Tom Pendergast Inmate File: Parole Hearing Transcript

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Description: 

Transcript of minutes from Tom Pendergast's parole hearing before Arthur D. Wood, chairman of the United States Board of Parole. Pendergast notes his health problems, including a bad heart and colostomy, and lack of prior convictions, as reasons he should be released from the penitentiary. He also discusses his family, his role at Ready Mixed Concrete Company, and a pending indictment in state court. Wood summarizes Pendergast's history as head of the Kansas City political machine, and recounts in detail the crimes with which he was charged and the evidence in support, including its relation to the scandal revolving around R. Emmet O'Malley, superintendent of the state insurance office. Wood continues the parole application on to the Board of Parole in Washington, D.C., with a recommendation of denial. 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: 
November 4th 1939
Modern Location: 
Leavenworth, KS
Event Name: 
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-580698-0004-0033
KANSAS CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY | DIGITAL HISTORY