1920 in organized crime

Updated on Oct 28, 2023

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See also: 1919 in organized crime, 1921 in organized crime and the list of 'years in organized crime'.

Events

Paddy "the Bear" Ryan, successor of Red Bolton as leader of the Valley Gang, is killed by Walter "The Runt" Quinlan.

February 2 - Chicago labor racketeer Maurice Enright is killed. Timothy D. "Big Tim" Murphy is suspected in his slaying, but is released for lack of evidence. Although suspected by authorities to have involved the Torrio-Capone organization, Chicago labor union racketeer James Vinci is eventually convicted of his murder.

April 15 - The Slater and Morrill Shoe Company is robbed of $15,776 as a paymaster and guard are killed, supposedly by the Morelli Gang, however Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti are convicted of the robbery and are later executed.

May 11 - Chicago gambling racketeer James "Big Jim" Colosimo is killed outside his restaurant, allegedly by Alphone "Al," "Scarface" Capone.

August - In a daring daylight robbery, Timothy D. "Big Tim" Murphy and his gang rob a mail train of $400,000. Murphy is indicted in February 1921, and convicted in November 1922.

December 26 - Monk Eastman is killed by a corrupt Prohibition agent.

Giuseppe Masseria assumes control of the Morello Gang.