Sinatra's Kidnapper Cashes In

It was a crime that was tailor made for the tabloids. Frank Sinatra’s 19 year old son Frank, Jr. was kidnapped on December 8, 1963.

Star power, money and both law enforcement and the mob all came together for a tale of intrigue that still has some wondering today exactly what happened.

Abducted at gunpoint from Harrah’s in Lake Tahoe, the young Sinatra, who was following in his father’s footsteps—was taken to Canoga Park, California. It was on this date 46 years ago that the victim spoke briefly to his father by phone. Afterwards, the kidnappers demanded a ransom of $240,000.

The young mastermind of the scheme, Barry Keenan, had also considered the sons of Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. He and his accomplices settled on Sinatra, however, thinking he would be tough enough to handle the ordeal. The crime was originally planned for November, but President Kennedy’s assassination delayed their scheme.

Robert Kennedy, then Attorney General offered his assistance. So too, did Sam Giancana, one of the country’s most powerful organized crime leaders. The elder Sinatra declined-and instead sought the help of the FBI.

Thankfully, the drop-off of the young victim on Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles occurred without harm to Sinatra. In an attempt to avoid a public scene, police actually stuffed Sinatra into the trunk of the squad car for the ride home!

Here’s a video of Frank, Jr. appearing with his sister Nancy on the Smothers Brothers Show some 4 years after his ordeal:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqWZoL_luxo

Within a few days, one of Keenan’s partners John Irwin turned himself in to the FBI in San Diego. By December 14, all the perpetrators had been located and arrested.

Most interesting is the defense strategy at trial. Flamboyant LA attorney Gladys Root contended that Frank, Jr. has orchestrated his own abduction as a publicity stunt. To this day, there are those who believe this was true-despite the lack of evidence. Keenan was convicted-and served 4 ½ years in federal prison. After release, he became a successful real estate developer.

Instead of burying that chapter of his life, Keenan sold the rights to his story for over a million dollars. Before a movie could be made, the case ended up in court. Here’s a quick video explaining how Keenan made money from the kidnapping:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_XfxQP6he8

So, to avoid violating his “right to free speech”, Keenan indeed profited handsomely from his illegal deeds.

In a world where justice should prevent criminals from cashing in on their crimes, it seems that sometimes we are more concerned about the rights of the criminal than we are for the rights of the victim!

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