Lazzara was first arrested for Assault to commit murder in 1949, bribery, conspiracy to operate a bolita gambling ring and also came under indictment for liquor law violations in the 1960s. Lazzara, as many other mobsters in the Trafficante family, was the owner and operator of bars and lounges, he was the owner of Gene's Bar and The Yellow House Bar. He was considered by law enforcement in Florida to be a leader and major mob power in the Tampa area operating primarily as a banker in large scale gambling and bolita rackets. Lazzara was also believed to be involved in labor racketeering and counterfeiting in addition to being involved in jukebox and vending machine rackets. He was questioned by a Gran Jury in relation to the murder of Tampa mob boss Ignacio Antinori in the 1940s. Lazzara w