BUCHALTER, LOUIS (LEPKE)

(1897-1944)

   American labour racketeer. Born in New York City, he embarked on a life of crime. He was first part of a juvenile gang that rolled drunks, picked pockets, and robbed pushcarts. In the 1920s he went into labour racketeering. His gangs' weapons included acid, bludgeons, blackjacks, knives, fire, ice picks and pistols. Adopting the lifestyle of a multi-millionaire, he lived in mid-Manhatten and maintained chauffeur-driven cars for trips to race tracks and night clubs. In 1941, he was indicted and convicted for the killing of a garment worker and executed.