This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2019
Meyer Lansky was known as the "Mob's Accountant", an associate to Lucky Luciano and instrumental in the development of the National Crime Syndicate in the U.S. Associated with the Jewish mob, Lansky developed a gambling empire that stretched across the world. Offered here is a one-page handwritten letter from Lansky to his friend Joseph Sheiner, aka "Yoshki", of the Israeli Security Agency. Lansky went to Israel in 1970 to avoid federal prosecution on charges of tax evasion. In December, he requested Israeli citizenship under Israel’s Law of Return which gives any Jew the right to be granted Israeli citizenship. However, it denies citizenship to a Jew “with a criminal past, likely to endanger the public welfare.” In March 1971, Lansky was charged with being involved in a conspiracy to skim from the Flamingo Hotel, his old Las Vegas venture with Bugsy Siegel, and was ordered to appear before a grand jury in Miami. He stayed in Israel. In May, Lansky’s U.S. passport was revoked and in September, his application for Israeli citizenship was denied. “Meyer Lansky v. the State of Israel” was heard before the Israeli Supreme Court and on 11 September 1972, the court ruled unanimously against Lansky. After trying to find refuge outside the United States with Sheiner’s help – he was with Lansky on his 36-hour flight seeking asylum – on 7 November 1972, Meyer Lansky returned to Miami and was promptly arrested by FBI agents aboard the plane. Not long after that, on February 2, 1973, Lansky penned this letter to Yoshki asking him a few favors to help with a transfer of bill of sale for an automobile back in the U.S., as well as making reservations for some friends in Israel. Nicely penned completely in Lansky's hand, and signed off "All the best, Meyer". In fine condition with two punch holes to the right hand side and two horizontal creases. Authenticated & encapsulated by Beckett Authentication Services (BAS).