Crime History: Murder Inc. boss surrenders to journalist

On this day, Aug. 24, in 1939, the leader of the mob hit squad, “Murder Inc.” surrendered to columnist Walter Winchell, who then turned him over to FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. In 1937, Louis “Lepke” Buchalter went into hiding, and sought to have Murder Inc. hitmen kill 12 mobsters who might testify against him.

Buchalter was told that if he surrendered to the FBI, he would get a favorable deal. Fearing that the G-men would shoot him on sight, Buchalter contacted Winchell to coordinate the handover. Winchell waived the $50,000 reward, asking instead only for the scoop.