Abner Zwillman
| Abner Zwillman | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
July 27, 1904 Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | February 27, 1959 (aged 54) West Orange, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Suicide (hanging) |
| Residence | West Orange, New Jersey |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | "Longie" |
| Occupation | Mobster, businessman, bootlegger |
| Known for | One of biggest non-Italian mobsters |
| Allegiance | Chicago Outfit (associate) |
| Partner(s) | Willie Moretti, Al Capone, Dutch Schultz |
Abner "Longie" Zwillman (July 27, 1904 – February 27, 1959) was a Jewish American mob boss, mainly active during the Prohibition, and operative in the North Jersey.
It is believed that Zwillman was born on July 27, 1904, in Newark, New Jersey. He was forced to quit school in order to support his family after his father's death in 1918. Zwillman first began working at a Prince Street cafe, the headquarters of a local alderman in Newark's Third Ward. However, in need of more money, Zwillman was eventually forced to quit, later selling fruits and vegetables in his neighborhood with a rented horse and wagon.
Zwillman was unable to compete with the cheaper Prince Street pushcarts, however, so he moved to the more upper-class neighborhood of Clinton Hill, where he began selling lottery tickets to local housewives. He observed that much more money was made selling lottery tickets than produce, so he concentrated on selling lottery tickets through local merchants. By 1920, Zwillman controlled the bulk of the numbers racket with the help of hired muscle.
At the start of Prohibition, Zwillman began smuggling whiskey into New Jersey through Canada, using several World War I armored trucks. Zwillman later joined a syndicate headed by Joseph Reinfeld to smuggle liquor from Canada using ships. Zwillman used this revenue to greatly expand his operations in illegal gambling, prostitution, and labor racketeering, as well as legitimate businesses, including several prominent night clubs and restaurants.
Zwillman dated actress Jean Harlow at one time and got her a two-picture deal at Columbia Pictures by giving its head, Harry Cohn, a huge loan. He also bought Harlow a jeweled bracelet and a red Cadillac. He referred to her in derogatory terms to other mobsters in secret surveillance tapes. He later married Mary Mendels, the only daughter of Eugene Mendels—a founder of the (then known as the Curb Exchange).
...
Wikipedia