Final_Judgment

142 Israel’s Godfather [81]
Obviously, the Appalachian raid was a critical event in Lansky's
continuing rise to power. It solidified Lansky's hold over the crime
syndicate.
Michael Milan, a low-level Jewish organized crime figure who grew up
in Lansky's sphere of influence claims to have, in fact, been ritually
inducted into the Mafia—by Lansky himself. It was to Lansky that Milan
swore his allegiance. Writing in his memoirs, Milan remembers the event
fondly: “`Omerta' whispered Meyer Lansky, only half believing in the
ritual itself, but not wanting to show the slightest sign of disrespect to . . .
[Mafia] traditions." 214
In any case, as we have seen, Meyer Lansky's predominant role in the
criminal underworld was already well in place.
THE HOOVER-LANSKY CONNECTION
Lansky's role in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS)-Naval
Intelligence operations during World War II and his work on behalf of
Franklin Delano Roosevelt in handling Batista may account for the fact that
Lansky seldom faced harassment from the federal authorities.
Writing in Secret File, Hank Messick comments: "Was Lansky
rewarded? No final answer is possible, but he has been strangely immune to
prosecution on the Federal level. Twice the IRS Intelligence Division has
recommended prosecution, and twice the Justice Department has declined.
Lansky remains the only top man in the national crime syndicate to escape
untouched. Because of his brains and the troubles of his colleagues, he rules
as undisputed chairman of the board." 215
Lansky himself acknowledged his role in the so-called "Operation
Underworld." "Sure, I'm the one who put Lucky and Naval Intelligence
together," he told his Israeli friend, Israeli newsman Uri Dan. Lansky's
reasons were interesting: "The reason I cooperated was because of strong
personal feelings. I wanted the Nazis beaten. I was a Jew and I felt for those
Jews in Europe who were suffering. They were my brothers." 216
Former Lansky associate (and covert FBI operative) Michael Milan also
points toward another critical Lansky connection that may have accounted for
his immunity from federal harassment.
"I also knew that [J. Edgar Hoover] and Meyer Lansky sometimes broke
bread together. Mr. L. was never rousted, was rarely served with federal
subpoenas, and was generally left alone to conduct his business. Mr. L., on
the other hand, didn't go around shooting anybody like people in some of
the other [Mafia] Families, and making life embarrassing for the cops and
the feds.
"So in this way everybody got along. Mr. H. could worry about his
fifth column [the communists]. Mr. [Costello] could worry about keeping
peace among the different Families and looking forward to retirement, and
Mr. L. could worry about the cash flow in his Las Vegas casinos. “ 217