Testimony about Frank Colacurcio Sr. during 1950s U.S. Senate hearings

In 1957 and 1958, a U.S. Senate committee held hearings on organized crime. The committee examined efforts in the mid-1950s by Teamsters union officials in Seattle and a Portland crime figure, James "Big Jim" Elkins, to jointly establish illegal gambling and prostitution operations in Portland. Elkins testified in February 1957 before the Senate Select Committee on Improper Activities in the Labor or Management Field. Most of the questioning came from Robert F. Kennedy, the committee's chief counsel.

Twice during his testimony, Elkins discussed Frank Colacurcio Sr. of Seattle.

(In one exchange, Elkins said had he received a telephone call from Colacurcio but didn't elaborate on the conversation)

Mr. Kennedy. And who did you know Colacurcio to be?

Mr. Elkins. Well, I knew him to be another racketeer.

Mr. Kennedy. A racketeer?

Mr. Elkins. Yes.

(In another exchange, Elkins elaborated on the Teamster's plans and Colacurcio's involvement)

Mr. Kennedy. What type of things did they want to get open?

Mr. Elkins. Horse book, punch board, pinballs, houses.

Mr. Kennedy. Was there more discussion at that time about house of prostitution?

Mr. Elkins. A little discussion, yes, I think on 1 or 2 occasions.

Mr. Kennedy. Did they bring anybody else down from Seattle?

Mr. Elkins. Yes, they brought Frank Colacurcio down.

Mr. Kennedy. Did you have a meeting with Frank Colacurcio?

Mr. Elkins. Yes, sir.

Mr. Kennedy. Where did you have a meeting with him?

Mr. Elkins. In Tom and Joe's apartment, Tom Maloney and Joe McLaughlin's apartment in Portland Towers.

Mr. Kennedy. That was Frank Colacurcio?

Mr. Elkins. He was a boy that had various things operating in Seattle.

Mr. Kennedy. He was in the same kind of business as you, but more.

Mr. Elkins. That is right.

Mr. Kennedy. And he was operating in Seattle?

Mr. Elkins. And Washington, yes.

Mr. Kennedy. In the State of Washington?

Mr. Elkins. That is right.

Mr. Kennedy. What conversations and discussions did you have with Frank Colacurcio when he came down to Portland?

Mr. Elkins. He wanted me to arrange so that he could take over 3 or 4 houses. I told him if he wanted the houses to go buy them.

The Chairman. What kind of houses?

Mr. Elkins. Rooming houses for houses of prostitution, sir.

The Chairman. All right.

Mr. Kennedy. What other conversation did you have with him about them?

Mr. Elkins. It wound up in a row.

Mr. Kennedy. For what reason?

Mr. Elkins. Well, he said he would pay for them out of the earning of them and I said I didn't think that they would run long enough for that.

Mr. Kennedy. Why did you say that?

Mr. Elkins. Because I was telling him the truth. I didn't think they would run; I thought they would get arrested.

Mr. Kennedy. So you didn't reach any agreement with Colacurcio?

Mr. Elkins: No, I did not.

Mr. Kennedy: He went back.

Mr. Elkins: That is correct.