Police corruption in the 1930s - Talk and slideshow

I will be giving a talk and slideshow on the police corruption scandals on 1937, called "Dolly Fine and the fall of the house of McDonough."
talk and slide presentation is on February 24th at St. Philip's Church, 7:30 pm.
725 Diamond Street, between Elizabeth Street & 24th Street).

$5.00, free for members. You are all invited.



In 1937, San Franciscans were shocked to find police officers with huge fortunes from payoffs from gambling, prostitution, liquor, betting on the horses, shakedowns of legitimate businesses, fake raids and phony arrests. The city hired a private investigator, an ex-Gman named Edwin Atherton and began Grand Jury hearings. The newspapers had a field day and circulation war over the scandals. Dozens of cops and the entire police commission were forced out and it was the beginning of the end for the McDonough Brothers bail bondsmen, whose office near the old Hall of Justice was the clearinghouse for payoffs whom Atherton labeled the “Fountainhead of Corruption."

I transcribed the so-called “Atherton Report” from old newspaper accounts (It disappeared from the clerk’s office in 1938), and am giving it away on the internet. (http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/131865), and I am writing the history.

I also published an e-book on the scandals, a historical novel called “Bordello Politique.” (http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/106571)

talk and slide presentation is on February 24th at St. Philip's Church
725 Diamond Street, between Elizabeth Street & 24th Street).
7:45 p.m. $5.00, free for members. You are all invited.