Myron Sugarman: Meyer Lansky’s War Against the Nazis

Meyer Lansky, Jewish gangsters, battles with American Nazis, and secret arms shipments to Israel—Myron Sugarman reveals a forgotten chapter of organized-crime history.

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins sits down with Myron Sugarman, author of The Chronicles of the Last Jewish Gangster: From Meyer to Myron, for a revealing conversation about the Jewish underworld and its role in major events of the 20th century.

Sugarman recounts how Jewish gangsters confronted Nazi sympathizers holding rallies in American cities during the years leading up to World War II. He discusses Meyer Lansky’s involvement and explains why these men relied on fists, clubs, and intimidation while carefully avoiding actions that might turn the Nazis into martyrs.

The conversation also explores the largely forgotten role organized-crime figures played in supplying weapons to Jewish forces fighting for the creation and survival of Israel. Sugarman describes the risks involved in acquiring and secretly transporting arms when official assistance was unavailable.

Gary and Myron examine Meyer Lansky’s place in Mafia history, the relationship between Jewish gangsters and the Italian Mafia, and the line separating historical fact from the legends surrounding the mob.

Myron also discusses his personal connection to this world and what it means to call himself the “last Jewish gangster.” His stories offer an inside look at loyalty, violence, survival, and a generation of underworld figures who sometimes used criminal organizations to defend their communities.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire for more Mafia history, true-crime stories, and interviews with authors, former investigators, and people who experienced the underworld firsthand.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gangland-wire--5504357/support.

Subscribe to Gangland Wire and Murder Blueprint wherever you get your podcasts, and join us each week as we uncover the stories buried beneath the headlines—and the bodies.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.

Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer use @ganglandwire

Click here to "buy me a cup of coffee"