Frank Costello, American organized crime figure, passed away on February 18th 1973. He was 82 years old. Born on January 26th 1891 in Lauropoli, Italy as Francesco Castiglia, Costello came to the United States at the age of four and grew up on Manhattan's Lower East Side. He established himself in Harlem's notorious gangland scene, and rose to become consigliere of the Luciano crime family in the 1930s. Costello controlled numerous night clubs, race tracks, gambling establishments, and the numbers racket underworld. He was at the height of his power in the 1950s, becoming the leading mob figure of the time. During this violent period, he survived a failed assassination attempt and was later indicted for income tax evasion. After an acquittal, he retired from organized crime and died in 1973. Costello's colorful life has been documented in numerous films and television shows. He left a legacy that encompassed many major aspects of organized crime in America.