Tom Pendergast

Tom Pendergast

Thomas Joseph Pendergast (July 22, 1873 – January 26, 1945) controlled Kansas City and Jackson County, Missouri as a corrupt political boss from approximately 1925 to 1939. "Boss Tom" Pendergast gave workers jobs and helped elect politicians, becoming wealthy in the process. He was eventually convicted of income tax evasion and served 15 months in a Federal prison.

Pendergast was a patron of the early political career of Harry S. Truman, a fact that caused some controversy after Truman became Vice-President and then President.