Bootlegging is defined as the “…illegal traffic of liquor in violation of legislative restrictions…” The term is derived from the 1880’s when smugglers would carry alcohol in their boots to sell to Indians (“Bootlegging”). Though prohibition outlawed it, bootlegging greatly increased the number of speakeasies and illegal stills (“The Jazz Age”). Bootlegging also increased smuggling, extortion, and organized crime rates within the cities. This bootlegging was often grouped with narcotics, gambling and prostitution as well (“Bootlegging”). Bootlegging was prominent in states near national boarders that could easily be crossed (“Prohibition”). Though Prohibition ended, bootlegging remained in areas that …show more content…
Elliot Ness was known for being the lead organized crime fighter of the twenties, as he took down Al Capone and weeded out over 200 corrupt officials (“Elliot…”). “… Elliot Ness joined the Department of Justice in Chicago. Ness suggested that a special unit be created that would report to only the highest officials” (Lieurance). Elliot’s elite team was known as the Untouchables because they could not be bribed. It contained nine men with a variety of different skills that made busts on the major distributors. Though the Untouchables were never able to convict Capone on liquor trafficking charges, they did harm his business. In one case, Ness paraded Capone’s vehicles, which were taken from a bust, around the city