Geri Rosenthal, the wife of mobster Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal, is a complex figure whose story goes beyond what was shown in the movie “Casino.” Despite being portrayed as a materialistic party girl, Geri had a challenging life before meeting Lefty.
Born Geraldine McGee, she had a daughter to support from her high-school boyfriend and struggled financially. Moving to Las Vegas, she worked hard as a cocktail waitress and showgirl to provide for her family. By the time she met Lefty, she was self-sufficient and financially independent.
The relationship between Geri and Lefty was not based on love, as Geri did not love him when they got married. Lefty, on the other hand, was deeply in love with her. Their mismatched relationship took a turn for the worse when Geri had an affair with Lefty’s boss, Tony “The Ant” Spilotro, leading to the downfall of the mob in Las Vegas.
The affair between Geri and Tony was a breach of mob rules and ultimately led to tensions within the organization. The FBI capitalized on this scandal to dismantle the illegal activities at various casinos. The infidelity between Geri and Tony was personal and fueled by resentment towards Lefty.
The tumultuous relationship between Geri and Lefty culminated in a dramatic confrontation at their home on the Las Vegas Country Club golf course. Geri, feeling trapped and paranoid, pulled a gun on Lefty before emptying their safe deposit boxes and fleeing to Los Angeles.
Geri’s life ended tragically with a drug overdose at the age of 46, the same year Lefty survived a car bombing. He passed away in 2008 at the age of 79. The untold story of Geri Rosenthal sheds light on the complexities of her character and the turbulent events that unfolded in her life.