Maceo Organization

Maceo Organization

Founded	c. 1927
Founders	SamandRosario Maceo
Founding location	Galveston, Texas
Years active	c. 1920s-1980s
Territory	Southeast Texas
Criminal activities	Racketeering,illegal gambling,prostitution,bootlegging,numbers game,bribery,political corruption,electoral fraud,extortion,money laundering,smuggling,anddrug trafficking
Allies	Beach Gang
Rivals	Downtown Gang

TheMaceo Organization,also known as theMaceo Syndicate,was acriminal organization,that ranGalveston, Texaspolitically and criminally throughout most of Galveston'sopen era.The organization's Boss es,SamandRosario Maceo,operatedillegal gambling,prostitution,bootleggingandracketeeringactivities.

Early years

The Maceo brothers got their start by being associated with the Beach Gang, which was under the control ofIrish AmericanOllie QuinnandGerman AmericanDutch Voight.They mostly controlled the Beach area of Galveston during the 1910s and 1920s. Their gang was a rival ofJohnny Jack NounesandGeorge Musey'sDowntown Gang.However, Dutch and most notably Quinn remained very powerful figures on the island due to the many political connections that reached theTexas State Senate.

New Regime

Soon, Quinn began mentoring Sam and Rosario Maceo. By the late 1920s, as they climbed up the ranks, the two brothers took control and transitioned the Beach Gang into their own personal organization, with Voight and Quinn acting more like partners than Boss es. By the 1930s, the brothers eventually ran the Downtown Gang away from operating on the city, and now had complete control over it.

The Maceo's empire

Sam Maceo expanded theextortionsystem Quinn had established. He further developed the organization's political connections, establishing ties to prominent political figures, such asTexas GovernorJames V. Allred,William Lewis Moody Jr.and onetime Galveston Mayor, Herbert Y. Cartwright, eventually emerging as aprominent figure in politics and entrepreneurshiphimself. After therepeal of Prohibition,Sam capitalized the popularity of gambling in Texas and started building anillegal gamblingempire in Galveston City andGalveston County,teaming up with notorious gangsters, such asMoe Dalitz,Frank NittiandAlbert Anastasia,although those figures never operatedracketsin the city or county.Maceo was known to be a very well dressed and nice man, whose charisma and ability to influence people were legendary. On the other hand, Rose was the more quiet enforcer type in the family. Their annualincomewas reported to exceed beyond one million dollars. In the early 1930s, the Maceos backed Frank L. Biaggne for the position of Galveston Countysheriffand supported Walter Johnston as citypolice commissioner.Through his control of many politicians and other elected officials in Galveston County, as well as some inAustinandWashington,Sam Maceo was able to make several improvements to the city and transform it not only into a leading resort city, but also into a major cultural and economical center as well.The brothers also established many clubs andcasinos,including theBalinese Roomand theHollywood Dinner Clubwhich was just a small part of the Maceo empire.

Fertitta Organization

After Sam and Rose's deaths in the early 1950s, the brothers were succeeded by the Fertitta Group, who moved the organization toLas Vegas,Nevadaand worked in the -now legal- casino industry. These casino properties included theStardust;Tropicana,Circus Circus,Sahara,and theFremont,whichFrank Jr.managed. Frank Fertitta Jr. also foundedPalace StationandStation Casinoswhich is today one of the largest local casino operators in Las Vegas.

Known members

Bosses

• c. 1927-1951 -Salvatore "Sam" Maceo,(his death)
• c. 1927-1954 -Rosario "Rose" Maceo,(his death)
• c. 1954-1980s - Anthony, Vincent, and Frank Fertitta

See also

• Free State of Galveston