Charles H. Crawford
| Charles H. Crawford | |
|---|---|
Charles H. Crawford
|
|
| Born | April 22, 1879 |
| Died | May 20, 1931 (aged 52) |
Charles H. Crawford (April 22, 1879 - May 20, 1931) was an American political figure. In the 1920s, his loosely organized crime syndicate in Los Angeles, California was known as the "City Hall Gang." Crawford was reportedly a model for some of Raymond Chandler’s villains.
In the early 1900s, Crawford operated dance halls and saloons in Seattle, Washington. During the 1910s, Crawford moved to Southern California where he opened a bar that reportedly also included a casino and bordello frequented by local politicians, judges and public officials. Eventually, Crawford developed a large vice operation in Los Angeles that included multiple casinos and bordellos.
Crawford developed a reputation for his political savvy and connections in the city's government and police department. With his connections, he was reportedly able to provide advance notice of raids to his criminal affiliates.
Crawford’s influence peaked during the Prohibition era in Los Angeles. In 1921, Crawford’s friend and political deal-maker, Kent Kane Parrot, concluded that prosecutor, George E. Cryer, would be a suitable candidate for Mayor of Los Angeles. Parrot ran Cryer’s campaign, which succeeded in defeating incumbent Mayor Meredith P. Snyder.
Between 1921 and 1929, Cryer was the city’s mayor, with Parrot and Crawford operating behind the scenes. Many wrote that Cryer was a mere figurehead and that Parrot was the "de facto mayor" who also ran the Los Angeles Police Department, even transferring personnel without consulting with the city's police chief. The loosely organized crime syndicate operated by Parrot, Crawford, and a coterie of bootleggers and criminals became known for their influence over the city’s government and were referred to as "the City Hall Gang" during the 1920s. Money from Crawford's vice operations flowed into the city government through Parrot.
Crawford became known as "the Gray Wolf of Spring Street." He was a colorful figure in Los Angeles during the Roaring Twenties, wearing a flamboyant wardrobe and flashy diamonds. When bootleggers and operators of other vice operations needed interference or assistance, the advice given was, "See Charlie about it." A historical account published by the Los Angeles Times described Crawford as follows:
...
Wikipedia