Pat Marcy
Encyclopedia
Pat Marcy was a legendary political boss
with great influence over the Illinois
Democratic Party
. According to Federal prosecutors, as well as informants Robert Cooley
and Michael J. Corbitt
, he was also a trusted and valued associate of the Chicago Outfit
. His official title was, "Secretary of the First Ward." FBI agent William Roemer believed Marcy to be a made man
in the Chicago Outfit when Roemer testified before the Senate in 1983.
family. His name was originally Pasqualino Marchone until he formally changed it, likely hoping that a non-Italian alias would help his political career.
Fred Roti
and Democratic Committeeman John D'Arco, Sr., both of whom also had close ties to the Chicago Outfit, took their direct orders from Marcy. The "Secretary" regularly paid court and dispensed favors from the "First Ward table" at the "Counselor's Row" restaurant in the Chicago Loop
, just across the street from Chicago City Hall
.
tried for over three decades to bring down Marcy and his associates. According to former FBI agent William F. Roemer, Jr.
, their tactics included illegally bugging the First Ward's Headquarters at 100 North LaSalle Street in 1962. Although the bug, dubbed "Shade," revealed a great deal about the activities of the First Ward's political machine
, nothing could be used in court.
secretly approached Federal prosecutors. He declared, "I want to help you destroy the First Ward. I want to help you destroy Pat Marcy." Cooley proceeded to wear a wire on Marcy and several other First Ward members, including D'Arco and Roti, implicating them in numerous acts of corruption, including fixing trials on the Outfit's behalf.
During the same period, Michael Corbitt, the imprisoned former police chief of Willow Springs, Illinois
, began cooperating with Federal prosecutors. According to Corbitt, Marcy was so trusted by the Outfit that the money skimmed from casino
s in Central America
and Las Vegas
was delivered directly to him.
(RICO), six counts of bribery
, and six counts of extortion
. Marcy died during the trial, in March 1993.
Political boss
A boss, in politics, is a person who wields the power over a particular political region or constituency. Bosses may dictate voting patterns, control appointments, and wield considerable influence in other political processes. They do not necessarily hold public office themselves...
with great influence over the Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. According to Federal prosecutors, as well as informants Robert Cooley
Robert Cooley
Robert Cooley is a former Mafia lawyer, government informant and author of the 2004 autobiography, "When Corruption was King."-Early life:...
and Michael J. Corbitt
Michael J. Corbitt
Michael Jerome Corbitt was a police chief of Willow Springs, Illinois, and an associate of Chicago Outfit mobsters such as Sal Bastone, Sam "Mo Mo" Giancana and Antonino "Tony," "Joe Batters" Accardo. He became a cooperating witness after being convicted of aiding in the murder of Chicagoan Diane...
, he was also a trusted and valued associate of the Chicago Outfit
Chicago Outfit
The Chicago Outfit, also known as the Chicago Syndicate or Chicago Mob and sometimes shortened to simply the Outfit, is a crime syndicate based in Chicago, Illinois, USA...
. His official title was, "Secretary of the First Ward." FBI agent William Roemer believed Marcy to be a made man
Made man
A made man, also known as a Mafioso , made guy, man of honor, or uomo d'onore , is someone who has been officially inducted into the Sicilian or American Mafia . They may also be referred to by some as a goodfella or wiseguy...
in the Chicago Outfit when Roemer testified before the Senate in 1983.
Background
Marcy was born in Chicago, Illinois to an Italian AmericanItalian American
An Italian American , is an American of Italian ancestry. The designation may also refer to someone possessing Italian and American dual citizenship...
family. His name was originally Pasqualino Marchone until he formally changed it, likely hoping that a non-Italian alias would help his political career.
The First Ward
Marcy ran Chicago's old 1st Ward which encompassed Chicago's Downtown. AldermanAlderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
Fred Roti
Fred Roti
Fred B. Roti was a powerful and long serving Alderman of Chicago's First Ward. A federal jury convicted Roti on 11 counts of racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, bribery and extortion.- Background :...
and Democratic Committeeman John D'Arco, Sr., both of whom also had close ties to the Chicago Outfit, took their direct orders from Marcy. The "Secretary" regularly paid court and dispensed favors from the "First Ward table" at the "Counselor's Row" restaurant in the Chicago Loop
Chicago Loop
The Loop or Chicago Loop is one of 77 officially designated Chicago community areas located in the City of Chicago, Illinois. It is the historic commercial center of downtown Chicago...
, just across the street from Chicago City Hall
Chicago City Hall
Chicago City Hall is the official seat of government of the City of Chicago in Illinois. Adjacent to the Richard J. Daley Center and the James R...
.
The FBI
Beginning in the 1950s, the Federal Bureau of InvestigationFederal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
tried for over three decades to bring down Marcy and his associates. According to former FBI agent William F. Roemer, Jr.
William F. Roemer, Jr.
William F. Roemer, Jr. was an FBI agent for 30 years. He is known for his battle against organized crime and being the most highly decorated agent in FBI history. After retirement he became a private attorney for businesses being muscled by the mob...
, their tactics included illegally bugging the First Ward's Headquarters at 100 North LaSalle Street in 1962. Although the bug, dubbed "Shade," revealed a great deal about the activities of the First Ward's political machine
Political machine
A political machine is a political organization in which an authoritative boss or small group commands the support of a corps of supporters and businesses , who receive rewards for their efforts...
, nothing could be used in court.
The sting
Finally, in the mid 1980s, mobbed-up criminal defense Attorney and longtime First Ward associate Robert CooleyRobert Cooley
Robert Cooley is a former Mafia lawyer, government informant and author of the 2004 autobiography, "When Corruption was King."-Early life:...
secretly approached Federal prosecutors. He declared, "I want to help you destroy the First Ward. I want to help you destroy Pat Marcy." Cooley proceeded to wear a wire on Marcy and several other First Ward members, including D'Arco and Roti, implicating them in numerous acts of corruption, including fixing trials on the Outfit's behalf.
During the same period, Michael Corbitt, the imprisoned former police chief of Willow Springs, Illinois
Willow Springs, Illinois
Willow Springs is a village in Cook and DuPage Counties, Illinois, United States. The population was 5,027 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Willow Springs is located at ....
, began cooperating with Federal prosecutors. According to Corbitt, Marcy was so trusted by the Outfit that the money skimmed from casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
s in Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
and Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
was delivered directly to him.
Imprisonment and death
As a result of these investigations, Marcy was indicted (91 CR 1045) with one count of conspiracy under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations ActRacketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, commonly referred to as the RICO Act or simply RICO, is a United States federal law that provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization...
(RICO), six counts of bribery
Bribery
Bribery, a form of corruption, is an act implying money or gift giving that alters the behavior of the recipient. Bribery constitutes a crime and is defined by Black's Law Dictionary as the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an official or...
, and six counts of extortion
Extortion
Extortion is a criminal offence which occurs when a person unlawfully obtains either money, property or services from a person, entity, or institution, through coercion. Refraining from doing harm is sometimes euphemistically called protection. Extortion is commonly practiced by organized crime...
. Marcy died during the trial, in March 1993.