Frank Costello: The Prime Minister of the Underworld

From Rags to Riches: A Young Boy’s Journey

The year was 1891, and a tiny boat carried four-year-old Francesco Castiglia across the big ocean. His family was looking for a better life in America. 🚢 They left their home in Italy to come to New York City.

Little Francesco held his mother's hand as they walked through the busy streets of Manhattan. The buildings were so tall they seemed to touch the sky! Everything was new and different from their small village in Italy.

Life in Little Italy

The Castiglia family moved to a neighborhood called East Harlem. Many Italian families lived there. Their new home was small and crowded. Francesco shared a tiny room with his brother Edward.

"Mama, why did we come here?" Francesco would ask.

His mother would smile and say, "America is the land of dreams, my boy. Here, you can become anything you want."

But life wasn't easy. Francesco's father worked very hard but made little money. Sometimes, they didn't have enough food to eat. Young Francesco had to work too, selling newspapers on the street corner.

Growing Up Fast

Frank was a smart boy. He learned English quickly and made friends easily. But the streets of New York were tough. Some kids would steal and fight to get what they wanted.

At first, Frank stayed away from trouble. He tried to be good. But when he saw other kids getting nice things from doing bad things, he started to think differently.

One day, when Frank was 13, a older boy named Johnny showed him how to play a gambling game called craps. Frank was good at it! He could make more money in one day than his father made in a week.

The Big Change

As Frank got older, he started hanging out with a tough group of boys. They called themselves the "104th Street Gang." These boys didn't follow the rules. They took what they wanted.

Frank was different from the other gang members. He didn't like to fight. Instead, he used his brain. He was good at talking to people and making deals.

Then came a big change in America. The government made a new rule called Prohibition. People weren't allowed to buy or sell drinks with alcohol anymore. Frank saw this as his chance to make lots of money.

He and his friends started selling alcohol in secret. They called it "bootlegging." Frank was careful and clever. He made friends with important people who could help him.

A New Name, A New Life

By the time Frank was 20, he wasn't the poor immigrant boy anymore. He wore nice suits and ate at fancy restaurants. People called him "The Prime Minister" because he was so good at talking and making deals.

Frank Costello had become someone important. But this was just the beginning of his story. The little boy from Italy was growing up to be one of the most powerful men in New York City.

People who knew Frank would say: "He doesn't look like a gangster. He looks like a businessman." And that's exactly what Frank wanted. He was building something big, something that would change his life forever.

Behind his nice smile and fancy clothes, Frank was planning his next move. The streets of New York were waiting to see what this clever immigrant boy would do next.

The Rise of a Criminal Mastermind

Frank Costello walked through the busy streets of New York City in 1920. He wasn’t just another face in the crowd anymore. People knew his name now. 🌆 They whispered when he passed by.

A Special Friendship

One day, Frank met someone who would change his life forever – Charles “Lucky” Luciano. Lucky was smart and brave, just like Frank. They became best friends right away.

“We can do big things together,” Lucky told Frank one night at their favorite Italian restaurant.

Frank smiled and said, “Yes, but we’ll do it my way – with brains, not bullets.” 🤝

Making Important Friends

Frank knew that to be successful, he needed friends in high places. He started going to fancy parties and political meetings. He wore the nicest suits and always had a friendly smile.

Police officers, judges, and politicians all liked Frank. He was different from other gangsters. He didn’t scare people – he charmed them! 👔

“Why fight when you can make friends?” Frank would say. “A handshake is better than a punch.”

Building an Empire

Frank and Lucky’s business grew bigger and bigger. They ran secret clubs where people could drink alcohol during Prohibition. They also started gambling places all over the city.

A Different Kind of Leader

Other gangsters used guns and violence to get what they wanted. But not Frank. He used his brain and his smile instead.

One time, two gangs were fighting over territory. Instead of joining the fight, Frank invited both leaders to dinner. By dessert, they were shaking hands and sharing the territory!

“Violence is bad for business,” Frank would tell everyone. “When people fight, nobody makes money.”

Growing Power

By 1925, Frank was one of the most powerful men in New York. He had friends everywhere:

• In City Hall
• In the police department
• In big businesses
• In other cities across America

The Clever Businessman

Frank was sneaky smart. He put his money in real businesses like:

✨ Restaurants
✨ Nightclubs
✨ Real estate
✨ Shipping companies

This way, he looked like a regular businessman. Nobody could prove he was doing anything wrong.

A New Kind of Boss

People respected Frank because he was different. He didn’t dress flashy or act tough. He was quiet and smart. He solved problems by talking, not fighting.

“The best weapon,” Frank would say, “is right here.” And he would tap his head and smile. 🧠

Frank kept building his power. He made more friends and more money. But bigger challenges were coming. The quiet man with the friendly smile would soon face his biggest tests.

As Frank walked home that night, the city lights twinkled like stars. He had come so far from his days as a poor immigrant boy. But this was just the middle of his story. There was still so much more to come.

Master of the Political Game

Frank Costello sat in his favorite leather chair at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. His smile could charm anyone, and his brain could solve any problem. 🎩 It was 1935, and he was at the top of his game.

The Man Behind the Curtain

“Mr. Costello, the mayor is here to see you,” his assistant whispered.

Frank smiled. Even the mayor came to him now! He fixed his tie and stood up to greet his guest. 👔

The Secret to Success

Frank ran his business like a smart game of chess. He kept track of everyone important in New York City:

📋 Judges who needed campaign money
📋 Police chiefs who wanted nice things
📋 Politicians who needed favors
📋 Business owners who wanted protection

The Entertainment King

Frank knew people loved to have fun. He opened fancy places where they could play games and watch shows:

Making Friends in High Places

“Always be nice,” Frank told his workers. “Even to people who can’t help you right now. Tomorrow they might be important!”

He gave money to help poor kids go to school. He bought Christmas presents for police officers’ families. Everyone loved kind Mr. Costello!

The Quiet Power

Frank never yelled or got angry. He spoke softly and smiled a lot. But when Frank Costello spoke, everyone listened.

“Why use force when a handshake works better?” – Frank Costello

Building a Better Business

Frank was smart about money. He put people he trusted in charge of different things:

💼 Legal Business	👥 Good Friends
🏢 Real Estate	👔 Business People
🎰 Gambling	🤝 Trusted Partners

The Perfect Plan

Frank knew how to keep secrets. He never wrote anything down. He met people in quiet places. He always had a good reason for having money:

“Oh, I’m just a businessman,” he would say with a smile. “I invest in restaurants and hotels.” 😊

Staying Safe

Other gangsters got caught because they were loud and scary. But not Frank. He was quiet and polite. The police couldn’t prove he did anything wrong.

The Big Picture

By 1940, Frank controlled more than just New York. His friends were everywhere. He could make one phone call and fix any problem.

But with great power came big worries. The police were watching him more closely. Some people were jealous of his success. And the newspapers were asking questions.

As Frank looked out his hotel window at the city lights, he wondered how long his perfect plan would last. The game was getting harder to play, but Frank Costello always had another move ready.

King of the Underworld

The year was 1945. Frank Costello sat in his fancy office at the Copacabana nightclub. Music played softly while he counted his money. 💰 He was now the most powerful gangster in America!

Running the Show

“Boss, everything is going great!” said Tommy, his right-hand man. “All our businesses made lots of money this week.”

A Different Kind of Boss

Frank wasn’t like other gangsters. He dressed in nice suits and talked like a gentleman. People called him “The Prime Minister” because he was so polite. 👔

“Being nice is better than being mean. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” – Frank Costello

Friends Everywhere

Frank had friends in every big city in America. They all worked together like a big team:

🌆 New York	Frank’s Home Base
🎰 Las Vegas	Gambling Friends
🏖️ Miami	Beach Clubs
🎭 Chicago	Show Business

The Smart Way

When other gangsters wanted to fight, Frank would say, “Let’s talk about it instead.” He knew fighting was bad for business. 🤝

Living Like a King

Frank lived in a beautiful house and drove fancy cars. But he never showed off too much. He wanted people to think he was just a regular businessman.

Every morning, he read three different newspapers. He wanted to know everything happening in the city. 📰

Keeping the Peace

Sometimes other gangsters would fight over territory. Frank would invite them to his club and help them make peace.

“Why fight when we can all make money together?” he would say with a smile. 😊

The Perfect Balance

Frank was good at keeping everyone happy:

Trouble Coming

But things were getting harder. The FBI was watching Frank more closely. Some young gangsters didn’t like his peaceful way of doing things.

“Maybe they’re jealous,” Tommy said one day.

Frank just smiled and looked out his window at the city lights. “Maybe,” he said. “But we’ll handle it the smart way. We always do.” 🌃

The Big Question

Frank wondered how long he could keep his perfect world together. More people were asking questions about where his money came from.

But Frank Costello had survived for so long because he was smarter than everyone else. He always had a plan. Now he just needed to think of his next move.

Storm Clouds Gather

It was 1957, and Frank Costello couldn’t sleep. He kept thinking about all the dangers around him. 😟 Dark clouds were coming, and he knew it.

The Big Warning

One quiet evening, Frank was walking into his apartment building. BANG! 💥 A bullet whizzed past his head, just scratching him. Someone wanted him dead!

“Boss, it was Vincent Gigante who shot at you,” Tommy whispered in the hospital. “Vito Genovese sent him.”

Friends Turn to Enemies

Frank’s old friend Vito Genovese wanted to be the new boss. He thought Frank was too soft and too friendly with the police. 🤝

The FBI Watches

The FBI was everywhere now. They followed Frank to his favorite restaurants. They watched his house. They even listened to his phone calls! 🕵️

📞 Phone Taps	The FBI listened to everything
📸 Pictures	They took photos everywhere he went
📝 Notes	They wrote down everything he did

Money Problems

The government started asking questions about Frank’s money. Where did it come from? Why didn’t he pay more taxes? 💰

“They’re trying to do to me what they did to Al Capone,” Frank told his lawyer.

The Big Meeting

Frank called all his friends together for an important meeting. The room was full of worried faces.

Trying to Stay Strong

Even with all these problems, Frank tried to keep doing business the nice way. But it was getting harder. 😔

“Maybe we should fight back,” some of his friends said.

“No,” Frank said firmly. “Violence only brings more trouble.”

The Hard Choice

Frank had to make a big decision. Should he fight to keep his power? Or should he step back and stay safe?

Changes in the Air

The old ways were ending. The FBI was getting stronger. Young gangsters didn’t follow the old rules anymore. Frank could feel his world changing. 🌅

Tommy looked at his boss with sad eyes. “What are we going to do?”

Frank straightened his tie and looked in the mirror. He was still The Prime Minister, still the smartest gangster in America. But now he had to be smarter than ever before.

The Final Chapter: A Quiet Goodbye

The year was 1973. Frank Costello sat in his favorite chair by the window. He was 82 years old now, and his hair was white as snow. 👴

Looking Back

Frank thought about his long life. He remembered the little boy who came to America on a big boat. That boy became the most powerful gangster in New York! 🚢

“I never wanted to be the toughest,” Frank told his nephew. “I wanted to be the smartest.”

A Changed World

The world was different now. The old gang was mostly gone. The streets had new rules, new bosses. Frank stayed in his nice apartment, away from all the noise. 🏢

The Last Friends

Only a few old friends still came to visit. They would sit and talk about the old days. Frank liked these quiet talks. 🫂

“Remember when we ran the whole city?” they would say.
“Yes,” Frank would smile. “But those days are gone now.”

Teaching the Young Ones

Young gangsters sometimes came to ask for advice. Frank told them:

The Last Days

Frank’s heart was getting weak. The doctors came more often. But he wasn’t scared. 👨‍⚕️

📚 His Books	He read a lot now
🌅 His Window	He watched the city change
👥 His Visitors	Fewer came each year

A Peaceful End

On February 18, 1973, Frank Costello closed his eyes for the last time. He died quietly in his bed. 🌟

His Story Lives On

People still tell stories about Frank Costello. They talk about how he came from Italy with nothing. How he became rich and powerful. How he was different from other gangsters. 📖

“He showed that being smart is better than being tough. That talking is better than fighting.”

The Real Story

Frank Costello’s life showed how America could change people. A poor boy became a powerful man. But in the end, he learned that peace was better than power. 🌅

Some say Frank Costello was good, some say he was bad. But everyone agrees – he was one of the most interesting people in American history.

And so ended the story of The Prime Minister of the Underworld. He came from nothing, had everything, and in the end, found peace with just enough. 🌟