Jim Elkins (criminal)

James Butler Elkins (1901–1968) was a crime boss in Portland, Oregon, in the mid-20th century.[1]

Elkins was involved in numerous illegal activities for several decades in the mid-20th century. He reportedly ran gambling rackets and nightclubs like the 8212 Club and was known for his brutality. His testimony, supported by over 70 hours of audio recordings of conversations he made on his own, was a prominent feature in the McClellan Committee investigations into organized crime that commenced in 1957.[2]

Elkins' audio recordings resulted in indictments of Portland mayor Terry Schrunk and Multnomah County District Attorney William Langley,[3] although both were acquitted. Portland Chief of Police Jim Purcell was also indicted. Purcell was later described as "He was very good at derailing investigations and covering up murders. Jim Elkins... paid Purcell well for his services."[4]

  1. ^ Robert Donnelly: McClellan Committee in the Oregon Encyclopedia
  2. ^ Woodiwiss, Michael (2001). Organized crime and American power: a history. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 978-0-8020-8278-7.
  3. ^ "INVESTIGATIONS: The Teamsters Take Over". TIME. 1957-03-18. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved 2011-03-08.
  4. ^ Chandler, J. D. (2016). Murder & scandal in prohibition Portland : sex, vice & misdeeds in Mayor Baker's reign. Charleston, SC: The History Press. p. 142. ISBN 978-1-4671-1953-5. OCLC 928581539.