Seattle crime family

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Seattle crime family
Founded1950s
FounderFrank Colacurcio
Founding locationSeattle, Washington, United States
Years active1950s–2000s (decade)
TerritoryWashington
Criminal activitiesRacketeering, prostitution, extortion, money laundering, corruption and fraud

The Seattle crime family, also known as the Colacurcio crime family,[1][2][3] was a crime family based in Seattle, Washington.

History[]

In the 1950s, Frank Colacurcio began operating cigarette and jukebox vending machines in the Seattle area.[4] The vending machine businesses became important to organized crime figures who easily skimmed money.[4] In 1957, Colacurcio began working with Portland crime figure James "Big Jim" Elkins to open prostitution houses in Portland.[4] In the 1960s, Colacurcio opened topless clubs in Seattle and skimmed money.[4] In the 1970s, Colacurcio met with Bonanno crime family member Salvatore "Bill" Bonanno in Yakima, WA to discuss a business relationship. When questioned about the meeting, Frank Colacurcio replied with “I went to Yakima to pick hot peppers, but I didn’t pick no bananas.” [4] In the following years Colacurcio continued to expand his strip-club business.

In 2003, a criminal investigation began in Seattle known as "Strippergate" focusing on strip clubs owned by Frank Colacurcio, Sr. and his son, Frank Colacurcio Jr.[5] In 2008, local police and federal agents raided Colacurcio's home and business.[3][6][7][8] The strip clubs owned by Colacurcio were being used as fronts for brothels.[6][7][8] In 2009, Colacurcio Sr., his son Frank Colacurcio Jr. and four others were indicted and charged with conspiracy and racketeering.[9] On July 2, 2010, boss Frank Colacurcio, Sr. died at the age of 93.[5]

References[]

Notes

  1. ^ Eaves, pg. 234
  2. ^ 2 charged with smuggling $650,000 across border by Mike Carter (December 16, 2010) The Seattle Times
  3. ^ a b Feds bust Colacurcio crime family's four Puget Sound strip clubs by Michael Rollins (June 3, 2008) The Oregonian
  4. ^ a b c d e The cops vs. Colacurcio - the last round by Steve Miletich and Jim Brunner (May 6, 2007) The Seattle Times
  5. ^ a b Frank Colacurcio Sr., Seattle's legendary organized-crime figure, dies at 93 Miletich, Steve (July 2, 2010) The Seattle Times
  6. ^ a b Feds say prostitution rampant at strip clubs by Mike Carter and Jim Brunner (June 3, 2008) The Seattle Times
  7. ^ a b Everett strip club a front for brothel, feds say by Diana Hefley and Jackson Holtz (June 3, 2008) The Herald, Everett, Washington
  8. ^ a b Strip club sting foreshadows possible federal charges[permanent dead link] by Sean Robinson (June 3, 2008) The News Tribute
  9. ^ Colacurcio Sr., five others indicted on a charge of conspiracy and racketeering by Ian Ith (June 30, 2009) The Seattle Times

Sources

  • Eaves, Elisabeth. Bare: the naked truth about stripping Avalon, 2004.
  • Anderson, Rick. Seattle Vice: Strippers, Prostitution, Dirty Money, and Crooked Cops in the Emerald City
  • Donnelly, Robert C. Dark Rose: Organized Crime and Corruption in Portland. University of Washington Press, 2011. ISBN 0295991119
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