Founded 1950s Years active 1950s–2000s (decade) | Founder Frank Colacurcio Territory Washington | |
Founding location Seattle, Washington, United States Criminal activities Racketeering, prostitution, extortion, money laundering, corruption and fraud | ||
The Seattle crime family, also known as the Colacurcio crime family, was a crime family based in Seattle, Washington.
History
In the 1950s, Frank Colacurcio began operating cigarette and jukebox vending machines in the Seattle area. The vending machine businesses became important to organized crime figures who easily skimmed money. In 1957, Colacurcio began working with Portland crime figure James "Big Jim" Elkins to open prostitution houses in Portland. In the 1960s, Colacurcio opened topless clubs in Seattle and skimmed money. In the 1970s, Colacurcio met with Bonanno crime family member Salvatore "Bill" Bonanno to discuss a business relationship. In the following years Colacurcio continued to expand his strip-club business.
In 2003, a criminal investigation began in Seattle known as "Strippergate" focusing on strip clubs owned by Frank Colacurcio, Sr. and his son, Frank Colacurcio Jr. In 2008, local police and federal agents raided Colacurcio's home and business. The strip clubs owned by Colacurcio were being used as fronts for brothels. In 2009, Colacurcio Sr., his son Frank Colacurcio Jr. and associates Leroy R. Christiansen, David C. Ebert, Steven M. Fueston and John Gilbert Conte were indicted and charged with conspiracy and racketeering. On July 2, 2010, boss Frank Colacurcio, Sr. died at the age of 93.