Did anything surprise you about the trial of Lucky Luciano? Why do you think Dewey didn’t want to prosecute Luciano for running a prostitution ring? Do you think this perspective would still be in evidence today?
I thought it was interesting that Dewey didn’t want to prosecute Luciano for prostitution. Even though Luciano was a known crime boss, his being involved with prostitution was initially seen as a lesser crime, a moral indiscretion. The women were seen as culpable for their crimes but the men were treated differently. This is an example of the patriarchy of the day. I do not think our society has moved entirely beyond that patriarchy.
I agree and I also found it interesting that all the people were constantly complaining about the prostitution yet none of the politicians wanted to do anything about it. I would think at least in this day and age politicians would want to cater to their voters wishes but as a society we still blame and shame the women while giving the men a pass.
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The one thing about the trial that surprised me what how Luciano said he didn’t know all these people who were supposed to be business associates! I love the “wasn’t me” defense, haha. I can’t imagine the jurors would have bought that even without the testimony of the hotel housekeeper.
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I think Dewey knew that there were too many men in New York who regularly frequented houses of prostitution, and that unfortunately it was more important not to embarrass men of “stature” if at all possible during this trial. Sad to say this perspective continues to permeate politics and the justice system in America in the 21st century.
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I agree. Prostitution and demeaning and abusing women were lesser crimes then, and now.
Well said! Prostitution was a crime for the women but was “boys will be boys” for the men. Even today, women are often shamed rather than being treated as victims. However, that is hopefully changing, albeit slowly.
I can’t imagine that either. However, it was very smart of Polly to recognize that the word of her girls was not worth as much to the jurors as the word of the hotel staff.