Al Capone finally convicted

Picture: Shutterstock
Written by: 360.org
Monday, 11 February 2019

1931 - Today in 1931 Al Capone, also known as Scarface, was convicted for unpaid taxes. October 17 Alphonse Gabriel Capone officially turned from modern Robin Hood into public enemy No. 1. Capone was the co-founder and boss of the Chicago Outfit, an Italian � American crime syndicate, based in Chicago. Al Capone made his fortune in bootlegging business through violent means but he was also very much loved by the public, because of his large contributions to charity funds.

Political protection
His world of crime was abled by mutually profitable relationships with authorities. Young Al Capone became bodyguard for Johnny Torrio, head of a criminal syndicate, the forerunner of the Chicago Outfit. This organisation was politically protected through the Unione Siciliana. Later his own doubtful relationship with mayor William Hale Thompson allowed him to keep practicing criminal matters.

Jailing Capone
In 1929 Capone struggled with the Irish American Gang for control of Chicago�s organized crime. Seven Irish gang members were shot on February 14 by men dressed as policemen. The Saint Valentine�s Day Massacre severely damaged Chicago and Capone�s image. Now the federal authorities really wanted to jail Capone. They charged him in 1931 for tax evasion. Capone was imprisoned for eight years. A stroke and cardiac arrest killed him January 25, 1947.

360 trivial fact
With his arrest Capone�s belongings were confiscated. His bulletproof car was also taken. Years later, in 1941, President Roosevelt was transported to Congress in Capone�s save car, for declaring war on Japan.

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