James Joseph Hines

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James Joseph Hines (December 18, 1876 – March 26, 1957) was one of the most powerful leaders of Tammany Hall in New York City.

He was accused of being involved in the policy racket with Dutch Schultz and Dixie Davis in 1938 and of violating the "lottery laws". Hines provided protection for the policy racket in Harlem and other sections of New York. Hines was charged with influencing Magistrates Capshaw and Erwin to throw out policy cases in which the other conspirators had an interest, and to influence former District Attorney Dodge to 'go easy' on policy prosecutions. Hines was alleged to have received a cut in the proceeds of the policy racket.

[edit] Timeline

1876 Birth on December 18
1904 Married Geneva E. Cox, had three children
1912 Election for New York City Eleventh Assembly District
1913 Chief Clerk to the Board of Aldermen
1918 Lieutenant in the Motor Transport Corps during World War I
1920 Won primary in New York City Eleventh Assembly District
1921 Lost election to become Manhattan Borough President
1938 Indicted for protection of the Dutch Schultz mob and for complicity in a lottery or numbers game in August
1938 Mistrial declared by New York Supreme Court Justice Pecora on September 12
1939 Hines found guilty of all charges in a New York Supreme Court retrial in February
1939 Sentenced to 4-8 years in prison on March 23
1944 Hines paroled on September 12
1957 Death on March 26

[edit] References

New York Times; August 25, 1938, Thursday; Weinberg Testifies Dodge Saw Him Deliver $3,000 To Hines From Schultz. Schultz Ordered Aid To Hines He Said To Help Dodge. Says He Gave Money To Hines. Says Dodge Saw $3,000. Paid Election Gifts From $2,000 To $3,000. Gifts Continued After Campaign Schultz Barred Aid To Bankers. Abadaba Enters Picture. A Lesson In Bookmaking. Stryker Interested, But Demurs Explains Number-Control Plan. Berman Asked $10,000 A Week. Cincinnati Supplies Numbers. Had "Bankers" Check Up Slips. On Guard For "Bad Numbers". Court Asks Data On "Hits". Business Up To $45,000 A Day. Schultz Planned To "Cut" Hines. With Hines To Bridgeport Schultz Said Phone Was Tapped. Hines Cut To $250 A Week. Weinberg's Story Accusing Hines Claims 1936 Payments To Hines. Admits Lies In Prior Case. Holiday Gift Episode Admitted. Stryker Objects To Tactics. George Weinberg's continued direct testimony at the trial of James J. Hines yesterday follows: Arguments by District Attorney Thomas E. Dewey and Lloyd Paul Stryker, defense counsel, in Justice Ferdinand Pecora's chambers delayed the reopening of the trial of James J. Hines yesterday until 11:36 A. M., when George Weinberg continued his testimony under direct examination.