AL Capone
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Born to an immigrant family in Brooklyn, New York.
He was born January, 17th 1899.
Dropped out of school after 6th grade.
Joined a notorious street gang and quickly became a member.
Around 1920 Capone was invited by the gangs leader to
become a Lieutenant in the Colosimo gang.
When prohibition began, the mob took it as a business
opportunity to make and distribute illegal alcohol.
Capone later became right hand man to the mob leader.
In 1925 Capone became mob leader when the boss was
seriously wounded.
Believed that his gang shot down a rival gang in the Saint
Valentines Day Massacre. (Never convicted because of alibi.)
.Convictions & Jail Time.
• Chicago March 25-27th 1929
Contempt of Court . 1 year prison sentence & $!,000 FINE.
Put up a $5,000 bond and was released.
• May 27th 1929
Arrested with body guard for having concealed weapons. 1 year in
prison.
Released after 9 months for good behavior.
• February 28th 1931
Arrested for contempt of court again. 6 months
in county jail. Served full time.
*Contempt of Court: willful disobedience to or open
disrespect for the rules or orders of a court (contempt of
court) or legislative body.
Most Recent Conviction
• He became subject of suspicion when refusing to go before a
federal grand jury for a subpoena.
• 1931. U.S treasury is developing evidence against Capone on tax
evasion.
• On June 26th 1931 Capone pleads guilty to tax evasion and
prohibition.
• Has a 2 year prison deal (or so he thought)
• Judge said he was not held to any deal and Capone immediately
changed plead to not guilty.
• Oct 18th 1931. Capone is sentenced to 11 years in prison. $50,000
charge. $7,692 court costs. 215,000+ interest on back taxes.
• Served time at U.S penitentiary in Atlanta & later at Alcatraz.
• Released November 16th 1939, only 7 years 6 months and 15 days
into his sentence. He repaid all money owed.
His Demise
• After being released from prison he was suffering from
paresis that was caused by syphilis. This kept him from
returning to mob life.
• In 1946 he was so sick that he was “diagnosed” as
having the mentality of a 12 year old.
• On January 25th 1947 he died of a stroke.
Sociological Theory
Anomie Theory- Innovation.
I believe that AL Capone falls into this category because he turned to
organize crime. His means can’t be met through legitimate means, it has to be
done illegally. Capone gained great fortune through selling illegal liquor
during prohibition. He was also part of the mob that, I some cases actually did
some legitimate business, but mostly took part in illegal activity.
His wealth was his power. He was able to escape a sentence by using
his wealth to get out of it. Even in prison his cell was really a luxury, thanks
only to his wealth and power. He was a powerful man that came from
nothing- a simple immigrant family and minimal education. He was able to
gain respect and climb his way up. This theory says that goals are only met
through crimes in which you gain wealth, that’s exactly how Capone did it.