A Sought-After Ally

Al Capone’s skillful manipulation of his criminal activities made him a sought-after ally for politicians. He willingly supported any candidate who was willing to turn a blind eye to his bootlegging empire, generously funding their campaigns. One notable example was his $250,000 contribution to the corrupt politician William Hale Thompson’s mayoral campaign.

In return, Thompson allowed Capone’s illicit operations to flourish unhindered across Chicago. Following Thompson’s demise, authorities uncovered a staggering $27 million in his safety deposit box, a sizable portion of which was undoubtedly sourced from Capone’s coffers. Capone approached politics much like his criminal enterprises, using ruthless methods to eliminate opposition.