Scams & Cons

Harry Truman and the Kansas City mob

March 09, 2023 Jim Grinstead Season 4 Episode 4
Scams & Cons
Harry Truman and the Kansas City mob
Show Notes

Two brothers turned their bar into a political machine that ruled Kansas City. From 1925 to 1939, the Pendergast brothers lined many pockets -- mostly their own -- by controlling public projects and contracts.

They ran the city, the county, the state and, eventually, helped Harry Truman into the White House.

We'll tell you how it was done, how taxpayers were aware of it and why they went along.