The Life and Times of Frank Nitti: Al Capone’s Enforcer
Early Life and Rise to Power
Frank Nitti, born Francesco Raffaele Nitto on January 27, 1886, in Angri, Italy, was a notorious figure in the annals of American organized crime. Nitti's early life was marked by hardship and the struggle for survival. After his father's death, a young Francesco, along with his mother and stepfather, emigrated to the United States, settling in Brooklyn, New York. It was in the bustling streets of Brooklyn that Nitti was first exposed to the world of petty crime. Following a brief stint as a barber, he became increasingly involved with criminal gangs, laying the groundwork for his future notorious career.
By the 1920s, Nitti had moved to Chicago, the burgeoning city known for its escalating gang activity. He quickly aligned himself with Johnny Torrio, a prominent gangster who played a pivotal role in establishing the Chicago Outfit. It was through Torrio that Nitti met Al Capone, a relationship that would come to define much of his criminal career. Capone, recognizing Nitti's cunning and ruthless efficiency, soon made him an integral part of his operations. Nitti’s rise within the organization was swift, and he became one of Capone's most trusted enforcers, earning a reputation for his unwavering loyalty and brutal enforcement tactics during the Prohibition era.
