza, Italydied Feb. 18, 1973, New York, N.Y., U.S.), major American syndicate gangster, a close associate of Lucky Luciano, noted for his influence with politicians. March 5. l Tb British army said no casu- NEW YORK (AP), "Monday. The program featured child vocalist Anna Mae . He lived in Brooklyn, Kings, New York, United States in 1930 and Brooklyn . He couldnt kill a dead man, so he firebombed Costellos tomb on the Mafia boot hill in Calvary Cemetery in Queens. But one of the captains there had borrowed $700 from me, and months later, he still . While Costello was still a boy, his brother introduced him to gang activities. Later that year, he was jailed for carrying a concealed weapon. Unfortunately, while Costello was creating a slot machine empire, Lucky Luciano wasnt getting so lucky. In 1929, he was operating rum-running boats on Long Island in partnership with Philip (Dandy Phil) Kastel, who would become a lifelong partner. In 1974, after his enemy Carmine Galante was released from prison, he allegedly ordered the bombing of the doors to Costello's mausoleum. Obituary. But only Gigante came under scrutiny and arrest at the time. Nacimiento. Born in Calabria, Italy in 1891 as Francesco Castiglia, Frank Costello and his family immigrated to the United States in 1895 and settled in Manhattan. Frank S. Ferguson (December 25, 1906 - September 12, 1978) was an American character actor with hundreds of appearances in both film and television. Frank J. Costello III, known as "Bunky," born October 16, 1948, passed away on January 10, 2022, after a brief illness. A doorman identified Gigante as the gunman, but in 1958 Costello testified that he was unable to recognize his assailant; Gigante was acquitted of attempted murder. Frank was an original along with Lucky Luciano, Vito Genovese, and others in the formation of This Thing in 1931. He aligned himself for the most part with his Napolitani amici, men whom he felt he could confide in and count on to back him in the eventual power play he had been planning all along. In the late 1920s, Johnny Torrio helped to organize a loose cartel of East Coast bootleggers, the Big Seven, in which a number of prominent gangsters, including Costello, Luciano, Longy Zwillman, Joe Adonis, and Meyer Lansky played a part. 'Luciano and others decided to get rid of the bosses of both the families. Although we got a quick peek at them back in May, singer/songwriters Elvis Costello, 53, and Diana Krall, 42, officially introduce their fraternal twin . A gang war broke out between those who believed Dwyer was in prison because of Costello and those who were loyal to Costello, ultimately causing the Manhattan Beer Wars and costing Costello the Combine. They had been secured with the aid of Lansky and Siegel. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/frank-costello-9006.php. And I mean that as the highest of compliments to a man who could have become anything he set his mind to in life. Frank stood 5-foot 7-inches tall and weighed 155 pounds with dark brown eyes and jet-black hair in his younger years. His father, Luigi Castiglia, later migrated to America and settled in the East Harlem part of New York, and ran an Italian grocery store. Download Ground News for free here: https://ground.news/BIOGRAPHICS Sub. Frank had originally taken the nickname of Costello as a derivation of his surname Castiglia. Discover Frank Costello's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. [31] But on February 17, 1964, the same court set aside a deportation order for Costello, citing a legal technicality. Shooting Still a Mystery", "Lucania Sentenced to 30 to 50 Years; Court Warns Ring", "Carmine De Sapio, Political Kingmaker and Last Tammany Hall Boss, Dies at 95", "Costello is Shot Entering Home; Gunman Escapes Wound", Vincent Gigante, Mob Boss Who Feigned Incompetence to Avoid Jail, Dies at 77, "Anastasia Slain in a Hotel Here: Led Murder, Inc", "Genovese is Given 15 Years in Prison in Narcotics Case", "Court Sets Aside Order For Costello Deportation", The Free Information Society: Frank Costello Biography, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Frank_Costello&oldid=1137752945, Costello has been portrayed in several movies, including by actors, Costello was portrayed by Anthony DiCarlo in, Costello is portrayed in the upcoming film, This page was last edited on 6 February 2023, at 07:19. Unlike most mobsters, Frank Costello would have nearly 40 years between prison sentences. Costello was then considered as Americas top mafia boss, but craved for legitimate respectability. Gigante walked to Franks table after the acquittal and put his hand out to Frank saying, Thanks Frank!Costello shook his hand in a show of friendship and solidarity. Frank Costello with new US envoy Joe Kennedy Francis Costello 01 March, 2023 14:42 . Church and was a past president of lts Men's Fellowship. I must preface his biography by saying that Frank was not an inherently vicious or dangerousmafioso. As though his vast influence was not already felt throughout the state, Frank The Prime Minister Costello was indeed a fixer and power broker at the very zenith of power, and a kingmaker extraordinaire! Vito Genovese temporarily took control of the Luciano family, but just a year later he too landed himself in hot water and ended up fleeing home to Italy to avoid prosecution. He was the president of 79 Wall St. Corp., (his wife was secretary and treasurer), a multimillion-dollar conglomerate that owned multiple skyscraper buildings from 79 to 89 Wall Street and through 148 to 152 Pearl Street in Lower Manhattan. Frank Costello. Frank Costello was an influential mobster who survived several Mob wars, government scrutiny and an assassination attempt to control the powerful national Commission of Mafia bosses founded by Lucky Luciano. Francesco Castiglia was a mafiosoof the first order, unparalleled in his vision and the breadth of his accomplishments by anyone else in the underworld, and very few in the upper world as well! But this position also landed him in the middle of one of the biggest Senate hearings on organized crime of all time. Vincent Gigante in 1957, the same year he attempted to shoot down Costello. This is a man who had Carmine DeSapio, the Tammany Hall power broker in his pocket, and all that went with that. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. The real-life Godfather hoped that in doing this, he could sway the court into believing he was a legitimate businessman with nothing to hide. DeSapio admitted to having met Costello several times, but insisted that "politics was never discussed". Olimpia D . "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse." Vito Corleone[src] Vito Corleone (n Andolini, April 29, 1887 / December 7, 1891 - July 29, 1955) was the founder and Don of the Corleone family. For Frank Costello, however, it wasnt an issue. RM2ECXMRD - Nov 17, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason III (0) shoots the ball against Michigan State Spartans forward Matt Costello (10) during the first half at the United Center. He would say the establishment and society defines a racketeer as the following: A racketeer is anyone who attempts to accumulate wealth, power and prestige, at the expense of entrenched wealth, power and prestige.He was absolutely correct of course. In 1930, Frank went partners with George McManus in the Kips Bay Brewery at 1st Avenue and 37th Street in Manhattan. Frank Costello was born Francisco Castiglia in Cosenza, Italy, in 1891. Brian Zak. All Rights Reserved. At 13, he had become a member of a local gang and started using the name Frankie. The old men in the mob got nervous. Costello, along with other future . Then, check out the story of Frank Lucas, a real American gangster. In 1950-1951, the US Senate carried out Kefauver Hearings or the investigations into organized crime. He was the beloved father of Frank Joshua Costello In 1918, he married Lauretta Geigerman, a Jewish woman who was the sister of a close friend. [3][4], The young Italians' success let them make business deals with the leading Jewish and Irish criminals of the era, including Dutch Schultz, Owney "the Killer" Madden and William "Big Bill" Dwyer. That same year, Costello served ten months in jail for carrying a concealed weapon. Costello occupied himself with gardening and displayed some of his flowers at local horticultural shows. Costello was so diplomatic and so respected that he made amends with the man who tried to kill him. Cant say the same for the Galantes. A few years later Genovese suddenly returned, and wanted to re-assert complete control over the family.A man who could have been a valuable Costello ally was his close friend Albert Anastasia. As Costello was heading for the elevator at the Majesty apartment building in New York City, Vincent The Chin Gigante shot at him from a passing car. So, how much is Frank Costello worth at the age of 82 years old? Spouse/Ex-: Lauretta Giegerman (m. 19181973), place of death: New York City, United States, See the events in life of Frank Costello in Chronological Order, (Crime Boss and Member of the Luciano Crime Family), https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/7177680634932756/, http://www.famousdead.info/mafia/how-frank-costello-died/, https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/slideshows/nation-world/a-sneak-peek-into-the-world-of-gangsters/frank-costello-52-million/slideshow/56715107.cms, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5113815/Americas-notorious-gangsters-newly-colorized.html, https://www.scoopnest.com/s/Frank%20Costello/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Costello, https://bobbyisawesome.weebly.com/downfall.html. [10][3] While they played cards, Luciano allegedly excused himself to the bathroom, with the gunmen reportedly being Genovese, Albert Anastasia, Joe Adonis, and Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel;[11] Ciro "The Artichoke King" Terranova drove the getaway car, but legend has it that he was too shaken up to drive away and had to be shoved out of the driver's seat by Siegel. Corrections? From then on, he never carried a gun, an unusual move for a Mafia boss, but one that would make him all the more influential. ", In 1925, Costello became a U.S. Cassano allo Ionio, Calabria, Reino de Italia. Some were going with the local wiseguys on the Lower East Side. Typically, that man oftentimes was of Irish or Jewish descent and not how readers would imagine a mob boss to operate. [25] The altercation persuaded Costello to relinquish power to Genovese and retire. The fallout from the hearings threw Costello for a loop. As if multiple convictions, prison sentences, and appeals werent enough, in May of 1957, Costello survived an assassination attempt. He is from Italy. He was the head of the 'Luciano Family,' a very powerful crime family of New York. Greeters Sce 20 POWs Page 41 Oll tmo Inside, pinned between the machine and a rib of coal. Giuseppe Masseria, Known as Joe the Boss, Shot Mysteriously in Coney Island Cafe. He was well liked by the capos and the soldiers working for the gang. So you'll forgive the singer-songwriter if he's found occasionally talking about his friend in the present tense in this Q&A. Costello was not immediately available for a follow-up interview . He was born December 5, 1934, in Queens, New York to the late Frank and Frances Costello. Multiple award-winning British songwriter and singer, Elvis Costello has been blessed with three children from two different marriages. In 1973 at the ripe old age of 82, Frank Costello suffered a heart attack at his home. Nick Petersen/NY Daily News via Getty ImagesFrank Costello leaves West 54th Street stationhouse with his head bandaged following the assassination attempt on him. Phillip's body was eventually found with three bullet holes in the back of his head, and Vincent was never found at all. Rather than ally themselves with either family, they plotted to end the war once and for all. Also learn how He earned most of Frank Costello networth? [15][16] After assassinating Maranzano, Luciano subsequently created The Commission to serve as the governing body for organized crime.[17]. On the night of May 2, 1957, Costello was shot in his hotel lobby by a Genovese gunman (allegedly Vincente Gigante) but survived. Stewart, a corrupt Baton Rouge newspaperman who played ball with the racketeers. Though he continued to be an invaluable source of advice to his associates, Costellos bank account, however, was drained from all his legal battles and the real-life Godfather had to ask for loans from close friends on several occasions. [12][13][14] Luciano took over Masseria's family, with Genovese as his underboss. The couple is proud parents of twins sons, Dexter Henry Lorcan and Frank Harlan James who was born December 6, 2006, in New York City. WARMER NATION, "in Santa Cruz County since Jan. 9. And here is an additional list and sampling that I think may help drive my point home. It was a vast fortune incalculable in mere dollars and cents. In years to come, he, of course, would be well known as the true owner of another world-famous nightspot The Copacabana. This is how the Luciano Family became powerful in the New York underworld. Costello always dressed immaculately in the finest suits, shirts, and ties and could easily have been mistaken for a Park Avenue businessman. One evening, Frank received a call from none other than Judge Thomas Aurelio, who had recently been appointed to the bench. Several years later, while both Frank and Vito were serving time in Atlanta, they had the chance to meet and talk in private, having a heart-to-heart and comparing notes of various events that had led up to their conflict and Costellos subsequent shooting. Vito Genovese, as official underboss, normally would have been offered the job, but he had went on the lam years earlier to avoid a murder indictment. Costello would become one of the most influential American Mafia bosses durign the 20th century, as he had political connections, links to gambling . "The gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education or . Costello replied, When I tell you somethings in the bag, its in the bag, okay! This gives you a tiny glimpse of his power! His underboss was his cousin Willie Moretti. Luckily for Costello, the jury deadlocked on his charge. Costello placed approximately 25,000 slot machines in bars, restaurants, cafes, drugstores, gas stations, and bus stops throughout New York. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Long before the murder, the girls and a role in "The Godfather," Gianni Russo was a 13-year-old . Sure enough, in 1951 the Mangano brothers went missing and were declared dead. Maranzano feared the young men who . Costello and Anastasia soon began talking about killing the Manganos. Costello s-a nscut pe 26 ianuarie 1891 n Lauropoli, o frazione a oraului Cassano allo Ionio din provincia Cosenza, regiunea Calabria, Italia. C ARMINE GALANTE, the old man, always looked more like a grandfather than a godfather - but under that cuddly bald head raged a man whose temper made O.J . In 1934, Florello La Guardia, the Mayor of New York City, confiscated and destroyed thousands of Costellos slot machines. Frank Costello, nascido Francesco Castiglia, tambm era conhecido como Castilla ou Frank "Primeiro-Ministro" Costello (Lauropoli, 26 de janeiro de 1891 Nova Iorque, 18 de fevereiro de 1973), foi um mafioso italiano, radicado em Nova Iorque.Subiu ao topo do submundo americano, controlando um vasto imprio de jogos de azar em todos os Estados Unidos, e gozava da influncia poltica como .