On October 17th, 1931...

The Downfall of Al Capone: A Notorious Gangster's Bittersweet End

Alphonse Gabriel Capone, famously known as "Scarface," was a prominent figure in the world of organized crime during the Prohibition era. His reign over Chicago's underground was marked by violence, corruption, and extravagance. But, as history has shown, all empires must fall.

The Rise of a Mobster 📈🍸

Capone's journey to the top began during the 1920s. He controlled a vast network of illegal activities including bootlegging, gambling, and prostitution. By 1929, his net worth was an estimated $100 million, making him one of the wealthiest men in America at the time.

Eliot Ness and The Untouchables 🚨🕵️

Despite Capone's power, he was not invincible. A determined federal agent, Eliot Ness, and his team known as "The Untouchables" were assigned to bring him to justice. Their relentless pursuit exposed the widespread corruption that shielded Capone for years.

The Tax Evasion Scandal 💼📉

Ironically, it wasn't the violence or the bootlegging that led to Capone's arrest, but tax evasion. In 1931, he was found guilty on 22 counts of tax evasion and sentenced to 11 years in federal prison.

Conviction and Imprisonment ⚖️🔒

Capone's conviction marked a significant victory for law enforcement. He began his sentence at the Atlanta U.S. Penitentiary but was later transferred to the infamous Alcatraz in 1934. After serving nearly seven years, Capone was released due to ill health and spent his remaining years in Florida, where he died in 1947.

Al Capone: By the Numbers 📊🧮

Capone's story serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of a life of crime. While his empire was built on fear and intimidation, it was a simple failure to pay taxes that ultimately brought him down—a tale as old as time: crime doesn't pay.