Interesting Old News About Rockola .......

[painter777]

Did you know........
During the 1920s, David Rockola was linked with Chicago organized crime and escaped a jail sentence by turning State's Evidence.

CHICAGO
In 1928, David Rockola was a smalltime slot machine operator and Henry Swanson had just been elected as the reform District Attorney of Cook County. Swanson had run on a promise of cleaing up illegal gambling, particularly slot machines.

As a brand new DA, Swanson was not only hampered by having a new and inexperienced staff, but also by conflicting local laws and regulations concerning slots. It was easier to run against them than to prosecute them because (a) Slot machines were legal in next-door Indiana and (b) The Illinois Attorney General had ruled that slot machines that did not give cash payouts were legal. (Some machines were set to give out tokens or vouchers that could be redeemed for cash).

In 1929, after several months of questioning manufacturers, owners, distributors and players, Swanson was able to force two small timers to testify -- David Rockola and William Keeney whose testimony led to an indictment of the Southside Slot Syndicate of James N. "High Pockets" O’Brien.

Keeney testified he did split profits with O’Brien on slots, however the machines were either the legal token type or were operating in Indiana. He also stated "High Pockets" (via his minion Rockola) introduced illegal mechanical additions to his machines that gave immediate payouts. Rockola testified that he had retrofitted payout devices on slots for the biggest slot companies in the world. Two in particular, Jennings and Mills Novelty, were companies with major ties to Frank Costello and other mob families in New York City as well as the Chicago mobs.

In return for immunity, Rockola testified about the slot machine racket in Chicago. Corruption was so rampant that he and an accomplice were able to get several truckloads of confiscated slot machines by paying $500 to one sergeant and two police captains. He was called "Crown Prince" of the slot syndicate by the Chicago press.



The future Jukebox King (and Lawyer)
(left) David Rockola
(right) Attorney Louis Piquette (later to be John Dillinger's last lawyer).
Click to Enlarge


Rockola was eventually convicted of several minor offenses. He avoided jail through a series of appeals. He received a pardon after a respectable period of time had elapsed. The ease with which he avoided jail and retribution have led some to believe that "High Pockets" was framed by rival gangsters and that Rockola was selected to give the damning evidence. Rockola had no trouble finding finance and connections for his subsequent foray into jukeboxes and vending machines.

Here's the link showing a picture of David Rockola and his Attorney

http://www.jitterbuzz.com/jukeboxes_...ies.html#chica

http://www.jitterbuzz.com/jukeboxes_...ies.html#crime

Both of these worked when previewed.

Let me know if you guys can see it.

Thanks,
Charlie-painter777

Information

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[dbarn]

Hey Charlie, very interesting and thanks for sharing, but can't get the link to work...

[painter777]

Worked when I previewed,
Trying again now.
His Lawyer also defended John Dillenger.

Charlie

[wtmr]

---------- Post added at 10:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:51 PM ----------

[/COLOR]Oh wow, Oh wow, Oh wow---as steve jobs said! that should make rockolas go up, never knew that

[dbarn]

Yep, working fine now. Thanks, great stuff!!

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Now we know what happened to Hoffa. He's hidden inside a Juke Box in some warehouse in Chicago.

[painter777]

wtmr



Invented by a con and built by a crook!

---------- Post added at 10:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:51 PM ----------

[/COLOR]Oh wow, Oh wow, Oh wow---as steve jobs said! that should make rockolas go up, never knew that

Do you think Organized Crime made $$ off the building of Carbines?

Charlie-painter777

[firstflabn]

They relied on union labor didn't they?

[LeagleEagle]

Wow Charlie, I learn something new every day! I didn't know there was actually a guy named Rockola who was behind the company, I just assumed that the "Rock" came from Rock N' Roll.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Wow Charlie, I learn something new every day! I didn't know there was actually a guy named Rockola who was behind the company, I just assumed that the "Rock" came from Rock N' Roll.

The company, which originally made slot machines, pinball machines, and scales was founded in 1927.
Earliest rock and roll styles started in the late 1940s and early 1950s from rhythm and blues . Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock" 1954 is recognized as one of if not the first Rock & Roll hit. But it didn't really become popular until 1955.
Not trying to be a wise guy or anything, but how old are you LeagleEagle? If under 45 you were born after the hay day of Rock & Roll.