“The Mob’s Accountant”: One of Americas most Notorious Mobsters Meyer Lansky Through His Grandson’s Eyes

During the Prohibition era and the rise of organized crime in the early 20th century, Meyer Lansky emerged as one of the figures who helped shape the modern American mob. Through his partnerships with Charles “Lucky” Luciano and Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel, he became closely tied to the development of legalized gambling in Las Vegas and casino operations in Cuba, earning the nickname the “Mob’s Accountant.” He was also remembered by his family for his insistence on education, philanthropy, and what his grandson describes as being a “mobster with morals” who believed in helping the communities where he did business.

In this episode of Zone 7, Sheryl McCollum welcomes Meyer Lansky II to discuss his new book, The Lansky Legend: The Life and Letters of Meyer Lansky. Meyer shares his memories of his grandfather, how he gradually came to understand the life his grandfather lived, and his grandfather’s role in Prohibition, gambling, Cuba, and the early development of Las Vegas.

Highlights:

(0:00) Sheryl introduces Meyer Lansky II and the legacy of his grandfather, Meyer Lansky

(2:00) What motivated Meyer to tell his grandfather’s story through The Lansky Legend

(5:00) The grandfather Meyer knew and the importance he placed on education, discipline, and doing things well

(7:00) What Meyer says about the reported $300 million fortune and what happened to his grandfather’s money

(10:00) The childhood gambling loss that taught Meyer Lansky never to bet again●

(11:15) How Meyer Lansky met Bugsy Siegel and why their opposite personalities worked so well together

(12:30) A confrontation with Lucky Luciano that became the beginning of another lifelong alliance

(14:45) Meyer Lansky II begins to realize his grandfather is not the ordinary businessman his family described

(16:30) The attempted kidnapping that led to FBI protection and his family secretly leaving town