Mobsters Threaten Hollywood Filmmaker

"711 Ocean Drive", Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, Boulder City--Nevada, California, Casino History, Crimes / Violence / Punishments: Harassment / Intimidation, Edmond O'Brien, Frank N. Seltzer (Producer), Gambling History, Games / Races: Horse Racing, Gaming History, It Really Happened, Joanne Dru, Las Vegas--Nevada, Law Enforcement / Judicial System: Gangster Squad, Law Enforcement / Judicial System: Lieutenant William "Bill" Burns, Law Enforcement / Judicial System: Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles-California, Mickey Cohen, Mobsters / Gangsters / Syndicate Members (Alleged) / Organizations, Nevada, Palm Springs--California, United StatesLeave a comment

1950 In late 1948, Hollywood movie producer, Frank N. Seltzer — known for the movies, Jungle Patrol and Let’s Live Again, which debuted that same year — began research for his next project, 711 Ocean Drive, starring Edmond O’Brien and Joanne Dru. He intended for it to expose the “bookie racket,” or “wire service as…

Dirty Police Chief in City of Angels?

California, Casino History, Crimes / Violence / Punishments: Extortion, Crimes / Violence / Punishments: Grafting, Ethnic Groups: Asians, Gambling, Gambling History, Gambling Laws / Regulations: CA Anti-Gambling Act, Gaming History, Governing / Regulatory Bodies: Los Angeles City Council (CA), It Really Happened, Law Enforcement / Judicial System: Los Angeles Captain of Police Captain of Police C.A. Ketlar, Law Enforcement / Judicial System: Los Angeles Chief of Police J.W. Davis, Law Enforcement / Judicial System: Los Angeles Police Department, Law Enforcement / Judicial System: Officer John L. Fonck, Los Angeles-California, United StatesLeave a comment

1886 In fall 1886, Officer John L. Fonck confronted one of his superiors face to face. He charged Chief of Police J.W. Davis with “standing in with the gamblers,” in other words, allowing them to operate their illegal casinos unfettered (Los Angeles Times, Dec. 8, 1886). California had banned gaming 26 years earlier. In response, Davis…