Access to this collection is generously supported by Arcadia funds. Dr. A.M. Wilkinson pictured in court, on the day of his testimony before Los Angeles County grand jury regarding an ongoing investigation into religious racketeering. During his testimony, Wilkinson admitted to accepting $4400 from "gambling czar" Guy McAfee. The money was used to pay outstanding bills incurred by "The Last Days of Pompeii" pageant, presented by the Federated Church Brotherhood, of which Wilkinson was chairman. In his testimony, Wilkinson avowed that the funds received from McAfee came without strings attached, and that he and the notorious gambler had prayed for an end to the latter’s gambling addiction. Wilkinson, who was a vice crusader, resigned from the Citizens' Independent Vice Investigating Committee following his testimony. However, his resignation was denied by several Committee members, who believed that accepting the funds should not affect Wilkinson's position on the Committee. Dr. A.M. Wilkinson, vice crusader, testifies before the Los Angeles County Grand Jury. September 8, 1937.
Type
image
Format
b&w nitrate negative
Identifier
ark:/21198/zz0027xnv6
Language
No linguistic content
Subject
Judicial proceedings--California--Los Angeles People Vice Grand juries Physicians--American--California--Los Angeles Legal Spiritual leaders--California--Los Angeles Wilkinson, A.M
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