The
National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement (aka “The Mob Museum”)
in Las Vegas is a popular tourist attraction that details the history of
organized crime in the United States and the actions by law enforcement
individuals that attempted to prevent such crimes. The museum contains a
collection of mob related artifacts, stories, pictures, movies, and interactive
exhibits to help explain how the mob operated across the United States, with
emphasis on Chicago and Las Vegas.
For
about 30 years the mob controlled Las Vegas, which was known as a “wide Open”
City with little or no interference from law enforcement or government
officials. The “Rat Pack” and many other Hollywood stars could often be found
at the Sands, Dunes, Desert Inn, El Cortez, Frontier, and the many other
hotel/casinos. However, to the surprise of many people, it was not law
enforcement that forced the mob out of the casino business in Las Vegas, it was
Howard Hughes!
Howard
Hughes just happened to be staying in the penthouse suite at the Desert Inn
hotel/casino during the time Federal law enforcement agents were putting a lot
of pressure on the mob’s casino operations; but at this stage in his life, Howard
Hughes was not a gambler. The holiday season was approaching and the casino
wanted the hotel penthouse suite to be available for high rollers, so they
asked Mr. Hughes to leave. Offended by their attitude, Hughes made his famous
quote “I’ll buy the Place,” which he did. Hughes then went on to purchase most
of the other hotel/casinos in Las Vegas and put the mob out of the casino
business. Today, the hotel/casinos are run by large corporations and the gaming
operations are closely monitored by both state and federal regulators.
Ironically,
Oscar Goodman, the lawyer that defended the mob, went on to become one of the
most popular mayors of Las Vegas and it was his idea to purchase the old Federal
courthouse/post office and create “The Mob Museum.” The museum was designed by
some of the same people that designed the International Spy Museum (Washington,
D.C.) and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland, Ohio). The Museum opened
in 2012.
Located
on the second floor of the museum building is the actual court room where the Kefauver
Committee hearings on organized crime were held in 1950 and 1951. The museum also
contains part of the wall from the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre, along with
other exhibits on prohibition, bootlegging, money skimming operations,
wiretapping by law enforcement, and mob violence. Museum visitors can even “shoot
a pretend” Tommy Gun or have their picture taken while sitting in an electric
chair. And, of course, at the completion of your visit the Museum gift shop
will attempt to “skim” some of your money!
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