Mike Heitler
Encyclopedia
Michael "The Pike" Heitler (died April 30, 1931) was a Prohibition
gangster involved in prostitution
for the Chicago Outfit
.
Heitler began operating brothels in Chicago
during the early 1900s based out of west Madison Street
. By 1911, he had become a leading crime figure and a top lieutenant to Chicago racketeer Jacob "Mont" Tennes, later driving rival Jack Zuta
out of business, with then ally Jake "Greasy Thumb" Guzik
. Although arrested briefly for white slavery
, Heitler continued to run independently of James "Big Jim" Colosimo and later independently of Johnny "The Fox" Torrio
, until the early 1920s, after the formation of the Chicago Outfit
.
Reluctantly joining Capone's organization, Heitler began informing Chicago police of criminal activities after rival Guzik gained control of the organization's prostitution operations, informing Judge John H. Lyle of extortion and other illegal activities in the Four Deuces nightclub. Heitler was soon found out and fired by Capone after he received a letter to the state's attorney office detailing his prostitution operations. Heitler continued to send information to police later claiming Capone's involvement in the death of Chicago Tribune
reporter Jake Lingle
, which, the letter was received by Capone. Heitler may have also been involved in the conviction of Guzik and Ralph "Bottles" Capone
for tax evasion
, in 1930. Heitler was last seen with Capone associate Lawrence "Dago" Mangano
and was later found dead after a fire in his home, on April 30, 1931.
Prohibition
Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, is the practice of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale, and consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the...
gangster involved 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...
for the Chicago Outfit
Chicago Outfit
The Chicago Outfit, also known as the Chicago Syndicate or Chicago Mob and sometimes shortened to simply the Outfit, is a crime syndicate based in Chicago, Illinois, USA...
.
Heitler began operating brothels in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
during the early 1900s based out of west Madison Street
Madison Street (Chicago)
Madison Street is a major east-west street in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to human intervention, the Chicago River emptied into Lake Michigan at the present day intersection of Madison Street and Michigan Avenue....
. By 1911, he had become a leading crime figure and a top lieutenant to Chicago racketeer Jacob "Mont" Tennes, later driving rival Jack Zuta
Jack Zuta
John U. "Jack" Zuta was an accountant and political "fixer" for the Chicago Outfit.-Early life:Zuta was born on February 18, 1888, to a Polish-Jewish peasant family in Russian Empire. He immigrated to the United States around 1913...
out of business, with then ally Jake "Greasy Thumb" Guzik
Jake Guzik
Jake "Greasy Thumb" Guzik was the financial and legal advisor, and later political “greaser”, for the Chicago Outfit.-Early life:...
. Although arrested briefly for white slavery
Sexual slavery
Sexual slavery is when unwilling people are coerced into slavery for sexual exploitation. The incidence of sexual slavery by country has been studied and tabulated by UNESCO, with the cooperation of various international agencies...
, Heitler continued to run independently of James "Big Jim" Colosimo and later independently of Johnny "The Fox" Torrio
Johnny Torrio
John "Papa Johnny" Torrio , also known as "The Fox", was an Italian-American mobster who helped build the criminal empire known as the Chicago Outfit in the 1920s that was later inherited by his protege, Al Capone...
, until the early 1920s, after the formation of the Chicago Outfit
Chicago Outfit
The Chicago Outfit, also known as the Chicago Syndicate or Chicago Mob and sometimes shortened to simply the Outfit, is a crime syndicate based in Chicago, Illinois, USA...
.
Reluctantly joining Capone's organization, Heitler began informing Chicago police of criminal activities after rival Guzik gained control of the organization's prostitution operations, informing Judge John H. Lyle of extortion and other illegal activities in the Four Deuces nightclub. Heitler was soon found out and fired by Capone after he received a letter to the state's attorney office detailing his prostitution operations. Heitler continued to send information to police later claiming Capone's involvement in the death of Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
reporter Jake Lingle
Jake Lingle
Alfred "Jake" Lingle, Jr. was a reporter for the Chicago Tribune. He was shot dead gangland-style at the Illinois Central commuter train station underpass , during rush hour on June 9, 1930, as dozens of people watched...
, which, the letter was received by Capone. Heitler may have also been involved in the conviction of Guzik and Ralph "Bottles" Capone
Ralph Capone
Ralph "Bottles" Capone, Sr., was a Chicago mobster and an older brother of Al Capone. Ralph Capone got the nickname "Bottles" from the fact that he lobbied the Illinois Legislature to put into law that milk bottling companies had to stamp the date that the milk was bottled on the...
for tax evasion
Tax evasion
Tax evasion is the general term for efforts by individuals, corporations, trusts and other entities to evade taxes by illegal means. Tax evasion usually entails taxpayers deliberately misrepresenting or concealing the true state of their affairs to the tax authorities to reduce their tax liability,...
, in 1930. Heitler was last seen with Capone associate Lawrence "Dago" Mangano
Lawrence Mangano
Lawrence "Dago Lawrence" Mangano was a Chicago mobster and member of the Chicago Outfit during the 1920s to the 1940s...
and was later found dead after a fire in his home, on April 30, 1931.
Further reading
- Binda, Lawrence. The Big, Bad Book of Mike: Rogues, Rascals and Rapscallions Named Michael, Mike and Mickey. Lincoln, Nebraska: iUniverse, 2003. ISBN 0-595-28772-7
- Schoenberg, Robert J. Mr. Capone. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1992. ISBN 0-68812-838-6