Colacurcio Organization
| Founded | 1950s |
|---|---|
| Founder | Frank Colacurcio |
| Founding location | Seattle, Washington, United States |
| Years active | 1950s–2000s (decade) |
| Territory | Washington |
| Criminal activities | Racketeering, 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 to discuss a business relationship.[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 associates Leroy R. Christiansen, David C. Ebert, Steven M. Fueston and John Gilbert Conte 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
- ^ Eaves, pg. 234
- ^ 2 charged with smuggling $650,000 across border by Mike Carter (December 16, 2010) The Seattle Times
- ^ a b Feds bust Colacurcio crime family's four Puget Sound strip clubs by Michael Rollins (June 3, 2008) The Oregonian
- ^ a b c d e The cops vs. Colacurcio - the last round by Steve Miletich and Jim Brunner (May 6, 2007) The Seattle Times
- ^ a b Frank Colacurcio Sr., Seattle's legendary organized-crime figure, dies at 93 Miletich, Steve (July 2, 2010) The Seattle Times
- ^ a b Feds say prostitution rampant at strip clubs by Mike Carter and Jim Brunner (June 3, 2008) The Seattle Times
- ^ a b Everett strip club a front for brothel, feds say by Diana Hefley and Jackson Holtz (June 3, 2008) The Herald, Everett, Washington
- ^ a b Strip club sting foreshadows possible federal charges by Sean Robinson (June 3, 2008) The News Tribute
- ^ 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