Arnold Rothstein, also known by his nickname “The Brain”, was a very popular criminal businessman in 20th-century New York. He was involved in illegal drug trafficking, gambling, smuggling and other activities. Rothstein became famous in the criminal world for his wit, sophistication and ruthless tactics in business affairs. Read more on newyorkski.info.
All problems come from childhood
All problems come from childhood. This is how people talk about murderers and criminals. This saying did not escape Rothstein either. This is not to say that he grew up in a bad family. It’s quite the opposite. Rothstein was born in 1882 in New York. He grew up in a very decent and wealthy family of Jewish origin. His father was a highly respected man who ran an honest business in New York.
At a young age, he was only interested in mathematics at school. He had poor grades in other subjects. A. Rothstein had an older brother who, like his father, was a successful man. His brother was studying to become a rabbi. This fact annoyed Rothstein greatly. He was simply jealous of his brother. “The Brain” always wanted to be the center of attention, which he often did not receive in his childhood and youth. Therefore, he was very upset and was a difficult child for his parents.
Rothstein’s love of gambling also awakened in his childhood. He was fond of playing dice. For this his father often scolded him. This never stopped Rothstein. Thus, he started his criminal career with gambling.
Rothstein’s criminal activities
A. Rothstein began his criminal career with a casino and horse racing. Thanks to these activities and regular betting, he made a fortune by the age of 30.
One of Rothstein’s earliest and most famous criminal schemes was the Chicago White Sox scandal of 1919. “The Brain” allegedly bribed several members of the American professional baseball team to intentionally lose the World Series. Despite the high-profile accusation, Rothstein was never convicted of bribing the team’s players. He was the main suspect in the case. But his involvement was never established. After that, Rothstein became known as one of the most cunning and manipulative figures in the New York underworld.
“The Brain” also had a hand in the illegal drug and alcohol trade during Prohibition. In this business, he had a very close relationship with the famous gangster Lucky Luciano. The latter eventually became one of the most influential figures in the American mafia.
A. Rothstein often acted as a mediator in disputes between New York gangs. He charged a considerable fee for his services.
Despite numerous criminal schemes and illegal activities, Rothstein was known for his sharp mind and impeccable tactics. However, Rothstein’s criminal career came to an abrupt end in 1928. He was shot dead in a hotel room in Manhattan. The circumstances of his death remain a mystery even in the 21st century. According to many experts, Rothstein’s murder may have been related to a gambling debt or a dispute with other members of the New York underworld.
Nowadays, A. Rothstein remains a very interesting figure in the history of organized crime in New York. Despite the fact that he grew up in a decent and wealthy family, he decided to take the criminal path. Using his wit, he built a whole criminal empire in New York. Ten years after Rothstein’s death, his entire empire collapsed. His brother publicly announced that Rothstein’s property was insolvent.