David Berman (Mobster)

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

David "Davie the Jew" Berman (* 1903 Odessa ; today Ukraine ; † 1957 Las Vegas ) was an American mobster who is now part of the Kosher Nostra . He has served in Iowa , New York City, and Minneapolis , Minnesota and was a partner of Bugsy Siegel as a pioneer in building Nevada gambling .

Life

Early years

Berman was born into a Jewish family ; his father was a violinist and student of the Torah ( Yeshiva ) and was expatriated. He went to the United States in South Dakota on the territory of the Jewish Colonization Association , led by Maurice de Hirsch , and had his family follow him there. Berman traveled to the United States via New York on June 29, 1904, along with his mother and three siblings.

The cold Great Plains were a shock to the mother and the settlement ultimately failed. The family went to Sioux City , Iowa , where David became a gangster . At the age of 13 he became the leader of a gang of young thieves, which most likely already owned some illegal distilleries . From this a group of professional bank robbers developed . Berman came into close contact with the Genovese family and went to Minneapolis, where he developed into a major bookmaker.

This led to conflicts with competitor Kid Cann and local gang boss Tommy Banks . Berman was supported by his "enforcer" Israel Alderman and his brother "Chickie" Berman. By working with Mayor Marvin L. Kline , Berman managed to eliminate his competitors.

soldier

As an opponent of anti-Semitism in Germany, Berman joined the Canadian army , since the USA was still neutral, and fought with his friend Nathan Gittlewich in the 18th Armored Car Regiment (12th Manitoba Dragoons) in northwest Europe. In the Canadian Army, his biography was not known, and Berman was highly regarded.

Las Vegas

After returning to Minneapolis, he was initially unable to resume business because illegal gambling had been broken up under Mayor Hubert Humphrey . Berman therefore went to Las Vegas with his people and cooperated there again with the Genovese family through their associate Moe Sedway . After the murder of Bugsy Siegel Berman marched along with Sedway in the lobby of the Flamingo and both took over the Casino - Hotel .

In 1957, Berman died during an operation.

estate

Berman had married the German-American Gladys Ewald in Minneapolis . The dancer converted to Judaism . Their daughter, Susan Berman , who grew up in the conditions in Las Vegas, wrote a biography ( Easy Street ) in 1981 and was later murdered, possibly because she revealed further details of her father's past.

literature

  • Cathy Scott: Murder of a Mafia Daughter: The Life and Tragic Death of Susan Berman. Barricade Books, 2002. ISBN 1569802386
  • Susan Berman: Easy Street: The True Story of a Gangster's Daughter. Bantam Books, 1981. ISBN 0553229354

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ http://www.ellisisland.org
personal data
SURNAME Berman, David
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Berman, Davie
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American mafioso
DATE OF BIRTH 1903
PLACE OF BIRTH Odessa
DATE OF DEATH 1957
Place of death Las Vegas