National Affairs: End of Wexler

Irving ("Waxey Gordon") Wexler used to be a Bowery pickpocket. From thieving, petty assaults and a stretch in Sing Sing he stepped up into the real estate business. For partners he had a pair of plug-uglies named Max Hassel and Max Greenberg. His real estate business served as a cloak for bigtime bootlegging in New Jersey. By 1931 the Wexler breweries at Paterson and Union City were returning profits at the rate of $2,277,000 per year. 'Legger Wexler bought $10 shirts, rode in limousines, kept an elaborate apartment with three master bedrooms, a...

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