Jim Elkins

Who is Jim Elkins?

James Butler Elkins was a famous crime boss in Portland, Oregon in the mid-20th century.

Elkins was involved in numerous illegal activities for several decades in the mid-20th century, running gambling rackets and nightclubs like the 8212 Club, and was known for his brutality. His testimony, supported by over 70 hours of audio recordings of conversations he made on his own, was a prominent feature in the McClellan Committee investigations into organized crime that commenced in 1957.

Elkins' audio recordings resulted in indictments of Portland mayor Terry Schrunk and Multnomah County District Attorney William Langley, although both were acquitted. Portland Chief of Police Jim Purcell was also indicted.