Mickey Cohen, the short but noisy mob boss, who made his fortune as a bookie, began his career as Bugsy Siegel's chauffeur and bodyguard. After Siegel's death, Cohen took over the lucrative L.A. gambling rackets. But his surly, loudmouthed style struck a nerve with his gangster bosses (who repeatedly tried to have him killed) and with law enforcement (who tried to bust him). Cohen survived the murder attempts long enough to get a 14-year prison sentence.
Cohen's criminal career in Hollywood was the stuff of movies. He was a star in his own right and was as well know as the stars of the silver screen. Books, movies, and legends all arose from his term as the major leader of organized crime in the Las Angles area. In 1940 Mickey Cohen moved to Los Angeles and worked with Jack Dragna and Meyer Lansky's partner, Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel. When Siegel was murdered by Meyer Lansky's hitmen in 1947, Mickey Cohen took over for him. California crime lord Jack Dragna became uncomfortable with Cohen, and numerous attempts were made on the life of Mickey Cohen. Meyer Lansky finally arranged for a truce between Dragna and Cohen.
Corruption in the police department and within the legal system was well known. In some cases special units were created under direct control of specific police officials with specific goals. One unit had the duty to make sure no elements of organized crime were able to locate in the Los Angles area. The already existing crime lords were more than willing to aid the police in their efforts to keep out new crime elements and in return the police did little to attack cooperate criminals. In some cases organized crime bosses were able to influence the appointment of police officials. A spirit of cooperation or at the very least a feeling of "live and let live" became entwined in criminal and law enforcement elements. This was the situation that made it possible for men like Cohen to maintain a level of power that reached into the local politics and the film industry.
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