Jim Elkins (Oregon criminal)
Encyclopedia
James Butler Elkins was a famous crime boss
in Portland, Oregon
in the mid-20th century.
Elkins was involved in numerous illegal activities for several decades in the mid-20th century, running 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.
Elkins' audio recordings resulted in indictments of Portland mayor Terry Schrunk
and Multnomah County District Attorney William Langley, although both were acquitted. Portland Chief of Police Jim Purcell
was also indicted.
Crime boss
A crime boss or boss is a person in charge of a criminal organization. A boss typically has absolute or near-absolute control over his subordinates, is greatly feared by his subordinates for his ruthlessness and willingness to take lives in order to exert his influence, and profits come from the...
in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
in the mid-20th century.
Elkins was involved in numerous illegal activities for several decades in the mid-20th century, running 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.
Elkins' audio recordings resulted in indictments of Portland mayor Terry Schrunk
Terry Schrunk
Terry Doyle Schrunk was an American politician who served as the mayor for the city of Portland, Oregon, from 1957–1973, a length tying George Luis Baker who also served 17 years . Prior to becoming mayor, he had been the sheriff of Multnomah County since 1949. In his 1956 campaign for mayor, he...
and Multnomah County District Attorney William Langley, although both were acquitted. Portland Chief of Police Jim Purcell
Jim Purcell
“Diamond” Jim Purcell was the Chief of Police in Portland, Oregon during the 1950s.Purcell was an associate of Jim Elkins, a Portland mob boss, and helped protect Portland's pinball racket and other organized crime activity in the city...
was also indicted.