Cristiana) party. Bernardo Mattarella, one of the party’s leaders, had welcomed Vizzini in a 1945 article in the Catholic newspaper Il Popolo. Vizzini’s support for the DC would never be a secret. During the crucial 1948 elections that would decide Italy’s post-war future, Vizzini and Mafia boss Giuseppe Genco Russo would share a table with leading DC politicians attending an electoral lunch. In 1950, Vizzini would allegedly help Italian police capture and kill Giuliano. May 5 – The "Black Diamond Meeting" is held in New Orleans to name a successor to "Silver Dollar" Sam Carolla, who would soon be deported from the United States. Attendees include Carolla underboss Frank Todaro; capos Thomas Rizzuto, Nick Grifazzi, Joseph Capro and Frank Lombardino; Carolla's son Anthony Carolla, and Carlos Marcello. During this meeting, Carolla passes his leadership role to Todaro. However, by 1950 underboss Carlos Marcello would control organized crime in New Orleans. May 7/9 – Nicholas DeJohn, a Chicago mobster and San Francisco crime leader, is found strangled to death in the trunk of a car in San Francisco. Leonard Calamia, a syndicate gunman and known drug trafficker, is charged with his murder, but is later acquitted. June 20 – Mobster Benjamin Siegel is killed by an unidentified gunman at the Beverly Hills, California home of girlfriend Virginia Hill. Siegal had built The Flamingo hotel and casino in Las Vegas using millions of dollars in Mafia money. September 20 – New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, a major opponent of organized crime, dies of cancer. Arts and literature The Gangster (film) starring Barry Sullivan. Births Domenico Cefalu "Italian Dom", Gambino crime family underboss September 5 – Kiyoshi Takayama, a prominent yakuza related to the Kodo-kai and its parent syndicate, the Yamaguchi-gumi September 22 – Salvatore Vitale "Good Looking Sal", Bonanno crime family member October 4 – Roy Francis Adkins, English gangster and drug trafficker Deaths Jacob Shapiro "Gurrah", New York mobster and labor racketeer 25 January – Al Capone "Scarface", Chicago Outfit leader March 27 - Thomas Buffa, drug trafficker and associate of Tony Lopiparo May 9 – Nicholas DeJohn, San Francisco crime leader and Chicago Outfit member 20 June – Benjamin "Bugsy Siegel, New York mobster, Las Vegas casino manager, and member of the National Crime Syndicate September 20 – Fiorello La Guardia, Mayor of New York References Organized crime Years in organized crime