THE BLACK HAND FORUM

Chicago wrote:

Dwalin2014 wrote:

Antiliar wrote:Paying income in general was just gathering steam since 1913. In Capone's case he didn't know that he had to pay tax on ILLEGAL income.

But if it was taxes from illegal activities income, why wasn't he convicted for these activities as well, apart from tax evasion? I mean, for example if you shake down a businessman, threatening him with death, and don't pay taxes from the extorted money, and the tax agents grab you for not having paid the taxes in this case, how can you avoid being automatically indicted for extortion as well? Or, if you sold drugs and didn't pay taxes from it, they should indict you not only for tax evasion, but for drug trafficking also, right?
I noticed many of prominent gangsters did time for tax evasion at some point, but "tax evasion ONLY", no additional charges. Why?

They couldn't convict Capone on anything except not paying taxes on a huge income.
In a criminal case, you have to be able to prove your case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The sure slam dunk case they had against Capone was NOT for distributing liquor but instead was for living wayyyy beyond his means and not paying taxes on all his income. That's all they needed to convict him. They didn't need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt anything else.
Income tax evasion was enough to put him away. When you are a Prosecutor, you go with the strongest case you have in order to win. You don't have to waste time trying to win every point.

Antiliar wrote:Paying income in general was just gathering steam since 1913. In Capone's case he didn't know that he had to pay tax on ILLEGAL income.

Chicago wrote:Basically Correct. They tried to get Capone in every way possible and the only way they could do it was through income tax evasion.
Those guys way back then never thought about the income tax part of it. It never even entered their minds until it was too late.
Capone tried to pay some taxes at the end but the Government wouldn't accept it.
Antiliar knows more about those details.

MilwaukeePhil wrote:

Chicago wrote:Johnny's Beef Stand on North Avenue in Elmwood Park is great. You would like it.
That's my favorite for sandwiches.

Nice - did you check it out after you saw it featured on Anthony Bourdain?

Joe Boston's is the best in the city.

Chicago wrote:Johnny's Beef Stand on North Avenue in Elmwood Park is great. You would like it.
That's my favorite for sandwiches.

Chris Christie wrote:

JCB1977 wrote:

Chicago wrote:Basically Correct. They tried to get Capone in every way possible and the only way they could do it was through income tax evasion.
Those guys way back then never thought about the income tax part of it. It never even entered their minds until it was too late.
Capone tried to pay some taxes at the end but the Government wouldn't accept it.
Antiliar knows more about those details.

Crazy thing is, a tax case is typically the last resort that the FEDS will use when they can't get serious charges to stick. What was your take on Joey Doves? Sam Wings? Krusty the Clown Lombardo? And would you say that Accardo pulled the strings the whole time or did Chicago have a ruling panel with top figureheads?

Chicago knows his stuff! I'll admit I could never be on Chicago's level if I lived 6 lifetimes.

So I take my hat off, a salut a Chicago!

Chicago wrote:Basically Correct. They tried to get Capone in every way possible and the only way they could do it was through income tax evasion.
Those guys way back then never thought about the income tax part of it. It never even entered their minds until it was too late.
Capone tried to pay some taxes at the end but the Government wouldn't accept it.
Antiliar knows more about those details.

rayray wrote:Just about proves that if Capone tried to live under the radar he probably would not have gone to jail himself.


What about Torrio or vice Lord Colosimo? Did they spend anytime in jail?