James Butler Elkins (1901–1968) was a crime boss in

Portland, Oregon Portland (, ) is a port city in the Pacific Northwest and the list of cities in Oregon, largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon. Situated at the confluence of the Willamette River, Willamette and Columbia River, Columbia rivers, Portland is ...

, in the mid-20th century. 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 The United States Senate Select Committee on Improper Activities in Labor and Management (also known as the McClellan Committee) was a select committee created by the United States Senate on January 30, 1957,Hilty, James. ''Robert Kennedy: Broth ...

investigations into organized crime that commenced in 1957. Elkins' audio recordings resulted in indictments of Portland mayor

Terry Schrunk Terrence Doyle Schrunk (March 10, 1913 – March 4, 1975) was an American politician who served as the mayor for the city of Portland, Oregon, 1957–1973, a length tying with George Luis Baker, who also served 16 years (1917–1933). Schr ...

and Multnomah County District Attorney William Langley, 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."

Early life

Elkins spent the first 30 years of his life involved in crimes including manufacturing moonshine, shooting a security guard in Arizona, possessing narcotics, and organizing gambling. In the 1930s Elkins came to Portland to help his brother Fred Elkins manage his small prostitution ring. Fred collected money from the business and Jim paid bribes to the police department in exchange for protection from the law.

References

1901 births 1968 deaths Criminals from Portland, Oregon Crimes in Oregon American gangsters American crime bosses Labor relations in Oregon {{Oregon-bio-stub