Lot #178

Meyer Lansky Autograph Letter Signed

Description

Lansky leverages insider knowledge of Nixon-era corruption: "Now with the exposure of Mitchel and Watergate would it not be a good time to expose Shapiro?"

ALS signed “Meyer,” one page both sides, 8.5 x 11, August 9, 1973. Handwritten letter with reference to Watergate and Big Oil, in part: "My most important matter I won. The year doesn't annoy me at all; I just wanted to win this frame up and I'm sure it will be the same with the other one, most likely without a trial. They well know that I am innocent but they are afraid to let go now because it would be an admission of their guilt. I have to pay for it through the nose.

I heard that my victory got very little attention in your press, my loss received much more attention. Now with the exposure of Mitchel and Watergate would it not be a good time to expose Shapiro? We should quote his conversation with that lawyer from Haifa. Please send the name of the Haifa lawyer. I will try to do something from here to expose Shapiro and Berg…

I'm sure you are aware of the letter from the President of Standard Oil to his stockholders about near East. I told you Israel cannot be complacent with our politicians, especially the one's that are controlled by the oil interest. Max Fisher from Detroit I'm sure understand that he had to get off the board of Marathon Oil." In very good to fine condition, with toning to the left edge, and two file holes to the right edge.

This fascinating letter reveals Lansky's close connections in many circles of corruption, with references to figures involved in the Watergate scandal, including: John Mitchell, a confidant of Richard M. Nixon who served as his Attorney General (becoming the only attorney general to serve a prison sentence); David Shapiro, an attorney in the Watergate scandal representing Charles Colson, known as one of Nixon's 'hatchet men'; and Donald Berg, a Florida land developer involved in a complex corrupt land syndicate that served as Lansky's primary real estate front.

Auction Info

• Auction Title: Fine Autograph and Artifacts, Ft. Science & Tech
• Dates: #622 - Ended December 08, 2021

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