The Birth of Vegas | The Feds Get Fed Up | 2

Business Wars

Wondery

History, Business, David Brown, Management

4.6 • 13.2K Ratings

🗓️ 16 August 2021

⏱️ 30 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Backing from a legitimate Mormon banker creates major funding for the Vegas mob infrastructure. The underworld is coming out on top in Sin City. But there’s a challenger out for blood: the United States government.

A U.S. senator launches an attack on mob-run gaming, and brings his third degree hearings to town. It’s not the only problem in Vegas. Segregation rears its ugly head, but entertainer Harry Belafonte fights back.

As a destination for all manner of illicit, adult good times, Vegas is firmly on the map. But that may not be a good thing.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, prime members, you can listen to business wars, add free on Amazon music.
0:04.6	Download the app today.
0:07.0	It's November 15, 1951 at the Las Vegas Courthouse.
0:21.4	The smoke-filled room is packed with press, curious citizens, and nervous mobsters.
0:27.7	Their lifeblood, their entire Las Vegas business empire, is on the line.
0:37.3	US Senator C. S.D.'s keyfawver and his Senate Special Committee to investigate crime in interstate
0:43.7	commerce are hunting organized crime with a vengeance.
0:48.6	At the top of their list are allegations that the mob is skimming taxable profits from Vegas
0:54.2	casinos.
0:56.8	Call to the stand, Mr. Morris, said way.
1:02.0	Said way, ambles to the stand.
1:04.5	He's short, portly, and wearing a rumpled suit.
1:08.4	He's also a shrewd, trusted lieutenant of Chicago mob boss, Meyer Lansky.
1:14.4	Said way is a key architect of the syndicates growing takeover of Vegas.
1:19.4	In testimony so far, mobsters are taking the fith, and Nevada officials call to testify,
1:25.9	are denying any knowledge of taxable profits skimming.
1:30.4	Said way is part of the underworld, but he keeps a strong front as a legit businessman.
1:36.6	For good measure, he's on the board of the local library.
1:40.9	He knows a lot, or what he'll say is anybody's guess.
1:46.9	Senator keyfawver steps up with a stern look on his face.
1:50.7	He wants to nail this thug.
1:53.2	Meyer Lansky is a leader in Chicago organized crime, and he's your boss.
	...

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