Meyer Lansky (born Maier Suchowljansky;[1] July 4, 1902 – January 15, 1983), known as the “Mob’s Accountant“, was an American organized crime figure who, along with his associate Charles “Lucky” Luciano, was instrumental in the development of the National Crime Syndicate in the United States.[2][3]
A member of the Jewish mob, Lansky developed a gambling empire that stretched around the world. He was said to own points (percentages) in casinos in Las Vegas, Cuba, The Bahamas and London. Lansky additionally had a strong influence with the Italian-American Mafia and played a large role in the consolidation of the criminal underworld. The full extent of this role has been the subject of some debate, as Lansky himself denied many of the accusations against him.[4]
Despite nearly 50 years as a member/participant in organized crime,[5] Lansky was never found guilty of anything more serious than illegal gambling.[6] He has a legacy of being one of the most financially successful gangsters in American history. Before he fled Cuba, he was said to be worth an estimated $20 million (equivalent to $159 million in 2020).[7] When he died in 1983, his family learned that his estate was worth around US$57,000 (equivalent to $155,079 in 2021).[8]
hauncey Holt was born in Kentucky on 23rd October, 1921. When he was 19 he joined the United States Army Airforce (USAAF). The following year he was court-martialed and sent to the U.S. penitentiary barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, for attacking another soldier with a Springfield rifle.
Holt was released in June 1940 but deserted from the USAF after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He eventually returned to duty but in 1942 he travelled in a car from Fort Knox to Louisville. He was arrested and charged with taking the car without permission and was sentenced to 18 months in the Industrial Reformatory at Chillicott, Ohio. On his release he found work with the Bethelem-Fairfield Shipyard Company.
After the war Holt met Peter Licavoli, a leading figure in the Mafia in Detroit. Holt was sent to Florida where he worked for Meyer Lansky as an accountant and pilot. This included several trips to Cuba where Lansky had extensive business interests. Lansky also sent Holt to worked for the International Rescue Committee (IRC). This was a Central Intelligence Agency controlled organization that had been set up to distribute funds to organizations attempting to overthrow left-wing governments. During the time Holt was also involved in producing forged documents for the CIA and the Mafia.
Holt also became involved in what later become known as Executive Action (a plan to remove unfriendly foreign leaders from power). This including a coup d’état that overthrew the Guatemalan government of Jacobo Arbenz in 1954 after he introduced land reforms and nationalized the United Fruit Company. However, the main target of this operation was Fidel Castro who had established a socialist government in Cuba.
In March I960, President Dwight Eisenhower of the United States approved a CIA plan to overthrow Castro. The plan involved a budget of $13 million to train “a paramilitary force outside Cuba for guerrilla action.” The strategy was organized by Richard Bissell and Richard Helms. An estimated 400 CIA officers were employed full-time to carry out what became known as Operation Mongoose. Holt later claimed that he worked on this project with figures such as Sam Giancana, Johnny Roselli, Edward Lansdale and William Harvey.
After the failed Bay of Pigs invasion Holt worked for Meyer Lansky in California. Meyer took over the Los Angeles Stamp and Stationary Company where Holt continued to produce illegal documents and false police badges. He also worked closely with Phillip A. Twombly, a former Executive Vice President of Coca Cola for their Caribbean operations. Twombly now owned a bank in Fullerton, California, which was used to distribute CIA funds for covert operations.
Ed interjects. William Harvey and Jack Rubenstien were part of hte assasination along with the Cabell Brothers, Richard Bissle Jr and U2 and CIA air flights were, as was Chauncy Holt.
Not all stories appear true, and it is expected some will lie for themselves to escape guilt, find fame, or for various affects on thier families or others.
Returning to Cut and Pastes now.
Chauncey Holt was born in Kentucky on 23rd October, 1921. When he was 19 he joined the United States Army Airforce (USAAF). The following year he was court-martialed and sent to the U.S. penitentiary barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, for attacking another soldier with a Springfield rifle.
Holt was released in June 1940 but deserted from the USAF after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He eventually returned to duty but in 1942 he travelled in a car from Fort Knox to Louisville. He was arrested and charged with taking the car without permission and was sentenced to 18 months in the Industrial Reformatory at Chillicott, Ohio. On his release he found work with the Bethelem-Fairfield Shipyard Company.
After the war Holt met Peter Licavoli, a leading figure in the Mafia in Detroit. Holt was sent to Florida where he worked for Meyer Lansky as an accountant and pilot. This included several trips to Cuba where Lansky had extensive business interests. Lansky also sent Holt to worked for the International Rescue Committee (IRC). This was a Central Intelligence Agency controlled organization that had been set up to distribute funds to organizations attempting to overthrow left-wing governments. During the time Holt was also involved in producing forged documents for the CIA and the Mafia.
Holt also became involved in what later become known as Executive Action (a plan to remove unfriendly foreign leaders from power). This including a coup d’état that overthrew the Guatemalan government of Jacobo Arbenz in 1954 after he introduced land reforms and nationalized the United Fruit Company. However, the main target of this operation was Fidel Castro who had established a socialist government in Cuba.
In March I960, President Dwight Eisenhower of the United States approved a CIA plan to overthrow Castro. The plan involved a budget of $13 million to train “a paramilitary force outside Cuba for guerrilla action.” The strategy was organized by Richard Bissell and Richard Helms. An estimated 400 CIA officers were employed full-time to carry out what became known as Operation Mongoose. Holt later claimed that he worked on this project with figures such as Sam Giancana, Johnny Roselli, Edward Lansdale and William Harvey.
After the failed Bay of Pigs invasion Holt worked for Meyer Lansky in California. Meyer took over the Los Angeles Stamp and Stationary Company where Holt continued to produce illegal documents and false police badges. He also worked closely with Phillip A. Twombly, a former Executive Vice President of Coca Cola for their Caribbean operations. Twombly now owned a bank in Fullerton, California, which was used to distribute CIA funds for covert operations.
Lee Harvey Oswald handing out pamphlets in New Orleans. Holt is the man on the
far right. Holt has written in the names of some of the people involved in this operation.
In 1963 Holt claims he received instructions from Phillip A. Twombly to provide false ID documents for Lee Harvey Oswald. These documents (in the names of Lee Harvey Oswald and Alek Hiddell) were delivered by a man called George Reynolds. In August, 1963, Twombly asked Holt to travel to New Orleans, where he met Oswald and Carlos Bringuier.
Assassination of John F. Kennedy Encyclopedia
Holt later claimed he was went to Dallas in November, 1963, with Charlie Nicoletti, James Canty and Leo Moceri. In Dallas he passed on forged documents and guns (with silencers) to Charles Harrelson and Charles Rogers (Richard Montoya). Holt was told that “an incident was going to be created which could be laid at the door of pro-Castro Cubans. The word attempted assassination was never used. We assumed that from all this light loaded ammunition that maybe somebody was going to try to take a shot from somewhere, probably the Dal-Tex building, or one of the buildings around there. But at no time was it ever intimidated to us that an assassination or attempted assassination on Kennedy.”
When the Kennedy motorcade reached the Dealey Plaza Holt was in the parking lot behind the Grassy Knoll. After the shooting took place Holt went to hide in a railroad car. He was joined by Charles Harrelson and Charles Rogers. However, soon afterwards, Dallas police officers entered the railroad car and arrested all three men. The three men along with Jim Brading were interviewed by Gordon Shanklin of the FBI and then released.
In October, 1991, Holt confessed to John Craig, Phillip Rogers and Gary Shaw about his role in the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Holt’s story was undermined in 1992 when the Dallas Police Department revealed that the three tramps were Gus Abrams, John F. Gedney and Harold Doyle. Ray and Mary LaFontaine carried out their own research into this claim. They traced Doyle and Gedley who confirmed they were two of the tramps in the photograph. Gus Abrams was dead but his sister identified him as the third tramp in the photograph.
Peter Licavoli was born on 7th June, 1902. His parents were from Sicily. The family settled in St. Louis. He eventually became involved in organized crime and became a significant figure in supplying illegal alcohol. In 1932 he was sentenced to two years in prison for bribing a federal agent.
Licavoli was rumoured to have taken part in the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. An effective contract killer, in 1935 Licavoli is believed to have killed Jerry Buckly, a journalist investigating organized crime. Other victims included Milton Jones from St. Louis and Jackie Kennedy, a leading crime figure in Toledo. Licavoli moved to Detroit and supplied men to Henry Ford to help him break strikes during the 1930s.
After the Second World War Licavoli was one of the five ruling Dons of Detroit. Between them they controlled several casinos, racetracks and hotels. He also owned Grace Ranch where he bred racehorses.
Chauncey Holt claimed that Licavoli was involved in organizing the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Holt suggest that the gunman, including Charlie Nicoletti met at Licavoli’s Grace Ranch on the way to Dallas.
In 1976 Licavoli was convicted of buying a stolen 16th century painting. He eventually served a 13 month sentence for the crime.
Peter Licavoli died of a heart attack in Tucson, Arizona on 11th January, 1984.
Chauncey Holt died on 28th June, 1997.By John Simkin (john@spartacus-educational.com) © September 1997 (updated January 2020).
Dynastic Successions Book 