Chandler and Fisher’s crime history of Portland is fascinating. This fast reading study, leaning heavily on police files and notes, quickly demonstrates how well corrupt government officials can cover their tracks.
Portland’s organized crime was so tied into city politics, at least two mayors and countless other city officials were so deeply involved, that criminals truly ran the government. All the usual enterprises were under gang rule, the unions, shipping and the waterfront and the police. Murders were covered up, honest officers hands were tied. When movies were made to detail the corruption, Portland banned them. Sounds like the 1930s and 40s!
Another great tale of Pacific Northwest greed and corruption is Sons of the Profits, the story of how Seattle basically robbed and whored its way to eminence.