Although very low-key and conservative, Benjamin (Boom-Boom Benny) Levine was widely known as one of the wealthiest Jewish racketeers to ever operate in New York City. A multi-millionaire many times over, he was equally adept at operating at the top levels of the underworld and business world alike!
By the late 1930s to early 1940s, Levine was identified as a close associate and direct subordinate of Meyer Lansky, who was considered the head of the Jewish Mob. He was also, by extension, a top “associate” of the Luciano/Genovese Family.
He was a major garment center manufacturer and racketeer. He was reportedly one of the most powerful garment district racket figures. Law enforcement described him as a “Mr. Big” relating to garment operations. Many argued that Levine was the single most important man in the garment industry.
