Frank Nitti's Demise: The Enforcer's Mysterious End & Legacy

Could a man, once a shadow in the notorious Chicago Outfit, truly escape the long arm of the law by choosing his own demise? Frank "The Enforcer" Nitti, Al Capone's right-hand man, met his end on March 19, 1943, a day etched in infamy as the day the mobster took his own life rather than face trial.

The story of Frank Nitti is a tapestry woven with threads of violence, ambition, and a chilling final act. He was not just a gangster; he was a symbol of the era's ruthless underbelly. From the bustling streets of Chicago, Nitti clawed his way to the top, leaving a trail of whispers and fear in his wake. His name became synonymous with the brutality that defined the Capone era, yet his ultimate exit from this world was shrouded in a different kind of darkness, the darkness of self-inflicted finality.

Born Francesco Raffaele Nitto in Angri, Campania, Italy, in 1886 (though some records indicate 1883), Nitti emigrated to the United States after World War I, eventually settling in Chicago. He initially worked as a barber, a seemingly innocuous profession that masked his budding criminal endeavors. Nitti's transition from barber to bootlegger was a swift one, mirroring the times when the sale of alcohol became illegal. He quickly became involved in the burgeoning underworld, starting as a fence for stolen goods before gravitating to the most powerful criminal organization of the time, Al Capone's gang.

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By the 1920s, Nitti had become a trusted lieutenant, earning the moniker "The Enforcer" for his willingness to carry out Capone's orders with ruthless efficiency. He was a key figure in Capone's liquor smuggling and distribution operations, navigating the treacherous world of prohibition with skill and daring. When Capone was imprisoned in 1931 for tax evasion, Nitti stepped up to take over, becoming the acting boss of the Chicago Outfit. The irony of Nittis own end, a choice to avoid a trial and imprisonment, would have echoed loudly with the millions of dollars in taxes that sent his boss to prison.

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Francesco Raffaele Nitto (Frank Nitti)
Date of Birth	1886 (Various sources state 1883 or 1888, the tombstone has 1888)
Place of Birth	Angri, Campania, Italy
Death Date	March 19, 1943
Cause of Death	Suicide
Aliases	Frank Nitto, "The Enforcer"
Criminal Activities	Bootlegging, extortion, racketeering, murder
Known Affiliations	Al Capone's Chicago Outfit
Role in the Outfit	Chief Enforcer, Acting Boss
Marital Status	Married to Annette Caravetta on May 14, 1942
Prison Sentence	Served 18 months for racketeering.
Significant Event	Indicted for extortion from Hollywood producers, committed suicide to avoid trial.
Reference	Frank Nitti - Wikipedia

Nitti's influence extended beyond the back alleys of Chicago; he was a player in the world of Hollywood. The Chicago Outfit, under Nitti, saw an opportunity in the glitz and glamour of the film industry and began to extort money from Hollywood producers. This move proved to be his downfall. Indicted for extortion in 1943, Nitti, who had a reputation for staying out of jail, found himself facing the prospect of serious prison time. The idea of being locked away was something he apparently could not endure, as he was reportedly claustrophobic. Instead of facing the courts, Nitti chose to end his life with a gunshot to the head.

The circumstances surrounding Nitti's death remain a subject of speculation. Some theories suggest the possibility of foul play, but the official ruling was suicide. The mystery around his death adds another layer to the already complex story of a man who lived by violence and intimidation. Some speculated that he was despondent, the weight of his criminal empire and the threat of imprisonment proving too much to bear. Others see his suicide as a last act of control, a final decision made on his own terms.

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Nitti's legacy continues to fascinate. The rise and fall of "The Enforcer" encapsulates the era of organized crime in America, an era that left an undeniable mark on the country's history. Movies and books have immortalized Nitti, transforming him into an infamous figure of pop culture.

One of the most interesting aspects of Nittis story is his business relationship with Hollywood. He was deeply involved in the extortion of movie studios. He and his associates demanded large sums of money from producers, threatening violence if their demands were not met. This move into the world of Hollywood extortion was a defining moment in the Chicago Outfits history, demonstrating their expansion and their willingness to exploit any avenue for financial gain. However, this foray also proved to be Nittis undoing, leading to the indictments that would eventually lead to his suicide.

The tale of Frank Nitti doesn't end with his death. Some believe his presence still lingers. There have been reports of ghost sightings at 33 West Kinzie, the location of the Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse, opened in 1987. Staff and cleaning crews have reported strange occurrences, lending an eerie dimension to the already complex narrative.

Nitti's story is a reminder of the brutal reality of the criminal underworld. He was a man of violence, a man who lived by the code of the streets, and a man who ultimately chose his own fate. His life, marked by both fear and ambition, offers a stark glimpse into a chapter of American history that remains both chilling and captivating, and the fact that he remained largely unscathed during his time in organized crime before his ultimate self-inflicted demise makes him one of the most fascinating and elusive characters in the history of the American underworld.

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