Tom Pendergast Inmate File: Letter from James V. Bennett to Robert H. Hudspeth

Description: 

Letter from James V. Bennett, Director of the Bureau of Prisons, to Robert Hudspeth, warden of the U.S. Penitentiary at Leavenworth, regarding Tom Pendergast, Inmate #55295. Bennett writes regarding allegations made by Governor Lloyd Stark that Pendergast "was directing his political organization from Leavenworth," and his discussion about that issue with Elmer Irey, who works in Treasury Department law enforcement. Irey concluded that Stark was misinformed, and that Pendergast was not engaged in political activity from prison. Pendergast, known for his powerful Kansas City political machine and ties to organized crime, was found guilty of income tax evasion in 1939 and sentenced to 15 months in the U.S. Penitentiary at Leavenworth.

Date: 
January 25th 1940
Modern Location: 
Washington, DC
Rights Statement: 
Publication, commercial use, or reproduction of this image or the accompanying data requires prior written permission from the National Archives at College Park. Use of this image also requires that credit be given to the National Archives at College Park.
Collection Title, Call or Box Number: 
NARA ID 580698, Notorious Offenders Files, 1919-1975
Digital Object Identifier: 
NARACP-580698-0004-0026
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