Episode 79: Cut the Hair

Hillary and Tina cover former Detroit Mayor Richard Reading and the Oklahoma Kickback Scandal.

Hillary’s Story
Richard Reading worked his way up in Detroit politics, building a political machine leading to his mayoral bid and win in 1938. BUT, when newspapers and the Feds receive incriminating evidence of a gambling racket, the high rolling Reading risks his coveted position.

Tina’s Story
Throughout the 1970s and 80s, Oklahoma spent around 100 million dollars annually on roads and equipment. BUT, when the Feds investigate the potential misuse of public funds, they uncover one of the biggest kickback schemes in US History.

Sources
Hillary's Story
Detroit And The "Good War": The World War II Letters of Mayor Edward--by Dominic J Capeci, Jr. via Google Books

Wikipedia
Richard Reading

New York Times
137 HELD FOR TRIAL IN DETROIT GRAFT; Former Mayor Reading, His Police Head, and McCrea, Ex-Prosecutor, Named LINKED TO PURPLE GANG $1,500,000 Declared Paid in Plot for Protection of Horse Race Gambling in City

Detroit Free Press
Meet the 5 worst mayors in Detroit history--by Dan Austin

Photos
Richard W. Reading, Detroit Mayor--Postcard via Public Domain
Mayor Richard Reading getting fingerprinted--via @detroitgriot on Twitter

Tina's Story
Tulsa World
1980s county commissioners scandal lives on in Oklahoma's tight control on counties, and Tulsa County lobbyist urges loosening the grip--by Randy Krehbiel
Kickback Scandals--by Ken Neal
Ex-finance chief Daxon will lead business

Prowling Owl
OKSCAM County Commissioner

Oklahoma Historical Society
Scandals, Political.

UPI
A multi-million dollar kickback scandal on county road equipment--By HARRY CULVER

Wikipedia
Tom Daxon

The Philadelphia Inquirer
Rufus Earl Young | Oklahoma FBI helper, 71

The Washington Post
Oklahoma Scandal--by Douglas B. Feaver