Around Town: A History of Corruption

David Matthews

At the start of the Revolutionary War, New York mayor David Matthews was the worst kind of evil: a Loyalist (Republicans didn’t exist yet, technically). To please their British bosses, Matthews and some cronies schemed to kidnap George Washington. Things didn’t work out though, one of Matthews’ co-conspirators was hung, and the mayor left the city with the Brits, proving the un-fuck-with-ability of the original George Dubyah.

Fernando Wood

Think Giuliani was bad? Mid-nineteenth century mayor Fernando Wood did worse with his Municipal Police. The force was so corrupt that the state created a replacement police agency. A long summer of police brawls and unchecked gang violence ensued, with a final battle between hundreds of coppers outside City Hall that the National Guard finally quelled. Out on bail, Wood remained in office until his Confederate allegiances and suggestion that the city secede really pissed folks off.


William “Boss” Tweed

It’s unclear what sum greedy public works commissioner Boss Tweed (1823-1878) embezzled from the city (estimates run from $20 to $300 million), but we know that he weighed a tell-tale 300 pounds. After deft reporters uncovered this greedy eater-greedy embezzler connection, Tweed was convicted. A surprisingly skilled swimmer, Tweed escaped to Cuba and then Spain, where he was apprehended. Returned to New York, he died in the Ludlow Street Jail.

James “Jimmy” Walker a.k.a. Beau James

Tabloid-devouring New Yorkers were sweet on adulterous mayor Jimmy Walker (1926-32) through several affairs with speakeasy chorus girls. People still dug Walker when he left his wife for popular showgirl Betty Compton. But when personal immorality carried over into politics things went sour: Walker was involved in a system of blackmail and bribery exploiting mainly working-class women though the Magistrate’s court. Exposed, Walker fled to Europe and married his mistress.

Donald R. Manes

Floored by ever-increasing parking fees? Could be the remnants of a system of bribes and kickbacks set up by Douglas R. Manes (Queens borough president 1971-1986). Young and popular, Manes gave business buddies strategic city jobs and created a phony company to slyly divert funds from the Parking Violations Bureau. As the law’s hammer came down, Manes committed suicide (by kitchen-knife-to-the-heart no less).

A version of this will appear in the January 30th issue of The L Magazine.