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Kansas City's Crooked History: Mafia's Heartland Reign
6 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Organized crime in Kansas City dates back to the early 20th century.
- The Pendergast political machine era was fueled by mobster John Lazia.
- Operation Strawman dismantled KC's mob influence in the early 2000s.
Kansas City's identity is often linked to its vibrant culture and landmarks, but a darker, captivating history involves the Italian mafia. Originating from Sicily, organized crime found fertile ground in American cities, including Kansas City, during the early 20th century.
This period saw the rise of figures like John Lazia, whose political connections facilitated the notorious Pendergast political machine. The mob's influence permeated local politics and commerce, especially during Prohibition, as immigrant communities sought opportunity and power.
The mafia's reach expanded through union infiltration, notably the Teamsters and their control of the Central States Pension Fund, a key source of power and illicit income. However, the era of mob dominance concluded with the FBI's Operation Strawman, leading to convictions and the eventual decline of organized crime's grip on Kansas City by the early 2000s.
