NCJ Number
104388
Date Published
1987
Length
120 pages
Annotation
This book traces the ties between organized crime figures in Australia and the United States and describes some Australian organized crime activities, notably counterfeiting, prostitution, drug trafficking, and a con game involving a bogus religious order.
Abstract
When Robert Askin assumed the premiership of New South Wales in 1965, American mafia figures began appearing in Australia, including Las Vegas casino owner Morris Lansburgh and Chicago mobsters Joseph Testa, Jimmy Allegretti, and Felix Alderisio. The activities in which Australian and American mobsters have cooperated involve illegal gambling, money laundering, pornography, and drug trafficking. The nexus between Australia and organized crime operations in America was revealed in the U.S. drug enforcement operation called 'Operation Moneybags,' which traced drug smuggling operations along the South Carolina coast to Australian Robert Leslie. Another organized crime operation based in Australia was the use of the bogus religious order, Knights of Malta (the same name as a highly respected Catholic order), to bilk duped members of the order out of thousands of dollars. From the mid-1960's to the mid-1980's, Australia was a haven for counterfeiters of nonAustralian currency, since during this time Australia had no Federal law against such activity. This book also discusses organized crime's involvement in the legalized brothels of Victoria and New South Wales and the major drug operation destroyed by law enforcement's 'Operation Lavender.' The concluding chapter discusses Australia's efforts to address organized crime's corruption of public officials. Subject index.