Bernie Silver
Encyclopedia
Bernie Silver was a leading crime boss
in the London underworld
of the 1950s to 1970s, active in prostitution
, pornography
and racketeering.
Silver's rise to prominence began with the absorption of the remants of the Messina Brothers
prostitution operation into what came to be known as "The Syndicate", a criminal organization headed principally by Silver and "Big Frank" Mifsud. During the heyday of the Syndicate (1967–1972), most of the Metropolitan Police
Obscene Publications Squad were in its pay, including the squad's head, Detective Chief Superintendent
Bill Moody.
Silver's influence began to wane as the 1970s wore on, a decline prompted by major investigations into police corruption
that by the end of 1972 had led to the resignation of eighty detectives. The discovery of a detailed ledger of the Syndicate's police payoffs during a raid on the home of Silver associate Jimmy Humphreys led to the dismissal or forced retirement of hundreds of Metropolitan Police officers; corruption trials in 1976-77 resulted in thirteen detectives—including two ex-Commanders, the highest-ranking British police officers ever to be convicted of corruption—being sentenced to a total of 90 years in prison.
Silver himself was convicted in 1975 of the murder of Tommy "Scarface" Smithson, but later cleared on appeal.
The film character Lew Vogel in The Bank Job
is based on Bernie Silver.
Crime boss
A crime boss or boss is a person in charge of a criminal organization. A boss typically has absolute or near-absolute control over his subordinates, is greatly feared by his subordinates for his ruthlessness and willingness to take lives in order to exert his influence, and profits come from the...
in the London underworld
Organized crime
Organized crime or criminal organizations are transnational, national, or local groupings of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity, most commonly for monetary profit. Some criminal organizations, such as terrorist organizations, are...
of the 1950s to 1970s, active in prostitution
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
, pornography
Pornography
Pornography or porn is the explicit portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purposes of sexual arousal and erotic satisfaction.Pornography may use any of a variety of media, ranging from books, magazines, postcards, photos, sculpture, drawing, painting, animation, sound recording, film, video,...
and racketeering.
Silver's rise to prominence began with the absorption of the remants of the Messina Brothers
Messina Brothers
The Messina Brothers were a Maltese-based criminal organization which dominated London's underworld during the inter-war and post-WWII years.-Early life:...
prostitution operation into what came to be known as "The Syndicate", a criminal organization headed principally by Silver and "Big Frank" Mifsud. During the heyday of the Syndicate (1967–1972), most of the Metropolitan Police
Metropolitan police
Metropolitan Police is a generic title for the municipal police force for a major metropolitan area, and it may be part of the official title of the force...
Obscene Publications Squad were in its pay, including the squad's head, Detective Chief Superintendent
Chief Superintendent
Chief superintendent is a senior rank in police forces organised on the British model.- United Kingdom :In the British police, a chief superintendent is senior to a superintendent and junior to an assistant chief constable .The highest rank below Chief Officer level, chief...
Bill Moody.
Silver's influence began to wane as the 1970s wore on, a decline prompted by major investigations into police corruption
Police corruption
Police corruption is a specific form of police misconduct designed to obtain financial benefits, other personal gain, or career advancement for a police officer or officers in exchange for not pursuing, or selectively pursuing, an investigation or arrest....
that by the end of 1972 had led to the resignation of eighty detectives. The discovery of a detailed ledger of the Syndicate's police payoffs during a raid on the home of Silver associate Jimmy Humphreys led to the dismissal or forced retirement of hundreds of Metropolitan Police officers; corruption trials in 1976-77 resulted in thirteen detectives—including two ex-Commanders, the highest-ranking British police officers ever to be convicted of corruption—being sentenced to a total of 90 years in prison.
Silver himself was convicted in 1975 of the murder of Tommy "Scarface" Smithson, but later cleared on appeal.
The film character Lew Vogel in The Bank Job
The Bank Job
The Bank Job is a 2008 British crime film written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, directed by Roger Donaldson, and starring Jason Statham, based on the 1971 Baker Street robbery in central London, from which the money and valuables stolen were never recovered...
is based on Bernie Silver.