Tom Pendergast Inmate File: Memo from W. Harold Lane to Charles O'B. Berry

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Description: 

Memorandum from W. Harold Lane, Internal Revenue Service Special Agent, to the Special Agent in Charge (elsewhere identified as Charles O'B. Berry), regarding Tom Pendergast, Inmate #55295. The memo reports that, in a discussion with Governor Lloyd Stark about the conviction of Charles Gargotta for assault of Sheriff Thomas Bash, Stark stated that he suspected that Pendergast was "directing his political organization" while in prison. Lane reports that he "had heard a rather vague rumor that might substantiate that fact," and describes his information coming from overheard remarks at the funeral of former state senator Jack Haskell. Engaging in political activity from prison would be against the terms of Pendergast's conviction, but the claim of his involvement, upon further investigation, was found to be unsubstantiated. 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 month

Creator: 
Date: 
January 17th 1940
Modern Location: 
Kansas City, MO
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-580698-0004-0029
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